TV audience measurement organisation Barb is collaborating with MediaSense and Snowflake for the Barb Data Hub, a cloud-based system for storing, processing, and distributing Barb viewing data. MediaSense has been appointed to set up, develop, and maintain the data warehouse. Snowflake will act as the cloud data platform. The Barb Data Hub will launch in the second half of 2025.
Omnichannel ad platform Mediaocean has completed its acquisition of CTV platform Innovid, bringing it together with Flashtalking into a single ad tech platform. Zvika Netter serves as CEO of the combined ad tech organisation, reporting to Bill Wise, and has joined Mediaocean’s Board of Directors. Grant Parker, former Head of Flashtalking, is now President of the new entity.
JCDecaux Dubai has announced the launch of JCDecaux Play+, a programmatic digital out-of-home (DOOH) solution. This will see JCDecaux introduce programmatic capabilities across 378 digital screens at Dubai International Airport. JCDecaux Play+ will be led by Dom Kozak, Director of Programmatic at JCDecaux Dubai, who brings his experience of launching the first programmatic DOOH offering for JCDecaux in the UK in 2018. The solution is supported by a partnership JCDecaux-owned DOOH supply-side platform VIOOH and Displayce, a demand-side platform for DOOH.
Data and AI company Databricks has announced the launch of SAP Databricks, a strategic product and go-to-market partnership with SAP that natively integrates the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform within the newly launched SAP Business Data Cloud. The partnership combines SAP business data with the Databricks platform for data warehousing, data engineering, and AI, all governed by Databricks’ Unity Catalog. Databricks has also announced the expansion of their partnership with data streaming platform Confluent, with new integrations between Confluent’s Tableflow and Databricks’ Delta Lake and Unity Catalog. Tableflow with Delta Lake makes operational data available immediately to Delta Lake’s ecosystem. Confluent and Databricks customers will be able to bring any engine or AI tool to their data in Unity Catalog.
Activewear brand Fabletics has selected Blue Yonder’s supply chain planning solutions to expand its global footprint. The transformation will be supported by Plantensive, a supply chain and retail planning solutions provider and Blue Yonder partner.
Customer experience management platform Sprinklr has announced a new integration with social platform Bluesky for insights and content publishing. Sprinklr customers can now create, manage, and publish content to Bluesky through Sprinklr; include Bluesky data in social listening dashboards and research; and track analytics and insights.
Little Dot Studios has expanded its output deal with global content producer and distributor Keshet International, licensing a further 40 hours of content on its digital network of over 80 channels, as well as eight FAST channels. This three-year deal, across AVOD and FAST, will see Little Dot Studios utilise its YouTube channel brands to connect Keshet’s content with new audiences.
Sports communities platform Wimt has launched a self-serve advertising platform, powered by DanAds. The Ad Manager platform enables brands to engage with sports communities in Sweden. Brands already signed up include Lyko, Intersport, ICA Sverige, EQPE, TriPoint, and Bredbandsval.
Retail media ad serving platform Kevel has announced the acquisition of Nexta, an automated advertising self-serve platform. Under the terms of the agreement, Kevel will integrate all Nexta product offerings into its existing retail media solution to create a unified, automated platform that brings on-site and off-site retail media together.
Direct-to-consumer ecommerce platform MarketLeap has announced an $8 million Series A funding round led by Smedvig Ventures, with participation from Expon Capital, Motier Ventures, and business angels including former executives from Amazon, SoftBank, and Unilever. This capital injection will allow the company to accelerate platform development and invest in talent to support its growth trajectory.
Taager, a social ecommerce platform for the MENA region, has completed a $6.75 million pre-Series B funding round, led by Africa-focused tech growth fund Norrsken22, to fuel its growth in the Middle East. The oversubscribed round included participation from Endeavor Catalyst, Beltone VC, in addition to all existing investors including 4DX Ventures, RAED Ventures, BECO Capital and Breyer Capital.
Digital ID tech company Kezzler has acquired Scanbuy’s smart packaging and QR code consumer engagement business. The combined business, operating out of the US, Europe, and Asia, will serve brands such as PepsiCo, Bimbo Bakeries, Kellanova, Reckitt, Mondelez, Migros, DeCA, ENI, Gerber Products Company, and United Parcel Service. The acquisition, structured as a carve-out, is a cash transaction funded by Kezzler’s long-term shareholders, including Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and Tomra, the Norwegian Government’s investment fund Investinor, and Kezzler Chairman Erik Langaker. Scanbuy’s data AI business will continue to operate independently under a new brand.
