DanAds: A Decade of Breakthroughs in Self-Serve Ad Automation
by on 31st Jul 2023 in News
For the past ten years, DanAds has been at the forefront of self-serve ad automation technology, revolutionising the programmatic advertising space with cutting-edge solutions for an ever-changing marketplace.
Through a customer-centric approach and a shared vision, DanAds has continuously pushed boundaries and remained a global leader in innovation. In a rapidly evolving advertising industry, brands, and publishers have consistently sought the most efficient and cost-effective ways to reach their target audiences. Online advertising provided broader reach, but it also brought challenges such as longer timelines, higher costs, and reduced transparency.
DanAds founders, Istvan Beres and Peo Persson, recognised the need for a better solution and founded DanAds in 2013, aiming to reshape how publishers and brands sell their inventory to advertisers. The early days were met with scepticism as Beres and Persson urged prospective clients to embrace a future-forward approach. Despite the initial resistance, DanAds secured financing in 2016 and signed clients such as Bloomberg, Philips, and Truecaller, setting the stage for their self-serve revolution.
In subsequent years, DanAds continued to thrive, acquiring Backbone in 2018 and expanding its client base with companies like TripAdvisor. In 2019, DanAds established subsidiaries in the UK and the US, signalling their global aspirations. Then, in 2020, amidst the challenges of the pandemic, DanAds managed to achieve a net revenue of 24m SEK, (£1.8m) showcasing their resilience and adaptability. The momentum continued in 2021, with DanAds completing an equity financing round of 121m SEK (£8.9m) and securing an additional 100m SEK (£7.4m) in debt financing from the EIB and Nordea. The company launched its core self-serve platform, experienced significant growth to 45m SEK (£3.3m), and appointed a new board of directors led by chairman Anders Borg.
However, 2022 presented unforeseen challenges, including inflation, a halting global economy, and geopolitical conflicts. DanAds prioritised its team's well-being by relocating developers from Ukraine to western parts of the country and other European locations. Despite these obstacles, DanAds achieved remarkable growth, generating 131m SEK (£9.7m) in net revenue with a net retention rate of 136% going into 2022. They also hosted the world's first self-serve and Advertising Automation Summit.
In 2023, DanAds celebrated its 10th anniversary with a focus on expanding its US team to 10 people and securing 13 contracts in Q1 alone, a significant increase compared to the previous year. The company now operates in two divisions, automation services, and self-serve, and has expanded into new marketplaces, solidifying its position as a true ad tech industry leader. DanAds' success has not gone unnoticed, with several prestigious awards and recognitions in 2023, including the "Product of the Year" award at the NAB show and a spot on the AdExchanger Power Player List. G2 also recognised them as a high performer during the spring and summer.
So why do publishers believe in self-serve so much? The answer lies in the power and control it gives them. DanAds' self-serve technology and ad automation are adaptable and used by international portfolios of clients across various industries. Publishers gain control over their advertising lifecycle, increasing transparency and trust in their processes. As DanAds looks to the future, its founders' belief in self-serve's potential has been validated. With a robust account management team, a strong US presence, and a growing pipeline of high-quality clients, DanAds is poised for a bright and successful future in the ad tech industry.
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