At A Glance
Financial marketers serve consumers with very different financial habits, digital behaviors, and spending patterns. Experian Audiences offer approximately 400 financial segments and thousands of additional syndicated options covering various industries to help reach individuals at the right moment across generations, channels, and seasonal events. These privacy-safe audiences support acquisition, engagement, and year-round planning.In this article…
Experian Audiences help financial marketers serve consumers with very different financial habits, digital behaviors, and spending patterns. Backed by our deep insight into income, debt, and credit, digital behavior, and household dynamics, our approximately 400 financial audiences and 3,500+ syndicated segments give financial marketers the ability to engage consumers with relevance across every life stage, channel, and financial mindset.
To help financial marketers build effective, more adaptable programs, in this article, we’ll explore two approaches:
- Generational: How financial behaviors differ across life stages
- Seasonal: How consumer financial motivation spikes at key times of year
Together, these approaches help financial marketers reach the right consumers with the right message at the right moment.
Generational approach
Financial marketers face a new kind of challenge: some consumers still visit branches, while others manage nearly every financial task from their phones. That gap reflects more than a channel preference; it signals distinct financial needs, confidence levels, and expectations for how money should work across generations.
How do financial behaviors differ across generations?
Generational digital behaviors
The data below highlights key differences in how younger consumers engage with digital financial tools compared with Boomers.
| Behavior/metric | Gen Z and Millennials | Boomers |
| Use peer-to-peer transfer apps (Venmo, PayPal) | ~50% | ~20% |
| Use a mobile wallet daily | 79% (Gen Z), 67% (Millennial) | Nearly 70% have never used one |
Younger generations are driving a mobile-first approach to money management, while Boomers are far less likely to manage their finances this way. They prioritize tools that help them build credit, reduce debt, manage rising costs, and automate everyday tasks. This behavior is reshaping how financial institutions think about acquisition, product relevance, and loyalty.
Generational workforce and retirement dynamics
As Boomers retire, their focus shifts to protecting accumulated wealth, steady income, and simplified service experiences. These changes are reshaping household finances and long-term planning behaviors across the country.
The table below outlines how shifting workforce composition and retirement milestones differ across generations.
| Behavior/metric | Gen Z and Millennials | Boomers |
| Share of the U.S. workforce | Growing toward 74% of the global workforce by 2030 (younger generations collectively) | ~15% of the U.S. workforce and shrinking |
| Retirement outlook | Expected age to retire 67-69 | ~75 million people will have retired by 2030 |
Marketers need to do more than track trends; they need to act on them with confidence. That’s where Experian Audiences come in.
Turn generational insights into action with Experian Audiences
Experian Audiences turn complex generational data into actionable marketing segments, helping financial brands reach the right people with the right message across every life stage. We offer approximately 400 financial audiences, each reflecting distinct financial priorities, from debt management to wealth preservation. These audiences are built using privacy-safe data and grounded in our deep understanding of income, debt, and digital behavior.
Experian’s financial audiences blend credit, behavioral, and demographic signals to help you connect with consumers based on:
- Debt profile, including type and overall burden
- Income tier and earning stage
- Financial confidence and digital engagement habits
How can marketers activate generational insights with Experian Audiences?
Each generation has unique financial journeys, needs, and motivations that marketers can address with Experian Audiences designed to reach:
- Generation Z (Gen Z)
- Millennials
- Generation X (Gen X)
- Baby boomers (Boomers)
In addition to these four generational segments, Experian Audiences also includes segments that apply broadly across life stages. These audiences reflect core financial attributes, such as income, capacity, and lifestyle, that are consistently relevant and can be layered onto any generational strategy.
- Ability to pay
- Generational income bands
- Income
- Mosaic® USA
While Fair Lending regulations prohibit age-based targeting, these groups are not built on age itself. Instead, they’re derived from observable financial behaviors and signals that often align with different life stages; allowing marketers to engage consumers in a compliant, behavior-driven way. We also offer FLA-friendly¹ audience segments when required, alongside expanded options for non-lending campaigns, supporting initiatives such as brand and product awareness, deposit growth, credit union membership, and other programs that don’t rely on credit-based targeting.
