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Augustus Media’s business tech and culture streaming service, Smashi, has expanded its programmatic advertising capabilities by bringing on Magnite, a global independent sell-side advertising platform. This deal includes every channel and format and incorporates the use of the SpringServe ad server.
SpringServe takes the position as the video ad server for Augustus allowing the media company to holistically manage all its OTT inventory, as well as to connect to various demand sources and bidders to enable and optimize monetization across programmatic and direct activities.
Magnite’s sell-side platform (SSP) facilitates the sale of programmatic ad inventory across multiple channels and formats including CTV, online video, display, and audio.
The overall collaboration offers cutting-edge technology, tools and support to help Augustus thrive and grow its ad business.
Smashi is a live streaming service from the heart of the Arab world, covering the most innovative products, services, and technologies that are changing our lives. Smashi is a mindset; it’s for the driven, the dreamers, and the doers.
Smashi is a brand that covers topics that matter, with 12 channels including the following; Smashi Sports, Smashi Business, Smashi Health, Smashi Crypto, Smashi Green, Smashi Gaming, Smashi Drives, Smashi Entertainment, Smashi Travel, Smashi Style, Smashi Inspo and Smashi Home. The brand is accessible across all social media platforms. At present, Smashi content has a total of 14M video views with 1.8K videos On-Demand.
The business model behind Smashi sits in between a digital premium linear TV channel and a FAST service where all content will be served with ads and some available only to subscribers. While Smashi is fairly priced, the monetization of the ad can support maintaining its consistency and quality.
Smashi applications can be found almost everywhere: tvOS, Google TV, Smart TVs supported by Foxxum, Vidaa, Netrange and Tizen, iOS app, Android app and other distribution vendors.
Smashi will utilize Magnite’s sell-side advertising platform and services from ad serving and audience management to live programmatic complexities. Magnite will provide Smashi with the opportunity to branch out and grow the Smashi audience efficiently with improved features on all fronts - supporting Smashi in its efforts to increase audience satisfaction and user experience.
“As programmatic grows in importance in the region, we are pleased that Augustus Media have chosen to work with us to expand their omnichannel advertising capabilities,” said Sam Wilson, Managing Director of CTV, EMEA, at Magnite. “We hope to support Smashi’s diverse content with engaging advertising experiences across many screens and formats.”
“We’re excited that Augustus Media have chosen the SpringServe ad server to bring high-quality advertising experiences to Smashi’s audience,” said Leon Siotis, Head of International at SpringServe. “We look forward to growing our relationship with the Smashi team as we work together to enhance their ad-supported inventory and help accelerate their growth.”
“Technology is going to play a huge role in the evolution of streaming advertising and is key to our plans, working with the leading players in this space, Magnite and SpringServe. It makes perfect sense. We believe connected tv and addressable advertising is in its infancy, especially in the MENA region, so we are excited to grow and develop this relationship,” noted Richard Fitzgerald, CEO Augustus Media.
