A leading U.S.-based mobile entertainment network partnered with Startupr to build its first dedicated outbound program for direct advertiser acquisition. Historically reliant on programmatic demand and agency relationships, the company wanted a repeatable way to secure direct advertisers for its growing portfolio of consumer apps.

Before: No outbound system, unpredictable advertiser inflow, heavy dependence on programmatic.
After: 73 qualified meetings, 42 activated test campaigns, and $860,000 in pipeline within five months.
Impact: A scalable, data-driven engine for direct advertiser revenue.

Client Overview

Industry: Mobile Apps & Digital Advertising
Headquarters: Confidential
Company Size: 50–200 employees

This U.S.-based mobile app company operates a portfolio of high-engagement consumer apps supported by an in-house ad network. Their monetization strategy centered on programmatic exchanges and indirect demand sources, but leadership saw a significant opportunity in growing direct advertiser relationships - higher margins, more stability, and stronger long-term partnerships.

The challenge was clear: the company had no outbound infrastructure, no historical data on advertiser responsiveness, and limited internal bandwidth to test segments or build a scalable system.

They partnered with Startupr to fix that.

Why They Chose Startupr

The company evaluated multiple solutions but ultimately chose Startupr due to:

• A performance-based model tied to verified advertiser meetings
• Deep operational expertise in outbound growth for ad-tech and mobile ecosystems
• Transparent reporting and daily iteration
• The ability to combine research, targeting, personalization, and SDR execution into one unified system

They needed an external team that could move fast, test widely, and deliver predictable results - not just more activity.

The Challenge

Startupr entered the engagement with no existing advertiser list, no validated ICP, and an audience known for low response rates. The problems included:

1. Limited Direct Advertiser Reach

The client relied predominantly on programmatic partners, resulting in limited direct demand diversity.

2. Market Fragmentation

Advertisers varied widely - mobile gaming studios, mid-market e-commerce brands, consumer apps, performance agencies, subscription services - and each required unique messaging.

3. No Outbound Acquisition System

There were no sequences, no verified contacts, no market insights, and no internal SDR function to build from.

4. Long Evaluation Cycles

Many advertisers required internal testing phases, procurement approvals, or multi-team sign-offs before committing to a test.
Early traction was expected to be slow, requiring persistence, structured experimentation, and credibility-building.

Startupr’s Approach

1. Advertiser ICP Development

Startupr ran a multi-week discovery sprint to identify the most promising cohorts. The initial hypothesis targeted mobile apps, but engagement data revealed broader opportunity among:

• High-spend DTC brands
• Performance agencies
• Subscription-based apps
• Regional advertisers with growing digital budgets
• Mobile gaming studios

Each of these ICPs responded to different triggers, making early segmentation essential.

2. Multi-Segment Message Testing

Rather than rely on one pitch, Startupr built tailored messaging frameworks for each advertiser type. This included:

• Direct response value propositions
• Retention and user-quality narratives
• Transparent traffic-quality benchmarks
• CPM/CPC flexibility context
• Use cases for top-of-funnel vs. remarketing advertisers

The goal was not to “sell the network” but to open test campaigns.

3. Multi-Channel Outbound Execution

Startupr combined channels strategically:

• Personalized cold emails
• Targeted LinkedIn outreach
• Light-touch call attempts to high-value advertisers
• Retargeting sequences for warm but slow-moving prospects

Each channel fed into a unified meeting calendar with strict qualification standards.

4. Weekly Iteration Cycles

Every week, Startupr analyzed:

• Advertiser segment response
• Creative hooks that produced attention
• CTA performance
• Industry-specific objections
• Patterns in decision-maker titles

These insights reshaped ICP boundaries and improved conversion quality week over week.

5. Transparent Execution and Real-Time Reporting

The client had full visibility into:

• Meeting quality
• Advertiser segment performance
• Activated test campaigns
• Pipeline progression
• Forecasted advertiser spend

No black box. No blind spots. Just predictable signal loops.

Challenges Discovered During Execution

Outbound results improved significantly, but not without internal obstacles:

• Some advertisers required multi-level approvals before testing
• Agencies responded inconsistently depending on client load
• Certain segments wanted detailed traffic insights before committing
• Creative volume varied widely, affecting test readiness
• Regional advertisers required slightly modified compliance messaging

These discoveries helped tighten targeting and shorten lead-to-test timelines.

Results

In the first five months:

Meetings Booked: 73
Advertiser Test Campaigns Activated: 42
Qualified Pipeline Value: $860,000
KPI Achievement: 100%
Revenue: NDA

Advertisers included (anonymous but representative):

• A top-20 U.S. gaming studio
• A publicly traded finance app
• A performance agency managing 50+ clients
• A high-growth DTC skincare brand
• A leading utility app expanding its UA budget
• Multiple subscription-based lifestyle apps

These tests generated performance data that increased credibility and accelerated future conversions.

Why It Worked

Precision Targeting

ICPs were refined weekly, focusing on advertisers with budgets, urgency, and a clear testing process.

Segment-Specific Messaging

Campaigns resonated because each advertiser type received language tailored to their goals and constraints.

Accountability and Transparency

Everything was tracked. Nothing was assumed. Both teams saw exactly what was working.

Structured, High-Discipline Outbound

Persistent, multi-touch outreach built familiarity and credibility with decision-makers who normally ignore vendor pitches.

Momentum Curve

Month 1: Foundation, testing, early learnings
Month 2: First wave of meaningful advertiser tests
Month 3: Clear ICP patterns emerge, conversion increases
Month 4: Predictable weekly meeting flow
Month 5: Highest consistency in advertiser test activations

This cadence is now the baseline for continued scale.

Next Steps

The ongoing work includes:

• Deeper segmentation of high-spend advertisers
• Dedicated funnels for agencies vs. brands
• A fast-start package for rapid advertiser onboarding
• Expansion into new verticals where early results show strong potential

Startupr is now building the long-term outbound engine to support the company’s next stage of direct revenue growth.

Outcome

In just five months, Startupr transformed a historically programmatic-dependent business into one with a predictable, high-quality outbound advertiser acquisition system. The partnership proved that with targeted segmentation, precise messaging, and disciplined execution, even hard-to-reach advertisers can become consistent revenue drivers.

Meetings Booked: 73
Advertiser Tests Activated: 42
Pipeline Value: $860K
KPI Achievement: 100%
Revenue: NDA