Verve (M8G) 2025 Earnings Call August 19, 2025 04:00 AM ET Speaker0So good morning, everybody. Thanks for finding your way to Stockholm today or joining online. My name is Ingo Mittelmanen. And as the Head of European Investor Relations of WORF, I'd likeSpeaker1toSpeaker0cordially welcome you to this year's Capital Markets Day of our company. After intense weeks of planning, our whole team and me are really thrilled to finally have you here as our guests today. As usual, we've prepared some sophisticated de ...

Investor Presentation Q2 2025 August 11, 2025 Forward Looking Statements This presentation contains historical information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the safe- harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the business, financial condition and results of operations of Perion. The words "will," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," "esti ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q2 was $173 million, up 6% from 2024, with contribution ex TAC at $162 million, an increase of 10% [24] - Adjusted EBITDA grew 22% year over year to $54 million, reflecting a margin of 34%, compared to 30% last year [27] - Net income was $11 million for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $1 million for 2024 [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CTV contribution ex TAC was $72 million, up 14% year over year, or 15% excluding political contributions [24] - DV plus contribution ex TAC was $90 million, an increase of 8% from the second quarter last year [24] - Contribution ex TAC mix for Q2 was 44% CTV, 39% mobile, and 17% desktop [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The strongest performing verticals were technology, health and fitness, and financial, while the auto sector was the weakest [25] - The company is seeing significant growth in the commerce media space, with new partnerships including Western Union and PayPal [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its CTV business through new partnerships and technology enhancements, particularly in programmatic advertising [7][10] - There is a strong emphasis on AI integration within the company's products to enhance targeting and inventory categorization [17][18] - The company is preparing for potential market share shifts due to the antitrust ruling against Google, which could benefit its DBplus business significantly [19][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the second half of 2025, expecting growth rates to accelerate, particularly in CTV [21] - The overall ad spend environment appears less volatile, allowing the company to reinstate its full-year guidance [23][30] - Management remains cautious but confident in navigating the current environment, with a focus on strategic investments in growth areas [31][32] Other Important Information - The company reported a cash balance of $426 million at the end of Q2, with net leverage remaining at 0.6x [28] - Capital expenditures for the year are expected to be approximately $60 million, with a focus on transitioning to on-premises infrastructure [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the recent partnerships and market momentum? - Management highlighted strong traction in the marketplace, particularly in CTV, and noted a modular approach to product offerings that has been successful [35] Question: What is the potential impact of the Google antitrust case? - Management indicated that while the specifics of the remedies are uncertain, they believe any changes will create a more level playing field that could benefit Magnite significantly [36][70] Question: What is driving the reiteration of the prior guidance? - Management noted that the ad spend market has stabilized more than initially feared, allowing for a more optimistic outlook [40][41] Question: How is the company positioned regarding AI developments? - Management discussed the integration of AI capabilities to enhance inventory discovery and targeting, which is expected to drive revenue growth [102] Question: What are the expectations for live sports contributions? - Management acknowledged that while live sports are still in early stages, there is significant potential for growth as more events transition to programmatic sales [54]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue increased by 11% year-on-year, reaching $195 million, exceeding expectations by $4 million [27][28] - Non-GAAP operating income rose by 34%, amounting to $36 million, surpassing guidance by $3 million [27][33] - GAAP operating margin expanded by seven points to a record high of 10% [33] - Free cash flow outlook improved significantly due to recent tax legislation [27][39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription revenue grew by 10% to $148 million, with subscription usage revenue up approximately 40% [28][29] - Marketplace and other revenue increased by 13% to $46 million, with Data Marketplace accounting for 76% of this revenue [32] - Total contracted backlog (RPO) rose by 29% to $690 million, while current RPO increased by 14% to $451 million [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The selling environment was characterized as generally positive, with strong sales momentum and several million-dollar deals [30][31] - Average deal cycle decreased to nine months, with a higher conversion rate of pipeline into bookings [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is modernizing its pricing model to offer greater flexibility and align costs with usage, which is expected to enhance growth [13][15] - Focus on AI's transformative potential in digital advertising, positioning the company as a critical