Townsquare is a community-focused digital media and digital marketing solutions company with market leading local radio stations, principally focused outside the top 50 markets in the U.S. Our assets include a subscription digital marketing services business, Townsquare Interactive, providing website design, creation and hosting, search engine optimization, social media and online reputation management as well as other digital monthly services for approximately 26,800 SMBs; a robust digital advertising division, Townsquare IGNITE, a powerful combination of a) an owned and operated portfolio of more than 330 local news and entertainment websites and mobile apps along with a network of leading national music and entertainment brands, collecting valuable first party data, and b) a proprietary digital programmatic advertising technology stack with an in-house demand and data management platform; and a portfolio of 321 local terrestrial radio stations in 67 U.S. markets strategically situated outside the Top 50 markets in the United States. Our portfolio includes local media brands such as WYRK.com, WJON.com, and NJ101.5.com and premier national music brands such as XXLmag.com, TasteofCountry.com, UltimateClassicRock.com and Loudwire.com.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Highlights from Noble’s Emerging Growth Virtual Conference. This report highlights Townsquare Media’s participation in Noble’s Virtual Equity conference June 4 & 5th. Bill Wilson, CEO, Stuart Rosenstein, CFO, and Claire Yanicay, Executive VP IR, provided insights on the company’s Digital strategy and favorable revenue and growth outlook. In addition, management highlighted its goal to reduce debt leverage. A rebroadcast is available here.
Digital to approach 70% of total company revenues. Currently, Digital accounts for roughly 55% of total company revenues and 55% of cash flow. Management indicated that Digital should continue to grow at favorable growth rates, with expected small declines in its legacy broadcast business. As such, management stated that total Digital revenues should approach 70% of total company revenue and cash flow contributions in the long term.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Taking the necessary steps to remain listed. The company faces a two pronged battle to remain listed on the NASDAQ. On one front, it must address the shareholder equity deficiency. And, on the other front, it must address the stock price, which is trading below $1. We view the issues separately and believe that the company has a strategy to remain listed on both fronts.
Addressing the shareholder deficit. The company has a program to raise capital through an equity reserve facility to address its shareholder deficit issue to comply with a NASDAQ requirement. To date, the company has raised $7 million on its $20 million facility. The company could raise even more capital when it becomes S3 eligible at the end of Summer. Currently, the company is $23 million short of turning shareholder equity positive.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Enhanced Buy-Side Revenue Demonstrating Business Segment Growth as Orange 142 Scales
19% Reduction in Operating Expenses Compared with 1Q24 Driven by Strategic Cost Saving Initiatives
Entered New Strategic Partnerships to Diversify and Expand Addressable Market
HOUSTON, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRCT) (“Direct Digital Holdings” or the “Company”), a leading advertising and marketing technology platform operating through its companies Colossus Media, LLC (“Colossus SSP”) and Orange 142, LLC (“Orange 142”), today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.
Mark D. Walker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “As we begin to move through 2025, we are focused on continuing to scale our buy-side solution while simultaneously rebuilding our sell-side business. During the first quarter, which is historically our weakest quarter, we recognized consolidated revenue of $8.2 million, supported primarily by buy-side revenue of $6.1 million which was up 6% compared to the prior year. Sequentially, first quarter sell-side revenue of $2.0 million is relatively comparable to fourth quarter 2024 sell-side revenue of $2.7 million, an encouraging trend given that (1) fourth quarter is typically the strongest quarter for the sell-side business based on seasonality and (2) our 2024 fourth quarter included $0.7 million of political spend. In the first quarter of 2025, we saw the continued impact of the disruption of our sell-side business in 2024, however, we are pleased by the ongoing commitment of our agency, brand and publisher partners to resume or increase activity with the Company once direct connections are fully integrated in the second half of 2025, and we are working diligently to restore this segment to previous levels.
“Our focus in 2025 is on driving growth and value for our shareholders,” Mr. Walker continued. “We’ve launched several initiatives to drive our progress, including revenue optimization efforts to diversify our revenue base and cost saving initiatives to drive reductions in operating expenses and enhance operational efficiencies. In the first quarter of 2025, we reduced operating expenses by nearly $1.5 million, or approximately 19% when compared to the first quarter of 2024. We continue to evaluate the optimal personnel and cost structure for our business.
“At the business unit level, the unification of our two buy side divisions into Orange 142 has allowed us to better service the small to mid-sized partners who represent a significant growth opportunity for our business. Moreover, our Colossus Connections, launched in the third quarter of 2024 to accelerate direct integration efforts with leading demand-side platforms, is progressing well, and as previously reported, we signed up two of the leading marketplace partners and we recently added two additional mid-tier partners who are near completion with integration. We expect to see the impact of these new partners on our revenues in the second half of 2025 once integration has been completed,” Mr. Walker stated.
