Advanced Television

RhythmOne acquires YuMe for $185m

September 6, 2017

Digital ad company RhythmOne has entered into a definitive agreement with YuMe, a provider of digital video brand advertising, to acquire all its issued and to be issued share capital for a total consideration of approximately $185 million (€154.9m) based on current exchange rates. The transaction is expected to close by Q1 2018.

The combination of YuMe and RhythmOne will bring together demand-side and supply-side strengths in the fast growing segments of mobile, video, connected TV and programmatic trading. The combined marketplace is anticipated to be a top five comScore ranked marketplace that will facilitate seamless, transparent connections between thousands of advertisers and a massive supply of brand-safe inventory. The RhythmOne platform is purpose-built to meet a broad range of campaign objectives, providing turnkey solutions for both brand and performance campaigns. Furthermore, the platform will provide advertisers with a credible, scaled and independent alternative to entrenched players.

“Acquiring YuMe accelerates RhythmOne’s strategy to build a unified programmatic platform with unique audiences of differentiated quality at scale,” said Ted Hastings, CEO, RhythmOne. “Through YuMe, RhythmOne gains access to premium video supply including emerging, high-value connected TV inventory, unique customer insights, cross-screen targeting technology and established demand relationships. We believe this combination will give RhythmOne the resources, relationships and talent to drive value for its shareholders, and true a return on investment.”

“The future of brand advertising is connected; connecting buyers to premium inventory, connecting screens to deliver unified cross-screen campaigns, connecting campaigns to brand objectives and most importantly, connecting the best technologies to each other to deliver a sum that is greater than its parts,” said Paul Porrini, CEO, YuMe. “We are proud of the business we have built at YuMe, and our success in delivering innovative technologies that have helped our clients achieve their marketing goals. Together, RhythmOne and YuMe have an opportunity to transform digital advertising with an adaptive platform that connects premium demand and supply with efficiency and performance at its core.”

“The combined company will have a strong financial profile providing a solid, scalable foundation upon which to accelerate growth and profitability,” said Eric Singer, chairman of YuMe. “After a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, the YuMe board concluded that the combination with RhythmOne is in the best interest of all stockholders. This combination will provide immediate scale and will allow us to build upon the significant financial improvements underway in both companies. I look forward to serving the stockholders as chairman of the combined company upon closing and to guiding the team in realizing the combined company’s mission.”

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