Ad Tech News

French gaming giant Voodoo’s €500 million acquisition of BeReal marks a significant turning point for the once-viral social media platform that championed authentic, unfiltered sharing. The deal, which sees BeReal co-founder Alexis Barreyat stepping down and Wizz CEO Aymeric Roffé taking the helm, comes at a crucial moment for the platform. Despite boasting over 40 million active users and revolutionizing social media with its emphasis on genuine moments, BeReal faced growing challenges in expanding its user base and securing additional funding. The acquisition raises intriguing questions about how Voodoo’s gaming expertise and technological infrastructure might transform the platform while maintaining its core mission of authentic connection. As social media continues to evolve, this merger between a gaming powerhouse and a platform built on authenticity could signal a new direction for digital social experiences.

IAB Europe’s latest annual State of Readiness report reveals a significant transformation in how the digital advertising industry is addressing sustainability challenges. With emissions measurement practices doubling since last year and sustainability ranking as the second most pressing industry concern, the landscape is evolving rapidly. The report uncovers surprising connections between environmental initiatives and DE&I efforts, while highlighting how financial barriers to sustainability are diminishing. However, despite notable progress, including 28% of companies now setting Science-Based Targets, the industry still faces crucial standardization challenges. Drawing from insights across 102 European companies, the report paints a compelling picture of an industry at a pivotal moment in its sustainability journey.

A groundbreaking study by GumGum has uncovered a dramatic shift in consumer advertising preferences, with an overwhelming 94% of consumers across the US, UK, and Canada favoring contextual advertising over traditional identity-based approaches. The comprehensive survey, gathering insights from 3,000 consumers, reveals a growing emphasis on privacy concerns in the digital advertising landscape. The findings show that consumers are not just passive recipients of ads – they’re actively engaging with content that aligns with their current interests, with nearly 80% reporting increased interaction with contextually relevant advertisements. As video advertising is projected to dominate new display ad spending in the coming years, these insights arrive at a crucial moment for the industry. The study also highlights how consumer preferences are evolving, with over 55% of respondents noting that brief, contextually relevant video ads leave the strongest impression, suggesting a significant shift in how digital advertising might be approached in the future.

Google has updated its AI ethics guidelines, removing previous restrictions that prevented the company from applying its AI technology to weapons and surveillance applications. The change was announced in a blog post by AI head Demis Hassabis and SVP James Manyika, who emphasized the importance of democratic countries leading AI development and the need to work with government and national security clients. This policy shift aligns Google with other major AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, which have already established partnerships with defense contractors and military organizations. The change represents a significant departure from Google’s 2018 AI principles, established after employee protests against Project Maven, a Pentagon contract for analyzing drone footage.

On February 3, 2025, Outbrain announced its acquisition of Teads, a cloud-based digital video marketplace operator, for an estimated $900 million. This strategic move aims to enhance Outbrain’s video advertising capabilities and expand its reach in the digital advertising landscape.

X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, announced a partnership with Magnite, a leading supply-side platform (SSP). This collaboration aims to attract more advertisers to X by leveraging Magnite’s programmatic advertising technology. By integrating with Magnite, X seeks to tap into additional advertiser demand, including companies that may not have previously considered advertising on social media platforms. This move is part of X’s broader strategy to reverse the revenue shortfall experienced after Musk’s takeover in 2022. Following the announcement, Magnite’s stock rose by over 10%. 

The Trade Desk has announced its plans to acquire Sincera, a startup specializing in ad tech metadata and media telemetry data, for an undisclosed sum. Sincera’s independent data analysis helps publishers, advertisers, and vendors enhance ad performance and maintain transparency. This acquisition will bolster The Trade Desk’s Unified ID 2.0 framework and introduce new insights, including transaction-level bid data, allowing publishers to maximize revenue. Sincera will continue serving its existing clients and aligns with The Trade Desk’s vision for an open internet. Founders Mike O’Sullivan and Ian Meyers will stay on board, reporting directly to CEO Jeff Green.

Meta has launched a new initiative called the “Breakthrough Bonus” to attract TikTok creators to post content on Instagram and Facebook. Eligible creators can earn up to $5,000 within 90 days by posting a minimum number of reels on both platforms. Participants must have an existing presence on a third-party app like TikTok and meet Meta’s eligibility criteria. Additionally, Meta plans to sign content deals with select TikTok creators to expand their presence on its platforms. 

