CTAM

What CTAM does

CTAM (Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing) is a US-based non-profit trade association headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, that operates as a membership body for the media, entertainment, and connectivity industries. Its members include streamers (Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Tubi, Pluto TV, and others), cable and broadcast networks (CNN, ESPN, FX, HGTV, MTV, Nat Geo, and 50+ more), MVPDs (Cable One, GCI, MCTV, Optimum, and large operators including Comcast, Charter/Spectrum, Cox, and Warner Bros. Discovery), and solution providers (Circana, TransUnion, Hub Entertainment Research, Fandango, Magid, and others). CTAM is governed by a Board of Directors, MSO Marketing Co-op Board, Educational Foundation Board, and Communications Steering Council drawn from these member companies, and is led by President & CEO Vicki Lins. The association describes itself as a neutral "safe harbor" where direct competitors collaborate on issues no single firm can solve alone.

CTAM's core products are organized around strategic initiatives and recurring programs rather than proprietary technology. Co-operative marketing programs include SmartMove (mover marketing targeting 35M+ Americans who move annually), BusinessServicesConnect.com (a B2B portal that delivered over 45,000 leads to member MSOs in 2024 at a reported $16.80 average CPL), and the National Digital Marketing Buy (over 3 billion impressions annually). Consumer-education platforms include StreamSafely.com (anti-piracy, expanded into Canada) and ByeScammer.com (fraud mitigation, built with AARP). Executive education comprises CTAM Think, CTAM Advance, CTAM Wired, the Consumer Insights Meeting, and the CTAM Executive Management program at Harvard Business School. Content/research assets include the Knowledge Portal, CTAM SmartBrief daily newsletter, the Thinking Out Loud podcast (56+ episodes), Leadership Insights interviews, and Quick Takes video series. CTAM does not develop proprietary technology and has no API, SDK, or AI/ML products.

CTAM's business model is a subscription-style recurring revenue model based on negotiated corporate membership dues, sold via direct sales/relationship management and reinforced through event-driven acquisition and engagement (CTAM Think, CTAM Advance, CTAM Wired, Consumer Insights Meeting, Harvard program). Marketing channels include the SmartBrief newsletter, the Thinking Out Loud podcast distributed across nine audio platforms, YouTube and Facebook, consumer-facing websites, and member-only resources. The association monetizes its scale by aggregating demand from major media and connectivity companies into shared co-marketing, research, education, and consumer-protection programs that members could not execute independently.

Name

CTAM

Legal name

CTAM

Website

https://ctam.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CTAM is a US non-profit trade association uniting streamers, cable/broadcast networks, MVPDs, and solution providers through collaborative co-marketing programs (SmartMove, BusinessServicesConnect), consumer education (StreamSafely, ByeScammer), executive education (including a Harvard Business School program), and industry research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association / Media & Entertainment Marketing

NAICS

Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Marketing Technology (MarTech) Strategy & Stack Advisory (MPAAAFAJ)

Keywords

• Cable industry association
• Media marketing forum
• Executive education programs
• Consumer education campaigns
• Trade association membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Corporate Membership Dues: CTAM generates revenue through membership fees paid by corporate member companies across the media, entertainment, and technology industries. Members include Streamers, Networks, MVPDs (cable operators), and Solution Providers who pay for access to collaborative marketing initiatives, industry research, executive education, and networking opportunities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

CTAM is a non-profit trade association that delivers member collaboration, executive education programs, consumer-facing education campaigns, and a Knowledge Portal of research, podcasts, and best practices for the cable, media, entertainment, and technology industries. Members include streamers, programmers/networks, MVPDs, and solution providers that access CTAM's programs and resources.