You can find the full taxonomy paths in the appendix.
This generation is young, digitally savvy, and highly engaged. Gen Z is beginning their financial journey with a focus on independence and debt management. Their preference for mobile-first tools and peer-to-peer payments reflects an expectation for simple, accessible financial experiences. Campaigns centered on credit-building tools, savings apps, and financial literacy resources are especially relevant for this group.
Here are seven recommended audiences to target Gen Z:
- Credit Card Financial Personality
- Discretionary Spend: Dining Out
- Discretionary Spend: Education
- Discretionary Spend: Entertainment
- In Market Buy Now Pay Later
- In Market for Auto Loan or Lease
- Renter
How to use these audiences
Financial marketers can activate audiences like Credit Card Financial Personality, In-Market Buy Now Pay Later, and Renter to introduce credit-building tools and mobile-first financial products.
Millennials are entering their peak earning years while balancing family, homeownership, and digital convenience. Their preference for digital and contactless payments reflects a broader expectation for seamless, mobile-first financial experiences. Campaigns highlighting mortgage products, family insurance, and digital banking resonate across connected TV, mobile, and display.
| Behavior/metric | Millennial |
| Prefer digital or contactless payments | ~85% |
Here are ten audiences to target Millennials:
- Deposits Financial Personality
- Discretionary Spend Education
- Discretionary Spend Home Furnishings
- In Market Buy Now Pay Later
- In Market Real Estate
- Investable Assets
- Likely to Move
- Mortgage Financial Personality
- New Parents
- Student Loan Age
How to use these audiences
Financial marketers can use audiences such as Mortgage Financial Personality, New Parents, and Discretionary Spend: Home Furnishings to reach Millennials navigating homeownership, family growth, and major financial decisions.
Gen X leads in household income and prioritizes investments, education, and long-term financial stability. They respond well to data-driven offers for refinancing, college planning, and wealth management, especially across digital video, streaming, and email channels.
Here are ten audiences to target Gen X:
- Discretionary Spend
- Discretionary Spend Donations
- Discretionary Spend Entertainment
- Discretionary Spend Travel
- Equity Loan Age
- Insurance Financial Personality
- Investment Financial Personality
- Investable Assets
- Mortgage Loan Age
- Net Asset Score (Net Worth)
How to use these audiences
Financial marketers can utilize audiences like Investment Financial Personality, Equity Loan Age, and Net Asset Score to promote refinancing, college planning, and wealth-building solutions.
Boomers tend to have lower debt loads and more stable income, but place a high value on security and simplicity. Their channel preferences skew traditional, focusing on direct mail, television, and formats that reinforce trust and familiarity.
| Behavior/metric | Boomer |
| Median net worth | $410,000 |
| TV consumption | 98% watch TV; 77% watch more than 2 hours per day |
| Newspaper readership | 50%+ still read print or a mix of print and digital |
Here are eight audiences to target Boomers:
- Charitable Causes
- Discretionary Spend
- Discretionary Spend Donations
- Discretionary Spend Travel
- Equity Loan Age
- Home Equity Financial Personality
- Mortgage Loan Paid Off or “Has Existing”
- Net Asset Score (Net Worth)
How to use these audiences
Financial marketers can target audiences such as Home Equity Financial Personality, Mortgage Loan Paid Off, and Net Asset Score to support messaging around wealth preservation, estate planning, and retirement security.
Seasonal approach
Alongside generation insights, financial advertisers should also capitalize on key seasonal events where financial motivation naturally spikes. Each season brings unique consumer behaviors, and Experian Audiences can be activated to align with these key seasonal moments.
Tax season
Refunds and debt payoff are top of mind as consumers prepare and file their returns.
- Experian Audiences you can activate:
- Household Tax Shelter User
- Tax Preparation Services and Software
- Tax Return: Professional Service Prepare User
- Tax Return: Self Prepare User
How to use these audiences
Use Tax Preparation Services and Software or Tax Return: Self Prepare User to reach consumers actively preparing returns, paying down debt, or planning how to use their refunds.
