Landmark commercial partnership with Azerion

2021 was a breakthrough year for Bidstack. Bidstack secured an exclusive media partnership with Azerion who have recently become a public company quoted on Euronext Amsterdam.

Who is Azerion?

Azerion operates a high-growth, profitable digital entertainment and media platform. It is a content driven technology and data company, serving consumers, advertisers, digital publishers, and game creators globally.

Azerion is engaged in a number of interrelated operating activities, including providing technology solutions to automate the purchase and sale of digital advertising inventory for advertisers, publishers and game creators as well as developing, publishing, distributing and operating online social and casual games and digital content.

Content creators, publishers and advertisers work with Azerion to reach millions of people across the globe that play their games and use their entertainment formats to increase engagement and loyalty and drive e-commerce.

Founded in 2014 by Atilla Aytekin and Umut Akpinar (Co-Founders and Co-CEOs), Azerion was recently listed on Euronext Amsterdam through a reverse takeover transaction by a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC).

What is the new partnership between Bidstack and Azerion?

The landmark commercial agreement with Azerion is the most significant advertising transaction to date for Bidstack. It is also thought to be one of the industry’s largest programmatic in-game advertising deals recorded. This evidences Bidstack’s position as a clear market leader. It formally commenced on 1 March 2022 for a period of 2 years.

Through the arrangement Bidstack will leverage Azerion’s sales footprint, which will enhance the Company’s reach through Azerion’s

• 1,000 employees
• 26 offices
• 18 countries

The aligned sales strategy is intended to accelerate growth among game developers, brands and advertising agencies to lock down more premium game inventory and capture shifting advertising spend.

Azerion will also start adopting Bidstack’s SDK into its existing portfolio of games.

What does Azerion have access to?

Azerion will have access to over 70 titles across Bidstack’s rapidly growing portfolio of AAA, independent and mobile publishers. The genres are diversified across stadium, racing, open world and life simulation titles which provide an attractive and highly engaged addressable audience. The reach of the inventory is global including key markets such as the US, UK, Netherlands, France and Germany.

Looking out into 2022…

The commitment to Bidstack’s inventory comes at a pivotal moment for the emerging in-game advertising sector as 2022 is anticipated to be a breakthrough year. Since 2017, Bidstack has worked alongside global advertising agency holding groups, game developers and industry bodies to ensure that in-game advertising became recognised as an advertising category in its own right.

The education process has contributed to major agency holding groups launching dedicated gaming divisions and products whilst the IAB launched its first-ever guide to gaming and an industry framework for in-game advertising , whilst measurement standards from the Media Rating Council, set to be introduced by the summer of 2022, heralds a further key moment of recognition for the in-game advertising channel being separately recognised in the media community.

Of the new partnership, James Draper, Founder and CEO of Bidstack, said

“This contract signals a realisation that brand advertising within the metaverse has truly arrived. Since our pivot into gaming in 2017, we have embedded a culture of no-shortcuts into the formation of in-game advertising as a new channel.

We expect this to be just the start of a long and deep relationship with Azerion as both companies have strong ambitions within the digital entertainment and media space. I want to personally thank the incredible efforts of our team, in particular Lewis Sherlock (SVP of Programmatic) and Francesco Petruzzelli (Managing Director), who have played a key role in securing this deal.”

Lewis Sherlock, SVP of Programmatic of Bidstack, said

“Our relationship with Azerion is a huge milestone for our Company and the gaming ad category as a whole. Their sales footprint across 18+ offices, 25+ markets and 80 dedicated sales staff means the acceleration of brand, agency and advertising revenue potential has increased exponentially for our Company overnight. It’s great for our publishers, as we both aim to bring high-quality advertisers into their games. Our on-boarding of their staff has been exceptional already with both businesses driving the partnership from the top down. On the ground we have already seen a good fit in our market positioning and real benefits for our advertising and agency partners through this combined scale.”

Umut Akpinar, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Azerion, added

“We are delighted to strike this strategic partnership with Bidstack which strengthens our digital advertising platform. With this exciting partnership, we allow brands to explore new advertising frontiers in premium and brand-safe inventories while connecting seamlessly with consumers through impactful and immersive experiences. At Azerion, we believe that the future is digital entertainment. This new partnership is perfectly aligned with our vision for the upcoming years.”

Sandra Yassaka, Vice President, Platform Strategic Partnerships of Azerion

“The Azerion team has been so engaged and excited to go to market with Bidstack’s innovative and immersive advertising formats. The initial reception from our advertisers and brands is overwhelmingly positive. This partnership strengthens our digital advertising platform strategy.”

Johanna Haugli, Enterprise Partner Manager of Azerion

“Privileged access to Bidstack’s impressive portfolio of AAA games was a key reason driving the decision to partner together. I am looking forward to the exciting pipeline for the year ahead which will consolidate Azerion’s position at the forefront of the metaverse for our growing audiences.”