Viant Technology (DSP) UBS Global Technology and AI Conference summary

Key themes and strategic initiatives

• Launched Viant AI, a suite of AI tools, with rapid adoption and viral B2B engagement, positioning as a leader in AI for programmatic advertising.

• AI Bidding product achieved 90% customer adoption, driving margin expansion and cost savings for clients.

• Focused on connected television (CTV), achieving nearly 50% growth last quarter, with CTV now representing about 40% of platform spend.

• Acquired IRIS.TV to enable granular show-level targeting and measurement in CTV, enhancing brand safety and campaign performance.

• Refocused on mid-market advertisers, maintaining cost discipline and delivering five consecutive quarters of 20%+ growth.

Competitive differentiation and market positioning

• Differentiates from competitors by making AI tools visible and user-friendly, unlike Trade Desk's opaque AI offering.

• Household ID technology covers 80%+ of ad opportunities, far surpassing Trade Desk's UID2, enabling superior targeting and measurement.

• Only four major DSPs exist; Viant and Trade Desk are buy-side only, making them natural choices for data-driven mid-market advertisers.

• Direct Access program connects advertisers directly with content owners, eliminating SSP fees and improving efficiency.

Growth drivers and financial outlook

• CTV growth expected to outpace the market, driven by Direct Access and integration of subscriber data with Household ID.

• New AI Measurement and Analysis product to launch, expected to further expand contribution ex-TAC margin by 300–400 basis points in 2025.

• IRIS.TV integration to scale in 2025, with financial contribution anticipated in the second half of the year.

• EBITDA margins expanding, with Q3 contribution ex-TAC growth at 21% and guidance for 22% in Q4.