partner for clients' AI ambitions [20][22] - Continued investment in the data collaboration platform to support AI-driven advertising and enhance data connectivity [24][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing a robust new business pipeline and good sales momentum across several solutions [4][5] - The company anticipates continued growth in commerce media and CTV, driven by strong customer demand and successful integrations [12][52] - Increased confidence in achieving higher revenue growth in the latter half of the fiscal year [46] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $30 million in stock during the first quarter, with $226 million remaining under the current authorization [34] - The balance sheet remains strong with approximately $370 million in cash and short-term investments and zero debt [34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the assumptions behind the revenue growth for the second quarter? - Management noted that while Q1 outperformed expectations, they are conservatively guiding Q2 subscription usage growth to be flat year-on-year [45][46] Question: What gives confidence that the strength in Commerce Media Networks can continue? - Management highlighted the extensive customer networks and partnerships being developed, which are expected to fuel ongoing growth [48][52] Question: Can you provide balance on the momentum across Clean Room, CMI, and Commerce Media? - Management acknowledged some churn events impacting the million-dollar customer count but expressed confidence in a rebound due to strong sales momentum [61][63] Question: What is the leverage seen from offshoring and automation initiatives? - Management indicated that offshoring and smart cost management are driving low double-digit millions in cost savings, allowing for continued investment in growth areas [68][70] Question: How are pricing changes impacting new deals? - Management reported that the new pricing model is viewed favorably, reducing friction in the new business process and attracting new clients [75][78] Question: What is LiveRamp's right to win in the AI-driven marketing environment? - Management emphasized that the company is an enabler of AI, providing the necessary infrastructure for clients to leverage their proprietary data effectively [81][84]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, TV revenue grew over 35% to $67.8 million, with total revenue reaching $68.5 million, driven by customer acquisition and increased usage [7][16] - Gross margin improved to 77%, up from 70% in 2024, reflecting a 700 basis point increase [17] - Adjusted EBITDA grew 92% year over year to a record $14.5 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21% compared to 14% in 2024 [19][20] - The company ended the quarter with $175 million in cash and cash equivalents and no debt outstanding [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Performance TV revenue growth of 35% indicates strong customer adoption, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses [16] - The number of live customers on the platform increased by 85% year over year, with 97% of new customers having never advertised on TV before [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nearly half of all TV time in the US is now streamed, yet only a third of TV ad budgets have followed, indicating a significant market opportunity for performance TV [9] - The company is targeting small and mid-sized businesses, which are increasingly recognizing the potential of TV advertising [95] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to democratize TV advertising, making it accessible and effective for brands of all sizes, particularly small and mid-sized businesses [5][6] - The strategy includes leveraging AI for targeting and creative processes to enhance customer acquisition and reduce costs [27][28] - The company is focused on maintaining operating leverage while investing in technology and development to drive future growth [21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's momentum and market opportunity, highlighting the shift towards performance TV as a viable growth channel [14][21] - The management noted that small and mid-sized businesses are expected to drive growth in TV advertising, similar to trends seen in job creation [96] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet with no debt and significant cash reserves, positioning it well for future investments [20] - The company is committed to strategic investments in R&D and go-to-market capabilities to support growth [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the momentum you're seeing and what excites you most? - Management noted that small and mid-sized businesses are increasingly assuming they can use television for advertising, reflecting strong forward momentum [25][26] Question: How do you see margins trending and what are the key levers? - Management indicated a long-term gross margin target of 75% to 80%, with expectations for further improvements through reductions in hosting and media costs [30][31] Question: What impact has lowering the minimum spend had on the business? - The minimum spend per campaign has decreased from $25,000 to $500, allowing more small and medium-sized advertisers to access the platform [39] Question: Can you comment on net revenue retention rates? - While not quantified, management indicated that net retention rates are very strong, particularly among small businesses [45][46] Question: What is the growth outlook from the ZoomInfo deal? - The partnership with ZoomInfo is expected to drive advertisers to the platform, enhancing customer acquisition [51] Question: How is