“With our current visibility, we maintain our current revenue guidance of $90 million to $110 million for the full fiscal year of 2025 supported by growth across both our buy-side and sell-side segments. There is still a great deal of work to be done in a challenging and uncertain time, but we believe that we are well positioned with a revitalized model, prudent cost management strategies, and strong demand for our products and services to drive growth and value as we navigate the business back to profitability,” Mr. Walker concluded.
Keith Smith, President, commented, “We remain focused on strategically recalibrating and enhancing our business model to capitalize on new opportunities and meet the demands of our diverse partners. We faced significant challenges in 2024, and we are now emerging as a stronger, more nimble business intent on continuing to scale and expand our offerings. From a liquidity perspective, we continue to explore strategic opportunities to support key growth initiatives and drive long term value for our shareholders.”
First Quarter 2025 Highlights
Processed approximately 188 billion average monthly impressions through the sell-side advertising segment.
Sell-side advertisers increased 13% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Sell-side media properties of 24,000 average per month in the first quarter of 2025 decreased 8% compared to the first quarter of 2024, increased 20% over the same period in 2023, and decreased 15% sequentially compared to the fourth quarter of 2024.
Buy-side advertising segment served over 220 customers in the first quarter of 2025.
Buy-side advertising revenue for the first quarter of 2025 included $1.2 million from customers in new verticals.
Continued to consider strategic opportunities to support key growth initiatives and drive long term value for shareholders.
First Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Revenue of $8.2 million decreased 63% compared to $22.3 million in the first quarter of 2024.
Sell-side advertising segment revenue of $2.0 million decreased 88% compared to $16.5 million in the first quarter of 2024. The decrease in sell-side advertising revenue was primarily related to a decrease in impression inventory when compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Buy-side advertising segment revenue of $6.1 million increased 6% compared to $5.8 million in the same period of 2024.
Gross profit was $2.4 million, or 29% of revenue, compared to $5.0 million, or 22% of revenue, in the first quarter of 2024.
Operating expenses of $6.3 million decreased $1.5 million, or 19%, compared with $7.8 million in the same period of 2024. The reduction in operating expenses was primarily driven by decreased payroll costs related to the Company’s internal reorganization and cost saving measures to lower certain ongoing expenses.
Operating loss was $3.9 million, compared to operating loss of $2.8 million in the prior year period.
Net loss was $5.9 million compared to net loss of $3.8 million in the first quarter of 2024.
Adjusted EBITDA1 loss was $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2025 compared to a loss of $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2024.
As of March 31, 2025, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $1.8 million compared to $1.4 million as of December 31, 2024.
Financial Outlook
Based on current visibility and subject to general market factors, the Company is maintaining its full year guidance of $90 million to $110 million for full year 2025. This target is based on the expectation of consolidated revenue growth compared to full year 2024 driven by enhanced buy-side activity through Orange 142 and the ongoing recovery of the Company’s sell-side business rebuilds to historical revenue levels.
Diana Diaz, Chief Financial Officer, stated, “Our focus continues to be on optimizing performance, reducing our cost structure, and driving efficiencies as we navigate the business back to profitability. With our visibility today, we believe that we are well positioned to achieve our financial goals for the fiscal year.”
Conference Call and Webcast Details
Direct Digital will host a conference call today, May 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s first quarter 2025 financial results. The live webcast and replay can be accessed at https://ir.directdigitalholdings.com/. Please access the website at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot access the webcast, a replay will be available at https://ir.directdigitalholdings.com/ for a period of twelve months.
__________________________________
1“Adjusted EBITDA” and “Adjusted Operating Expenses” are non-GAAP financial measures. The section titled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below describes our usage of non-GAAP financial measures and provides reconciliations between historical GAAP and non-GAAP information contained in this press release.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws that are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties. We use words such as “could,” “would,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “expect,” “likely,” “believe,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements, but not all forward-looking statements include these words. All of our forward-looking statements involve estimates and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the information described under the caption “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the “Form 10-K”) and subsequent periodic and or current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our industry experience and our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. As you read and consider this press release, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond our control) and assumptions.
Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual operating and financial performance and cause our performance to differ materially from the performance expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. We believe these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: the restrictions and covenants imposed upon us by our credit facilities; the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, which may hinder our ability to obtain future financing; our ability to secure additional financing to meet our capital needs; our ineligibility to file short-form registration statements on Form S-3, which may impair our ability to raise capital; our failure to satisfy applicable listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market resulting in a potential delisting of our common stock; costs, risks and uncertainties related to restatement of certain prior period financial statements; any significant fluctuations caused by our high customer concentration; risks related to non-payment by our clients; reputational and other harms caused by our failure to detect advertising fraud; operational and performance issues with our platform, whether real or perceived, including a failure to respond to technological changes or to upgrade our technology systems; restrictions on the use of third-party “cookies,” mobile device IDs or other tracking technologies, which could diminish our platform’s effectiveness; unfavorable publicity and negative public perception about our industry, particularly concerns regarding data privacy and security relating to our industry’s technology and practices, and any perceived failure to comply with laws and industry self-regulation; our failure to manage our growth effectively; the difficulty in identifying and integrating any future acquisitions or strategic investments; any changes or developments in legislative, judicial, regulatory or cultural environments related to information collection, use and processing; challenges related to our buy-side clients that are destination marketing organizations and that operate as public/private partnerships; any strain on our resources or diversion of our management’s attention as a result of being a public company; the intense competition of the digital advertising industry and our ability to effectively compete against current and future competitors; any significant inadvertent disclosure or breach of confidential and/or personal information we hold, or of the security of our or our customers’, suppliers’ or other partners’ computer systems; as a holding company, we depend on distributions from Direct Digital Holdings, LLC (“DDH LLC”) to pay our taxes, expenses (including payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement) and any amount of any dividends we may pay to the holders of our common stock; the fact that DDH LLC is controlled by DDM, whose interest may differ from those of our public stockholders; any failure by us to maintain or implement effective internal controls or to detect fraud; and other factors and assumptions discussed in our Form 10-K and subsequent periodic and current reports we may file with the SEC.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual operating and financial performance may vary in material respects from the performance projected in these forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances, and we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. New factors that could cause our business not to develop as we expect emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each currently known or new factor on our results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
About Direct Digital Holdings
Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) combines cutting-edge sell-side and buy-side advertising solutions, providing data-driven digital media strategies that enhance reach and performance for brands, agencies, and publishers of all sizes. Our sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers curated access to premium, growth-oriented media properties throughout the digital ecosystem. On the buy-side, Orange 142 delivers customized, audience-focused digital marketing and advertising solutions that enable mid-market and enterprise companies to achieve measurable results across a range of platforms, including programmatic, search, social, CTV, and influencer marketing. With extensive expertise in high-growth sectors such as Energy, Healthcare, Travel & Tourism, and Financial Services, our teams deliver performance strategies that connect brands with their ideal audiences.
At Direct Digital Holdings, we prioritize personal relationships by humanizing technology, ensuring each client receives dedicated support and tailored digital marketing solutions regardless of company size. This empowers everyone to thrive by generating billions of monthly impressions across display, CTV, in-app, and emerging media channels through advanced targeting, comprehensive data insights, and cross-platform activation. DDH is “Digital advertising built for everyone.”
HOUSTON, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRCT) (“Direct Digital Holdings” or the “Company”), a leading advertising and marketing technology platform operating through its companies Colossus Media, LLC (“Colossus SSP”) and Orange 142, LLC (“Orange 142”), today announced that the Company will report financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2024 ended December 31, 2024 on Thursday, March 27, 2025 after the U.S. stock market closes.
Management will host a conference call and webcast on the same day at 5:00 PM ET to discuss the results. The live webcast and replay can be accessed at https://ir.directdigitalholdings.com/.
About Direct Digital Holdings Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) combines cutting-edge sell-side and buy-side advertising solutions, providing data-driven digital media strategies that enhance reach and performance for brands, agencies, and publishers of all sizes. Our sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers curated access to premium, growth-oriented media properties throughout the digital ecosystem. On the buy-side, Orange 142 delivers customized, audience-focused digital marketing and advertising solutions that enable mid-market and enterprise companies to achieve measurable results across a range of platforms, including programmatic, search, social, CTV, and influencer marketing. With extensive expertise in high-growth sectors such as Energy, Healthcare, Travel & Tourism, and Financial Services, our teams deliver performance strategies that connect brands with their ideal audiences.
At Direct Digital Holdings, we prioritize personal relationships by humanizing technology, ensuring each client receives dedicated support and tailored digital marketing solutions regardless of company size. This empowers everyone to thrive by generating billions of monthly impressions across display, CTV, in-app, and emerging media channels through advanced targeting, comprehensive data insights, and cross-platform activation. DDH is “Digital advertising built for everyone.”
New guide provides actionable strategies and tools for agencies to leverage AI effectively
HOUSTON, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRCT) (“Direct Digital Holdings” or the “Company”), a leading advertising and marketing technology platform operating through its companies Colossus Media, LLC (“Colossus SSP”) and Orange 142, LLC (“Orange 142”), today announced the release of “Practical Generative AI Use Cases & Tools for Agencies” guide in its AI education series. This comprehensive guide provides agency leaders with real-world AI applications and practical insights to effectively integrate AI tools into their workflows.
