Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for Q2 2025 was $10.1 million, a decrease of $11.7 million compared to $21.9 million in Q2 2024 [12] - Sell side revenue was $2.5 million in Q2 2025, down from $14.3 million in 2024, primarily due to a decrease in impression inventory caused by a business disruption in May 2024 [12][13] - Buy side revenue increased slightly to $7.7 million from $7.6 million in 2024, indicating a modest recovery [13] - Gross margin improved to 35% in Q2 2025 from 27% in 2024, attributed to a higher proportion of buy side revenue [13] - Operating expenses decreased by 25% to $6 million compared to $8 million in the same period last year [13] - Net loss for Q2 2025 was $4.2 million, or $0.23 per share, compared to a net loss of $3.1 million, or $0.16 per share, in Q2 2024 [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The buy side segment showed modest year-over-year growth, contributing to improved gross profit margins of 35% [6] - The sell side business is in recovery, with efforts to restore relationships that were paused in May 2024 [6][7] - Colossus Connections, launched in 2024, is performing well with several mid and top-tier DSP partners nearing integration completion [8][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing a recovery in the sell side business, which historically drove significant revenue growth [7] - The integration of DSP partners is taking longer than anticipated, influenced by macroeconomic conditions [21][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on rebuilding and growing its business back to historical revenue levels and profitability [5] - A revenue diversification strategy is being executed to enhance growth, particularly in the buy side segment [6] - Direct Connections are prioritized for the sell side segment to drive revenue recovery [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed caution regarding revenue guidance due to macroeconomic uncertainties and integration timing [10][21] - The company expects a strong second half of the year driven by enhanced buy side activity and the ongoing recovery of the sell side business [16] - There is an emphasis on cost savings initiatives, with a 25% reduction in total operating expenses [10][14] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1.6 million, up from $1.4 million at the end of 2024 [16] - Total cash plus accounts receivable was $5.5 million, down from $6.4 million at year-end 2024 [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Revenue outlook and integration delays - Management indicated that both macroeconomic issues and integration delays contributed to the decision to adjust revenue guidance for the second half of the year [21][22] Question: Impact of key client on guidance - Management clarified that the loss of business from a key client did not significantly impact the decision to revise guidance, as direct connections were being prioritized [30][31] Question: Revenue uplift from direct connections - Management stated that leveraging direct connections typically results in a 5% to 10% revenue uplift compared to traditional exchanges [32][33] Question: Competitive advantage of direct connections - Management noted that having direct connections helps reduce transaction costs and has been beneficial in securing partnerships with large agencies [35]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for Q1 2025 was $8,200,000, a decrease of $14,100,000 compared to $22,300,000 in Q1 2024 [16] - Sell side revenue was $2,000,000 in Q1 2025, down from $16,500,000 in Q1 2024, primarily due to a decrease in impression inventory [16] - Buy side revenue increased by approximately 6% to $6,100,000, driven by a $1,200,000 increase in spending from customers in new verticals [17] - Gross profit decreased to $2,400,000, while gross margin increased to 29% from 22% year-over-year [17] - Operating expenses were reduced by 19% to $6,300,000 compared to $7,800,000 in Q1 2024 [18] - Net loss for Q1 2025 was $5,900,000, or a loss per share of $0.35, compared to a net loss of $3,800,000, or a loss of $0.22 per share in Q1 2024 [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The buy side segment generated $6,100,000 in revenue, reflecting a 6% increase year-over-year [5][17] - Sell side revenue remained relatively consistent at $2,000,000 compared to $2,700,000 in the previous quarter, despite the typical seasonal strength in Q4 [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to face challenges from a market discredited blog post that disrupted its supply side platform, Colossus SSP, impacting revenues in both 2024 and Q1 2025 [7][17] - The company is working to rebuild relationships with partners and clients, with expectations of improved performance in the second half of 2025 [8][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The focus for 2025 is on scaling the buy side solution and rebuilding the sell side business to drive consolidated revenue growth [5] - Initiatives include revenue optimization efforts, diversifying the revenue base, and cost-saving measures to enhance operational efficiencies [8][11] - The unification of buy side platforms into Orange one forty two aims to better service small to mid-sized clients, a significant growth opportunity [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management maintains a revenue guidance of $90,000,000 to $110,000,000 for the full year 2025, supported by growth in both buy side and sell side segments [20] - The second half of 2025 is expected to deliver strong gains as new direct sell side partners come online [13][20] - The company is optimistic about securing necessary capital to support growth initiatives [12] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1,800,000, compared to $1,400,000 at the end of 2024 [19] - Total cash plus accounts receivable was $6,200,000, down from $6,400,000 at year-end 2024 [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on sell side customer spending recovery - Management is focusing on direct connections with DSP partners to drive additional revenue and improve margin profiles, anticipating increased demand in the second half of the year [25][26] Question: Cost-cutting initiatives and expected savings - Operating expenses were down 19%, with staff reductions contributing to ongoing savings, primarily from fixed costs rather than variable costs [30] Question: Integration ramp-up with DSPs and market outlook - Integration timelines vary by partner, with expected impacts from these integrations anticipated in Q3 and Q4 of 2025 [39]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for Q1 2025 was $8,200,000, a decrease of $14,100,000 compared to $22,300,000 in Q1 2024 [17] - Sell side revenue was $2,000,000 in Q1 2025, down from $16,500,000 in Q1 2024, primarily due to a decrease in impression inventory [17][18] - Buy side revenue increased approximately 6% to $6,100,000 compared to Q1 2024, driven by a $1,200,000 increase in spending from new verticals [18] - Gross profit decreased to $2,400,000 in Q1 2025 from $5,000,000 in the prior year, but gross margin improved to 29% from 22% [18] - Operating expenses were $6,300,000, a decrease of 19% or $1,500,000 compared to $7,800,000 in Q1 2024 [19] - Net loss for Q1 2025 was $5,900,000, or a loss per share of $0.35, compared to a net loss of $3,800,000 or a loss of $0.22 per share in Q1 2024 [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The buy side segment generated $6,100,000 in revenue, reflecting a 6% increase year-over-year [6][18] - Sell side revenue remained consistent at $2,000,000 compared to $2,700,000 in the previous quarter, indicating a stable performance despite previous disruptions [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to face challenges from a market discredited blog post that disrupted its supply side platform, Colossus SSP, affecting relationships with partners and advertisers [8][18] - The company is working to restore volumes to pre-disruption levels, with expectations for improvement in the second half of 2025 [9][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on scaling its buy side solution and rebuilding its sell side business to drive consolidated revenue growth [6] - Initiatives include revenue optimization efforts, cost-saving measures, and the unification of buy side platforms to better serve small to mid-sized clients [10][12] - The company maintains a revenue guidance of $90,000,000 to $110,000,000 for the full year 2025, anticipating growth from both buy side and sell side segments [14][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges significant challenges in 2024 but believes the company is well-positioned with a revitalized model and strong demand for its services [14] - The second half of 2025 is expected to deliver strong gains as new direct sell side partners come online [14][21] Other Important Information - The company reduced operating expenses by nearly $1,500,000 or approximately 19% compared to the first quarter of 2024 [10] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter were $1,800,000, up from $1,400,000 at the end of 2024 [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on sell side customer spending recovery - Management is focusing on direct connections with DSP partners to drive revenue growth and expects reclamation of lost business in the second half of the year [26][27] Question: Cost-cutting initiatives and expected savings - Operating expenses were down 19%, with staff reductions contributing to ongoing savings [31] Question: Integration ramp-up with DSPs and market outlook - Integration timelines vary by partner, with expected impacts from these integrations anticipated in Q3 and Q4 of 2025 [39]

Core Insights - Direct Digital Holdings reported a consolidated revenue of $8.2 million for Q1 2025, primarily driven by buy-side revenue of $6.1 million, which increased by 6% year-over-year [2][9] - The company reduced operating expenses by approximately $1.5 million, or 19%, compared to Q1 2024, as part of strategic cost-saving initiatives [3][9] - The company maintains its full-year revenue guidance of $90 million to $110 million for 2025, supported by growth in both buy-side and sell-side segments [5][10] Financial Performance - Total revenue decreased by 63% from $22.3 million in Q1 2024 to $8.2 million in Q1 2025 [9][22] - Sell-side advertising revenue fell by 88% from $16.5 million in Q1 2024 to $2.0 million in Q1 2025, primarily due to a decrease in impression inventory [9][22] - Buy-side advertising revenue increased