WHSmith is launching a retail media network that integrates in-store and digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising with audience data to support off-site campaigns. The initiative will span WHSmith’s 347 locations across the US and Canada, including airports, railway stations, and resorts. Airports will be a key focus, leveraging high foot traffic and dwell times to maximize advertiser reach. This move aims to provide brands with a targeted way to engage consumers in travel hubs, enhancing both brand visibility and engagement opportunities.WHSmith is launching a retail media network that integrates in-store and digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising with audience data to support off-site campaigns. The initiative will span WHSmith’s 347 locations across the US and Canada, including airports, railway stations, and resorts. Airports will be a key focus, leveraging high foot traffic and dwell times to maximize advertiser reach. This move aims to provide brands with a targeted way to engage consumers in travel hubs, enhancing both brand visibility and engagement opportunities.

Meta is facing a user-led boycott over data privacy concerns, while TikTok is under threat of a U.S. ban due to national security issues. These developments are driving users to explore alternative platforms like RedNote, signaling a shift in social media preferences. The growing demand for transparency and data protection suggests a potential transformation in how platforms operate, pushing them to align with evolving user expectations.

Kevel and Vantage have partnered to provide retailers with an end-to-end retail media solution by integrating Kevel’s ad-serving capabilities with Vantage’s workflow automation platform. This collaboration aims to streamline operations, enhance data utilization, and improve ROI by leveraging first-party data and seamless integration with platforms like Snowflake. The partnership offers faster campaign launches, cost reductions, and enhanced ad personalization, catering to retailers seeking greater control and efficiency in their retail media networks. 

The Trade Desk (TTD) has announced plans to acquire Sincera, a startup specializing in aggregating and supplying advertising metadata and media telemetry data to ad tech companies. This marks TTD’s second public acquisition, following its purchase of Adbrain in 2017. Sincera, co-founded in 2022 by Mike O’Sullivan and Ian Meyers, has established itself as an independent source of ad tech metadata, providing insights into website code, identifiers in bid requests, ad refresh rates, inventory quality, and consent collection. Post-acquisition, Sincera aims to maintain its objectivity, with O’Sullivan reporting directly to TTD CEO Jeff Green. The acquisition is expected to close later this quarter, enabling Sincera to access additional valuable signals, including transaction data on bids, to enhance its insights into the ad tech supply chain.

Amazon is launching the “Amazon Retail Ad Service,” offering its powerful advertising technology to other retailers—a move that raises concerns about data privacy and competitive risks. While Amazon controls nearly 75% of retail media spend, its advanced ad tools and access to a vast advertiser network could appeal to small and mid-sized retailers aiming to grow their retail media presence. However, larger retailers like Walmart and Target may avoid partnering due to fears of Amazon leveraging data for competitive advantage. This strategy could disrupt retail media tech providers and reshape the market, depending on Amazon’s ability to balance value with retailer independence.

Chinese officials are reportedly exploring the possibility of selling TikTok’s U.S. operations to Elon Musk, according to Bloomberg. This comes as TikTok faces a likely unfavorable ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court regarding a potential nationwide ban. One scenario involves Musk’s platform X acquiring TikTok’s U.S. business, though TikTok has dismissed these reports as “pure fiction.” No decision has been made, but pressure is mounting. Meanwhile, TikTok users are flocking to the Chinese app RedNote, which became the most downloaded app on Apple’s U.S. App Store on Monday.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Google’s search and search advertising services to assess whether the company holds strategic market status (SMS) and if its practices harm consumers and businesses in the UK. The probe will evaluate Google’s market power and its impact on advertisers, news publishers, and rival search engines. Under the digital markets competition regime, firms designated with SMS could face conduct requirements or pro-competition measures aimed at improving market outcomes for UK consumers and businesses.

T-Mobile plans to acquire Vistar Media, a digital out-of-home (DOOH) ad platform, for $600 million in cash, with the deal expected to close in the coming months pending regulatory approval. This move allows T-Mobile to leverage its first-party data with Vistar’s OOH technology to deliver more targeted and personalized ads. DOOH advertising is rapidly growing, projected to account for over one-third of the $10 billion OOH media spend by 2027. While other telecoms have exited ad tech, T-Mobile continues to invest, following its acquisitions of Octopus (2022) and PushSpring (2019). Whether T-Mobile will keep Vistar long-term remains uncertain, but this marks 2025’s first major ad tech acquisition.

Experian has introduced its first-ever third-party data marketplace at CES 2025, aiming to address gaps in the data ecosystem despite skepticism around third-party data. The platform builds on Experian’s Third-Party Onboarding service launched in 2024, integrating data from partners like Attain, Circana, and Dun & Bradstreet.

Primarily targeting TV advertising, the marketplace enables precise audience forecasting by combining advertiser, broadcaster, and third-party data. While third-party data has faced criticism for low quality, Experian emphasizes its importance for campaign reach and lookalike audience creation.