The accelerating adoption of generative AI is reshaping agency operations, enabling teams to streamline tasks, enhance creativity, and elevate the quality of their outputs. However, many agencies face uncertainty around where to begin and how to deploy AI responsibly while preserving strategic oversight. Practical Generative AI Use Cases & Tools for Agencies guide provides a structured roadmap for integrating AI-powered solutions into key agency functions.
“Generative AI is no longer a distant concept—it’s already a fundamental part of agency workflows,” said Anu Pillai, Chief Technology Officer at Direct Digital Holdings. “Whether it’s preparing for client meetings or streamlining ad development, AI is becoming an essential tool. This guide helps agencies adopt AI in a way that enhances efficiency while maintaining the creative and strategic edge that sets them apart.”
Turning AI Theory into Agency Practice
Through the guide, agencies gain insight into practical AI applications with real-world examples demonstrating how AI enhances workflows, reduces manual tasks, and improves business outcomes. They also develop a deeper understanding of key areas such as meeting preparation, ad coding, and creative development. The guide emphasizes that while AI enhances these processes, human oversight remains essential. It reinforces that AI is a support tool designed to augment strategic thinking and creativity, not replace them.
Key topics covered include:
AI-enhanced meeting preparation and client intelligence – Use AI-driven research to streamline meeting readiness and personalize client engagement.
Client research and pitch development – Automate competitive analysis, RFP responses, and background research for faster, data-driven decision-making.
Copy and tagline iteration – Accelerate creative brainstorming with AI-generated copy refinements that align with brand messaging.
Graphic and design iteration – Use AI-assisted design tools to generate creative concepts while maintaining brand consistency rapidly.
Digital ad coding and deployment – Reduce production time with AI-driven ad creation and optimization automation.
“The goal of this guide is not to replace human expertise but to empower agencies with AI-enhanced capabilities,” added Christy Nolan, VP of Delivery Solutions at Direct Digital Holdings. “By embracing AI as a collaborative tool, agencies can focus more on strategic storytelling and client success.”
In addition to practical real-world examples of AI application, the eBook provides a curated list of AI platforms and solutions that agencies can integrate today. It also features insights from industry leaders on AI’s impact on client interactions, creativity, and the future of agency workflows.
To download “Practical Generative AI Use Cases & Tools for Agencies”, please visit our AI Council resource center.
About Direct Digital Holdings
Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) combines cutting-edge sell-side and buy-side advertising solutions, providing data-driven digital media strategies that enhance reach and performance for brands, agencies, and publishers of all sizes. Our sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers curated access to premium, growth-oriented media properties throughout the digital ecosystem. On the buy-side, Orange 142 delivers customized, audience-focused digital marketing and advertising solutions that enable mid-market and enterprise companies to achieve measurable results across a range of platforms, including programmatic, search, social, CTV, and influencer marketing. With extensive expertise in high-growth sectors such as Energy, Healthcare, Travel & Tourism, and Financial Services, our teams deliver performance strategies that connect brands with their ideal audiences.
At Direct Digital Holdings, we prioritize personal relationships by humanizing technology, ensuring each client receives dedicated support and tailored digital marketing solutions regardless of company size. This empowers everyone to thrive by generating billions of monthly impressions across display, CTV, in-app, and emerging media channels through advanced targeting, comprehensive data insights, and cross-platform activation. DDH is “Digital advertising built for everyone.”
HOUSTON, March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (DRCT) and Green Tea Technology have jointly established Teranexa. This new joint venture aims to assist cities in leveraging AI to enhance operations and improve constituent services. Teranexa offers these Al enablement platforms through its trusted partner network of certified industry leaders like IBM and HPE, as well as others.
Teranexa’s platform can unify a city’s infrastructure costs by combining hardware, software, and services to address city challenges. This approach allows cities to implement AI solutions while managing interconnected issues affecting growth and livability.
Direct Digital Holdings will contribute its expertise in data monetization and technology solutions, while Green Tea will bring its proficiency in rapid IT project deployment. Together, these contributions are expected to enable Teranexa to provide comprehensive city solutions supported by proven methodologies and experienced teams.
Mark Walker, CEO of Direct Digital Holdings, stated, “As we look to optimize our business in 2025, we see this venture as a potential to improve city operations, making them more efficient and data-driven. Teranexa aims to bring scalable, AI-driven solutions to municipalities.”
Mike Little, CEO at Green Tea Technology, added, “Teranexa will provide a Smart City as a Service AI platform for cities to enhance operations and facilitate data-driven decision-making. Our service offers municipalities a foundation for growth and long-term development.”
As part of a soft launch, Teranexa will be introduced at an event during SXSW on Friday, March 7th, in Austin, TX. This gathering will allow industry professionals to network and learn about Teranexa’s approach to city innovation.