Product overview

CTAM is a trade association offering a portfolio of collaborative marketing programs, research resources, executive education, and consumer-facing initiatives. The core offerings include SmartMove (mover marketing), BusinessServicesConnect.com (B2B lead generation), and StreamSafely (anti-piracy education). Member resources include the Knowledge Portal, CTAM Think, CTAM Wired, CTAM Advance, CTAM Executive Management at Harvard Business School, CTAM SmartBrief, and Leadership Insights/Quick Takes content series. Additional initiatives include ByeScammer (fraud mitigation) and the Thinking Out Loud podcast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SmartMove: A mover marketing program that helps households find broadband, TV, mobile and home phone providers when moving.
• BusinessServicesConnect
• StreamSafely
• ByeScammer
• Thinking Out Loud

Products and services

• Corporate Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Poor UX drives 36% of subscription cancellations (43% for those under 25)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in CTAM's piracy mitigation initiative. ACE is a content protection coalition working to reduce piracy globally. CTAM aligns tactics with ACE and other organizations engaged in copyright infringement litigation.
• Motion Picture Association (MPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey coalition partner in CTAM's piracy mitigation efforts. MPA provides piracy intelligence and enforcement support. CTAM aligns tactics with MPA/ACE and other organizations engaged in piracy mitigation.
• Digital Citizens AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner addressing consumer safety related to piracy. Research shows 72% of pirate service subscribers experience fraud. CTAM collaborates on consumer education and awareness campaigns.
• U.S. Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in CTAM's piracy mitigation and anti-counterfeiting efforts. CTAM aligns broader industry tactics with Chamber initiatives on intellectual property protection.
• Copyright AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner supporting copyright education and protection. Works with CTAM on consumer awareness initiatives related to content piracy risks.
• Internet MattersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK-based coalition partner focused on keeping children safe online. CTAM collaborates on consumer education content related to piracy risks and safe streaming.
• National Intellectual Property Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CTAM's piracy PSA collaboration. Contributed to consumer education videos explaining personal risk from piracy alongside MPA.
• AARPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CTAM's fraud mitigation campaign. AARP fraud prevention leader Kathy Stokes appeared on Thinking Out Loud podcast discussing evolving scam tactics and coordinated industry efforts like ByeScammer initiative.
• SmartBriefcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic media partnership delivering CTAM SmartBrief daily industry newsletter. SmartBrief aggregates industry news and delivers fast reads on media and connectivity business to CTAM subscribers.
• Independence Research, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for CTAM 2025 SMB Business Technology Study. Conducted survey on SMB technology adoption, AI interest, cybersecurity needs, and 5G perceptions.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Motion Picture Association (MPA): Trade association representing major film and TV studios. MPA is a core coalition partner with CTAM on the piracy mitigation initiative, sharing members (Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery) and overlapping goals around anti-piracy and content protection.
• The Cable Center: Cable industry's non-profit organization focused on education, history preservation, and leadership development. Like CTAM, The Cable Center serves the cable/media industry with educational programs and convenes industry leaders.
• American Cable Association (ACA): Trade association for independent, smaller-market cable operators, overlapping CTAM's MVPD segment. Both organizations serve the US cable industry with programming, advocacy, and operational support, though ACA is more politically focused.
• ANA – Association of National Advertisers: Trade association for major advertisers and brands. ANA and CTAM both serve the marketing industry, providing research, education, and industry collaboration—ANA on the advertiser/brand side, CTAM on the media/distribution side.
• NCTA – The Internet & Television Association: The cable and broadband industry's primary trade association, representing the same MVPD and programming distributors that make up CTAM's core membership base. Both organizations convene cable/media executives on shared industry priorities including consumer education and policy advocacy.
• MESA – Media & Entertainment Services Alliance: Non-profit trade association serving the media and entertainment technology ecosystem. MESA and CTAM both convene media industry stakeholders to address shared challenges around technology adoption, content operations, and business strategy.
• National Association of Broadcasters (NAB): Trade association representing US radio and television broadcasters. NAB and CTAM both convene media industry executives, run major events, and address consumer/marketing challenges across the broader video distribution ecosystem.
• NAMIC (National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications): Cable/media industry association focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. NAMIC and CTAM serve overlapping member companies across the cable, programming, and technology sectors with professional development and industry advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB): Trade association for the digital advertising and marketing ecosystem. IAB operates across the same media/connectivity landscape as CTAM, with overlapping members (streamers, networks, MVPDs) addressing marketing standards, measurement, and consumer research.
• CTIA – The Wireless Association: Trade association representing the US wireless communications industry. CTIA and CTAM serve adjacent connectivity verticals (wireless vs. cable/broadband), with overlapping member companies pursuing converged 5G/broadband strategies.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ctam-stories
• Facebookfacebook.com/ctam-272051373742
• Xx.com/ctam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ctam

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CTAM