Programmatic arm of GroupM buys US digital retail media firm
Xaxis, the programmatic arm of WPP-owned GroupM, is set to acquire digital advertising firm Triad Retail Media, which enables companies to turn their websites into advertising platforms and counts Walmart, Asda, and eBay among its clients. Both companies would "benefit from more advanced shopper customisation tools, better targeting, new mobile products and stronger international reach that the combined companies can deliver", said Xaxis in a statement. Triad will continue to operate as a stand-alone brand.

GroupM’s programmatic unit Xaxis has agreed to acquire Triad Retail Media, the global leader in digital retail media advertising, from Rockbridge Growth Equity and Falcon Investment Advisors.Triad fuels mobile and desktop e-commerce by enabling large retailers to turn their websites and apps into valuable advertising platforms, providing marketers with the ability to reach and engage consumers as they shop online.The deal will establish Xaxis as a significant player in the fast-growing retail media and e-commerce market while providing Triad with access to Xaxis’ technology expertise and the resources and client base of WPP, the world’s largest communications services group.Once the acquisition is completed, Triad Retail Media and its nearly 700 team members across 14 global offices will still continue to operate as a standalone brand under its own leadership.The deal represents a win for both retailers and advertisers, who will benefit from more advanced shopper customisation tools, better targeting, new mobile products and stronger international reach that the combined companies can deliver, said Xaxis in a press statement.Walmart, eBay, Asda, Toys "R" Us, CVS, Sam’s Club, Staples and Kohl’s are among the major global retailers that rely on Triad Retail Media to power their media platforms. On the brand side, more than 1,500 of the world’s largest advertisers utilise Triad’s full-service creative, data and production solutions to connect with shoppers at point-of-sale.“Triad has played a pioneering role in the development of digital retail media as a compelling ad channel where both retailers and brands are aligned in delivering a positive experience that drives shopper response,” said Brian Gleason, Global CEO of Xaxis.Gleason added that the acquisition brings Xaxis into a new category, further extending the reach of its audience platform to interact with shoppers.“We’ve been connecting brands and retailers for more than a decade with our innovative solutions,” said Roger Berdusco, CEO of Triad Retail Media. “With our digital retail media expertise, Xaxis’ world-class technology platform and WPP’s worldwide network of brands — we’re all better together.”