For more information about Teranexa and its Smart City as a Service AI solution, visit Teranexa.ai.
About Teranexa Teranexa, a joint venture between Direct Digital Holdings (NASDAQ: DRCT) and Green Tea Technology, provides AI-driven Smart City as a Service solutions that help cities operate more efficiently, serve residents more effectively, and create new revenue streams. Its fully managed platform integrates infrastructure, data intelligence, AI applications, and monetization tools, enabling municipalities to streamline operations, improve services, and unlock new economic opportunities. Teranexa empowers city leaders to address pressing challenges, optimize resources, and build scalable, secure AI infrastructure for communities by transforming raw city data into actionable insights.
About Direct Digital Holdings Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) combines cutting-edge sell-side and buy-side advertising solutions, providing data-driven digital media strategies that enhance reach and performance for brands, agencies, and publishers of all sizes. Our sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers curated access to premium, growth-oriented media properties throughout the digital ecosystem. On the buy-side, Orange 142 delivers customized, audience-focused digital marketing and advertising solutions that enable mid-market and enterprise companies to achieve measurable results across a range of platforms, including programmatic, search, social, CTV, and influencer marketing. With extensive expertise in high-growth sectors such as Energy, Healthcare, Travel & Tourism, and Financial Services, our teams deliver performance strategies that connect brands with their ideal audiences.
At Direct Digital Holdings, we prioritize personal relationships by humanizing technology, ensuring each client receives dedicated support and tailored digital marketing solutions regardless of company size. This empowers everyone to thrive by generating billions of monthly impressions across display, CTV, in-app, and emerging media channels through advanced targeting, comprehensive data insights, and cross-platform activation. DDH is “Digital advertising built for everyone.”
About Green Tea Technology Green Tea Technology is a leading IT solutions provider in Austin, Texas. As an accredited HPE Certified GreenLake integration partner, the company is at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge Hybrid cloud solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses, both large and small. Green Tea Technology is committed to innovation and sustainability and is dedicated to architecting robust, scalable, and environmentally-friendly IT infrastructures.
New resource provides a structured framework to help organizations assess, prepare, and govern data for high-quality AI inputs
HOUSTON, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRCT) (“Direct Digital Holdings” or the “Company”), a leading advertising and marketing technology platform operating through its companies Colossus Media, LLC (“Colossus SSP”) and Orange 142, LLC (“Orange 142”), today announced the release of The Role of Data in AI Quality, a comprehensive guide developed by Direct Digital Holdings’ AI Council to help organizations enhance the quality and integrity of data used in AI systems.
As artificial intelligence drives innovation across industries, organizations face a fundamental challenge: ensuring they have high-quality data to achieve consistently reliable AI outcomes. Businesses risk inaccurate predictions, biased models, and security vulnerabilities without structured, well-defined instructions and high-integrity data. The Role of Data in AI Quality equips business leaders with the insights needed to establish effective data management practices, ensuring AI solutions produce meaningful and trustworthy results. Additionally, it helps organizations make informed decisions about resource allocation, timelines, and investment in data preparation—critical first steps before embarking on any AI initiative.
Setting a Standard for AI Data Readiness
“AI systems are only as good as the data that powers them,” said Anu Pillai, Chief Technology Officer at Direct Digital Holdings. “Businesses investing in AI must first prioritize data quality, ensuring that information is accurate, complete, and ethically sourced. Our guide provides a practical approach for organizations looking to refine their data management strategies, identify gaps that can affect AI performance, and set a strong foundation for AI success.”
The “The Role of Data in AI Quality” guide offers key insights into:
Understanding the impact of data quality on AI performance
Best practices for data assessment, preparation, and governance
Managing compliance and privacy risks in AI-driven environments
Strategies for eliminating bias and enhancing data integrity
Leveraging data enrichment techniques to optimize AI outputs
“Many organizations are eager to adopt AI but struggle with the foundational step of data readiness,” added Christy Nolan, VP of Delivery Solutions at Direct Digital Holdings. “This guide goes beyond theory and provides actionable steps to help businesses effectively clean, structure, and manage their data. By following these best practices, companies can ensure their AI systems deliver accurate and meaningful insights.”
By addressing the complete data lifecycle and establishing rigorous controls for accuracy and security, the comprehensive resource enables organizations to build the strong data foundation essential for successful AI implementation.
Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) combines cutting-edge sell-side and buy-side advertising solutions, providing data-driven digital media strategies that enhance reach and performance for brands, agencies, and publishers of all sizes. Our sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers curated access to premium, growth-oriented media properties throughout the digital ecosystem. On the buy-side, Orange 142 delivers customized, audience-focused digital marketing and advertising solutions that enable mid-market and enterprise companies to achieve measurable results across a range of platforms, including programmatic, search, social, CTV, and influencer marketing. With extensive expertise in high-growth sectors such as Energy, Healthcare, Travel & Tourism, and Financial Services, our teams deliver performance strategies that connect brands with their ideal audiences.
