Kokai

The flagship platform of the leading independent DSP, positioned as the premier alternative to walled garden media-buying platforms for agencies and brands

Kokai is The Trade Desk's next-generation demand-side platform (DSP) interface, launched in June 2023 as the successor to the Solimar platform. Named after a beach in Santa Barbara near The Trade Desk's founding location, Kokai represents a comprehensive reimagining of how media buyers interact with programmatic advertising technology. It integrates AI-driven decision-making throughout the campaign workflow, enabling advertisers and agencies to plan, activate, and optimize campaigns across display, video, connected TV (CTV), audio, and digital out-of-home (DOOH) channels from a unified interface. At the core of Kokai is Koa, The Trade Desk's AI engine, which is deeply embedded into the platform to surface actionable insights, automate bidding decisions, and guide media buyers toward higher-performing inventory. Kokai introduces a redesigned user experience with simplified campaign setup, AI-assisted forecasting, and enhanced measurement capabilities. The platform is built around the concept of making the full power of The Trade Desk's data and inventory access more accessible, reducing complexity while improving campaign outcomes for both experienced traders and newer users. In the AdTech ecosystem, Kokai reinforces The Trade Desk's position as the leading independent DSP, competing directly with Google's DV360, Amazon DSP, and other programmatic platforms. Its emphasis on the open internet, cookieless identity solutions like Unified ID 2.0, and premium CTV inventory makes it a critical tool for brands and agencies seeking alternatives to walled garden advertising environments. Kokai is widely regarded as a significant technological leap that deepens The Trade Desk's competitive moat in the enterprise programmatic advertising space.