The marketplace could expand to other sectors, including retail media and B2B marketing. However, incorporating first-party data sellers remains unlikely due to concerns about associating with aggregated data platforms. The launch highlights the ongoing need for reliable data solutions in a fragmented ad ecosystem.

Google is updating its platform policies to address two key advertising trends: advancements in privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) and the rapid growth of ad-supported platforms like Connected TV (CTV). PETs, such as on-device processing and secure multi-party computation, enable businesses to securely use first-party data while safeguarding user privacy. Meanwhile, the rise of CTV highlights the need for innovative solutions to measure and target audiences across fragmented platforms.

The new policies prohibit deceptive practices like simulated system warnings and refine data usage requirements, emphasizing responsible handling of IP addresses. By integrating PETs and fostering transparency, Google aims to support businesses in adapting to technological changes while maintaining high privacy standards and user trust.

Meta will end its fact-checking program, replacing it with a community-driven moderation system inspired by Elon Musk’s X. The change impacts Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, focusing on free speech and less intrusive content labeling. Meta aims to rebuild relations with President-elect Donald Trump, adding his ally Dana White to its board and aligning policies to appease conservatives, raising concerns among liberals and advertisers.

POLITICO has teamed up with GeoEdge to elevate the quality and efficiency of its advertising operations, emphasizing its commitment to reader-first experiences. Using GeoEdge’s SpecHub QA platform, POLITICO has automated ad compliance, ensuring all ads align with strict creative standards. This partnership has improved trafficking accuracy to 99.6% and eliminated external trafficking errors over six months, enabling faster campaign launches while maintaining high ad integrity. By leveraging GeoEdge’s scalable quality control solutions, POLITICO continues to deliver trusted, reader-focused advertising that aligns with its journalistic values.

EX.CO has expanded its video ad server capabilities to support Connected TV (CTV) and Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) channels, leveraging advanced machine learning for smarter, automated programmatic auctions. This solution addresses inefficiencies in these environments caused by fragmented technologies and outdated auction dynamics. By dynamically optimizing ad placements and CPMs in real-time, EX.CO’s Ad Server increases fill rates and revenue for media owners. Originally designed for online video, the server now empowers CTV and DOOH operators to maximize results through intelligent, unified auction technology, promising a transformative impact on the industry.

Innovid and IRIS.TV have partnered to enhance contextual targeting in connected TV (CTV) advertising. By integrating IRIS.TV’s content identification technology into Innovid’s platform, advertisers gain actionable insights to optimize campaigns based on content relevance. This privacy-focused approach enables efficient ad placement, reduces waste, and aligns with evolving regulations, redefining video advertising standards in the streaming era.

A U.S. federal court has approved a law requiring ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese owner, to sell the app by January 19 or face a ban, sparking debates about free speech and national security. With 170 million American users, TikTok’s potential exit has influencers and advertisers on edge. ByteDance opposes the law, citing unfair targeting and resistance from China. While TikTok may appeal to the Supreme Court, the outcome is uncertain. The ban could reshape digital habits and disrupt TikTok’s role as a key advertising platform, especially among younger audiences. For now, it’s a tense waiting game.

OpenAI has launched Sora, its AI-driven text-to-video generator, now accessible to ChatGPT Pro subscribers at $200 per month. Sora enables users to create 1080p videos up to 20 seconds long from text prompts. The release is part of OpenAI’s “12 days of shipmas” event, which began on December 5th. Sora’s development has faced challenges, including a recent protest by artists who leaked the model in opposition to its use for unpaid research. Despite these issues, OpenAI has proceeded with the public release, aiming to democratize video content creation through AI technology.

As 2025 approaches, contextual advertising is set to dominate digital marketing, driven by privacy concerns and regulatory changes. Advertisers are shifting from cookie-based strategies to context-focused approaches that prioritize relevance and user privacy. Advances in contextual technologies will allow advertisers to better interpret content and improve targeting precision.

The article from Digiday explores the implications of Omnicom’s acquisition of IPG, suggesting it could trigger a new wave of mergers and acquisitions in the advertising industry. As advertisers face increasing pressure to adapt to market changes, this consolidation may lead agencies to enhance their capabilities and offerings. The piece highlights the cautious approach brands are taking, weighing the potential benefits of such mergers against the risks of becoming less competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Ultimately, this acquisition could reshape the competitive environment, prompting other agencies to consider similar strategic partnerships to remain relevant.