At Direct Digital Holdings, we prioritize personal relationships by humanizing technology, ensuring each client receives dedicated support and tailored digital marketing solutions regardless of company size. This empowers everyone to thrive by generating billions of monthly impressions across display, CTV, in-app, and emerging media channels through advanced targeting, comprehensive data insights, and cross-platform activation. DDH is “Digital advertising built for everyone.”
New guide helps organizations create clear, responsible AI usage policies to unlock the value of artificial intelligence while mitigating risks
HOUSTON, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRCT) (“Direct Digital Holdings” or the “Company”), a leading advertising and marketing technology platform operating through its companies Colossus Media, LLC (“Colossus SSP”) and Orange 142, LLC (“Orange 142”), today announced the release of its framework for establishing an employee generative AI usage policy, a practical guide from the company’s AI Council designed to help organizations set clear expectations and guardrails for AI use in the workplace.
As generative AI tools become more common in daily workflows, employees use them to streamline tasks, increase efficiency, and drive productivity. However, organizations risk data leaks, misinformation, compliance challenges, and reputational damage without well-defined policies. Despite widespread AI adoption, only 44% of companies have formal policies to govern its use.
Providing a Framework for AI Adoption and Governance
“AI adoption in the workplace is happening faster than many businesses are prepared for,” said Anu Pillai, Chief Technology Officer at Direct Digital Holdings. “Employees are already using these tools, but companies are leaving themselves open to significant risks without clear guidelines. Our framework offers business leaders a starting point to create transparent, structured AI policies that allow teams to safely and securely take advantage of the technology’s benefits.”
The “Framework for Employee Generative AI Usage Policy” guide is designed to help organizations craft policies tailored to their needs, addressing:
Ethical AI use and transparency
When AI can be used to add value and when its use poses an unnecessary risk
Data privacy guidelines to protect sensitive information
Human review and decision-making as a last line of defense
Creating cyclic structures for evaluating and auditing AI tools to maintain security
“Businesses can’t afford to take a wait-and-see approach on AI governance,” said Christy Nolan, VP of Delivery Solutions at Direct Digital Holdings. “By setting clear guidelines now, companies can foster a culture of informed AI adoption, positioning themselves to stay competitive while maintaining trust with customers, partners, and stakeholders.”
The framework is a foundational resource for business leaders, IT teams, and compliance officers looking to implement AI usage policies aligning with their industry, regulatory requirements, and company goals. It is designed to help organizations stay agile as AI evolves, providing a roadmap for responsible and sustainable AI integration in the workplace.
To download the “Framework for Employee Generative AI Usage Policy,” visit our AI Council resource center.
About Direct Digital Holdings
Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) combines cutting-edge sell-side and buy-side advertising solutions, providing data-driven digital media strategies that enhance reach and performance for brands, agencies, and publishers of all sizes. Our sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers curated access to premium, growth-oriented media properties throughout the digital ecosystem. On the buy-side, Orange 142 delivers customized, audience-focused digital marketing and advertising solutions that enable mid-market and enterprise companies to achieve measurable results across a range of platforms, including programmatic, search, social, CTV, and influencer marketing. With extensive expertise in high-growth sectors such as Energy, Healthcare, Travel & Tourism, and Financial Services, our teams deliver performance strategies that connect brands with their ideal audiences. At Direct Digital Holdings we prioritize personal relationships by humanizing technology, ensuring each client receives dedicated support and tailored digital marketing solutions regardless of company size. This empowers everyone to thrive by generating billions of monthly impressions across display, CTV, in-app, and emerging media channels through advanced targeting, comprehensive data insights, and cross-platform activation. DDH is “Digital advertising built for everyone.”
New guide provides a practical framework for small and mid-market business leaders to navigate generative AI adoption
HOUSTON, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRCT) (“Direct Digital Holdings” or the “Company”), a leading advertising and marketing technology platform operating through its companies Colossus Media, LLC (“Colossus SSP”) and Orange 142, LLC (“Orange 142”), today announced the release of “Demystifying AI,” the first in a series of ebooks, published under its AI Council, which address the widening divide between organizations embracing generative AI and those hesitant to adopt it. The comprehensive guide aims to help business leaders understand and navigate the challenges of navigating the opportunities and risks of implementing AI technology.
“Every day, we see the impact of generative AI on workplace productivity and innovation, yet many business leaders still struggle to separate hype from reality,” said Anu Pillai, Chief Technology Officer at Direct Digital Holdings and AI Council member. “While large enterprises benefit from dedicated AI teams, the reality is that any company, regardless of size, can successfully adopt these technologies to stay competitive – if they have the right knowledge.”
