Digital platform on mounted flat screens will allow for video advertising and controlled promotions in real-timeBARTLETT, Tenn., Aug. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SurgePays, Inc. (NASDAQ: SURG) ("SurgePays" or the "Company"), a wireless and point-of-sale technology company, today announced the full deployment of smart digital advertising and content display units across all 17 Market Basket Food Stores in North Carolina through SurgePays' innovative ClearLine software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform. SurgePays ...

Core Insights - The digital advertising market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.4% from 2025 to 2030, driven by mobile penetration, social media, and programmatic advertising [2] - The Trade Desk (TTD) and Magnite (MGNI) are key players in this space, with TTD focusing on demand-side solutions and MGNI on supply-side solutions [1][3] Company Analysis: The Trade Desk (TTD) - TTD reported a record-breaking spend of over $12 billion on its platform in Q4 2024, indicating strong advertiser demand [4] - The introduction of the Ventura Operating System for Connected TV (CTV) aims to enhance efficiency and targeting capabilities [4][5] - TTD's acquisition of Sincera is expected to improve its programmatic advertising platform by integrating data quality insights [5] - The company faces operational challenges due to maintaining two platforms, which could impact performance if delays occur in adopting the new Kokai platform [6] - TTD is under pressure from macroeconomic uncertainties and competition from major players like Google and Amazon [7] Company Analysis: Magnite (MGNI) - MGNI's contribution from CTV increased by 19% year-over-year for 2024, generating $607 million in contribution ex-TAC and processing over $6 billion in ad spend [8] - The company sees Netflix as a significant opportunity for growth as it expands its ad tier, expecting contribution ex-TAC growth of over 10% in 2025 [9] - MGNI's partnerships with major companies like Disney and its expansion into live sports are expected to drive further growth [10] - The SpringServe ad server and streaming SSP platform are key catalysts for MGNI, enabling direct relationships with major streaming platforms [12] - MGNI's costs per ad request have decreased significantly, with a 26% reduction for DV+ and a 45% reduction for CTV in 2024 [12] Market Performance - Both TTD and MGNI shares have declined due to a tech sell-off, with MGNI down 28.5% and TTD down 54% over the past three months [14] - TTD is considered overvalued with a Value Score of F, while MGNI has a Value Score of B [15] Valuation and Earnings Estimates - TTD's forward 12-month price/earnings ratio is 28.37X, compared to MGNI's 12.83X [17] - Analysts have revised TTD's earnings estimates downward, while MGNI's estimates remain unchanged [18][20] Investment Recommendation - MGNI is viewed as the smarter pick due to its stronger valuation, diversified partnerships, and expanding CTV footprint [21]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Magnite generated contribution ex-TAC of $607 million and processed ad spend of over $6 billion, achieving record highs for the company [9][10] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $197 million, with free cash flow of $118 million, both record figures [10][39] - Total revenue for Q4 was $194 million, up 4% from Q4 2023, while contribution ex-TAC was $180 million, an increase of 9% [39][40] - Net income for the quarter was $36 million, compared to $31 million for Q4 2023, with GAAP earnings per diluted share increasing 50% to $0.24 [45][46] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CTV contribution ex-TAC increased 23% year-over-year, while DV+ contribution ex-TAC grew only 1% due to unusual spending patterns post-election [11][40] - CTV accounted for 43% of contribution ex-TAC, with mobile at 40% and desktop at 17% [41] - The company reported strong growth in CTV driven by ad spend growth and a stabilizing year-over-year average take rate [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Significant growth in CTV was noted from partners like Roku, LG, Vizio, and Netflix, with expectations for continued growth in live sports [13][14] - The DV+ business experienced a post-election spending pause, leading to a drop in CPMs by 15% to 20% [36][37] - Political advertising contributed approximately 6.5% to contribution ex-TAC in Q4, while for the full year it was 3.2% [41][123] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its CTV platform and enhancing its technology stack, including the introduction of generative AI tools [20][21] - Magnite aims to differentiate itself from competitors by emphasizing its unique technology and direct relationships with major streaming platforms [24][30] - The company is optimistic about the growth of its agency marketplaces and the potential for new revenue streams from data initiatives [16][73] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the rebound of the DV+ business and the overall strength of the CTV market [17][38] - The company anticipates total contribution ex-TAC to grow above 10% in 2025, with adjusted EBITDA expected to grow in the mid-teens [51][52] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy value exchange between buyers and sellers in the open Internet ecosystem [31][87] Other Important Information - The company ended the year with $483 million in cash and a net leverage ratio reduced to 0.4% [39][48] - Capital expenditures for 2024 were $52 million, with expectations of approximately $60 million for 2025, primarily focused on tech stack efficiency [47][80] Q&A Session Summary Question: Context on Q1 guidance and early 2025 trends - Management noted a rebound in DV+ growth in the mid to high single digits, while CTV typically sees lower growth in Q1 [56][57] Question: SMB participation in CTV - Management indicated that new entrants need to couple CTV ads with DV+ metrics to assess efficacy, highlighting a significant appetite for CTV [60][62] Question: Medium-term growth expectations for CTV - Management expects to outpace market growth, projecting closer to 20% CTV growth when excluding political contributions [66][72] Question: GenAI strategy and CapEx implications - The focus of new tools is to enhance existing client efficiency and revenue, with CapEx aimed at optimizing tech stack costs [78][80] Question: OpenPath economics and CPM pressures - Management clarified that OpenPath does not significantly change publisher revenue, and CPMs dropped due to reduced demand in Q4, with a rebound seen in early 2025 [94][96] Question: CTV business mix and future contributions - Management expects a stable mix in CTV revenue, with potential shifts as more publishers rely on Magnite for demand [128][130]