Deals & Moves

Amazon acquired the Sizmek Ad Server and related ad serving technology from Vector Capital to enhance Amazon Advertising's capabilities. The acquisition provides Amazon with enterprise-grade ad serving technology for agencies and large advertisers.

Roku acquired programmatic advertising technology assets from Dataxu to enhance its OneView ad platform capabilities. The acquisition brought advanced bidding algorithms and campaign optimization technology to strengthen Roku's position in CTV programmatic advertising.

Spotify acquired audiobook distributor Findaway to expand its audiobook offerings and advertising capabilities. The acquisition positioned Spotify to develop new advertising formats within audiobooks and compete with Audible while creating new inventory for audio advertisers.

Havas acquired French data science and AI consultancy Ekimetrics to strengthen its data analytics and AI-driven marketing capabilities. The acquisition enhances Havas's ability to deliver data-driven advertising solutions and advanced analytics to clients across its global network.

Stagwell acquired Code and Theory, a digital-first creative agency, to expand its digital experience and commerce capabilities. The acquisition strengthens Stagwell's ability to deliver integrated marketing, e-commerce, and advertising technology solutions to enterprise clients.

Criteo acquired IPONWEB, a leading programmatic infrastructure provider, to accelerate its commerce media platform strategy. The acquisition brought advanced DSP, SSP, and data management capabilities to Criteo's commerce media offering, enabling it to power retail media networks at scale.

Smart AdServer merged with DynAdmic and LiquidM to form Equativ, creating a unified independent ad tech platform. The merger combined SSP, ad serving, and mobile capabilities to compete more effectively against Google and other major platforms in the European market.

Dentsu completed the full integration of Merkle, originally acquired in 2016, making it the core of its data and technology offering. The move consolidated Dentsu's customer experience management, data analytics, and performance marketing capabilities under the Merkle brand.

Omnicom acquired Flywheel Digital, a leading commerce media platform specializing in retail media management, for $835 million. The acquisition strengthened Omnicom's retail media capabilities, particularly for managing campaigns across Amazon, Walmart, Instacart, and other retail media networks.

Viant Technology acquired Adelphic, an independent omnichannel demand-side platform, to enhance its programmatic advertising capabilities. The acquisition strengthened Viant's DSP technology and expanded its customer base in the connected TV and digital advertising markets.

Mediaocean acquired Innovid, a leading independent connected TV ad platform, for approximately $500 million. The acquisition combines Mediaocean's advertising infrastructure with Innovid's CTV measurement and analytics capabilities, creating an end-to-end solution for converged TV advertising.

Snap acquired Th3rd, a 3D and AR creation platform, to enhance its AR advertising capabilities and make it easier for brands to create immersive ad experiences. The acquisition strengthens Snap's position in AR commerce and advertising technology.

Taboola acquired Connexity, a performance-based e-commerce advertising platform, for approximately $800 million. The acquisition expands Taboola's presence in e-commerce advertising and product recommendation technology, adding shopping-specific ad inventory and capabilities.

Innovid acquired TVSquared, a TV attribution and measurement platform, for $160 million to create a comprehensive CTV and linear TV advertising measurement solution. The combined platform provides cross-screen measurement and attribution for converged TV advertising.

Horizon Media acquired Chalice Custom Algorithms, a data science and AI-powered optimization platform for media buying. The acquisition enhances Horizon's programmatic capabilities with custom algorithmic bidding and campaign optimization technology.

Snap acquired Th3rd, an AR shopping platform, to enhance its augmented reality advertising capabilities for e-commerce. The acquisition enables brands to create immersive AR shopping experiences within Snapchat and supports Snap's AR Enterprise Services division. This move strengthens Snap's position in AR-powered advertising as brands seek more interactive ad formats.

DoorDash acquired Bbot, a restaurant ordering and marketing platform, for approximately $150 million to enhance its advertising technology for restaurant partners. Bbot's technology enables restaurants to manage their own ordering channels and customer data, complementing DoorDash's advertising platform. The acquisition strengthens DoorDash's position in restaurant technology and advertising services.

Publicis Groupe acquired Profitero, a leading e-commerce analytics platform, to strengthen its retail media and commerce capabilities within Publicis Commerce. The acquisition provides Publicis clients with enhanced e-commerce insights and optimization tools across retail media networks.

Walmart announced plans to acquire TV manufacturer Vizio for $2.3 billion to significantly expand its advertising capabilities through Vizio's SmartCast operating system and ad platform. The acquisition gives Walmart access to Vizio's 18 million active accounts and robust first-party viewership data, positioning the retailer to compete more aggressively in the connected TV advertising space.

Yahoo acquired the technology and team behind Artifact, the AI-powered news aggregation app founded by Instagram co-founders. Yahoo plans to integrate Artifact's AI-driven personalization technology into its content platform to enhance user engagement and advertising targeting capabilities.

Kroger announced plans to acquire Albertsons in a $24.6 billion deal that would combine two of the largest U.S. grocery chains and their respective retail media networks. The merger would create a retail media powerhouse combining Kroger Precision Marketing and Albertsons Media Collective, though the deal faces regulatory scrutiny.

Yahoo acquired Artifact, the AI-powered news aggregation app created by Instagram's co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. Yahoo plans to integrate Artifact's AI recommendation technology into its own platforms to enhance content personalization and advertising targeting capabilities.

Publicis Groupe acquired Influential, an AI-powered influencer marketing platform, for $500 million. Influential uses IBM Watson AI to match brands with creators and has relationships with over 3.5 million influencers, significantly expanding Publicis' creator marketing and social commerce capabilities.

Instacart acquired pricing and promotions technology company Eversight to strengthen its retail media network capabilities. The acquisition enhances Instacart's ability to offer dynamic pricing and promotional optimization tools to CPG brands advertising on its platform.