Home buying season
Mortgage, refinancing, and home equity activity increases as consumers enter the peak home buying window.
- Experian Audiences you can activate:
- In Market First Mortgage
- In Market Home Equity
- In Market New Mortgage
- In Market Second Mortgage
- Refinancing Homeowners
How to use these audiences
Use In Market First Mortgage or Refinancing Homeowners to connect with consumers exploring first-time home purchases, refinance options, or equity-based borrowing.
Back-to-school
Household spending increases as families manage education costs, holiday purchases, and year-end budgeting. This period also drives heightened activity around payments, credit usage, and financial planning.
- Experian Audiences you can activate:
- Back to School High Spend
- Back to School Moderate Spend
- Back to School Spend: PreK through High School
- College Tuition Geo Index High Spenders
- Credit Card Age <2 Years
- Credit Seeking Card Switcher
- In Market Credit Card
- In Market Personal Loan
- Mobile Location > College Students
- Student Loan Age <5 Years
- Student Loan Existing
How to use these audiences
Activate Back to School High Spend, Back to School Moderate Spend, or Back to School Spend: PreK through High School audiences to reach households actively preparing for the school year.
Year-end planning (October-December)
As Boomers and Gen X plan for retirement or tax optimization, focus on wealth preservation and investment management.
- Experian Audiences you can activate:
- Baby Boomer Household Income $150K–$249K
- Baby Boomer Household Income $250K–$499K
- Estimated Household Income Range $500K
- Gen X Household Income $1M Plus
- Geo-Indexed Household Income $1M Plus
How to use these audiences
Use Estimated Household Income Range $500K or Geo-Indexed Household Income $1M Plus to engage consumers focused on financial wrap-up activities.
What sets Experian Audiences apart?
Our syndicated audiences give you an advantage across channels, offering both scale and accuracy:
- Experian’s 3,500+ syndicated audiences can be sent to 200+ leading social platforms, such as Meta and Pinterest, TV, and programmatic advertising platforms, and activated directly within Audigent, a part of Experian, with private marketplaces (PMPs).
- Reach consumers based on who they are, where they live, and their household makeup. Experian ranked #1 in accuracy by Truthset for key demographic attributes.
- Access to unique audiences through Experian’s Partner Audiences available on Experian’s data marketplace, within Audigent, a part of Experian, for activation in PMPs, and directly on platforms like DirectTV, Dish, Magnite, OpenAP, and The Trade Desk.
You can activate our syndicated audiences on-the-shelf of most major platforms. For a full list, download our syndicated audiences guide.
Where can you activate Experian Audiences?
Experian Audiences can be activated on 200+ leading destinations or found directly on over 30 platforms, including:
Need a custom audience? Reach out to our audience team and we can help you build and activate an Experian audience on the platform of your choice.
Want to activate an Experian Audience on Meta, Pinterest, Snap, TikTok or on a platform not listed above? Contact us today.
Activate Experian Audiences today with Audigent
Audigent will build customized deals that combine premium Experian Audiences or Partner Audiences and inventory into a single, streamlined deal ID – tailored to your campaign needs. Plus, our powerful supply-side optimization ensures your campaigns deliver top marks in performance.
Connect with the Audigent team today at AudigentAgency_Brands@experian.com to get started.
Make every consumer part of your financial strategy
From first paychecks to retirement portfolios, every generation has its own financial story, and seasonal moments create predictable spikes in financial behavior. With Experian Audiences, you can plan across life stages and timing to meet consumers when intent is highest, building relationships grounded in trust, relevance, and meas
Reach out to us today
FAQs
Experian Audiences are pre-built, privacy-compliant consumer segments that help marketers target based on verified demographic, financial, and behavioral data.
They’re designed for flexibility across channels and can be activated on 200+ platforms, including major social, CTV, and programmatic partners.
Experian ranks #1 in demographic accuracy according to Truthset, and marketers can choose from 3,500+ syndicated audiences that capture signals such as income, spending behavior, household structure, financial attitudes, and ability to pay. These same audiences are also available through partnerships on platforms like DirecTV, Dish, Magnite, OpenAP, and The Trade Desk.
