EX.CO News
32 articles
EX.CO Expands Video Ad Server Capabilities to Upgrade Programmatic Auctions for CTV and DOOH
EX.CO, a leading machine-learning video platform, has announced the expansion of its ad server to support Connected TV (CTV) and digital-out-of-home (DOOH) channels. This development follows a year of research and development aimed at addressing the unique challenges of these environments. The new programmatic solution leverages advanced machine-learning algorithms to optimize auctions in real-time, enhancing revenue potential for media owners. The ad server, already successful with top-tier publishers, is currently being tested with select CTV and DOOH clients. EX.CO is backed by major investors including The Walt Disney Company and Saban Ventures.
Product StagePartners
EX.CO Partners with Scope3 To Reduce Carbon Emissions in Video Advertising
EX.CO, a leading machine-learning video platform, has announced a strategic partnership with Scope3 to launch Green Media Products (GMPs). This collaboration aims to enhance carbon transparency in the advertising industry by measuring and reducing carbon emissions across EX.COs platform. The partnership allows advertisers to access curated packages that minimize media waste and carbon emissions without affecting ad performance. EX.COs proprietary ad server, optimized for sustainability, uses machine-learning to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The initiative aligns with the growing demand for sustainable media investments and provides publishers with opportunities for green media campaigns. EX.CO is backed by notable investors including The Walt Disney Company and Saban Ventures.
Partners
EX.CO Recognized as Industry Leader with Dual Wins in Digiday's Technology and Media Awards
EX.CO, a leading publisher video platform, has been recognized with two prestigious awards: Best Sell-Side Programmatic Platform and Best Video Platform at the 2024 Digiday Technology Awards. These accolades highlight EX.COs excellence in video strategy and ad tech innovation. The awards were driven by a successful partnership with 1XL, a digital media cooperative, which doubled its revenue using EX.COs platform. The recognition underscores EX.COs ability to provide cutting-edge video solutions that maximize yield for publishers. The company is backed by notable investors including The Walt Disney Company and Saban Ventures.
Partners
EX.CO Unveils Large Language Model (LLM)-Based Video Recommendation Engine for Digital Publishers
EX.CO, a leading publisher video platform, has launched an advanced contextual video content recommendation engine that leverages machine learning and large language models to enhance video engagement and monetization for digital publishers. This engine allows publishers to provide highly relevant video content to their audiences in real-time, improving user experience and engagement metrics. Autovia, a major UK automotive content company, is among the first to implement this technology. The engines capabilities include vectorizing text, calculating content similarities, and accessing a vast content marketplace. EX.CO plans to further enhance the engine with ChatGPT-like functionality. The company is backed by prominent investors including The Walt Disney Company and Saban Ventures.
PartnersAI technology developing/using
EX.CO Announces New Video Solution for Ad Management Partners
EX.CO, a leading publisher video platform, has launched advanced video content and monetization solutions for ad management partners. The new solution, driven by EX.COs machine-learning-based yield engine, offers a self-serve interface for managing multiple accounts and provides detailed revenue performance insights. London-based 1XL, a cooperative of 43 local and regional news publishers, is the launch partner, doubling its monthly revenue within three months. The partnership has also increased audience engagement, with 30M+ monthly player loads and nearly 4x higher dwell time. EX.COs AI-based video recommendations and other tools have been instrumental in this success. The company is backed by major investors like The Walt Disney Company and Saban Ventures.
Partners
The Arena Group More Than Doubles Video Revenue and Drives Audience Engagement with Online Video Platform EX.CO
EX.CO, a leading publisher video platform, has announced a successful partnership with The Arena Group, a major media company. This collaboration has resulted in a 115% increase in gross RPMs for video and a 27% rise in user dwell time across The Arena Groups network of sites. EX.COs AI-driven video platform enables The Arena Group to generate engaging video content, enhancing audience engagement and monetization opportunities. The partnership leverages EX.COs machine-learning-based yield engine to optimize publisher revenue. Both companies express enthusiasm for the partnerships results and future expansion. EX.CO is backed by notable investors, including The Walt Disney Company and Saban Ventures.
Partners
EX.CO Becomes Google Certified Publishing Partner
EX.CO, a leading video technology platform for publishers, has been recognized as a Google Certified Publishing Partner (GCPP). This certification highlights EX.COs expertise in providing advanced video solutions that enhance audience engagement and monetization for publishers. The platform offers AI-driven tools such as a machine-learning-based yield engine and contextual recommendations, which help publishers achieve full video coverage on their websites. The certification strengthens EX.COs credibility and opens up more opportunities to deliver premium video technology to a wide network of publishers. EX.COs solutions are trusted by major publishers like The Arena Group, CBSi, Hearst Newspapers, and Nasdaq.
