Video Via Mobile, Connected TV Drive SpotX 2015 Revenue

Ad-serving and video platform SpotX on Wednesday said it saw global net revenue growth of 56% year-over-year in 2015. The company attributed the growth to video delivered via mobile and connected TV devices revenues which increased 385% to account for 15% of revenue globally.

Net revenue from the company’s ad-serving business grew 74% globally.

One factor that may be aiding SpotX's growth and other video marketplaces like it, is Facebook’s withdrawal from the ad-serving business.

In addition, publisher concerns over so-called “walled gardens” and their inability to wholly control the monetization of their owned and operated sites. TubeMogul’s recent “Independence Matters” campaign took direct aim at the walled garden approach--specifically Google’s.

“While some of our competitors have pulled out of the ad server business, we made a strategic decision to enhance our offering,” said Mike Shehan, SpotX founder, CEO and president, in characterizing the company's revenue growth.

He said the enhancements enable SpotX to meet publishers' needs to segment inventory based on price, content, device, and audience regardless of tactical execution—direct sales, programmatic direct, private marketplace or open marketplace.

Publishers and media companies increasingly desire more control over their inventory, its placement and targeting. “Media companies want to be able to control and maintain direct relationships with their audiences and advertisers, as well as leverage first- and third-party data,” Shehan said.

The issue of control, again, refers to what many in the industry are growing disillusioned with: the walled gardens of Facebook and Google.

Privately held SpotX also said it has 300 employees globally. Additional hires in EMEA and APAC delivered 330% and 50% increases in headcount, respectively.

Total revenue for SpotX’s publishers on mobile and connected TV in Q4 2015 grew by 212% year-on-year globally. Of the regions, EMEA saw the strongest growth, recording 1,120% year-on-year growth, while JAPAC recorded 41% year-on-year growth.

 

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