Telstra Acquires Cloud Asset Management Specialist Nativ
Australian telco Telstra has made a further acquisition, this time through the video analytics firm Ooyala—which it bought last August—for U.K.-based media asset management developer Nativ.
The acquisition (for an undisclosed amount) expands Ooyala’s technology stack into video production, pre-production, and broadcast planning for hybrid OTT and on-air video services.
Nativ offers cloud-based media logistics and workflow software and services branded as Mio Everywhere. Among its key reference clients is U.K. broadcaster ITV.
Nativ is Ooyala’s second acquisition within the last nine months, following its purchase of Europe’s video ad tech provider, Videoplaza, last October.
A press release described the move as “the next step in Ooyala’s multi-phase strategy to deliver the most comprehensive, data-driven personalized TV and video platform that will power the next generation of television.”
The acquisition comes at a pivotal time for the industry, as the traditional systems for managing media workflow for on-air content delivery are undergoing major transformation, in the same way that media delivery and monetization solutions are transforming into more open, modular, cloud-based systems.
Ooyala plans to operate Nativ as a standalone new line of business under the Ooyala brand. Over time it will integrate Nativ’s technologies with its core video publishing, analytics, and monetization platform.
“The new TV marketplace can’t be serviced by legacy broadcast business systems," said Jay Fulcher (right), president and CEO for Ooyala. "New data-driven technologies and services will transform the way broadcasters, media companies, and brands operate in the era of multi-screen consumption. A transformation of this scale represents massive opportunity for the innovators that can drive new, future-proofed standards.”
Charlotte Yarkoni, president of Telstra Software Group and vice chairman of the board for Ooyala, stated, “Combining Nativ’s technology and team with Ooyala is a big step forward in executing our shared vision for a consolidated, global leader in personalized cloud TV and video. Nativ opens a lucrative new line of business for Ooyala. Following its acquisition of Videoplaza last October, it provides key media management and broadcast planning technologies that will extend the reach and power of its video, analytics and advertising offerings. Ooyala will stand out as a trusted provider who can meet the needs of broadcasters and media companies every step of the way.”
Nativ CEO Jon Folland said the deal enabled his company to catapult into a new phase of rapid growth, at global scale. Folland will remain part of the Ooyala executive team under Fulcher’s leadership. “With the backing of Telstra and their commitment to making the ongoing investments to support a rapid pace of innovation, we are now best in class in both standalone media logistics software and comprehensive, data-driven cloud TV,” he said.
The Mio platform includes a module for end-to-end management of multiscreen ad campaign workflows, and a data management module that gives companies the ability to model, gather and manage data across their value chain. This data management module is said to be complementary to Ooyala’s own analytics engine.
Telstra has previously invested $7.3 million in Elemental Technologies.
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