Direct Digital Holdings

We had an amazing experience at #CannesLions2024, participating across 7 thought-provoking panels and making meaningful connections with industry leaders. Here's a recap of our highlights ⬇️: Our CEO & Co-Founder Mark D. Walker spoke on three key panels. At the Microsoft Beach House, he discussed the future of generative AI and the importance of shaping unbiased technology. At the Infillion Café, he explored how the ad industry can create a more inclusive and equitable landscape for diverse-owned media. On The Female Quotient's ‘Manel,’ he tackled the complexities of work-life balance, a conversation not often had by men. Our Chief Technology Officer, Anu Pillai, joined TFQ #EqualityLounge to discuss the implications of the pending cookie transformation and its potential to foster a more equitable and transparent advertising ecosystem. Our Lead Board Director, Dr. Antoinette (Tonie) Leatherberry, Ed.D., took part in TFQ panel on increasing female representation in STEM, supporting their growth, and celebrating their impact in creating a secure, accessible, and inclusive technological future. Our Chief Growth Officer Maria Vilchez Lowrey joined an inspiring panel with TFQ on importance of networking for both professional and personal development to drive community and opportunity. Colossus SSP CEO Lashawnda Goffin participated in the “Inclusive Leadership in Today’s Social and Business Landscape” panel hosted by ANA AIMM. She explored the challenges and opportunities brought by diverse perspectives, the impact of inclusive leadership on innovation and resilience, and actionable strategies for creating cultures of belonging in the workplace and beyond. A huge thank you to our fantastic partners for having us on stage. Rendez-vous l’année prochaine à Cannes! 🇫🇷 #Leadership #Diversity #Inclusion #Innovation #AdTech #WomenInSTEM #Networking #GenerativeAI #Equity #cookiedeprecation #GenAI #Inclusivity #thoughtleadership #MSACannes2024 #InfillionAtCannes Keith Smith Courtney Glaze Vox Media Ashwini Karandikar 4A's Kristin Wnuk Crawford Madhive Caroline Dettman The Trade Desk Julia White SAP LinkedIn Tia White Amazon Web Services (AWS) joanne bradford Jameson Fleming ADWEEK Morning Consult PwC Michelle Mikoljak Stevenson Adia Matthews IAB NBCUniversal MJ DePalma Laurel Rossi My Code OMD USA Dentsu Creative Chrissie Hanson James Thomas

Proud to announce that Colossus SSP, a Direct Digital Holdings company, is nominated for the Responsible Representation award at the 2025 Givsly Impact Awards! Representation is critical in marketing and advertising, and this award highlights companies that don’t just set #DEIB policies but ensure true diversity across every level of their operations. At Colossus SSP, we’re committed to fostering a team that reflects the diverse world we serve. 🗳️ Voting is open now and closes on November 6th —cast your vote and help us make a positive impact at the 2025 Impact Awards: https://hubs.ly/Q02VSC860. #RepresentationMatters #ImpactAwardsbyGivsly #ValuesDriven #ResponsibleMarketing

This October, Direct Digital Holdings, alongside our subsidiaries Orange 142 and Colossus SSP, unites for Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to reflect, support, and take action. We stand in solidarity to raise awareness, promote wellness, and celebrate the survivors among us. Many of us know someone affected by breast cancer, whether as a survivor, family member, or friend. We honor the strength and courage of our survivors across the organization, who inspire us all with their resilience. This month, we encourage everyone to prioritize their health by scheduling regular checkups and self-examinations. Early detection saves lives! On Friday, October 18th, we celebrated Wear It Pink Day to support this vital cause. 💕 Here’s a look at some of our favorite pink outfits in celebration of the power of hope and determination. #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #WearItPink #PinkForACause 🎀

Looking to reach voters in key swing states with the right message in these critical last weeks before the election? Colossus SSP’s "Always On" Curated Deals give you access to quality CTV inventory, allowing you to target political audiences at scale. Election Day is two weeks away – drive engagement and maximize impact during this essential election cycle! 🗳️ Learn more about our approach: https://hubs.ly/Q02VlRqF0. #Election2024 #PoliticalAdvertising #PoliticalCampaigns #SwingStates #CTV #Programmatic #AudienceTargeting