Partners
EX.CO AND LOCAL MEDIA CONSORTIUM ENTER MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT TO POWER VIDEO TECHNOLOGY FOR LOCAL PUBLISHERS
EX.CO, a leading publisher video technology platform, has been selected as a preferred video technology partner for the Local Media Consortium (LMC), which supports over 5,000 local media outlets. This multi-year partnership, finalized after an 18-month vetting process, aims to empower local publishers with advanced video content and monetization strategies. EX.COs AI-driven platform will help these publishers enhance audience engagement and revenue streams. The partnership allows LMC members, including major media outlets like Cox Media Group and Nexstar, to easily integrate EX.COs technology, saving time and resources. EX.COs solutions are backed by investors such as The Walt Disney Company and Saban Ventures.
Partners
EX.CO Debuts Vertical Video Player for Publishers' Websites, Bridging the Gap Between Social Media Platforms and the Open Web
EX.CO, a leading publisher video technology platform, has launched a new vertical video player optimized for mobile and desktop web environments. Inspired by social media platforms, the player offers an intuitive, gesture-driven user experience and is designed to enhance video engagement by 17% compared to traditional horizontal players. This new tool allows publishers to implement a comprehensive video strategy, integrating both horizontal and vertical formats. The player is expected to help publishers capitalize on mobile-first audiences and social media trends, potentially increasing returns on video ads. EX.COs AI-based solutions are trusted by major publishers like CBSi, Hearst, and VICE Media, and the company is backed by investors including The Walt Disney Company and Saban Ventures.
Product StagePartners
EX.CO Unveils Monetization-First Online Video Platform (OVP) for Publishers Worldwide
EX.CO, a publisher-first video technology platform, has announced the launch of its full online video platform (OVP) for global publishers. The platform includes advanced video management capabilities and an AI-based yield engine that allows publishers to earn revenue without sacrificing user experience. The platform also includes real-time pricing and identity solutions for improved cookieless revenue. The new OVP reduces the complexity of the integration process by connecting to the publishers existing workflow. EX.COs platform is backed by The Walt Disney Company, Saban Ventures, Viola Group, 83North, and Firstime Ventures.
CustomersPartnersInvestment
How video ads went from disaster to top revenue stream for travel blogging network
Randy Petersen, CEO of BoardingArea, a blog network for business travellers, has partnered with EX.CO for video advertising. Petersen had previously had negative experiences with video advertising, which led to him avoiding it for several years. However, after switching to EX.CO, a publisher-first solution, he was able to get his bloggers on board. The partnership with EX.CO has been successful, with the company becoming the number one revenue channel for BoardingArea. The average revenue lift per site has been 27%, with more than 12 million player loads per month.
Partners
EX.CO Expands Video Technology Platform To Support AI-Driven Recommendations and Premium Video Libraries For Publishers
EX.CO, a publisher-first video technology platform, has launched AI-driven recommendations and premium video libraries for publishers. The new features are reported to increase revenue by 17% and dwell time on video by 50% for publishers. The companys technology was recently enhanced by the acquisition of AI and machine-learning company Bibblio and a partnership with VideoElephant. EX.COs video platform now includes over 50,000 original and partner-owned premium videos from sources such as AccuWeather, Bloomberg, and The Telegraph.
CustomersPartnersAcquisition
EX.CO Acquires Machine-Learning Company Bibblio to Expand Website Personalization Capabilities for Brands, Publishers, and E-commerce Businesses
EX.CO, a leading content experience platform, has announced the acquisition of Bibblio, a machine-learning technology company with AI-driven recommendation capabilities. This is EX.COs second acquisition in the past 12 months and will enable the company to offer sophisticated, personalized video, interactive experiences, and product recommendation solutions to brands, publishers, and e-commerce businesses. The acquisition will also allow EX.COs customers to surface contextual videos and AI-driven product recommendations, providing insights into how each audience segment responds to specific content.
AcquisitionCustomers
EX.CO appoints Shachar Orren as Co-Founder
Shachar Orren has been appointed as the new Co-Founder of EX.CO. Orren, who previously served as the Chief Marketing Officer, joined the company in 2013 and played a significant role in its growth and rebranding process. The appointment of Orren as Co-Founder is seen as a natural and important step in transforming the user experience on the companys digital assets. EX.CO, formerly known as Playbuzz, is an interactive content technology platform that helps companies grow their audiences. It has raised a total of almost $70 million and is backed by notable investors such as The Walt Disney Company and Saban Ventures.
