VIZIO launches VIZIO Ads

VIZIO last month launched VIZIO Ads, enabling advertisers to buy TV ad inventory across the VIZIO SmartCastTM platform, including OTT apps, and throughout VIZIO’s WatchFree service.

VIZIO is opening a New York City office led by Mike O’Donnell, who will oversee a team with people across the country.

“As viewing behaviors shift and the marketplace for connected TV advertising explodes, brands need to find new ways to reach audiences on the biggest screen in the house,” said Mike O’Donnell, SVP of VIZIO’s Platform Business. “A direct-to-TV advertising business not only helps brands find new, more relevant ways to engage with viewers, it gives them peace of mind knowing their OTT ad budget is actually making it to the screen of a TV.”

VIZIO says VIZIO Ads will take an open platform approach to its video inventory business, ensuring any media owner or advertiser can work with it. VIZIO also says will work to bring transparency to the TV market by working closely with Inscape, the TV data company and a subsidiary of VIZIO.