Ooyala buys video ad firm Videoplaza

Jay Fulcher

Video streaming and analytics provider Ooyala has entered a definitive agreement to buy video ad firm Videoplaza, as it aims to “build out a new business dimension in advertising.”

Ooyala said that the deal marks the first stage of a multi-step strategy aimed at establishing “global leadership in personalised cloud TV and video,” following Telstra’s buyout of Ooyala in August.

Videoplaza operates a premium video ad-serving platform and programmatic trading solutions, delivering adverts to viewers across all devices.

Broadcasters and media companies in Europe and Asia Pacific already use Videoplaza’s platform. Ooyala said that through its buyout, Videoplaza will also be able to rapidly expand into the US.

“Ooyala helps media companies build the largest possible audiences online, while Videoplaza helps them extract as much value as possible from that audience. Our combined platforms will offer a more holistic view of content and ad performance across a broadcaster’s entire business, including granular data on not only what, how and where people are watching, but also where and how they can make the most money,” said Ooyala CEO, Jay Fulcher.

Videoplaza founder and CEO, Sorosh Tavakoli, added: “We are excited to join forces with Ooyala and Telstra. We share their vision and believe their strong appetite to invest for the long term in building a global market leader will set us apart. This acquisition will allow us to expand our mission in helping broadcasters and premium publishers build highly profitable and sustainable businesses.”

Videoplaza’s client base includes affiliates of the RTL Group such as M6 in France and IP Deutschland in Germany, as well as members of the Bonnier Group such as TV4 in Sweden and Mediaset in Spain. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.