For a deeper look at our audience catalog, explore our syndicated audience guide.
Financial marketers can use Experian Audiences by aligning audience selection with generational priorities, such as digital banking for Gen Z or retirement planning for Boomers, to improve engagement and ROI.
Experian Audiences are designed to meet a variety of needs while respecting different levels of privacy standards. For example, we offer FLA-compliant segments where required, as well as broader audiences for objectives such as brand awareness, promotion, credit union membership growth, and more.
Experian’s approach to data is guided by our Global Data Principles, which reflect how we protect and manage information:
Data security: safeguarding data against unauthorized access, use, or loss
Accuracy: ensuring data is as accurate, complete, and relevant as possible
Fairness: collecting and using data responsibly and for legitimate purposes
Transparency: being open about the data we collect, how it’s used, and where it’s shared
Inclusion: using data to expand financial access and support consumer financial health
You can activate Experian Audiences are available across 200+ digital and connected TV platforms, including Meta, Pinterest, The Trade Desk, and Audigent PMPs.
Yes, you can combine Experian data with your own. You can combine your own first-party data with Experian’s 3,500+ syndicated audiences and additional segments from multiple Partner data providers, as a custom audience within a Curated Deal or self-service via Audience Engine.
Footnote
- “Fair Lending Friendly” indicates data fields that Experian has made available without use of certain demographic attributes that may increase the likelihood of discriminatory practices prohibited by the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”) and Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”). These excluded attributes include, but may not be limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, disability, handicap, family status, ancestry, sexual orientation, unfavorable military discharge, and gender. Experian’s provision of Fair Lending Friendly indicators does not constitute legal advice or otherwise assures your compliance with the FHA, ECOA, or any other applicable laws. Clients should seek legal advice with respect to your use of data in connection with lending decisions or application and compliance with applicable laws.
Appendix
Generation Z
- Financial Personalities > Credit Card Financial Personality > Uninterested, Average Credit Card Balance
- Financial Personalities > Credit Card Financial Personality > Reluctant User, High Credit Card Balance
- Financial Personalities > Credit Card Financial Personality > Loyal Rewards Enthusiast, Low Credit Card Balance
- Financial Personalities > Credit Card Financial Personality > Credit Seeking Card Switcher, High Credit Card Balance
- Financial Personalities > Credit Card Financial Personality > Complacent Card User, Low Credit Card Balance
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Dine Out Annual Spend $4302-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Dine Out Annual Spend $2084-$4301
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Dine Out Annual Spend $0-$2083
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $512-$1227
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $1228-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $0-$511
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Annual Spend $4607-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Annual Spend $2230-$4606
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Annual Spend $0-$2229
- Financial FLA Friendly > In Market > Buy Now Pay Later
- Financial > In Market > Buy Now Pay Later
- Financial FLA Friendly > In Market Auto Loan
- Financial FLA Friendly > In Market Auto Lease
- Demographics > Homeowners/Renters > Renter
Millennials
- Financial Personalities > Deposits Financial Personality > Uninterested, Average Deposit Balance
- Financial Personalities > Deposits Financial Personality > Self-Directed Diversifier, Very High Deposit Balance
- Financial Personalities > Deposits Financial Personality > Hesitant Borrower, Low Deposit Balance
- Financial Personalities > Deposits Financial Personality > Demanding Advice Seeker, Low Deposit Balance
- Financial Personalities > Deposits Financial Personality > Conservative Branch Banker, Very High Deposit Balance
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $512-$1227
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $1228-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $0-$511
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Furnishings Annual Spend $2602-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Furnishings Annual Spend $1272-$2601
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Furnishings Annual Spend $0-$1271
- Financial FLA Friendly > In Market > Buy Now Pay Later
- Financial > In Market > Buy Now Pay Later
- Publisher Derived > In-Market: Real Estate > In-Market Real Estate
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score Less Than $10000
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $10000-$49999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $50000-$99999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $100000-$249999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $250000-$499999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $500000-$999999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $1000000 Plus
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Movers > Likely to Move
- Financial Personalities > Mortgage Financial Personality > Uninterested, Slightly Below Average Mortgage Balance
- Financial Personalities > Mortgage Financial Personality > Secure, Active Refinancer, Above Average Mortgage Balance
- Financial Personalities > Mortgage Financial Personality > Disciplined, Passive Borrower, Below Average Mortgage Balance
- Financial Personalities > Mortgage Financial Personality > Conservative, Bank Loyalist, Slightly Below Average Mortgage Balance