The IAB Tech Lab is redefining seller-defined audiences (SDA) to enhance programmatic advertising effectiveness. This initiative aims to create a standardized framework that allows publishers to define their audiences based on first-party data, improving targeting and measurement capabilities. By establishing clear guidelines and a common language for audience definitions, the IAB Tech Lab seeks to facilitate better collaboration between publishers and advertisers, ultimately driving more efficient ad campaigns. The article highlights the importance of transparency and trust in the digital advertising ecosystem, as well as the need for innovative solutions to address challenges posed by increasing privacy regulations. As the landscape evolves, the success of this initiative could significantly impact how audiences are defined and targeted in programmatic advertising.

Mirakl has acquired the adtech company Adspert to strengthen its position in the retail media market. This acquisition aims to enhance Mirakl’s capabilities in providing retailers with advanced advertising solutions, allowing them to better monetize their marketplaces. Adspert’s technology will enable retailers to optimize their ad spend and improve campaign performance through data-driven insights. 

Nielsen and TikTok have launched a new cross-media measurement solution aimed at providing advertisers with a comprehensive view of ad performance across different platforms. This collaboration seeks to address the challenges of measuring the effectiveness of advertising campaigns that span multiple media channels, including digital and traditional formats. By integrating Nielsen’s measurement capabilities with TikTok’s unique engagement data, the initiative aims to deliver insights that help brands optimize their marketing strategies and allocate budgets more effectively. This move reflects the growing demand for accurate measurement tools in an increasingly fragmented media landscape, allowing advertisers to better understand audience behavior and campaign impact.

Skyscanner has introduced its own advertising platform, aiming to support travel partners in connecting with new audiences while prioritizing privacy. The Skyscanner Ads Platform utilizes first-party data from its extensive audience of over 110 million global monthly users. Advertisers can take advantage of the Skyscanner Ads Manager, which offers tools for campaign planning and management, performance tracking, and access to valuable market insights, among other features.

Global ad spend is forecasted to rise by 6.8% in 2024, reaching $772.4 billion (£610 billion), according to Dentsu. The UK is expected to see even higher growth at 7.5%, driven by digital media. In contrast, the EMEA region is projected to grow at 5%, with APAC seeing a similar 5.8% increase. Digital remains the fastest-growing channel worldwide, with a 9.2% rise anticipated in 2025. Retail media is predicted to be the key driver of new advertising investments next year.

Walmart has finalized its $2.3 billion (£1.8 billion) acquisition of VIZIO and its SmartCast Operating System. This move aims to improve the shopping experience for Walmart customers while providing advertisers with expanded opportunities to reach audiences and enhance product discovery. Walmart initially announced the deal to acquire VIZIO, founded in 2002, in February. VIZIO has experienced substantial growth in recent years, with its smart TV ecosystem and operating system now boasting over 19 million active accounts.

The advertising landscape is evolving, particularly for emerging platforms like Bluesky. Despite having only 24 million users—significantly less than competitors like Threads and X—Bluesky’s traffic is outperforming referral numbers from X, with The Guardian noting increased conversions to paid subscribers. This shift reflects publishers’ frustrations with algorithmic suppression on traditional social media, making Bluesky’s decentralized, ad-free model appealing. However, concerns about its longevity persist, as advertisers remain cautious, fearing it may follow the fates of past platforms like BeReal and Clubhouse. While some marketers hesitate, publishers see Bluesky as a chance to reclaim audience relationships without toxic environments. As Bluesky positions itself as an alternative to X for media, the critical question remains: can it sustain growth without the ad revenue that typically supports scaling?

OpenAI is exploring an ad-based model to address its massive cash burn of $5 billion, despite CFO Sarah Friar’s claims of no “active plans” for advertising. The company is learning from Perplexity’s approach, which prioritizes transparent sponsored content. As OpenAI enters the search space and hires ad industry veterans, CEO Sam Altman remains cautious about “enshittifying” the platform.

The potential ad strategy could help support journalism through revenue sharing, addressing challenges posed by zero-click searches and AI-driven tools. The key challenge is maintaining ChatGPT’s clean interface while generating revenue, without compromising user trust or platform quality.

The broader question remains: How will ads reshape AI-powered ecosystems and their relationship with publishers and users?

Experian has acquired Audigent, a DMP and curation vendor, as part of the ongoing ad tech consolidation trend, following recent acquisitions by Zeta Global, Mediaocean, and Viant. Experian’s move aligns with its strategy to streamline the supply chain, leveraging its Tapad identity graph to reduce reliance on third-party vendors like LiveRamp. Audigent brings expertise in managing identity data without extensive third-party tracking, complementing Experian’s offline and online data integration. This acquisition reflects the shift away from traditional deterministic ID matching towards more sustainable identity solutions.