A 2023 report from ProfitWell found that customer acquisition costs (CAC) has increased by 60% over the last five years. Paid media—once a reliable growth lever—is now oversaturated and expensive, forcing brands to rethink how they engage audiences. This is where owned media comes in. Unlike paid media, where brands rent attention, owned media (e.g. blogs, newsletters, podcasts, and branded content hubs) builds long-term equity. McKinsey’s research shows that companies investing in owned media see a 20-30% higher return on marketing spend over time due to lower churn and increased customer lifetime value (LTV). Take HubSpot as a case study—their content-driven inbound marketing model generates millions of organic visitors monthly, reducing their reliance on paid ads. Brands like Nike and Apple have also built ecosystems where customers engage directly without needing third-party platforms. The result? Lower acquisition costs and stronger brand loyalty.