- Financial Personalities > Mortgage Financial Personality > Advice Seeking Refinancer, Slightly Above Average Mortgage Balance
- Life Events > New Parents > Child Age 0-36 Months
- Financial FLA Friendly > Student Loan Age > 9 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Student Loan Age > 8 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Student Loan Age > 7 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Student Loan Age > 6 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Student Loan Age > 12 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Student Loan Age > 11 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Student Loan Age > 10 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Student Loan Age > <5 Years
Generation X
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Travel Annual Spend $682-$1364
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Travel Annual Spend $1365-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Travel Annual Spend $0-$681
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Reading Annual Spend $193-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Reading Annual Spend $102-$192
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Reading Annual Spend $0-$101
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Personal Annual Spend $993-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Personal Annual Spend $525-$992
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Personal Annual Spend $0-$524
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Furnishings Annual Spend $2602-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Furnishings Annual Spend $1272-$2601
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Furnishings Annual Spend $0-$1271
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Other Annual Spend $911-$1973
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Other Annual Spend $1974-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Other Annual Spend $0-$910
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment AV Annual Spend $952-$1763
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment AV Annual Spend $1764-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment AV Annual Spend $0-$951
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Annual Spend $4607-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Annual Spend $2230-$4606
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Annual Spend $0-$2229
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Admissions Annual Spend $833-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Admissions Annual Spend $326-$832
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Admissions Annual Spend $0-$325
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $512-$1227
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $1228-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $0-$511
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Donation Annual Spend $2568-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Donation Annual Spend $1265-$2567
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Donation Annual Spend $0-$1264
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $31619-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $0-$7900
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $7901-$10930
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $21952-$31618
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $15180-$21951
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $10931-$15179
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Dine Out Annual Spend $4302-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Dine Out Annual Spend $2084-$4301
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Dine Out Annual Spend $0-$2083
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Apparel Annual Spend $2818-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Apparel Annual Spend $1459-$2817
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Apparel Annual Spend $0-$1458
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Alcohol and Wine Annual Spend $727-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Alcohol and Wine Annual Spend $331-$726
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Alcohol and Wine Annual Spend $0-$330
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > 9 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > 7-8 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > 12+ Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > 11 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > 10 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > <6 Years
- Financial Personalities > Insurance Financial Personality > Uninterested, Below Average Insurance Policy Face Value
- Financial Personalities > Insurance Financial Personality > Secure Agent-Oriented Loyalist, High Insurance Policy Face Value
- Financial Personalities > Insurance Financial Personality > Reluctant Insurance Skeptic, Below Average Insurance Policy Face Value
- Financial Personalities > Insurance Financial Personality > Insurance Averse, Below Average Insurance Policy Face Value
- Financial Personalities > Insurance Financial Personality > Engaged Advice Seeker, Average Insurance Policy Face Value
- Financial Personalities > Insurance Financial Personality > Confident, Self-Directed Planner, High Insurance Policy Face Value
- Financial Personalities > Investments Financial Personality > Skeptical, Fund-Oriented Investor, Low to Medium Investable Assets
- Financial Personalities > Investments Financial Personality > Savvy Sounding-Board Seeking Investor, Average Investable Assets
- Financial Personalities > Investments Financial Personality > Price Sensitive, Self-Directed Investor, Very High Investable Assets
- Financial Personalities > Investments Financial Personality > Cautious Investing Novice, Low Investable Assets
- Financial Personalities > Investments Financial Personality > Broker-Reliant Delegator, Very High Investable Assets
