Screenverse, the forefront monetization and ad management partner for DOOH (digital-out-of-home) media owners, secures a significant $10.5 million investment led by Volition Capital. This funding heralds a transformative phase for Screenverse, aimed at propelling the programmatic future of DOOH advertising.

1. Founding Vision and Industry Impact:

   • Founded in 2020 by David Weinfeld and Adam Malone, Screenverse emerged during unprecedented challenges in the advertising landscape.
   • Weinfeld, with experience at Vistar, and Malone, from DOmedia, recognized the potential to empower media owners in monetizing assets programmatically.

2. Tailored Solutions for Media Owners:

   • Screenverse offers a comprehensive suite of services catering to the evolving needs of DOOH media owners.
   • Services encompass end-to-end support in programmatic advertising monetization and management, streamlining processes for maximum revenue generation.

3. Driving Value and Simplifying Advertising:

   • CEO David Weinfeld emphasizes Screenverse's mission to democratize access to programmatic budgets for all DOOH networks.
   • Focus on simplifying and optimizing the advertising process, benefiting media owners and advertisers while enhancing ecosystem value.

4. Expansive Digital Screen Network:

   • Screenverse is building the largest network of digital screens in physical environments, facilitating impactful advertising opportunities.
   • Extensive inventory spans diverse locations, including independent billboards, urban panels, and top retailers like Walmart and Kroger.

5. Strategic Investment and Future Growth:

   • Volition Capital's investment underscores confidence in Screenverse's vision and potential within the DOOH advertising space.
   • Funding will fuel continued growth, focusing on technology enhancement, team expansion, and broadening partnerships.

6. Value Proposition for Advertisers:

   • Larry Cheng, Managing Partner at Volition Capital, highlights the value Screenverse brings to advertisers seeking diverse audience segments programmatically.

With Volition Capital's backing, Screenverse is poised to reshape the landscape of programmatic DOOH advertising, driving innovation, and unlocking new opportunities for media owners and advertisers alike. Stay tuned for Screenverse's continued evolution as it advances the future of digital-out-of-home advertising.

ClearSale, the global leader in risk technology solutions, proudly sponsors the Celerant Technology 20th Anniversary Client Conference, commemorating two decades of successful partnership. Faye McEachern and Rick Sunzeri eagerly engage attendees, offering insights to elevate order approval rates, mitigate brand risk, and elevate customer satisfaction.

1. Empowering Brands Through Innovation:

   • ClearSale's gold sponsorship underscores its commitment to empowering brands through cutting-edge risk technology solutions.
   • Directors Faye McEachern and Rick Sunzeri are poised to share expertise on enhancing order approval rates and safeguarding brand reputation.

2. Educational Partner Presentation:

   • Rick Sunzeri delivers an insightful presentation on May 6, shedding light on the latest innovations in brand protection and ecommerce fraud prevention.
   • Session titled "Unlocking Hidden Revenue and Protecting Your Brand" offers strategies to enhance fraud prevention, increase order approvals, and fortify brand reputation.

3. Addressing Ecommerce Challenges:

   • With ecommerce fraud projected to exceed $362 billion by 2028, ClearSale's session addresses critical challenges faced by retailers.
   • Focus on balancing fraud prevention with seamless customer experiences to mitigate risks and unlock revenue potential.

4. Enhancing Customer Experience:

   • ClearSale's solutions aim to bolster customer satisfaction by minimizing false declines and ensuring seamless online transactions.
   • Emphasis on leveraging AI and machine learning to optimize online purchase approvals and safeguard brand integrity.

5. Interactive Engagement Opportunities:

   • Attendees are invited to engage with ClearSale's team during partner presentations and at their exhibition table.
   • Explore how ClearSale's solutions can enhance revenue, protect brands, and elevate customer satisfaction.

Join ClearSale at the Celerant Technology Conference to celebrate two decades of partnership and discover actionable strategies for navigating ecommerce challenges, enhancing brand protection, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Don't miss the opportunity to unlock hidden revenue and safeguard your brand's reputation with ClearSale's innovative solutions.

VerticalScope Holdings Inc., a leading technology company hosting 65 million registered users across 1,200 online enthusiast communities, announces its collaboration with The Trade Desk to implement OpenPass and OpenPath solutions. These initiatives aim to enhance user authentication security and provide advertisers with direct access to VerticalScope's premium platform.

1. OpenPass for Secure Authentication:

   • VerticalScope adopts The Trade Desk's OpenPass, a single-sign-on solution, ensuring secure login alternatives for users across its web communities.
   • Enhances transparency and privacy compliance while delivering a premium advertising experience to users.