the go-to-market strategy evolving post-IPO? - The go-to-market strategy has become faster, leveraging AI tools for quicker customer onboarding [65] Question: Where is the biggest growth in new customers coming from? - Growth is seen in small franchises and local businesses, aided by the introduction of radius targeting [89] Question: How does the company define performance for its advertisers? - Over 80% of customers use return on ad spend as their key metric, with a focus on driving sales and conversions [76][85]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, TV revenue grew over 35% to $67.8 million, with total revenue reaching $68.5 million, driven by customer acquisition and increased usage [6][15] - Gross margin improved to 77%, up from 70% in 2024, reflecting a 700 basis point increase [16] - Adjusted EBITDA grew 92% year over year to a record $14.5 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21% compared to 14% in 2024 [18][19] - The company ended the quarter with $175 million in cash and cash equivalents and no debt outstanding [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Performance TV revenue growth of 35% indicates strong customer adoption, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses [15] - The number of live customers on the platform increased by 85% year over year, with 97% of new customers having never advertised on TV before [9][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nearly half of all TV time in the US is now streamed, yet only a third of TV ad budgets have followed, indicating a significant market opportunity [8] - The company is targeting small and mid-sized businesses, which have historically been excluded from TV advertising [9][94] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to democratize TV advertising by making performance TV accessible and effective for brands of all sizes [4][6] - The strategy includes leveraging AI for targeting and creative processes to lower costs and improve efficiency [26][62] - The company is focused on expanding its market presence by lowering minimum spend requirements to attract more small and medium-sized advertisers [36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's momentum and market opportunity, emphasizing the alignment of their strategy with modern marketing needs [13][20] - The management highlighted the importance of data and AI technology in driving customer acquisition and performance marketing [95] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet and is committed to strategic investments in R&D and marketing to support future growth [19][20] - The company expects Q3 revenue in the range of $69.5 million to $70.5 million, representing a 22.5% year-over-year growth at the midpoint [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the momentum you're seeing and what excites you most? - Management noted that small and mid-sized businesses are increasingly recognizing their ability to leverage TV advertising, with 77% of revenue now coming from inbound leads [25] Question: How do you see margins trending and what are the key levers? - Management indicated a long-term gross margin target of 75% to 80%, with expectations for further improvements through reductions in hosting and media costs [28][30] Question: What impact has lowering the minimum spend had on the business? - The minimum spend per campaign has been reduced from $25,000 to $500, allowing for greater customer access and improved targeting [36] Question: Can you comment on net revenue retention rates? - While specific figures were not disclosed, management indicated that net retention is very strong, particularly among small businesses [42] Question: What is the impact of the ZoomInfo deal? - The partnership with ZoomInfo is expected to drive advertisers to the platform, enhancing customer acquisition efforts [46] Question: How is the go-to-market strategy evolving post-IPO? - The go-to-market strategy has become faster, leveraging AI tools to enable quicker customer onboarding [64] Question: How does the company define performance for its advertisers? - Over 80% of customers use return on ad spend as their key metric, with a focus on driving sales and conversions [75][81]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 totaled $2.14 billion, down 2% year-over-year, with similar results across subscription and advertising revenue streams [17] - Adjusted EBITDA was $668 million, down 5% year-over-year, reflecting a healthy margin of 31% [18] - Free cash flow rose 27% to $402 million, driven by timing of payments, lower capital expenditures, and elimination of prior overhead [18] - The company maintained a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 3.8 times [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - SiriusXM revenue was $1.61 billion, down 2% from the prior year, driven by a smaller self-pay subscriber base [22] - Self-pay net subscriber additions were negative 68,000, an improvement of 32,000 compared to the prior year, with a churn rate of 1.5% [23] - In the Pandora and off-platform segment, revenue was $524 million, down 3% year-over-year, with podcast advertising revenue increasing nearly 50% [24][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The advertising market faced challenges due to economic uncertainties, with overall advertising down approximately 2% from Q2 2024 [12][13] - Podcast ad revenue climbed almost 50% year-over-year, indicating strong growth in that segment despite overall advertising declines [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing content offerings and subscriber engagement, with new talent and programming initiatives [6][7] - A