Core Insights - Retail media networks (RMNs) are experiencing a slowdown in growth as sponsored search becomes saturated and consumer packaged goods (CPG) advertisers reevaluate their investment strategies [1] - To achieve revenue targets, RMN leaders must explore new media inventory types and innovative ways to monetize shopper relationships, potentially looking beyond traditional in-store methods [1][2] Group 1: Experiential Marketing Opportunities - Experiential marketing is a significant spending category, valued at over $128.3 billion globally, with a 10.5% increase from the previous year [3] - Retailers have a unique advantage in experiential marketing, as they can target specific shoppers and measure the direct impact on in-store sales, unlike traditional sponsorships that focus on brand awareness [4] - New retail data capabilities allow RMNs to target specific shoppers more effectively, bridging the gap between experiential marketing budgets and retail media investments [5][9] Group 2: Targeting and Measurement Innovations - RMNs can now apply precise targeting to reach shoppers during relevant moments outside the store, akin to off-site digital media strategies [6] - Hyper-contextual targeting enables RMNs to connect with specific consumer segments in trusted environments, enhancing the likelihood of product trials [7][8] - Measurement capabilities are evolving, allowing RMNs to demonstrate the return on investment (ROI) of experiential campaigns by linking them to actual sales data [12][14] Group 3: Case Studies and Practical Applications - Dollar General's partnership with Recess exemplifies the effective use of targeted brand experiences, reaching over 90 million shoppers in their communities [10] - The collaboration allows for authentic product trials in natural settings, driving measurable in-store sales from out-of-store activations [11][12] - A case study of an OTC brand illustrates the effectiveness of multi-channel programs, achieving a $7.28 incremental return on advertising spend (iROAS) and a 5.8% sales lift over 26 weeks [15] Group 4: Strategic Implications for RMNs - With enhanced targeting and measurement capabilities, RMNs can access previously unreachable brand budgets, transforming experiential marketing from a cost center to a revenue driver [16] - As CPG brands face increased scrutiny over advertising expenditures, RMNs that integrate retail media with experiential marketing become essential growth partners, offering comprehensive solutions from brand discovery to sales [17]

Summary of Creative Realities (NasdaqCM:CREX) M&A Announcement Company and Industry - **Company**: Creative Realities, Inc. (CRI) - **Industry**: Digital Media and Advertising, specifically focusing on digital signage and retail media networks Key Points and Arguments Acquisition Overview - CRI announced the acquisition of Cineplex Digital Media (CDM) to enhance its scale and market presence [2][3] - The acquisition is expected to double CRI's revenue from $50 million to $100 million, creating one of the largest North American digital media companies [2][3] Rationale for Acquisition - **Scale**: The acquisition significantly increases CRI's operational scale, which is crucial in the digital media industry [3][4] - **Market Expansion**: It expands CRI's total addressable market, particularly in the lottery vertical and media revenue generation [4] - **Cost Synergies**: Identified cost synergies of approximately $10 million, including personnel and support structure optimizations [4][12] Financial Details - The purchase price for CDM is approximately $50 million, financed through $48.5 million in bank debt and $30 million in convertible preferred equity [9][10] - The acquisition is expected to add $18 million in day-one SaaS revenue and $20 million in media revenue [10][13] - By the end of 2025, CRI anticipates reaching about $46 million in recurring revenue [13] Growth Projections - Revenue is projected to exceed $100 million in 2026, with adjusted EBITDA margins expected to exceed 20% after realizing synergies [14][15] - The acquisition is expected to generate significant free cash flow [15] Strategic Benefits - The acquisition strengthens CRI's leadership in digital signage and ad tech, enhancing its capabilities in retail media networks and lottery [10][11] - CRI now owns the largest mall digital out-of-home network in Canada, which is expected to grow [11] - The addition of CDM's capabilities allows CRI to pursue larger deals and enhance credibility with enterprise clients [17][18] Market Opportunities - CRI sees significant opportunities in the U.S. lottery market, with several upcoming RFPs expected to be released [19][20] - The company plans to leverage its existing relationships with major Canadian retailers and financial institutions to expand its market presence [19][20] Competitive Landscape - The competitive landscape in the lottery market is favorable for CRI, as it aims to capitalize on the North Carolina Lottery contract as a reference point [24][25] - CRI's existing expertise in retail media networks is expected to enhance its competitive position in both Canada and the U.S. [54][56] Operational Insights - The integration of CDM is expected to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery through CRI's existing infrastructure [12][13] - The transition of support services from outsourced to in-house is anticipated to reduce operational costs significantly [12][13] Additional Important Information - The acquisition is currently under review by the Competition Bureau in Canada, which may affect the closing timeline [42][45] - The existing credit facility of $21 million was paid off as part of the financing for the acquisition [29][30] - The Stellantis contract, which generated approximately $2.4 million annually, is being phased out due to budget constraints in the U.S. [31][32] This summary encapsulates the critical aspects of the acquisition announcement and the strategic direction of Creative Realities following the merger with Cineplex Digital Media.