2. VerticalScope's Enthusiast Communities:

   • VerticalScope hosts specialized interest groups spanning automotive, outdoors, and more, totaling over 1,200 enthusiast communities.
   • Users engage in content sharing, product exploration, and community interactions within VerticalScope's diverse platform.

3. The Trade Desk's OpenPath Integration:

   • Integration with The Trade Desk's OpenPath provides advertisers with a direct connection to VerticalScope's premium platform.
   • Facilitates a more efficient auction process, optimizing value for both advertisers and VerticalScope.

4. Benefits for Advertisers:

   • Advertisers leveraging The Trade Desk's platform gain direct access to VerticalScope's premium inventory, enhancing campaign efficiency and performance.
   • Improved targeting and streamlined media-buying processes benefit brands and agencies advertising on VerticalScope's enthusiast communities.

5. Industry Recognition and Partnership:

   • Will Doherty, VP of Inventory Development at The Trade Desk, underscores the appeal of authenticated environments for advertisers.
   • Chris Goodridge, President and COO at VerticalScope, highlights the partnership's significance in providing a secure and premium experience for users.

VerticalScope's collaboration with The Trade Desk marks a significant advancement in user authentication and advertiser access within online enthusiast communities. Through OpenPass and OpenPath solutions, VerticalScope ensures enhanced security and efficiency, catering to the evolving needs of users and advertisers alike in the digital landscape.

Agora, Inc., a pioneer in real-time engagement APIs, introduces its latest innovation, Adaptive Video Optimization™ (AVO), alongside support for the AV1 video codec. This cutting-edge technology leverages machine learning to dynamically enhance every aspect of live video streaming, ensuring optimal performance regardless of network conditions or device capabilities.

1. Challenges in Live Video Streaming:

   • Instabilities like network fluctuations and limited bandwidth often disrupt live video experiences, leading to freezing, stuttering, and dropped connections.
   • Agora's AVO addresses these challenges through advanced machine learning algorithms, optimizing video quality in real time.

2. Enhanced Streaming Experience:

   • AVO optimizes image quality, ensuring crisp frames with vibrant details for a clearer and more engaging viewing experience.
   • Unmatched video fluency eliminates buffering and stuttering, delivering a smooth and natural flow to viewers.
   • Ultra-low latency enables real-time interaction among users and quick loading times for seamless transitions between video streams.

3. Comprehensive Machine Learning Approach:

   • AVO optimizes every stage of the video processing pipeline, from capture to playback, through a comprehensive machine learning approach.
   • Agora's Coding Technology (ACT) dynamically selects the best video codec, such as AV1 or VP9, based on device capabilities and interoperability requirements, ensuring efficient bandwidth utilization and crisp visuals.

4. Continuous Adaptation and Mitigation:

   • AVO continuously adapts to changing network conditions and device capabilities, ensuring a seamless streaming experience from capture to playback.
   • Any imperfections during transmission are swiftly mitigated, providing lifelike clarity and superior real-time video experiences.

5. Customer Testimonial:

   • KUMU, a social live streaming app, witnessed a 30% increase in session length and engagement after implementing AVO.
   • Users experienced smooth, high-quality video streaming, even on slow connections and older devices, enhancing overall user satisfaction.

Agora's Adaptive Video Optimization™ (AVO) technology, coupled with support for the AV1 video codec, sets a new standard in real-time engagement APIs. With AVO, Agora ensures a seamless and superior live video streaming experience, empowering businesses to deliver unparalleled user engagement across various applications, from telehealth consultations to social live streaming.

Shutterstock, Inc., a prominent global creative platform, announces its acquisition of Envato Pty Ltd., a leader in digital creative assets and templates. This transformative move aims to enrich Shutterstock's creative offerings and extend its reach to a wider audience through Envato's flagship product, Elements.

1. Envato's Strengths and Contributions:

   • Envato, founded in 2006, offers a diverse array of digital creative assets and templates, notably its Elements subscription providing unlimited downloads.
   • With a global presence and a focus on enhancing creativity, Envato has facilitated over $1.3 billion in earnings for its author community and amassed 650k subscribers.

2. CEO Statements and Vision:

   • Shutterstock CEO Paul Hennessy expresses enthusiasm for the acquisition, highlighting Envato's alignment with the growing demand for multi-asset subscriptions and its emphasis on various content types.
   • Envato CEO Hichame Assi underscores the shared commitment to empowering the creative community and achieving growth together with Shutterstock.

