From Perion's Tal Jacobson on how ad tech is changing and why Cannes Lions is a "potential deal · · Pulse Point News
“The opportunities for AI in the advertising and marketing space are endless, and it will solve the biggest problem of digital advertising today — the chaos of omnichannel. With AI-driven omnichannel solutions we can finally see the bigger picture and break the silos between each closed garden and the open web.”
On , Tal Jacobson, CEO at Perion Network, spoke about AI during Perion's Tal Jacobson on how ad tech is changing and why Cannes Lions is a "potential deal on Pulse Point News.
Tal Jacobson, CEO of Perion Network, has discussed the company's focus on AI-driven advertising technology and its strategy to grow beyond its search advertising business. In interviews, Jacobson stated that Perion's search segment "is not our strategy" and that the company anticipates growth in other areas, including connected TV, retail, out-of-home, and audio solutions. He highlighted a partnership with A360 Media that provides advertisers on platforms like Us Weekly with advanced analytics, and described a generative AI product called Wave that writes and voices audio ads using retailer data. Jacobson also noted that Perion has over $380 million in cash, is conducting $75 million in stock buybacks, and plans to be active in mergers and acquisitions. Jacobson has commented on broader industry trends, describing advertising as "the fuel of the economy" and stating that AI will solve the "chaos of omnichannel" by breaking silos between closed gardens and the open web. He attributed Snap's revenue challenges to content that was not "brand safe" for advertisers, and pointed to Meta as a company that has effectively addressed sensitive content. Reflecting on his career, Jacobson said he learned that "you don't invest in ideas — you invest in people," and that the ability to adapt to change is more important than strength.