Outbrain (NASDAQ: OB), a technology platform that drives business outcomes through engagement, announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Teads, the global omnichannel video platform. The strategic combination will unite two of the most recognized names in digital advertising to create an end-to-end, omnichannel advertising solution for the open internet. The transaction will combine Outbrain’s AI-driven performance technology with Teads’ leading video and branding solutions, merging the companies’ highly-complementary capabilities into a comprehensive full-funnel solution for advertisers.

The combined company will provide advertisers with unified access to the most engaging and valuable consumer media experiences, from CTV to online shopping. Once the combination is completed, the company will represent a break from established platform players that base their value primarily on views and impressions. In contrast, the combined company plans to focus on delivering more tangible outcomes such as attention, deep engagement, and e-commerce conversions — across the multitude of previously fragmented premium environments on the open internet, including connected TV.

“This is a transformative transaction to establish a true end-to-end, full-funnel platform for the open internet,” said David Kostman, CEO of Outbrain. “The combination of our highly-complementary offerings accelerates our vision to become the preferred partner to deliver meaningful brand outcomes across premium, quality media environments — while scaling the industry-leading offerings Teads is known for. I’m incredibly proud of what our team at Outbrain has created, and strongly believe that with Teads we will build tremendous value for our customers, employees, and partners. I believe this combination and the transaction’s financial structure position Outbrain to deliver significant shareholder value in the years to come.”

“This strategic combination presents vast new opportunities for the advertising industry at large. We’ve built a world-class team at Teads that has focused on driving the best video and branding outcomes, and in the last several years have successfully brought those strengths to CTV,” said Bertrand Quesada, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Teads.

Teads Co-CEO Jeremy Arditi added: “By joining our expertise in omnichannel video with Outbrain’s strengths in prediction and performance, we are poised to provide our customers and partners with more value than ever before. Having known the Outbrain team for a decade, we know we’re creating an amazing combined company focused on innovation and excellence.”

The transaction reflects the opportunity to revolutionize the advertising landscape by offering a scaled platform that connects direct supply with direct demand, nurturing audiences and optimizing marketing results from discovery to purchase. This combination will address the self-limiting choice between branding and performance that marketers currently face when advertising on the open internet. As a result, the combined company will be well positioned to compete in the estimated — and growing — $175 billion open internet advertising opportunity.

Media owners stand to benefit from robust monetization opportunities across diverse advertiser budgets, providing critical revenue and growth to the world’s premiere journalistic and entertainment outlets.

– Creation of one of the largest, direct supply paths across premium environments on the open internet and CTV, expected to reach over 2 billion monthly consumers at a global scale across 50+ combined markets.
– Combination of highly-complementary expertise and product offerings: joining Teads’ deep video and branding capabilities with Outbrain’s leading performance solutions. Direct code-on-page and pixel-on-advertiser-site integrations will create an end-to-end solution that can continuously optimize outcomes.
– Powerful suite of data capabilities, gathered from contextual, publisher environment, and advertiser performance signals — making over 1 billion predictions per second.
– Unique, innovative ad experiences built by creative studio teams, creating new opportunities to tell engaging brand stories across the open internet, such as full-page takeovers, story sequencing from CTV to digital, and more.

– Total estimated consideration for the Teads acquisition is approximately $1 billion, on a cash free, debt free basis, including an upfront payment of $725 million, subject to standard adjustments, and a deferred cash payment of $25 million.
– Outbrain intends to finance the transaction with existing cash resources and $750 million in committed debt financing from Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Jefferies Finance LLC and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., subject to customary funding conditions. Outbrain will also issue to Altice 35 million shares of common stock, valued at approximately $169 million based on a one-month volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of Outbrain’s common stock as of July 30, 2024, of $4.82, and $105 million in convertible preferred equity.
– The convertible preferred equity to be issued to Altice will accrue dividends on a quarterly basis at a rate of 10% per annum, payable in cash or payment-in-kind at Outbrain’s option. The initial conversion price is $10.00 per share (subject to customary adjustments). The convertible preferred equity will be a perpetual instrument and may be redeemed by Outbrain in whole, or in part, in cash, prior to the five year anniversary of the issuance, subject to payment of certain premiums, and after the fifth anniversary of issuance without premium. Outbrain may also elect to convert all or a portion of the preferred shares exceeding at least 10% of the then outstanding preferred shares after two years, subject to certain share price thresholds.
– The $25 million deferred cash payment will be paid in one or more installments after closing, subject to compliance with certain covenants in the debt financing terms.
– Additionally, Outbrain obtained commitments from Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Jefferies Finance LLC and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. for a $100 million revolving credit facility, a portion of which will be available to pay a portion of the cash consideration for the transaction and related fees and expenses, and which will otherwise be available for working capital and general corporate purposes.
– The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of Outbrain stockholder approval and regulatory approvals. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of Outbrain and Teads.
– Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. is acting as lead financial advisor to Outbrain with Jefferies LLC and Mizuho also acting as financial advisors. Meitar Law Offices and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner are acting as legal advisors to Outbrain.