Private equity firm Vista Equity Partners has acquired a majority stake in ad tech company Integral Ad Science (IAS).
Vista is a firm primarily focused on investments in software, data and technology businesses, working with brands like Marketo, Mediaocean and Cvent.
The partnership allows IAS to remain a neutral third party while providing the business "with further avenues to expand into other markets".
“Our industry faces a multitude of brand safety, viewability, and ad fraud challenges in Asia and across the world. The announcement of the acquisition by Vista is great news," IAS APAC managing director Stephen Dolan says.
"APAC has been a huge source of growth and investment for the company and with Vista’s support and resources IAS will be able to continue to invest in the Asia Pacific market and build solutions that can help protect and grow our customers' brands.”
This is not the first investment into ad tech for Vista, which in 2016 acquired all of the outstanding shares of Marketo common stock for a total value of approximately $US1.79 billion.
A similar deal also took place between Vista and Mediaocean in 2015, which was designed to "accelerate global growth" for the business.
Over the past 12 months, IAS has also been making a play for further global expansion, growing to 22 offices in 13 countries around the world.
In March this year, IAS has secured two-year contracts extensions with Dentsu Aegis Network, IPG Mediabrands and Omnicom Media Group as a media solutions provider.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.