RTL Group has today announced that it is combining RTL AdConnect, G+J iMS and the media division of Smartclip to create an “international advertising sales champion”.
The new unit will offer advertisers access to RTL Group’s TV channels, streaming services, radio stations and digital publishing brands, as well as inventory from partners such as ITV in the UK, RAI in Italy, NBC Universal in the United States and DPG Media in Belgium.
RTL AdConnect’s CEO Stéphane Coruble will lead the new combined company as CEO. Oliver Vesper, current co-CEO of Smartclip, will become Chief Digital Officer (CDO) and Deputy CEO of the new RTL Group sales house.
RTL Group says the new offering will be the only European sales house to offer advertisers national and international cross-media campaigns. The company will also utilise the ad tech solutions from Smartclip and Yospace.
RTL AdConnect’s chief marketing and operations officer Daniel Bischoff will lead the new combined unit’s transformation office to drive the integration of the three companies. Current CEO of RTL Deutschland Matthias Dang, becomes chairman of the board.
The parent company says the combination of the three businesses is in line with RTL Group’s goals of core, growth, and alliances and partnerships.
“In the growing competition with the global tech platforms, new alliances and partnerships between European media companies have become increasingly important. With our new international ad sales unit, we will create a leading monetisation platform that combines scale, transparency and easy access to state-of-the-art advertising technology,” said Thomas Rabe, CEO of RTL Group.