new ad-supported subscription plan, SiriusXM Play, is being rolled out, expected to be available in nearly 100 million vehicles by year-end [11] - The company is investing in technology enhancements, including AI capabilities for advertising and customer service [78][79] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term success of the business despite anticipated headwinds in the advertising market [6][27] - The company is closely monitoring macroeconomic trends that could impact advertising revenue [26] - Full-year guidance remains unchanged, with expectations of approximately $8.5 billion in total revenue and $2.6 billion in adjusted EBITDA [26] Other Important Information - The company returned approximately $137 million to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks [25] - A comprehensive technology and workforce realignment was undertaken, including a non-cash write-off of $100 million in capitalized software assets [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry on free cash flow guidance and its full-year impact - Management noted a sizable beat in free cash flow for the quarter, attributing it to timing and ongoing cost structure optimization [30][31] Question: Strategy for attracting younger audiences - Management highlighted the success of podcasts and new content aimed at younger demographics, with a focus on monetization in that space [32][34] Question: Podcasting and digital advertising developments - Management reported strong growth in podcasting, with efforts to improve programmatic ad tech capabilities [39][41] Question: Update on G&A expenses and podcast ad revenue strength - Legal expenses impacted G&A, while podcasting revenue growth was attributed to increased marketer adoption and content monetization [58][61] Question: Clarification on net adds and acquisition initiatives - Management confirmed improvements in both acquisition and retention, with ongoing initiatives expected to contribute positively [67][70] Question: AI utilization in advertising and broader business - Management discussed leveraging AI for customer service and advertising, with ongoing improvements in targeting and campaign scaling [78][79] Question: Rollout pace of ad-supported subscription plan - Management outlined a targeted rollout strategy for the new ad-supported plan, aiming for significant vehicle penetration by year-end [90][91]

Summary of DoubleVerify (DV) 2025 Update / Briefing Company Overview - **Company**: DoubleVerify (DV) - **Industry**: Digital Advertising and Media Verification Key Points and Arguments 1. **Forward-Looking Statements**: The briefing includes several forward-looking statements regarding DV's strategic vision and financial outlook [1][3] 2. **CEO's Vision**: CEO Mark Zagorski emphasized the need for clarity and transparency in the increasingly complex digital advertising landscape, stating that DV aims to provide tools that help advertisers navigate this complexity [11][12] 3. **Financial Performance**: DV reported a 15% growth in the previous year and a 17% growth in Q1, with guidance for Q2 set at a midpoint of 17%, maintaining a "Rule of 40+" since its IPO [13][14] 4. **Product Launches**: DV introduced the Media Advantage Platform (MAP), which integrates verification, optimization, and outcomes to address the challenges faced by advertisers [20][22] 5. **Market Opportunity**: The Total Addressable Market (TAM) for DV has expanded from $21 billion in core verification to over $27 billion when including optimization and outcomes solutions [32][33] 6. **Customer Relationships**: DV has established strong relationships with major brands, including Kenview (formerly Johnson & Johnson), highlighting the importance of trust and transparency in their partnerships [43][67] 7. **Complexity in Advertising**: The digital advertising landscape is described as fragmented, with over 60% of advertising teams using six to fifteen tools to manage campaigns, leading to a lack of clarity and increased pressure to prove ROI [25][26][27] 8. **AI Integration**: DV has doubled its AI-powered implementations, enhancing project development cycles and improving operational efficiency [15][17] 9. **Performance Metrics**: The company aims to provide advertisers with real-time insights into campaign performance, emphasizing the importance of quality media for both short-term ROI and long-term brand equity [52][54] Additional Important Content 1. **Challenges for Advertisers**: Advertisers face increasing pressure to deliver results while managing a complex media landscape, with many relying on multiple tools that do not communicate effectively [24][26][28] 2. **Trust Issues**: A survey indicated that 59% of advertising decision-makers have lost trust in social media, highlighting the need for independent verification and transparency [27] 3. **Integration of Solutions**: DV's MAP aims to unify various advertising solutions, allowing for better optimization and measurement across different platforms, including social media [75][78] 4. **Client Success Stories**: The briefing included testimonials from clients like TikTok, emphasizing the need for integrated measurement and the importance of creative quality in advertising [88][90] 5. **Future Directions**: DV plans to expand its offerings into new channels, including retail media and ad-supported AI, to capture more market share and drive growth [40][41][39] This summary encapsulates the key insights and strategic directions discussed during the DoubleVerify briefing, highlighting the company's commitment to addressing the complexities of digital advertising through innovative solutions and strong client partnerships.

