Signal AI Buys Readership Data Specialist Memo

AI-driven reputation and risk intelligence specialist Signal AI has acquired Memo, which describes itself as 'the world's first and only platform providing readership data directly from publishers.' The combination promises Comms leaders 'a more holistic view of how their stories actually perform.'

Signal was founded in 2013, and uses a proprietary AI-powered platform which helps users detect, monitor and manage emerging risks, from regulation and cyber to supply chain and reputation. The firm serves more than 40% of the Fortune 500, analysing external data across 226 markets and 75 languages to navigate industry trends, manage reputational shifts and mitigate risks. Six months ago it secured a funding round of $165m, allowing it to accelerate product innovation, and expand globally across the US and EMEA.

Signal AI says PR teams to date have often relied on 'vanity metrics' like potential reach, impressions, or AVE, to measure the impact of press coverage. By contrast, Memo's data claims to reveal 'true readership' - exactly how many people are reading about a brand at the article level.

The cash-only deal brings together Signal AI's data on share of voice, AI entities and topics, sentiment and salience, with Memo's readership data and direct relationships with major publishers. The new data will feed into Signal AI's crisis monitoring & alerting capabilities, helping users to prioritize genuine reputational threats and 'avoid wasting precious resources on isolated incidents or short-lived noise.'

Signal CEO and founder David Benigson (pictured) states: 'Our core mission at Signal AI is to serve today's modern Communications leaders and help them protect brand value and build trust. The future with Memo means a more powerful way to measure reputation for today's leading organisations, accelerating Signal AI's mission towards helping leaders see clearly, decide confidently, and act boldly.' According to Memo Chief Executive Eddie Kim, the integration 'creates a solution that becomes mission-critical for any communicator who needs to manage their reputation and risk.'

Web sites: www.signal-ai.com and www.memo.co .