Management Changes
EX.CO buys video technology company Cedato
EX.CO- The Experience Company has completed its acquisition of video technology company Cedato. The acquisition will allow EX.CO to provide advanced AI-based content and advertising solutions to its partners. Cedato, founded in 2015, has been sold for an estimated sum of under $10 million. EX.CO, formerly known as Playbuzz, helps online media and traders create interactive viral content and has reported 26% revenue growth in 2020. The company has raised $66 million to date and aims to reach over 100 employees without external finance. The acquisition is seen as a step towards expanding EX.COs solutions offering and driving revenues across platforms.
Acquisition
EX.CO appoints Ofer Polivoda as Commercial Partnerships Lead, Israel and EMEA
EX.CO has expanded the role of Ofer Polivoda, appointing him as the Commercial Partnerships Lead for Israel and EMEA. Polivoda will be responsible for managing the companys sales, business development, partnerships, and client relations in markets outside of Israel, including Germany, France, Italy, and the UAE. He has been with EX.CO for over a year and has a decade of sales experience. EX.CO is a content technology company that helps businesses and publishers adapt digital assets to modern audiences. Its tools are used by various companies and media organizations.
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EX.CO Launches New Addition to its Content Technology that Accelerates Personalized Product Matching
EX.CO, a global content technology company, has launched Journey, a decision tree-style content experience on its interactive content creation suite. The technology adapts to user responses, offering brands the ability to make their digital content stand out and inspire conversions. Sky TV has already tested and used the Journey feature for a Netflix campaign, resulting in a Nielsen Brand Uplift score of 1120% vs. the average 10.2% for entertainment campaigns. The feature also offers real-time product matching and consumer insights for brands.
CustomersPartnersExpand
EX.CO Joins IRIS.TV's Contextual Video Marketplace
IRIS.TV has announced a partnership with EX.CO to integrate EX.COs video inventory into IRIS.TVs Contextual Video Marketplace. This partnership allows publishers using EX.CO Channels to have their video content contextualized and segmented by leading data providers, making it easier for brand marketers to target relevant ad opportunities on publishers sites. The integration expands the amount of video content that can be contextually segmented, leading to more targeted marketing opportunities for brands and increased demand for publishers video content. The partnership is expected to drive revenue growth for publishers using EX.CO Channels. IRIS.TVs Contextual Video Marketplace brings together publishers, contextual data providers, ad servers, SSPs, and DSPs to categorize video content into brand-safe segments.
Partners
Playbuzz becomes Ex.co and expands its content marketing platform
Playbuzz, a startup that helps publishers add interactive elements to their articles, has rebranded itself as Ex.co. The new name reflects the companys broader content marketing ambitions. Ex.co aims to help businesses interact with their users in a way similar to publishers. The company already works with clients like Visa, Red Bull, and Netflix. Along with the rebrand, Ex.co is relaunching its platform as a content marketing tool with new features. Tom Pachys, the co-founder, has taken over as CEO, while the previous CEO, Shaul Olmert, has become the companys president. The change allows them to focus on their respective strengths. The article does not mention any specific partners or customers.
Partners
Playbuzz CEO Shaul Olmert to Step Down
Shaul Olmert, co-founder and CEO of Playbuzz Ltd., is stepping down and will be replaced by Tom Pachys as CEO. Olmert will remain with the company as president. Playbuzz is an interactive content company that started as a content creation platform and later expanded to offer branded content. The company has raised nearly $70 million from investors including Viola Growth Management Fund, 83North Ltd., and The Walt Disney Company. In June 2018, Playbuzz underwent organizational restructuring and laid off 25 employees as part of a strategic pivot.
Management ChangesLayoffs
Interactive Storytelling Platform Playbuzz Hires BuzzFeed Exec
Playbuzz Ltd. has appointed Matt Trotta, former senior vice president of strategy at BuzzFeed, to lead its North American operation. Trotta will oversee Playbuzzs U.S. sales, business development, and operations. Playbuzz, founded in Tel Aviv in 2013, is an interactive content company that offers content creation platforms and branded content for commercial partners. The company has received a total investment of $69.8 million, with backers including Disney and Saban Ventures. BuzzFeed recently underwent organizational restructuring and laid off 25 employees. Playbuzz is headquartered in New York and has offices in various locations around the world.
Management Changes
What do content producers need to do to stand out?
GroupM's former global digital chief Rob Norman confirmed as Playbuzz board member
Rob Norman, former senior advisor to GroupM, has joined the board of directors at Playbuzz. Playbuzz, founded in Israel in 2012, works with publishers, brands, and content creators to create interactive branded content. The company has secured $66m in funding, including a $35m Series C investment from Disney. Playbuzzs branded content campaigns perform well above industry standards, with high viewability and session times, as well as strong brand safety measures. In January 2017, Playbuzz ranked #7 in comScores lifestyles category and #27 on their list of top 100 video properties.