Industry Overview - The digital advertising market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.4% from 2025 to 2030, driven by mobile penetration, social media proliferation, and programmatic advertising expansion [2] - Video advertising is projected to remain the dominant format as brands increasingly leverage visual storytelling [2] The Trade Desk (TTD) - TTD reported revenues of $616 million in Q1 2025, a 25% year-over-year increase, exceeding management's guidance of at least $575 million [4] - Adjusted EBITDA for TTD was $208 million, reflecting a 34% margin compared to $162 million and a 33% margin in the previous year [4] - Customer retention rate was over 95% for the reported quarter [4] - TTD's net cash from operating activities was $291.4 million, with free cash flow at $230 million [5] - Adjusted earnings per share increased by 27% year-over-year to 33 cents [5] - The Kokai platform is utilized by two-thirds of clients, achieving lower cost per conversion by 24% and lower cost per acquisition by 20% [5] - TTD's revenue is heavily reliant on North America, with 88% of revenues coming from this region, limiting international market expansion [7] - Total operating costs surged by 21.4% year-over-year to $561.6 million, which may impact profitability if revenue growth does not keep pace [8] Criteo (CRTO) - Criteo's AI-driven Performance Media business and capabilities in Retail Media are strong growth drivers [9] - The Commerce Media Platform includes both demand-side and supply-side solutions, allowing Criteo to capture value across the ad tech value chain [9] - Criteo's media spend was $4.3 billion over the last 12 months, with $919 million in Q1 2025 [10] - Retail Media on-platform revenues grew by 17% year-over-year, supported by partnerships with 70% of the top 30 U.S. retailers [10] - Criteo onboarded 300 new brands in Q1, bringing the total to over 3,800 for Retail Media [11] - The company launched a new AI-powered automation toolset, Commerce GO!, designed to streamline campaign launches [12] - Criteo differentiates itself by offering direct retailer access and a transparent platform built around first-party data [13] Share Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, CRTO has declined by 33.6%, while TTD has seen a decline of 37.1% amid macroeconomic uncertainties [14] - Valuation metrics indicate TTD is overvalued with a Value Score of F, while CRTO has a Value Score of A [16] - TTD's forward 12-month price/earnings ratio is 38.32X, significantly higher than CRTO's 5.97X [17] Analyst Estimates - Analysts have revised CRTO's earnings estimates downward for the current quarter, indicating a trend of negative revisions [18] - TTD has experienced relatively lower downward revisions in earnings estimates compared to CRTO [20] Investment Recommendation - Criteo is positioned as the stronger investment option due to its better valuation, focus on partnerships, and expanding retail media presence [22]

Financial Performance - The company reported strong financial performance in Q4, beating expectations on both revenue and operating income, with revenue of $189 million, up 10% year-over-year [28][29] - Operating income was $23 million, reflecting a 43% increase, and operating margin expanded by three points to 12% [28][11] - For FY 2025, the company achieved 13% revenue growth, marking the third consecutive year of hitting the 10% to 15% growth target [6][7] - Free cash flow reached a record $153 million, a 51% year-over-year increase, demonstrating improved working capital management [11][37] Business Line Performance - Subscription revenue grew by 9% to $145 million, while marketplace and other revenue increased by 14% to $44 million [29][33] - The company added 13,100 subscription customers during the year, with significant growth in the $1 million plus customer cohort [7][9] - The reduction in contraction rate contributed to revenue growth, achieving the lowest level of dollar churn and downsell ever [10] Market Performance - The data marketplace, which accounted for 77% of marketplace revenue, grew by 13%, reflecting continued strength in U.S. digital ad spending [33] - The company did not detect any change in customer behavior due to macroeconomic conditions in Q4 or April [33] Strategic Direction and Industry Competition - The company aims to achieve the "Rule of 40" by FY 2028, targeting 10% to 15% revenue growth and 25% to 30% operating margin [12][25] - Key initiatives include enhancing the data collaboration network and launching cross media intelligence solutions to improve advertising measurement [14][18] - The company is focused on expanding its clean room solutions, which have shown to significantly increase annual recurring revenue (ARR) for customers [23][89] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about FY 2026, highlighting strong demand signals and a robust sales pipeline despite macroeconomic uncertainties [32][39] - The company anticipates revenue for FY 2026 to be between $787 million and $817 million, reflecting growth of 6% to 10% [39] - Management noted that the macro environment is a key swing factor in revenue guidance, with a stable economy assumed for the high end of the range [39][41] Other Important Information - The company successfully renewed 20 multimillion-dollar annual contract value (ACV) contracts, with over half being multi-year contracts [9][100] - The balance sheet remains strong with zero debt and cash and short-term investments totaling $421 million [37] Q&A Session Summary Question: Customer reaction to cross media intelligence - Management expressed optimism about the cross media intelligence solution, noting strong early feedback and increased customer conversations [52][54] Question: Key factors impacting revenue guidance - Management indicated that the macro environment is the primary swing factor between the low and high ends of the revenue guidance range [57][59] Question: New customer acquisition strategies - Management highlighted that the decline in customer count was primarily due to smaller customers, while the million-dollar plus customer count continued to grow [66][68] Question: Impact of Google’s cookie announcement - Management stated that the announcement was largely a non-event for customers, as the industry has been moving away from cookies for years [71][72] Question: Sales pipeline and customer hesitation - Management noted some customer hesitation in Q4 but reported that many deals that slipped have already closed in early Q1 [76][78] Question: Clean room adoption and customer segmentation - Management indicated that clean room adoption is primarily a function of time and execution, with larger companies leading the way [86][88] Question: Net retention rate outlook - Management expects net retention to stabilize between 100% and 105% in the near term, with potential for improvement as new strategies are executed [93][94]