We’re excited to share that Direct Digital Holdings has secured a $20M equity reserve facility to fuel our next phase of growth. This strategic initiative will allow us to expand our offerings, enhance our technology, and continue delivering innovative digital advertising solutions. Read all the details here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Vb6Ct0. #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #PressRelease #AdTech

“At Colossus SSP, we’ve always believed that a transparent and efficient marketplace is the cornerstone of effective digital advertising. Our participation in the Digital Ad Auction Standards Working Group aligns perfectly with our mission to drive innovation and foster trust in the programmatic ecosystem. We’re committed to leveraging our expertise to contribute to industry standards that will benefit all stakeholders.” – Anu Pillai, CTO of Direct Digital Holdings, owner of Colossus SSP #ICYMI, we joined the Media Rating Council's Digital Ad Auction Standards Working Group. The newly formed initiative aims to bring transparency, standardization, and predictability to auction dynamics. Read more about it: Press Release: https://hubs.ly/Q02TsV9k0. Cynopsis: https://hubs.ly/Q02TsSVJ0 VideoWeek: https://hubs.ly/Q02TsVC90. #transparency #MRC #adtech #digital

What an action-packed week at Advertising Week! This week included reconnecting with industry friends, attending our partner events and hearing some valuable insights across so many panels. Key discussions covered the power of brands supporting women-centered stories (which attract 25% more #GenZ viewers—such a critical demo for long-term growth), the importance of authentically engaging with the Hispanic community, and the latest trends in streaming media. It was truly inspiring to hear how our industry is working to engage multicultural communities authentically and to share how we help brands elevate their multicultural strategies. #AWNewYork24 #adtech #brands #multiculturalmarketing #innovation Mark D. Walker Maria Vilchez Lowrey Anu Pillai Lashawnda Goffin Barbara Burnett Fatou Bah Travis Clinger LiveRamp Tom Grant Spark Foundry Rose Anna McGovern DIRECTV Yakira Young AdMonsters National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) Colie Edison Sarah Jones Simmer Sherry Pitkofsky The E.W. Scripps Company Horizon Media Danny Dikovsky Yahoo Lois Castillo Basis Technologies Resonate Spotify Emily V. Geoffrey Hoellen

Brands must go beyond pop-up marketing during Hispanic Heritage Month and engage with Gen Z year-round. This powerhouse generation is redefining brand engagement, and in-culture communication is key. At Direct Digital Holdings, our whitepaper in collaboration Horowitz Research shows that 81% of Gen Zers say diverse voices influence their brand choices. Authentic engagement has never been more crucial! 🔗 Read the latest Forbes article written by Aldo Quevedo featuring our research to learn how to connect with Gen Z: https://hubs.ly/Q02S-Y9j0. #GenZ #BrandStrategy #InCultureMarketing #Forbes #multiculturalmarketing #authenticity #multiculturalresearch #HispanicHeritageMonth

Brands need to move beyond pop-up marketing efforts to Gen Z during Hispanic Heritage Month and engage with this powerhouse generation year-round. In this Forbes article, data from a study by Direct Digital Holdings (DDH) and Horowitz Research show that a substantial percentage of Gen Zers prioritize multiculturalism in their brand choices. In order to be successful, a brand must speak with authentic, in-culture communication that resonates with this diverse generation, particularly highlighting the significance of cultural heritage, language, and community. "...cultural fluency is not just a competitive advantage—it’s a necessity." #inculturecommunication #authenticity #community #genz #multiculturalism #multiculturalresearch

🚨 Exciting News! We’re thrilled to announce Colossus SSP's commitment to enhancing transparency in digital ad auctions by joining the Media Rating Council's newly formed Digital Ad Auction Standards Working Group. This initiative aims to create a more trustworthy environment for all participants in the digital advertising space. Our CEO, Mark D. Walker, stated, “This working group provides an opportunity to align innovation with industry-wide transparency goals. We're excited to contribute our resources to making digital advertising more effective and trustworthy for all parties involved." Read our latest press release to learn about how we’re setting new standards: https://hubs.ly/Q02SMXyq0. #transparency #MRC #adtech #digital