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score Less Than $10000
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $10000-$49999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $50000-$99999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $100000-$249999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $250000-$499999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $500000-$999999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Investable Assets > Investable Annual Assets Score $1000000 Plus
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Age > 9 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Age > 8 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Age > 7 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Age > 6 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Age > 5 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Age > 13 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Age > 11-12 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Age > 10 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Age > <4 Years
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Asset Score Net Worth $1000000 Plus
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Asset Score $2500000 Plus
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score Less Than $25000
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $750000-$999999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $75000-$99999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $500000-$749999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $50000-$74999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Asset Score $5000000 Plus
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $250000-$499999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $25000-$49999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $2500000-$4999999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $100000-$249999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $1000000-$2499999
Baby boomers
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Charitable Causes > Contributes to Private Foundations
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Charitable Causes > Contributes to Political Charities
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Charitable Causes > Contributes to Health Charities
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Charitable Causes > Contributes to Education Charities
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Charitable Causes > Contributes to Charities
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Charitable Causes > Contributes to Arts/Culture Charities
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Charitable Causes > Contributes by Volunteering
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Travel Annual Spend $682-$1364
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Travel Annual Spend $1365-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Travel Annual Spend $0-$681
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Reading Annual Spend $193-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Reading Annual Spend $102-$192
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Reading Annual Spend $0-$101
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Personal Annual Spend $993-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Personal Annual Spend $525-$992
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Personal Annual Spend $0-$524
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Furnishings Annual Spend $2602-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Furnishings Annual Spend $1272-$2601
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Furnishings Annual Spend $0-$1271
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Other Annual Spend $911-$1973
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Other Annual Spend $1974-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Other Annual Spend $0-$910
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment AV Annual Spend $952-$1763
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment AV Annual Spend $1764-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment AV Annual Spend $0-$951
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Annual Spend $4607-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Annual Spend $2230-$4606
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Annual Spend $0-$2229
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Admissions Annual Spend $833-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Admissions Annual Spend $326-$832
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Entertainment Admissions Annual Spend $0-$325
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $512-$1227
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $1228-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Education Annual Spend $0-$511
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Donation Annual Spend $2568-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Donation Annual Spend $1265-$2567
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Donation Annual Spend $0-$1264
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $31619-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $0-$7900
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $7901-$10930
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $21952-$31618
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $15180-$21951
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Discretionary Annual Spend Estimate $10931-$15179
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Dine Out Annual Spend $4302-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Dine Out Annual Spend $2084-$4301
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Dine Out Annual Spend $0-$2083
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Apparel Annual Spend $2818-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Apparel Annual Spend $1459-$2817
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Apparel Annual Spend $0-$1458
