Globe consolidates adtech, data capabilities

MANILA, Philippines — The Globe Group has consolidated its initiatives around advertising technology and data capabilities under a new holding company in a bid to scale up these businesses.

The group announced yesterday the creation of AdSpark Holdings Inc., a company which will be part of the 917Ventures’ portfolio of industries.

The holding company is comprised of digital and mobile marketing solutions provider AdSpark Inc., multi-channel messaging platform M360, intelligence-powered solutions provider iNQUiRO, and adtech startup Deep Sea.

Globe said the initial portfolio forms a strong base foundation where the group’s digital advertising and data business can further thrive and scale.

“Our assets and capabilities in data, advertising, and customer relationship management for B2B sit in various parts of the Globe Group and render solutions to customers independently,” Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said.

“But it has now become imperative to synergize and capitalize on their collective capabilities, increase operational efficiencies, build compelling solutions on data and ad-tech, and innovate at a macro level to maximize opportunities,” he said.

Globe has appointed its chief strategy officer Nikko Acosta to lead AdSpark Holdings as its chief executive officer.

Acosta retains his position as chief strategy officer of the Globe Group.

Globe said Acosta is one of the group’s “proven, steadfast, driven, and results-oriented leaders” with nearly two decades of experience across mobile, broadband, enterprise, international, and content.

“With Nikko at the helm, we are confident that he can bring AdSpark Holdings to greater heights,” said Vince Yamat, managing director of 917Ventures, the wholly owned corporate venture builder subsidiary of Globe.

Globe last year announced that it is slowly pivoting away from its core telecommunications business spurred by rapid consumer digital adoption.

By exploring adjacent business space, the company sees itself shifting to becoming a digital solutions platform over the next five to 10 years.

Globe’s strategic shift to becoming a digital solutions platform has begun to bear fruit as non-telco revenues from its subsidiaries amounted to P791 million during the first quarter.

The Globe Group’s growing portfolio encompasses services around telecommunications, ICT, financial technology, health, retail, outsourcing, entertainment, digital media, adtech and data.

These allow its customers and partners to leverage digital and technology-based products and services for their business and lifestyle needs.