Undertone (advertising company) explained

Undertone
Type:Private
Foundation:2002
Founders:Michael Cassidy, Eric Franchi
Location City:New York City
Location Country:United States
Locations:global
Key People:Doron Gerstel CEO of Perion, Dan Aks, President of Undertone
Industry:online advertising, internet services
Num Employees:250 globablly as of March 2022
Parent:Perion Network
Homepage:www.undertone.com

Undertone is a digital advertising company. Founded as a subsidiary of Intercept Interactive, a digital media buying company, in 2002. Undertone introduced its first full page high impact display products between 2010 and 2012 and has followed with TV and CTV offerings.

History

In 2008, Undertone raised $47 million from JMI Equity to buy up competing companies. It became an independent entity in 2012, after the launch of the proprietary high impact display units PageGrabber and PageSkin. At the time, Undertone's clients included AccuWeather and Britannica. In 2015 it became part of Perion Network, after an acquisition for $180 million cash. Since then, Undertone has become part of Perion's plan to become a global media industry holding company.

Undertone was described as one of the last independent ad serving platforms in 2009, but has since bought up several competing companies.[1]

Services and products

Undertone creates advertising campaigns across all screens and platforms, including interactive connected TV (CTV). Undertone product includes "cookieless" targeting technology called "Smart Optimization of Responsive Traits" SORT and "Uplift Collective," a publisher portfolio of minority, LGBTQIA+ and women publishers aimed at advancing social issues.

Acquisitions

In 2008, Undertone raised $47 million from JMI Equity to acquire smaller competitors.[2] In June 2014, Undertone signed an agreement to purchase Israeli digital media company Upfront Digital Media; it made the purchase in particular to benefit from Upfront's proprietary advertising platform.[3] Upfront, which was founded in 2010 as Legolas Media, offered managed and self-serve consoles for programmatic buying of ads directly to publishers and through a number of supply and demand partners.[4]

In June 2015, Undertone announced[5] the acquisition of Sparkflow,[6] an all-in-one platform for cross-screen rich media advertising. Sparkflow was founded in 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina by Sebastián Alberto Miret, Gabriel Sánchez Catena, and Rodrigo Oscar Vazquez.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Undertone Networks raises millions to buy online ad upstarts. Olsen. Stefanie. March 31, 2008. CNET. 2009-08-05.
  2. Web site: NY venture capital shrugs off recession. Fung. Amanda. April 19, 2008. Crain's New York Business. 2009-08-05.
  3. Web site: Undertone Acquires Upfront Media, Plans to Sell Premium Units Programmatically. 11 June 2014.
  4. Web site: Undertone Acquires Programmatic Firm Upfront | Mobile Marketing Magazine.
  5. News: Undertone Acquires Rich Media Platform Sparkflow - Undertone. 18 June 2015. Undertone.
  6. News: Undertone Has Creative On The Brain, Snaps Up Mobile Ad Startup Sparkflow AdExchanger. 18 June 2015. AdExchanger.