Transforming Understanding into Action “Demystifying AI” offers business leaders a clear, practical exploration of artificial intelligence, focusing on what AI is—and, importantly, what it isn’t. The guide helps leaders understand AI as a collaborative tool that enhances human capabilities rather than replaces them. It demonstrates how it can handle routine tasks while allowing teams to focus on higher-value work.
The guide addresses the key factors to successfully bridging the gap between AI’s potential and its practical implementation, including:
Risk management strategies that protect organizational interests
Security protocols that safeguard sensitive information
Implementation frameworks that ensure responsible AI adoption
“Organizations that understand how to leverage AI effectively today will have a significant competitive advantage tomorrow,” added Christy Nolan, VP of Delivery Solutions at Direct Digital Holdings and AI Council member. “Our ebook provides the foundational knowledge leaders need to make informed decisions about AI adoption in their businesses.”
These resources offer a complete pathway for organizations to confidently move into AI adoption. To download the “Demystifying AI” ebook, please visit our AI Council Resource Center.
About Direct Digital Holdings Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) combines cutting-edge sell-side and buy-side advertising solutions, providing data-driven digital media strategies that enhance reach and performance for brands, agencies, and publishers of all sizes. Our sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers curated access to premium, growth-oriented media properties throughout the digital ecosystem. On the buy-side, Orange 142 delivers customized, audience-focused digital marketing and advertising solutions that enable mid-market and enterprise companies to achieve measurable results across a range of platforms, including programmatic, search, social, CTV, and influencer marketing. With extensive expertise in high-growth sectors such as Energy, Healthcare, Travel & Tourism, and Financial Services, our teams deliver performance strategies that connect brands with their ideal audiences. At Direct Digital Holdings we prioritize personal relationships by humanizing technology, ensuring each client receives dedicated support and tailored digital marketing solutions regardless of company size. This empowers everyone to thrive by generating billions of monthly impressions across display, CTV, in-app, and emerging media channels through advanced targeting, comprehensive data insights, and cross-platform activation. DDH is “Digital advertising built for everyone.”
The new initiative aims to ensure SMBs and mid-market brands aren’t left behind in the digital marketplace
HOUSTON, Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRCT) (“Direct Digital Holdings” or the “Company”), a leading advertising and marketing technology platform operating through its companies Colossus Media, LLC (“Colossus SSP”) and Orange 142, LLC (“Orange 142”), today announced the formation of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Council, a new initiative aimed at demystifying and operationalizing artificial intelligence for small and mid-sized business (SMB) advertisers. The cutting-edge council will tackle the widening disparity in AI utilization between large corporations and smaller enterprises by equipping these businesses with actionable AI strategies to enhance their competitiveness in the digital arena.
As digital landscapes evolve, the adoption of AI in advertising has become a critical factor for success. Yet, many SMBs and mid-market brands are disadvantaged due to resource limitations and a lack of specialized knowledge. The AI Council at Direct Digital Holdings is designed to change this narrative by providing small and mid-sized businesses with the tools and insights necessary to leverage AI effectively, leveling the playing field with larger competitors.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming digital advertising, but too often, small and mid-sized businesses are left behind,” said Anu Pillai, Chief Technology Officer at Direct Digital Holdings and Member of the AI Council. “The AI Council’s mission is to bridge this gap. By democratizing access to AI tools and strategies, we empower small and medium-sized businesses to participate and lead in their markets.”
The AI Council will focus on supporting small and mid-sized businesses in several key areas:
Education and Workshops: Offering seminars and resources that explain AI concepts in straightforward terms, making the technology accessible and understandable.
Strategy Development: Assisting small and mid-sized businesses in developing AI-driven advertising strategies that are tailored to their unique business needs and market conditions.
Technology Implementation: Providing support in the implementation of AI tools, from automated bidding systems to customer data analysis, ensuring small and mid-sized businesses can harness AI’s full potential without the need for in-house experts.
Performance Monitoring: Guiding businesses in setting up systems to monitor the effectiveness of AI applications, enabling continuous improvement and optimization
Free Ebooks: We have produced a series of eBooks to help guide SMBs through the process of navigating the complex landscape.
In addition to internal experts, the AI Council will collaborate with technologists, academic leaders, and industry innovators to stay on the cutting edge of AI developments. This collaborative approach ensures that the Council’s initiatives are based on the latest research and best practices, making state-of-the-art AI solutions accessible to small and mid-sized business advertisers. “By leveraging both advertising and AI partners, our company will develop innovative products tailored to the unique needs of small businesses. This includes AI-driven marketing tools that help small and mid-sized businesses optimize their dollars as well as strategic initiatives such as AI training programs and workshops to empower small businesses with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a competitive market,” said Christy Nolan, VP of Delivery Solutions at Direct Digital Holdings and Member of the AI Council.