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Alcohol and Wine Annual Spend $727-$99999
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Alcohol and Wine Annual Spend $331-$726
- Financial – Analytics IQ > Discretionary Spend > Alcohol and Wine Annual Spend $0-$330
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > 9 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > 7-8 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > 12+ Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > 11 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > 10 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Equity Loan Age > <6 Years
- Financial Personalities > Home Equity Financial Personality > Uninterested, Low Home Equity Balance
- Financial Personalities > Home Equity Financial Personality > Secure, Savvy Credit User, High Home Equity Balance
- Financial Personalities > Home Equity Financial Personality > Home Equity Enthusiast, Very High Home Equity Balance
- Financial Personalities > Home Equity Financial Personality > Home Equity Averse Skeptic, Very Low Home Equity Balance
- Financial Personalities > Home Equity Financial Personality > Hesitant Borrower, Low Home Equity Balance
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Paid Off
- Financial FLA Friendly > Mortgage Loan Has Existing
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Asset Score Net Worth $1000000 Plus
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Asset Score $2500000 Plus
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score Less Than $25000
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $750000-$999999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $75000-$99999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $500000-$749999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $50000-$74999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Asset Score $5000000 Plus
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $250000-$499999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $25000-$49999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $2500000-$4999999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $100000-$249999
- Consumer Financial Insights > Net Assets Score (Net Worth) > Net Assets Score $1000000-$2499999
Tax season
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Financial Behavior > Household Tax Shelter User
- Publisher Derived > In-Market: Financial Services > Tax Preparation Services and Software
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Financial Behavior > Tax Return –Professional Service Prepare user
- Lifestyle and Interests (Affinity) > Financial Behavior > Tax Return – Self prepare user
Home buying season
- Financial FLA Friendly > In Market First Mortgage
- Financial FLA Friendly > In Market Home Equity
- Financial FLA Friendly > In Market New Mortgage
- Financial FLA Friendly > In Market Second Mortgage
- Financial FLA Friendly > Refinancing Homeowners
Back to school
- Retail Shoppers: Purchase Based > Seasonal > Back to School Apparel – High School
- Retail Shoppers: Purchase Based > Seasonal > Back to School Moderate Spend
- Retail Shoppers: Purchase Based > Seasonal > Back to School High Spend – PreK (Early Ed – PreK)
- Geo-Indexed > Discretionary Spend > College Tuition GeoIndex High Spenders
- Financial Personalities > Credit Card Financial Personality > Credit Seeking Card Switcher, High Credit Card Balance
- Financial FLA Friendly > In Market Credit Card
- Financial FLA Friendly > In Market Personal Loan Consolidated
- Mobile Location Models > Visits > College Students
- Financial FLA Friendly > Student Loan Age > <5 Years
- Financial FLA Friendly > Student Loan Has Existing
Year-end planning
- Demographics > Household Income (HHI) > Baby Boomer Household Income $150K-$249K
- Demographics > Household Income (HHI) > Baby Boomer Household Income $250K-$499K
- Demographics > Household Income (HHI) > Estimated Household Income Range $500K Plus
- Demographics > Household Income (HHI) > Gen X Household Income $1M Plus
- Geo-Indexed > Demographics > Geo-Indexed Household Income $1M Plus
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Learn how brands can close the activation gap by carrying audience intelligence from identity to execution and outcomes across channels.
In our Ask the Expert series, we interview leaders from our partner organizations who are helping lead their brands to new heights in AdTech. Today’s interview is with Samantha Zhang, Senior Data Scientist, and Jim Meyer, General Manager of the DASH TV Universe Study at the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF). DASH is an annual tracking study conducted by the ARF to define and better understand TV audience behavior and household dynamics. What does DASH measure, and how does it help the industry understand TV consumption today? By capturing hundreds of individual- and household-level data points from each respondent in a rigorous and nationally projectable sample, DASH creates a comprehensive picture of U.S. consumer TV “infrastructure” – how America watches. Core elements in DASHElements that create context in DASHTV setsLocation | brand | smartness | service modes | sources DemographicsConnected devices Game consoles |video players | streaming devicesYesterday viewing Daypart | TV/device genre | Out-of-home viewingMobile devicesOwners | sharing usersShoppingOnline and in-store | Exposure to major RMNsInternet serviceModes | ISPs | connectivity by device Streaming audio Streaming TVSVOD/AVOD tiers and sharing | FAST Email accounts and apps Live TV Modes of access | including casting from devices Social media For example, DASH gathers: Data on every TV set, including brand, room location, age, “smartness,” and connection devices and modes Household connectivity and video service data, even in homes with no TV set Internet Service Providers (ISP) and TV service usage, including Multichannel Video Programming Distributors (MVPDs), virtual vMVPDs, streamers (ad-supported and