PartnersInvestment
Playbuzz's Neal Sinno Finds New Ways To Monetize Online Content
Playbuzz, a storytelling platform, plans to expand its work with premium publishers and brands in 2018. They aim to build out their machine learning and AI capabilities to assist journalists in creating interactive content quickly and easily. Playbuzz also aims to help partners drive more revenue through immersive and interactive content, resulting in better ad monetization opportunities. They have positioned themselves competitively by refining their tools based on reader and partner response. Playbuzzs platform allows content creators to edit, customize, and create videos, as well as craft entire interactive articles. They also offer ad units that blend into editorial content for a positive reading experience with ads. Playbuzz can monetize content created within their platform for publishing partners using their in-house ad serving technology.
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http://www.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Tech/Award-winning-Israeli-storytelling-platform-will-captivate-you-509741
Israeli start-up Playbuzz, a digital storytelling platform, has raised $35 million in a recent funding round led by Viola Growth fund and joined by Disney. The company, which engages users through interactive content, boasts over one billion page views per month and is used by 13,000 publishers and brands, including Netflix, Fox, NBC, ESPN, ABC, and Huffington Post. Playbuzz aims to enhance user engagement and loyalty through its platform, which has a significant impact on advertising effectiveness. Despite concerns about privacy and smartphone addiction, Playbuzz continues to grow, employing 160 people worldwide.
InvestmentCustomersPartners
Playbuzz raises $35 million from Disney and others for sponsored social content
Playbuzz has raised $35 million in funding from investors including Disney for its sponsored social content. The investment will be used to expand its global footprint and focus on its branded content business. Playbuzz provides sponsored links at the bottom of news stories and other web content to boost engagement and social distribution. The company has raised a total of $66 million to date.
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Playbuzz appoints new European head of brand partnerships
Playbuzz has appointed Jane Loring as the vice-president of European brand partnerships. Loring, a former European general manager of Mode Media, will be responsible for delivering premium content solutions for brands. Playbuzz offers content formats to media brands and publishers and secured $15m in funding from investors including Disney and Saban Ventures.
PartnersInvestment
Playbuzz scores $15 million in funding for sponsored social content
Playbuzz has raised $15 million in funding from Saban Ventures and Disney for its business of providing sponsored content. The funding will be used to enhance its content-engagement platform and expand its sponsored content business. Playbuzz helps publishers and content creators distribute their content in ways that boost engagement and social distribution. The platform is used by tens of thousands of publishers, brands, and content creators. Playbuzz has raised a total of $34.8 million to date.
InvestmentExpand
PlayBuzz Rides Quizzes and Lists to $16 Million in Financing (Published 2015)
PlayBuzz, a website and online platform for creating quizzes and lists, has raised $16 million in a fresh round of financing. The company has become one of the most shared sites on Facebook and ranked among established names like The Huffington Post and BuzzFeed. PlayBuzz allows readers to create their own content and attracts and engages readers for any website. The investment was led by venture capital fund 83North. PlayBuzzs reliance on Facebook for a large chunk of its traffic is seen as an opportunity. The companys co-founder and CEO is Shaul Olmert, son of former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Investment
A 10-Month-Old Website Is Beating BuzzFeed at Its Own Game
PlayBuzz, an Israel-based viral media platform, has seen significant growth and success in the online media space. Despite similarities to BuzzFeed, PlayBuzzs CEO emphasizes that they have different platforms and objectives. PlayBuzz focuses on business-to-business growth and aims to be the YouTube of playful content. The company has raised $3 million in Series A funding from Carmel Ventures and has attracted numerous business partners, including MTV, AOL, Weather.com, and Cosmopolitan. PlayBuzzs success is attributed to its platform model, where users and partners create content. The companys internal editorial team generates a few articles per day as guidance for partners. PlayBuzz surpassed BuzzFeed in September to become the second most-shared site on Facebook. BuzzFeed has not taken any legal action against PlayBuzz. The company currently employs 26 people and has plans to develop a monetization strategy in the future.
CustomersPartners
PlayBuzz Takes a Page (View) Out of BuzzFeed's Playbook
Playful content platform PlayBuzz raises $3m
PlayBuzz, a playful content platform, has completed a $3 million first fundraising round led by Carmel Ventures. The company serves over 40 million unique users monthly and is ranked among the top 50 sites in the US for traffic. PlayBuzz was founded in 2012 and is based in Tel Aviv. The company previously raised $200,000 at the seed stage. The service has been described as innovative, although similarities have been noted with popular site BuzzFeed. PlayBuzz is the founders third attempt at a startup after previous companies closed down. The article was published on June 16, 2014.
Investment