Aix-en-Provence, 30 September 2025 (6:00 p.m.) HIGHCO: ACQUISITION OF SOGEC AND BUDGETBOX FINALISED HighCo announces that it has completed the acquisition of the promotion activities of Sogec and of BudgetBox. This acquisition aims to strengthen HighCo’s positioning on the promotions market and boost growth in the Activation division. As a reminder, Sogec is a French agency specialising in omnichannel promotion activation. It offers a range of marketing solutions: discount coupon issuing and processing, dig ...

Core Insights - Perion Network Ltd. and Albertsons Media Collective have formed a partnership to leverage Albertsons' first-party audience data for advertising across Perion's platforms [1][4] - The collaboration allows advertisers to access audience data from over 2,200 Albertsons store locations and a digital network with more than 100 million addressable IDs [2] - The integration supports advanced campaign measurement tools, including AI-based optimization and closed-loop reporting, enhancing targeting throughout the consumer purchasing journey [3][4] Group 1 - The partnership expands Perion's retail media offerings and enhances Albertsons' targeting and measurement capabilities across digital and in-store channels [4] - The collaboration reflects ongoing trends in the retail media sector, emphasizing the connection between data integration and media delivery [4] - Advertisers can utilize verified shopper audiences through Albertsons' retail data and activate campaigns across multiple channels using Perion's technology [5]

Group 1 - The discussion focuses on retail media, specifically highlighting Walmart's initiatives in this space [1][2] - Peter Keith, a senior research analyst, is leading the conversation at the Piper Sandler Growth Frontiers Conference [1] - Key industry figures present include Rich Lehrfeld from Walmart Connect and Mike O'Donnell from VIZIO, indicating a strong representation of expertise in retail media [2]

Group 1 - The discussion focuses on retail media, specifically highlighting Walmart's initiatives in this space [1][2] - Peter Keith, a senior research analyst, is leading the conversation at the Piper Sandler Growth Frontiers Conference [1] - Key industry figures present include Rich Lehrfeld from Walmart Connect and Mike O'Donnell from VIZIO, indicating a strong representation of expertise in retail media [2]

Core Insights - Retail media is transitioning from rapid growth to a focus on measurable effectiveness, indicating a pivotal moment in the industry [1] - The global advertising expenditure for retail media is projected to reach $169 billion by 2025, growing over 15% year-on-year, despite rising skepticism regarding ad pricing and effectiveness [2] - Cannes Lions has recognized retail media's significance by introducing dedicated awards, highlighting its role in enhancing brand relevance and driving business outcomes [3] Group 1: Industry Growth and Challenges - Retail media has been a bright spot in the advertising sector, with Cannes Lions acknowledging its rising status and predicting that retail media ad spending will surpass traditional television by 2026 [3] - Advertisers are increasingly demanding quick responses and concrete return data from retail media platforms, reflecting a shift in expectations [2] - The industry is facing challenges such as high ad prices, fragmented evaluation systems, and the need for better tracking of conversions amid global economic uncertainties [2] Group 2: Evolution and Technological Integration - Retail media is moving from conceptual acceptance to practical validation, with advertisers focusing on specific outcomes like conversion rates and efficient processes [4] - The concept of "data clean rooms" is gaining traction as a critical tool for enhancing collaboration between brands and retailers [4] - Leading retailers are already implementing advanced solutions, such as Walgreens' partnership with LiveRamp to launch a Clean Room solution [4] Group 3: Strategic Approaches and Market Dynamics - Some retailers are rushing into external advertising without solidifying their internal capabilities, which could undermine their effectiveness [6] - European retailers are adopting a more cautious approach, prioritizing the development of their channels before expanding external collaborations [6] - As retail media budgets grow, advertisers are reclaiming control, demanding simpler purchasing processes and clearer return metrics [7][8] Group 4: Future Outlook - The competitive landscape of retail media is shifting from rapid platform development to a focus on actual business results and data utilization [8] - By the second half of 2025, the industry will need to assess whether continued investment in retail media is justified based on its effectiveness [8] - Success will depend on achieving a true loop between flexibility, transparency, and business outcomes [8]