LiveRamp Reports Revenue Hike, Adds to IdentityLink

Enterprise data and analytics provider LiveRamp has reported a 35% increase in third quarter revenue to $80m, compared with $59m in the prior year period. In addition, the firm has expanded its IdentityLink platform with the addition of connected TV (CTV) identifiers.

Last year, parent company Axciom sold its Marketing Solutions business (AMS) to Interpublic Group (IPG) for $2.3bn; changed its name to that of the remaining division, LiveRamp; and went public on the New York Stock Exchange.

On a GAAP basis, for the third quarter ended December 31st 2018, LiveRamp's gross profit was up 31% to $45m; while operating expenses rose to $93m from $62m in last year's third quarter. Loss from operations was $48m, up 50%; and during the firm's first official quarter as a stand-alone public company, it completed a $500m share repurchase program.

For fiscal 2019, LiveRamp expects to report a 29% increase in revenue to $284m, and a GAAP operating loss from continuing operations of $181m (associated with incremental restructuring chargers and higher stock compensation). This operating loss includes approximately $21m of transition-related spend associated with establishing standalone operations at LiveRamp. CEO Scott Howe (pictured) described the period as a 'landmark quarter'.

A year ago, LiveRamp extended its platform to TV, to enable brands, agencies, programmers and technology platforms to execute people-based TV at scale. The firm has now added CTV identifiers to its IdentityLink omnichannel identity graph, which connects people, data and devices across the digital and physical world via a unique ID, for use in targeting. The company says the new 'IdentityLink for CTV' can be used by marketers to launch measurable, people-based CTV campaigns; while programmers can use it to maximize CTV ad revenue by introducing audience data into their ad offerings.

Web site: www.liveramp.com .