Magnite Acquires SpringServe, A Leader in CTV Ad Serving Technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI) has acquired SpringServe for approximately $31 million, aiming to enhance its capabilities in the growing connected TV (CTV) advertising sector. This acquisition integrates SpringServe's ad serving technology with Magnite's existing platform, allowing for improved inventory management and customized ad experiences for CTV publishers. The combination is expected to streamline operations and reduce costs for clients like Pluto TV and Sinclair Broadcast Group. SpringServe's CEO will now report to Magnite's CTV chief, further integrating their teams.

Positive

• Acquisition price of approximately $31 million could yield operational efficiencies.
• Integration of SpringServe enhances Magnite's CTV offerings and market position.
• Supports existing clients like VIZIO and Univision by improving ad inventory management.

Negative

• None.

Combination empowers CTV publishers with a tighter integration between direct and programmatic inventory

Current SpringServe clients include Pluto TV, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Univision and VIZIO

LOS ANGELES, July 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magnite (Nasdaq: MGNI), the world’s largest independent sell-side advertising platform, today announced the acquisition of SpringServe, a leading ad serving platform for connected TV (CTV). SpringServe's technology manages multiple aspects of video advertising for CTV publishers such as inventory routing, customized ad experiences, and advanced podding logic. A tight technical integration between ad serving and programmatic capabilities reduces complexity, improves inventory management between multiple parties, enhances functionality, and can reduce costs.

The purchase price was approximately $31 million (net of a prior $2 million investment and subject to adjustments), pursuant to a previously negotiated option agreement that Magnite secured as part of its acquisition of SpotX in April. Last year, SpotX made a minority investment in SpringServe in conjunction with a strategic partnership agreement between the two companies.

“The addition of SpringServe will better position Magnite to meet the needs of leading CTV publishers, no matter where they are in the evolution of their sales channel strategy,” said Michael Barrett, President and CEO at Magnite. “If CTV publishers want to be fully programmatic, they can leverage our CTV SSP, and if they're in the early stages of programmatic, the SpringServe ad server will allow them to go at their own pace and customize their prioritization of direct-sold and programmatic demand. Additionally, our hybrid solution enables programmatic demand to compete with the publisher’s direct-sold demand and optimize yield automatically.”

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in New York, SpringServe was created with the goal of providing a suite of ad serving tools that make digital advertising more efficient. To ensure publishers’ holistic yield management is prioritized, SpringServe will continue to be demand-agnostic. Select SpringServe clients include: OEMs such as VIZIO and media owners such as Univision, Pluto TV, and Tastemade. SpringServe CEO Joseph Hirsch will report to Magnite’s CRO for CTV, Sean Buckley.

"We’re excited to be joining Magnite and building upon their existing CTV capabilities to better help publishers manage and monetize their advertising while accounting for all the specificities that are unique to this medium,” said Joseph Hirsch, former CEO of SpringServe, now General Manager, SpringServe for Magnite. “We look forward to collaborating with the Magnite team and their clients on product development and new features that will ultimately move the CTV advertising industry forward.”

Magnite is pleased to announce the news with the support of our clients:

“It’s great to see Magnite expand its investment in CTV solutions,” said Christo Owen, Vice President of Digital Platforms at ViacomCBS. “We’re excited to see how the addition of SpringServe will bring greater efficiencies to the industry, and greater value to CTV media owners.”

“Sinclair, NewsOn and CompulseOTT have enjoyed our partnership with both SpringServe and SpotX (now part of Magnite),” said Brian Hunt, Head of OTT/CTV Advertising Sales, Sinclair Broadcast Group. “We look forward to the continued investment by the combined company in developing solutions to monetize programmatic revenue.”

“SpringServe has built a strong technology business that brought up the quality of advertising for its customers and the CTV industry on the whole,” said Travis Hockersmith, Vice President at VIZIO’s Platform+.

To learn more about how the acquisition of SpringServe fits into Magnite’s strategy, please see President and CEO Michael Barrett’s blog post. We will be providing more information on the strategic benefit that SpringServe provides during our Q2 earnings call.

About Magnite

We’re Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI), the world’s largest independent sell-side advertising platform. Publishers use our technology to monetize their content across all screens and formats including CTV, online video, display, and audio. The world’s leading agencies and brands trust our platform to access brand-safe, high-quality ad inventory and execute billions of advertising transactions each month. In April 2021 we acquired SpotX to further enhance our CTV business and better help our clients in this rapidly growing market. Anchored in sunny Los Angeles, bustling New York City, mile-high Denver, historic London, and down under in Sydney, Magnite has offices across North America, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC.

Media Relations
Charlstie Veith
516-300-3569
cveith@Magnite.com

Investor Relations
Nick Kormeluk
949-500-0003
nkormeluk@Magnite.com

FAQ

What is the impact of Magnite's acquisition of SpringServe on MGNI stock?

The acquisition is expected to strengthen MGNI's market position in CTV advertising, potentially improving stock performance.

How much did Magnite pay for SpringServe?

Magnite acquired SpringServe for approximately $31 million.

Who are some clients of SpringServe after its acquisition by Magnite?

Notable clients include Pluto TV, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and Univision.

What will SpringServe's role be within Magnite post-acquisition?

SpringServe will continue to operate under its brand and report to Magnite's CTV chief, focusing on enhancing ad serving capabilities.