from $5.8 million in Q1 2024 to $6.1 million in Q1 2025 [9][22] Operational Highlights - The company processed approximately 188 billion average monthly impressions through its sell-side advertising segment, with a 13% increase in sell-side advertisers compared to Q1 2024 [9] - The unification of buy-side divisions into Orange 142 is expected to enhance service to small to mid-sized partners, representing a significant growth opportunity [4] - The company served over 220 customers in the buy-side advertising segment during Q1 2025, with $1.2 million in revenue from new verticals [9] Strategic Initiatives - Direct Digital Holdings is focused on scaling its buy-side solution while rebuilding its sell-side business, with expectations of increased activity from agency, brand, and publisher partners in the second half of 2025 [2][5] - The company is exploring strategic opportunities to support key growth initiatives and drive long-term value for shareholders [6][9] - Cost-saving measures and revenue optimization efforts are being implemented to enhance operational efficiencies [3][11]

Core Viewpoint - Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. will report its financial results for Q1 2025 on May 6, 2025, after market close [1] Group 1: Financial Reporting - The financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, will be announced on May 6, 2025 [1] - A conference call and webcast will be held on the same day at 5:00 PM ET to discuss the results [2] Group 2: Company Overview - Direct Digital Holdings operates through its subsidiaries Colossus Media, LLC and Orange 142, LLC, providing advertising and marketing technology solutions [1][3] - The company offers data-driven digital media strategies that enhance reach and performance for brands, agencies, and publishers [3] - Colossus SSP provides access to premium media properties, while Orange 142 focuses on customized digital marketing solutions for mid-market and enterprise companies [3] Group 3: Business Strategy - The company emphasizes personal relationships and tailored digital marketing solutions, ensuring dedicated support for clients of all sizes [4] - Direct Digital Holdings generates billions of monthly impressions across various media channels through advanced targeting and comprehensive data insights [4]

Core Insights - The article discusses the release of a new guide by Orange 142 aimed at helping businesses maximize their return on investments in Connected TV (CTV) advertising, highlighting the shift from traditional TV to streaming platforms [1][4] - CTV advertising spending is projected to reach $33.35 billion in 2025, emphasizing the importance for marketers to effectively leverage this channel for competitive advantage [2] - The guide provides foundational knowledge and tactical recommendations for creating impactful and measurable CTV campaigns, addressing the knowledge gap for marketers [3][4] Company Overview - Orange 142 is a division of Direct Digital Holdings, specializing in digital marketing solutions for destination marketing organizations, and is committed to educating brands on innovative digital advertising channels [1][5] - Direct Digital Holdings combines sell-side and buy-side advertising solutions, offering data-driven strategies that enhance performance for brands and agencies [7][10] Market Trends - Nearly all US households subscribe to streaming services, with over half subscribing to four different platforms, creating unprecedented opportunities for brands to connect with consumers through data-driven advertising [3] - The guide addresses emerging technologies and trends in CTV advertising, as well as data and privacy considerations, which are crucial for effective campaign evaluation [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2024, the company delivered revenue in line with significantly revised guidance, despite a challenging year [8] - Fourth quarter revenue was $9.1 million, a decrease of 31.9% from $41 million in the same period of 2023 [21] - Gross margin increased from 23% in the prior year to 32% in Q4 2024 due to a higher mix of buy-side revenue [16] - Operating expenses for Q4 2024 were $7.7 million, down from $18.1 million in the same period of 2023 [24] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was a loss of $3.4 million compared to a loss of $6.6 million in the same period of 2023 [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sell-side revenue fell to $2.7 million in Q4 2024 from $33.4 million in Q4 2023, primarily due to a major customer's suspension following a defamatory article [21][22] - Buy-side revenue decreased to $6.4 million in Q4 2024 from $7.6 million in the same period of 2023, impacted by reduced spending from certain customers [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is seeing sequential improvement in the first quarter of 2025 compared to November and December 2024, indicating a recovery trend [20] - Political advertising represented 50% to 60% of spending in Q4, significantly higher than the historical range of 10% to 15% [34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on diversifying revenue sources and optimizing its business model, including the launch of Colossus Connections to enhance direct integration with demand-side platforms [12][13] - The strategy includes targeting small- and mid-size clients who are shifting advertising budgets to digital, emphasizing a high-touch client relationship [15] - The company is pursuing opportunities in the middle market, which is seen as a growth area due to its slower transition to digital [42][44] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to scale both buy-side and sell-side businesses, reiterating revenue guidance of $90 million to $110 million for fiscal 2025 [19][28] - The second half of 2025 is expected to deliver strong gains as new direct sell-side partners come online [19][28] - Management noted that the company is well-positioned to capture market share and strengthen its offerings in the advertising technology space [20] Other Important Information - The company ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 million, down from $5.1 million at the end of 2023 [26] - The company is actively pursuing funding and equity financing pathways to restore NASDAQ compliance and support growth initiatives [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of post-election malaise on Q4 and client spending recovery - Management noted that political spending was significantly higher in Q4, but December was softer than anticipated, impacting overall performance [34][35] Question: Aggressiveness on direct connections and curation strategy - The company sees opportunities in the middle market and plans to focus on expanding relationships with holdco-partners while also exploring curation opportunities [42][47] Question: Cost savings and annualized basis expectations - Management indicated potential annualized cost savings of $1.5 million to $2 million for 2025, reflecting ongoing operational optimizations [71] Question: Anticipation of positive cash flow - Management expects to return to a more normal cadence of cash flow in the third and fourth quarters of 2025 [73]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year 2024, the company delivered revenue in line with significantly revised guidance, despite a challenging year [8] - Fourth quarter revenue was $9.1 million, a decrease of 31.9% from $41 million in the same period of 2023 [21] - Gross margin increased from 23% in the prior year to 32% in Q4 2024 due to a higher mix of buy-side revenue [16] - Operating expenses for Q4 2024 were $7.7 million, down from $18.1 million in the same period of 2023 [24] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2024 was a loss of $3.4 million compared to a loss of $6.6 million in the same period of 2023 [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sell-side revenue fell to $2.7 million in Q4 2024 from $33.4 million in Q4 2023, primarily due to a major customer's suspension following a defamatory article [21][22] - Buy-side revenue decreased to $6.4 million in Q4 2024 from $7.6 million in Q4 2023, impacted by reduced spending from certain customers [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is seeing sequential improvement in the first quarter of 2025 compared to November and December 2024, indicating a recovery trend [20] - Political advertising represented 50% to 60% of spending in Q4, significantly higher than the historical range of 10% to 15% [34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on diversifying revenue sources and optimizing its business model, including the launch of Colossus Connections to enhance direct integrations with demand-side platforms [12][13] - The strategy includes targeting small- and mid-size clients who are shifting advertising budgets to digital, emphasizing a high-touch client relationship [15] - The company is pursuing opportunities in the middle market, which is seen as a growth area due to its slower transition to digital [42][44] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to scale both buy-side and sell-side businesses, reiterating revenue guidance for fiscal 2025 in the range of $90 million to $110 million [19][28] - The second half of 2025 is expected to deliver strong gains as new direct sell-side partners come online [19][28] Other Important Information - The company ended the year with cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 million, down from $5.1 million at the end of 2023 [26] - The company is actively pursuing funding and equity financing pathways to restore NASDAQ compliance and support growth initiatives [26][27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of post-election malaise on Q4 and client spending recovery - Management noted that political spending was significantly higher in Q4, but December was softer than expected, impacting overall performance [35][36] Question: Initiatives on direct connections and middle market opportunities - Management confirmed a focus on developing new pathways for buyers and sellers, particularly in the middle market, which is seen as a ripe opportunity for growth [42][44] Question: Cost savings and annualized impact - Management indicated that there could be an additional $1.5 million to $2 million in annualized savings for 2025 due to cost-cutting measures [71] Question: Anticipation of positive cash flow - Management expects to return to a more normal cadence of cash flow in the third and fourth quarters of 2025 as revenue initiatives take effect [73]