US-based advertising technology devleoper AppNexus has raised $31m in funding from investors including media conglomerate News Corp, which provided $10m.
Founded in 2007, AppNexus operates a platform that allows for the real-time sale and purchase of digital advertising. The company had previously raised approximately $312m in funding, most recently securing $62.7m in April 2015 according to a securities filing.
The round’s other investors have not been named. News Corp’s buinsesses will gain access to AppNexus’ full range of products as part of the deal.
AppNexus will also boost its ongoing relationship with News Corp’s video advertising technology subsidiary Unruly, and the companies plan to integrate their respective products. They will also collaborate on products exploiting vertical videos made popular by smartphones.
AppNexus closed a $110m series E round in 2014 led by an undisclosed Boston-based public equity and asset management firm that included a $25m investment by marketing group WPP.
Other AppNexus shareholders include Deutsche Telekom Strategic Investments, the corporate venturing subsidiary of telecoms firm Deutsche Telekom, as well as software provider Microsoft, Technology Crossover Ventures, Venrock, Kodiak Venture Partners, Tribeca Venture Partners, First Round Capital and Khosla Ventures.
David Brinker, senior vice-president, head of business and corporate development at News Corp, said: “As we grow digitally and globally, News Corp continues to form strategic partnerships with leading technology companies like AppNexus.
“As individual businesses in our company started adopting AppNexus products into their technology stack, we gained further appreciation for their services. We are pleased to invest in AppNexus as we continue our partnership across our news, real estate and technology assets.”