premium), and Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) channels Person-level ownership and usage of video-capable mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops Measures of viewing and co-viewing across dayparts, devices, and services Additional modules covering shopping and retail media networks, streaming audio, social media, email, and apps Broad coverage and granularity make DASH a uniquely robust source of truth for practitioners across the industry, including measurement experts and ad programming strategists. DASH also reports regularly (and publicly) on key industry dynamics. DASH identified a growing segment of device-only viewers – now nearly 9 million households that watch TV, but do not own a TV set – and highlighted the implications of that trend for traditional ratings systems based only on households with TV sets. Households (HHs – million)2025 HHs (M) U.S. penetrationChange vs. 2024 (M)Total US134.8100%+2.7Connected TV (CTV)114.685%+2.1TV (Set)124.292.2%+1.1Device-only8.86.6%+1.6TV-Accessible133.198.7%+2.7 DASH called out the rise in app-based pay TV and proposed a new connection framework that better represents the modern TV world, in which linear and streaming overlap. DASH also defines the universes of households reachable with advertising. This graphic, for example, shows how all ad-supported linear and streaming properties in aggregate define the true scale of TV advertising. While 35 million households (and growing) are reachable only with streaming ads and 13 million (and falling) only with linear ads, most households are reachable with both, underscoring the importance of understanding the “overlap.” Who uses DASH data, and what decisions does it help inform? There are three primary users of DASH, each with its own use cases: Measurement providers, including Nielsen, use DASH to calibrate viewership data, turn household data into persons data (and vice versa) and estimate potential reached audiences–what the providers call media-related universe estimate (MRUEs)–for the calculation of ratings. Not surprisingly, measurement companies were the first to see the value that an independent TV universe study could provide. Media companies, including major broadcasters and streamers, use DASH to add context and color to their ad sales presentations – and to track the measurement providers, whose ratings play a major role in valuing ad inventory. AdTech companies, including Experian, use DASH to create high-value audience segments for activation. The recent accreditation of DASH by the Media Rating Council (MRC) and adoption by Nielsen as an input to its TV ratings have generated interest from a broad range of companies. We are actively pursuing new licensees and partners to make DASH more useful within, and even outside, the TV ecosystem. What does MRC accreditation signify, and why is it meaningful for DASH? MRC accreditation means DASH passed a rigorous audit conducted by Ernst & Young over many months, which validated our methodology, controls, and data quality. MRC accreditation establishes that DASH is an industry-standard dataset. While the service provider normally announces its own accreditation, the MRC took the unusual step of issuing its own release on DASH, announcing the accreditation of DASH for TV universe estimation and endorsing the study for broader, cross-media use. How does Experian use DASH data to build audiences? The segments combine specific TV usage habits and behaviors from DASH with Experian data on demographics, spending, and other contextual inputs to create a fuller view of consumer viewing behavior. They are designed to be valuable to advertisers in many categories and planning contexts – and to be customizable to fit advertisers’ media targets. The segments can be used to: Apply or suppress audiences to improve target coverage across a campaign Better align media and creative Reach elusive but high-value viewers, such as Ad Avoiders Drive valuable consumer behavior Achieve specific advertising objectives What are some practical use cases for DASH-based audiences? Here are some practical use cases for four different kinds of DASH segments in five different advertiser categories. Travel Co-WatchersA couples-only resort uses TV Co-Watching Households without Children to strengthen target reach and ad memory recallA big theme park destination uses TV Co-Watching Households with Children to reach families in moments of togetherness Home Entertainment TV Owners and Brand LoyalistsA premium TV manufacturer uses the overlap of Multi Brand TV Owners and Single Brand TV Loyalist Households to market its newest TV model to its most loyal consumers. Fast Food Screen Size ViewersA fast food chain with a high-impact new brand campaign uses Large Screen TV Viewers to better align the media and creativeThat same fast food chain uses Small-Screen TV Viewers to drive store traffic by increasing exposure of its retail campaign among on-the-go viewers Financial Services Cord Cutters A personal cost management app and a cash-back credit card target Streaming-First Cord Cutter Households to reach young, tech-savvy, cost-conscious consumers Thanks for the interview. Where can readers learn more about DASH? We started work on DASH seven years ago, and it’s been fun to watch it “grow up.” Our partnership with Experian is a big step toward putting DASH to work for advertisers and agencies. To learn more, visit our site at https://theARF.org/DASH or contact us at DASH@theARF.org. Contact us About our experts Samantha Zhang, Senior Data Scientist at ARF Samantha Zhang is a Senior Data Scientist at the Advertising Research Foundation working on the DASH TV Universe Study, with additional research spanning areas including attention measurement, digital privacy, and artificial intelligence. Jim Meyer, General Manager, DASH, at ARF Jim Meyer is general manager and co-founder of the ARF DASH TV Universe Study and managing partner of Golden Square, LLC, which advises media and research technology companies on growth strategy and development. Latest posts