Next in Media spoke with David Kostman, CEO of Teads (formerly Outbrain) about the company's plans to bring together performance advertising, web video and TV, and move beyond its reputation as haven for 'cheap' ads.  

Kostman also talked about how publishers are preparing for more AI-driven search and content discovery, and whether brands are as invested as they should be in news and the open web.

Takeaways:

Outbrain & Teads: A Game-Changing Merger for the Open Internet

• The Outbrain-Teads merger creates a $1.7 billion ad powerhouse, merging native performance and premium video advertising to serve brands across the entire marketing funnel.

The Power of Controlled Real Estate & First-Party Data

• Unlike traditional ad networks, Teeds secures exclusive publisher inventory, ensuring premium ad placement without competing in an auction model.

AI & The Future of Digital Advertising Optimization

• Teeds is integrating AI-driven predictive analytics for automated media buying and ad optimization, enhancing real-time targeting.

CTV Advertising & The Evolution of Small Business Reach

• Teeds is making a strong push into Connected TV (CTV), with exclusive placements on OEM home screens like LG and Hisense.

AI, Content Discovery & The Fight for Quality Journalism

• With the rise of AI-generated content, premium publishers are at risk. Teeds is doubling down on supporting quality journalism, ensuring trusted news sites get premium monetization opportunities.

📢 Final Thought:
Teeds is reshaping the future of digital advertising, combining premium video, performance-driven targeting, and AI-powered optimization to create a brand-safe, full-funnel solution that rivals the biggest players in the industry.

Guest: David Kostman

Host: Mike Shields

Sponsor: ElementalTV

Producer: FEL Creative