Yahoo Backstage Boosts CTV Capabilities with FreeWheel, Magnite’s SpringServe, and Publica by IAS Integrations

New York, NY (September 21, 2023) - Yahoo Advertising today announced strategic partnerships with FreeWheel, Magnite for its streaming ad server SpringServe, and Publica by IAS, to enable direct server-to-server connections with direct-to-publisher offering Yahoo Backstage.

The move allows connected TV (CTV) publishers to more seamlessly extend their premium inventory through Yahoo Backstage. It also further solidifies Yahoo Advertising’s commitment to optimizing media investments for its growing roster of Fortune 500 advertisers, especially across one of today’s fastest-growing channels, CTV.

"Our partnerships with FreeWheel, Magnite, and Publica by IAS enable us to provide greater value to both advertisers and publishers within the Yahoo DSP,” said Elizabeth Herbst-Brady, Chief Revenue Officer, Yahoo. “In an increasingly complex digital landscape, creating instant connections, maximizing efficiency, and ensuring transparency are paramount. We look forward to working with these partners to support our customers, and will continue to seek out ways to optimize together.”

Available exclusively through the Yahoo DSP, Yahoo Backstage is a direct path to curated, premium publisher inventory. To date, in addition to Yahoo owned and operated properties like Yahoo Sports and Yahoo Finance, over 100 leading publishers are featured within the offering. Among the 100, Yahoo Backstage includes nearly 40 CTV publishers, the largest representation of direct CTV supply available today. Now live, Yahoo Backstage supports transparency, control, and supply path optimization (SPO), while maximizing media spend and ROI for brands.

Integrations with FreeWheel, Magnite’s streaming ad server, SpringServe, and Publica by IAS directly benefit CTV publishers by effortlessly extending their premium inventory through Yahoo Backstage. In addition, advertisers gain unprecedented, direct access to this inventory. The server-to-server connections between Yahoo Backstage and FreeWheel, Magnite, and Publica by IAS champion efficiency and transparency, promising a frictionless exchange of high-quality CTV inventory.

“We’re proud to be teaming up with Yahoo,” said Cameron Miille, VP, North American Head of Revenue and Growth, FreeWheel. “At FreeWheel, we take great pride in working with the most  premium suppliers in today’s TV ad ecosystem, and integrating with industry partners to provide buyers with the most direct access. Today’s announcement is a great example of how we continue to innovate, simplify and improve the overall media supply chain.”

“More than ever, media owners need technology that works for them, and that includes easy access to an array of emerging demand channels such as Yahoo Backstage," said Sean Buckley, Chief Revenue Officer, Magnite. “By combining easy access to demand with innovative monetization tools, we continue to drive increased transparency, value, and performance for nearly every major media owner in streaming.”

“CTV is one of the industry’s fastest growing and most dynamic channels,” said Sean Galligan, Chief Revenue Officer, Publica by IAS. “By connecting with Yahoo Backstage, we’re supporting our collective CTV publisher partners and furthering transparent media buying across high- quality inventory.”

Yahoo Advertising will continue to offer advertisers the control to make informed buying choices. In addition to serving advertisers, publishers also benefit from Yahoo Backstage, gaining direct access to quality demand through a streamlined pipeline, enhancing their existing buying paths. Publishers also receive dedicated support from Yahoo Advertising’s experienced team, ensuring their business needs are effectively managed.

The server-to-server integrations become particularly beneficial for CTV advertisers, given that CTV spend is projected to reach $25.9 billion this year, according to GroupM.

Through the Yahoo DSP, Yahoo Backstage amplifies advertiser and publisher reach, and drives optimal outcomes. For more information, please visit https://www.advertising.yahooinc.com/

About Yahoo:

Yahoo serves as a trusted guide for hundreds of millions of people globally, helping them achieve their goals online through our portfolio of iconic products. For advertisers, Yahoo Advertising offers omnichannel solutions and powerful data to engage with our brands and deliver results. To learn more about Yahoo, please visit yahooinc.com.

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