The Rundown: Q1 dealmaking cools across ad tech and martech as AI remains the hottest ticket

The last two weeks witnessed separate mergers and acquisitions in the ad tech sector, a stark contrast to the opening three weeks of the year, according to statistics from LUMA Partners released this week. 

The deals in question were Viant’s intended $40 million purchase of TVision, an announcement made a day after True Anthem’s takeover by JWX, the entity formed from the union of JW Player and Connatix, was made public. 

Both of these deals were confirmed just a week after MiQ revealed two separate M&A moves in successive months, with the corporate development lead at the programmatic trading specialist, Paul Silver, describing current market conditions as a “buyer’s market,” to Digiday.     

Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV.

,Read More

Puma’s AI head says the brand is still giving ‘the keys to the consumer’ as it invests in digital concierge

This story was first published by Digiday sibling Modern Retail.

As Puma looks to return to growth, it’s also embracing the latest technology.

The nearly 80-year-old brand is diving headfirst into artificial intelligence, a few years after it launched a Roblox experience and tested out NFTs and Web3 programs. Most recently, on April 13, Puma debuted a new AI-powered “digital human” concierge named “Dylan” in its Las Vegas flagship. “Dylan,” who appears on a seven-foot-tall screen, can speak more than 100 languages, recommend products and answer customers’ questions. Puma is also gearing up to announce the winning design from its AI jersey contest, held two years ago in partnership with football club Manchester City.

Continue reading this article on digiday.com. Sign up for Digiday newsletters to get the latest on media, marketing and the future of TV.

,Read More