Fluent Inc. (NASDAQ: FLNT) announced an agreement to provide digital advertising support for Backpack Media, an education media network that connects brands with students during key life moments such as college entry and graduation.

Under the partnership, Fluent will integrate its commerce media technology into Sallie's digital ecosystem to help brands reach students navigating college search, scholarship applications, and financial planning processes. The agreement also targets parents who influence these decisions.

Backpack Media launched in March 2026 and operates as part of Sallie's Education Services subsidiary, which engages with approximately two-thirds of college-bound freshmen annually. The network maintains relationships with millions of students throughout their higher education experience.

Fluent's artificial intelligence-powered campaign technology will replace manually managed advertising placements across the network. The company already works with campus commerce destinations including Barnes & Noble College, MBS Books, and Jostens.

"Backpack Media is building something genuinely differentiated as a media network with deep, trusted relationships across the student lifecycle and the first-party data to prove it," said Tim Lukens, President of Commerce Media Solutions at Fluent.

Marco Steinsieck, Managing Vice President and Head of Advertising at Backpack Media, stated that brands want to know what students will purchase next rather than past purchasing behavior. The network uses verified life-stage signals to connect with high-intent moments.

The information is based on a press release statement from Fluent Inc.