3. Strategic Highlights of the Acquisition:

   • The acquisition complements Shutterstock's offerings with Envato Elements, expands its audience reach to freelancers, small businesses, and agencies, and adds 650k subscribers to its base.
   • Shutterstock's content revenue is expected to grow with the inclusion of Envato's diverse content library, spanning images, videos, audio clips, templates, and graphics & fonts.

4. Transaction Details:

   • The acquisition involves a $245 million cash purchase of 100% of Envato Pty Ltd, expected to close in the third quarter, subject to customary conditions.
   • Financing is facilitated through a $375 million credit facility, aiming to accelerate Shutterstock's long-term targets and maintain favorable leverage ratios.

Shutterstock's acquisition of Envato marks a significant milestone in expanding its creative offerings and audience reach. With Envato's Elements subscription and diverse content library, Shutterstock strengthens its position as a premier destination for creative professionals worldwide, fostering innovation and empowering creators to realize their visions.

Innovid, a leading software platform for advertising across connected TV, linear TV, and digital, announces its membership in Ad Net Zero, reaffirming its dedication to sustainability in the advertising industry. Through collaborative efforts and a 5-Point Action Plan, Innovid aims to manage and reduce carbon emissions while driving progress across the advertising landscape.

1. Ad Net Zero Membership and Commitment:

   • Innovid joins Ad Net Zero, a trade association focusing on sustainability in advertising, to prioritize eco-friendly practices and reduce carbon footprint.
   • Committed to implementing the Ad Net Zero 5-Point Action Plan, Innovid pledges to measure progress annually and actively participate in leadership and working groups.

2. Innovid's Environmental Initiative - Harmony:

   • Innovid launches Harmony initiative, addressing challenges in CTV advertising while promoting sustainability at the infrastructure level.
   • Harmony aims to optimize efficiency, transparency, and ROI while reducing carbon emissions across advertising processes.

3. Introduction of Harmony Direct:

   • As part of the Harmony initiative, Innovid introduces Harmony Direct, a product innovation streamlining the CTV supply path.
   • Harmony Direct eliminates delivery friction in guaranteed, non-biddable CTV media, reducing platform usage and electricity consumption.

Innovid's commitment to sustainability reflects its proactive stance towards reducing carbon emissions in advertising. By joining Ad Net Zero and implementing the 5-Point Action Plan, Innovid aims to drive tangible progress while promoting eco-friendly practices across the advertising industry. Through initiatives like Harmony, Innovid strives to optimize efficiency and transparency while significantly reducing its environmental impact, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable advertising ecosystem.

GSTV, the leading on-the-go video network, unveiled groundbreaking findings from a study conducted with Lumen Research at the 2024 NewFronts. The study, a first in the industry, quantifies viewer attention to real ads on the GSTV platform, demonstrating unprecedented levels of engagement surpassing industry benchmarks across digital, CTV, and linear television.

1. High Viewer Attention:

   • 95% of impressions on GSTV command visual attention, exceeding norms for digital, CTV, and linear television.
   • Ads on GSTV yield 2.7x and 2.5x more attention compared to CTV and linear TV ads respectively.

2. Increased Viewing Time:

   • Attention per 1000 impressions on GSTV surpasses Dentsu's norms for online display, online video, and social media by significant margins.
   • Despite shorter ad durations, GSTV ads deliver more attentive viewing time than :30 spots on CTV and linear TV.

3. Cost-Efficient Advertisements:

   • GSTV proves to be 5x more efficient than online display ads and 3x more efficient than CTV on a cost per 1000 seconds of attention basis.

4. Exceptional Brand Recall:

   • Brand recall following ad exposure on GSTV exceeds Dentsu’s norms for online video and CTV by over +50%.

Expert Insights:

• Mike Follett, Managing Director at Lumen Research, highlights GSTV's leadership in delivering attention to ads on its platform.
• Kate Shannon, EVP at Carat US, emphasizes the importance of transacting on attention to drive better outcomes.
• Eric Z. Sherman, EVP Insights & Analytics at GSTV, underscores the natural viewer attention inherent in the GSTV experience.

Methodology:

• Lumen Research conducted an eye-tracking study capturing real-world viewing behavior at GSTV-supported locations in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Participants were fitted with eye-tracking glasses to assess attention to GSTV screens, followed by a survey to evaluate brand recall.

The study provides compelling evidence of GSTV's effectiveness in capturing viewer attention, setting new standards for advertising engagement in the industry.