What does a media audit cost?

Our audit fees are based on the scope and complexity of your media operation. For most clients spending £2M–£50M annually, the audit fee represents a fraction of the savings we identify — typically delivering 10–20x ROI within the first year. Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation discussion about your specific situation.

Will our agency know we are conducting an audit?

That is entirely your decision. Some clients prefer to inform their agency, whilst others choose a confidential review. We can work effectively in either scenario and will advise on the best approach based on your relationship dynamics and objectives.

How is Fuel Media different from other auditors?

We are fully independent with no agency relationships, platform partnerships, or media buying interests. Many "auditors" are affiliated with agencies or media owners, which compromises objectivity. Our forensic approach includes invoice verification and cost benchmarking — not just surface-level performance review.

What access do you need to conduct the audit?

We require read-only access to advertising platforms (Google Ads, Meta Business Manager, etc.), agency contracts and invoices, and historical performance data. We also conduct stakeholder interviews with your team and, where appropriate, your agency partners.

How quickly can we see results after the audit?

Quick wins such as eliminating fraudulent traffic, pausing non-converting placements, and correcting targeting errors can deliver results within days of implementation. Broader strategic changes like attribution model updates and contract renegotiations typically show compounding benefits over 3–6 months.

Media Audit Services UK

Independent media audits that expose hidden waste, verify agency performance, and recover lost value from your advertising investment. Trusted by brands spending £2M–£50M+ annually.

Most brands waste 15–30% of their media budget without knowing it

Without independent oversight, inefficiencies accumulate. Agencies may optimise for their own margins rather than your outcomes. Audience overlap across platforms burns budget. Outdated contracts lock you into unfavourable terms. And without benchmarking, you have no way of knowing whether you are getting fair value.

No independent verification of whether media buying is efficient or competitive

Agency reporting focuses on vanity metrics rather than business outcomes

Hidden fees, undisclosed rebates, and opaque trading desk markups eroding ROI

Audience overlap across platforms means paying multiple times to reach the same people

Attribution models that over-credit last-click and under-value upper-funnel investment

Contracts signed years ago that no longer reflect market rates or your current spend level

A forensic, data-driven audit built on years of specialist experience

Fuel Media's audit methodology has been refined across extensive engagements spanning financial services, healthcare, and professional services. We combine forensic financial analysis with strategic media expertise to deliver findings that are both commercially significant and immediately actionable.

Fully independent — we have no agency relationships, platform partnerships, or media buying interests

Forensic financial analysis including invoice verification and cost benchmarking

Cross-channel attribution modelling that reveals true campaign contribution

Industry-specific benchmarks from extensive audits across key sectors

Actionable recommendations — not just findings, but a clear implementation roadmap

Typical client savings of 17% or £180K–£850K annually

Our Process

A proven methodology refined across years of specialist engagements

Discovery & Scoping

We review your current media ecosystem, agree on audit scope and objectives, and request access to platform data, contracts, and invoices.

Data Collection

Gathering performance data from all platforms, agency reports, financial records, and contracts. We also conduct stakeholder interviews to understand business context.

Analysis & Benchmarking

Deep forensic analysis of every data point — comparing costs against benchmarks, verifying invoices, mapping audience overlap, and modelling attribution.

Findings & Recommendations

Comprehensive report detailing findings, quantified savings opportunities, and a prioritised implementation roadmap with quick wins and strategic improvements.

Implementation Support

Ongoing support to help you act on recommendations — from agency renegotiation to campaign restructuring and performance monitoring.

Typical timeline: 6–8 weeks

What's Included

Every element of our media audits service

Complete media spend analysis across all channels (digital, traditional, programmatic)

Agency contract and fee structure review

Media buying efficiency and CPM benchmarking

Audience targeting and overlap analysis across platforms

Brand safety and ad fraud assessment

Attribution model evaluation and recommendations

Creative performance analysis by format and placement

Competitive benchmarking against industry standards

Rebate and volume discount verification

Strategic recommendations with implementation roadmap

What You'll Receive

Tangible outputs that drive real commercial impact

Comprehensive Audit Report

Detailed findings covering every aspect of your media investment with evidence and benchmarks

Financial Analysis

Invoice verification, cost benchmarking, and savings quantification

Attribution Model Review

Assessment of current attribution and recommendations for improvement

Implementation Roadmap

Prioritised action plan with quick wins and strategic recommendations

Executive Summary

Board-ready summary of key findings and commercial impact

Ongoing Monitoring Framework

KPIs and dashboards to track improvements post-audit

Expected Outcomes

Measurable results from our media audits engagements*

17%

Average Savings

Typical reduction in total media spend through efficiency improvements

£180K–£850K

Annual Value

Range of annual savings delivered across our client base

6–8 weeks

Audit Completion

Standard timeline from kick-off to final presentation

100%

Client Satisfaction

Every audit client has implemented our recommendations

*Based on outcomes achieved across previous client engagements. Results vary depending on the scope and complexity of each audit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our media audits service

Related Services & Resources

Digital Audits

Specialist analysis of your digital advertising across every platform and channel

Holistic Audits

A complete review of every channel, agency, and pound of media investment

Contract Reviews

Expert independent review of agency contracts to protect your interests

Financial Services Audits

Navigate complex compliance whilst maximising customer acquisition efficiency

Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals Audits

Navigate complex regulations whilst acquiring patients cost-effectively

Professional Services Audits

Build authority and acquire high-value clients efficiently

Ready to Get Started?

Request a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll discuss your specific situation and recommend the best approach for your needs.

No obligation. No sales pressure. Just expert insights into your media efficiency.

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