On January 20, 2017, AT&T, WPP, and DISH closed their acquisition of INVIDI Technologies. INVIDI will continue operating independently, and each of the three owners named representatives to the board, with AT&T holding controlling interest. LUMA acted as exclusive financial advisor to Invidi in the transaction. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Strategic Rationale
With the acquisition of INVIDI, AT&T, DISH and WPP gain control of a leading addressable TV advertising platform. INVIDI has been at the forefront of TV / Digital convergence since its inception, providing software for advertisers to deliver addressable video advertising to target audiences on TV and other distribution platforms. While there has been speculation around addressable TV for a number of years, the biggest shifts have come in the last two, as brands began embracing data and television companies began touting their technical capabilities over pure content.
At LUMA, we believe this transaction will be the tipping point for addressable TV, as the technology not only needs to exist, but also be put in the right hands in order to take off. This is reminiscent of the rise of programmatic advertising after Google’s acquisitions of Invite Media and Admeld, even though the technology had been around for years before.
About INVIDI Technologies Corporation
INVIDI Technologies Corporation is the world’s leading advanced addressable television advertising solutions company. Our vision and expertise in building smart advertising systems across multiple platforms provides unrivaled capability for delivering the right advertising message to the right audience at the right time with pinpoint accuracy, and increases advertising inventory value and effectiveness for the cable, satellite, telco, IPTV and advertising industries. INVIDI’s unique, privacy-protected approach to addressable advertising delivery, reporting and measurement is supported by an extensive patent portfolio. Our innovations in content delivery solutions and intellectual property development in targeted demographic media is the foundation for a wide array of advanced advertising capabilities.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, mobile, high speed internet and voice services. AT&T is the world’s largest provider of pay TV, with TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries.
About DISH Network
DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ:DISH), through its subsidiaries, provides approximately 13.643 million pay-TV subscribers, as of Sept. 30, 2016, with the highest-quality programming and technology with the most choices at the best value. DISH offers a high definition line-up with more than 200 national HD channels, the most international channels and award-winning HD and DVR technology. DISH Network Corporation is a Fortune 200 company.
About WPP
WPP is the world’s largest communications services group with billings of US$73 billion and revenues of US$19 billion. Through its operating companies, the Group provides a comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services including advertising & media investment management; data investment management; public relations & public affairs; branding & identity; healthcare communications; direct, digital, promotion & relationship marketing and specialist communications. The company employs over 200,000 people (including associates and investments) in over 3,000 offices across 113 countries.