The AI Council will be an ongoing effort to ensure that all Direct Digital Holdings customers, regardless of size, have the tools and knowledge to succeed in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) brings state-of-the-art sell- and buy-side advertising platforms together under one umbrella company. Direct Digital Holdings’ sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers advertisers of all sizes extensive reach within the general market and multicultural media properties. The Company’s buy-side platform, Orange 142, delivers significant ROI for middle-market advertisers by providing data-optimized programmatic solutions for businesses in sectors ranging from energy to healthcare to travel to financial services. Direct Digital Holdings’ sell- and buy-side solutions generate billions of impressions per month across display, CTV, in-app, and other media channels.
Key Points: – Historic merger combines two largest stock photo platforms amid AI disruption – Deal values Shutterstock shares at $28.85 in cash or 13.67 Getty shares – Combined company aims to counter industry challenges from AI and smartphone photography
In a landmark move that reshapes the visual content industry, Getty Images Holdings Inc. has announced its acquisition of rival Shutterstock Inc., creating a combined entity valued at approximately $3.7 billion including debt. The merger brings together two of the world’s leading providers of licensed visual content at a critical time when artificial intelligence and smartphone photography are transforming the industry landscape.
Under the terms of the agreement, Getty Images will offer Shutterstock shareholders either $28.85 in cash or approximately 13.67 Getty Images shares for each Shutterstock share, with an option for a mixed payment. The transaction structure will result in Getty Images stakeholders owning 54.7% of the combined company, while Shutterstock shareholders will control the remaining portion.
The timing of this merger reflects the significant challenges facing the stock photo industry. Both companies have experienced substantial market value declines since mid-2022, with Getty Images down 73% and Shutterstock falling 50%. This consolidation represents a strategic response to evolving market dynamics, particularly the rising influence of AI in content creation and the democratization of photography through mobile devices.
The merged entity will combine Getty Images’ extensive library of premium content with Shutterstock’s robust contributor platform and search capabilities. Craig Peters, Getty Images’ current CEO, will lead the combined company, focusing on leveraging synergies and expanding service offerings to media, advertising, and content creation industries.
This strategic consolidation promises significant cost-cutting opportunities and the potential for enhanced profitability through a broader service portfolio. However, the deal faces potential regulatory scrutiny, particularly as it comes during a presidential transition period. The merger will test the incoming Trump administration’s approach to antitrust oversight, especially following the Biden administration’s strict stance on industry consolidation.
The deal also represents a significant milestone in Getty Images’ corporate evolution. Founded in 1995 by Mark Getty, the company has undergone various ownership changes, including private equity ownership under Hellman & Friedman and Carlyle Group, before the Getty family regained control in 2018. The merger with Shutterstock marks its latest transformation in adapting to the changing digital landscape.
Financial advisers JPMorgan Chase, Berenson & Co., and Allen & Co. have facilitated the transaction, underlining the deal’s significance in the digital content marketplace. The merger is expected to create a more resilient entity better positioned to navigate the challenges posed by technological disruption and changing consumer behavior in the visual content industry.
Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month — wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 406 owned-and-operated radio stations across 86 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, CNN, the AP, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across more than 9,500 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. Cumulus Media is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information visit www.cumulusmedia.com.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
NobleCon20. On December 4, Frank Lopez-Balboa, CFO, presented at NobleCon20 at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, Florida, to the investment community. A replay of the presentation can be viewed here. Notably, the presentation highlighted the prospect of digital revenue growth, a national advertising recovery, which accounts for roughly 50% of revenue, and its sizeable cost reduction efforts.
Digital Outlook. Notably, digital revenue has been a bright spot for the company throughout 2024, given that revenue growth has been positive every quarter. Mr. Frank Lopez-Balboa highlighted his optimism about the company’s digital growth prospects, stating it could generate north of $200 million in revenue a few years from now. Moreever, digital offers healthy contribution margins.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Over delivered on Q3 results. Total company revenue was $110.7 million, beating our $103.0 million estimate. With costs in line with expectations, the revenue upside flowed to adj. EBITDA, which substantially exceeded our expectations, of $16.9 million versus our estimate of $4.9 million, as illustrated in Figure #1 Q3 Results. We believe that the results beat Street estimates, with consensus adj. EBITDA of $8.5 million.
Upside variance. The company is seeking ways to make efficient use of its marketing spend, particularly in areas that provide sufficient returns. Sales & Marketing expenses of $52.0 million were lower than our $53.0 million estimate in spite of better than expected revenues. We anticipate Sales & Marketing expenses to accelerate in coming quarters as the company hones in on its marketing strategy and expands into new territories.
Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
