Digital Turbine Appoints Ben John as Chief Technology Officer

Rhea-AI Summary

Digital Turbine (NASDAQ:APPS) announced the appointment of Ben John as Chief Technology Officer on February 25, 2026. John joins from Microsoft AI Copilot with 20+ years in AI, data and AdTech, and will lead global engineering, product architecture, data-first scaling and AI-driven development to support growth.

The hire builds on prior platform and acquisition experience, including leadership roles at Xandr and AppNexus, and signals a stronger focus on AI and first-party data across mobile ad products.

Positive

• Experienced hire: Ben John brings 20+ years in AI, data and AdTech
• Senior pedigree: Most recently VP of Engineering at Microsoft AI Copilot
• Platform scale experience: Former CTO and co-founder of Xandr (acquired by Microsoft)
• Strategic focus: Role targets AI-driven development, data-first scaling and global engineering

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Global mobile advertising market: >$640 billion

1 metrics

Global mobile advertising market >$640 billion Expected size by 2030 cited in CTO appointment release

Market Reality Check

Price: $4.09 Vol: Volume 2,474,877 is at 0....

low vol

$4.09 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,474,877 is at 0.61x its 20-day average, indicating subdued trading interest pre-announcement. low

Technical Shares at $4.09 are trading below the 200-day MA of $5.16, and about 50.6% under the 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

APPS gained 0.74% while nearby application software peers showed mixed moves: na...

1 Up

APPS gained 0.74% while nearby application software peers showed mixed moves: names like MITK and DSP were up, while ALTS and HKD were down. Only 1 peer appeared in momentum scans, supporting a stock-specific rather than sector-wide move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 03 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 03	Earnings release	Positive	-2.0%	Fiscal Q3 2026 results with revenue growth and raised full-year guidance.
Jan 21	Earnings call notice	Neutral	-5.6%	Announcement of date and access details for fiscal Q3 2026 call.
Nov 13	Investor conferences	Neutral	-2.7%	Participation in multiple New York investor conferences with management meetings.
Nov 04	Earnings release	Positive	-6.2%	Fiscal Q2 2026 results showing revenue growth and higher adjusted EBITDA.
Oct 21	Earnings call notice	Neutral	-6.9%	Scheduling and access details for fiscal Q2 2026 earnings call and webcast.

Pattern Detected

Recent earnings releases with revenue growth and raised guidance were followed by negative 24h price moves, suggesting a pattern of selling into positive financial news.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Digital Turbine reported improving fundamentals, with fiscal Q2 and Q3 2026 results showing revenue growth and raised guidance ($140.4M Q2; $151.4M Q3). Despite this, 24-hour reactions to earnings on Nov 4, 2025 and Feb 3, 2026 were negative, and even neutral conference and call announcements in Oct–Nov 2025 saw modest declines. Against that backdrop, today’s CTO appointment represents a strategic leadership move rather than a financial update.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-08-05

The company has an effective S-3ASR shelf registration dated 2025-08-05, expiring on 2028-08-05, with at least 2 recorded usages via 424B prospectus supplements. Specific capacity details are not provided here, but the active shelf offers flexibility for registered securities offerings.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights a strategic technology leadership upgrade, bringing in a CTO with exten...

Analysis

This announcement highlights a strategic technology leadership upgrade, bringing in a CTO with extensive AI and advertising-platform experience from Microsoft AI Copilot, Xandr, and AppNexus. It underscores Digital Turbine’s focus on AI-driven development, first-party data, and participation in a mobile advertising market expected to exceed $640 billion by 2030. In context of recent revenue growth and raised guidance, investors may watch how this hire influences product roadmap, data strategy, and future operating metrics.

Key Terms

ai, adtech, machine learning, big data mining, +2 more

6 terms

ai technical

"The seasoned AI, Data, and AdTech veteran joins DT from Microsoft AI Copilot"

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables machines to mimic human thinking and learning, allowing them to analyze information, recognize patterns, and make decisions. For investors, AI matters because it can improve how businesses operate, create new products, or identify opportunities faster and more accurately than humans alone, potentially impacting company success and market trends.

adtech technical

"The seasoned AI, Data, and AdTech veteran joins DT from Microsoft AI Copilot"

Adtech is the set of software, platforms and data tools that buy, sell and measure digital advertising across websites, apps and streaming services. Think of it as a digital marketplace and toolkit that helps advertisers find the right audiences, publishers sell space, and both sides track what works; for investors it drives revenue growth, efficiency and competitive edge but also exposes companies to shifting privacy rules and technology risks.

machine learning technical

"specializing in machine learning and big data mining and has served as Adjunct"

Machine learning is a set of computer programs that learn patterns from large amounts of data and improve their predictions or decisions over time, like a recipe that gets better each time it’s adjusted based on taste tests. For investors it matters because these systems can speed up analysis, spot trends or risks humans might miss, automate routine work, and potentially create competitive advantages or cost savings that affect a company’s performance.

big data mining technical

"specializing in machine learning and big data mining and has served as Adjunct"

Big data mining is the process of sifting through very large, diverse sets of digital information to find useful patterns, trends, or signals that are not obvious by looking at a few records. For investors it matters because those hidden patterns can reveal shifting consumer behavior, emerging risks, or early signs of growth and value—like using a metal detector on a wide beach to find valuable coins others might miss—helping inform faster, evidence-based decisions.

first-party data technical

"to harness AI and first-party data in ways that drive real value for mobile"

First-party data is information a company collects directly from its own customers and users through interactions like purchases, website visits, app usage, subscriptions, or surveys. For investors it matters because this data is exclusive, typically more accurate and cost-effective than third-party sources, and helps the company target customers, predict sales, improve products, and comply with privacy rules — like a store’s loyalty list versus a bought mailing list.

programmatic marketplace technical

"AppNexus, the world's largest independent programmatic marketplace for digital"

A programmatic marketplace is an automated online platform where ad space is bought and sold in real time using software instead of hand-written contracts. Think of it like a digital auction house for advertising where buyers and sellers match instantly, which matters to investors because it drives how quickly and efficiently a media company can turn its audience into ad revenue, affects profit margins, and exposes businesses to changes in data rules and ad tech competition.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

The seasoned AI, Data, and AdTech veteran joins DT from Microsoft AI Copilot to help lead the next phase of innovation, building on continuous momentum and performance

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Turbine, the global leader in growth solutions for the mobile ecosystem, is excited to announce the appointment of Ben John as the company's Chief Technology Officer. Joining the company at a period of accelerating growth, Ben will lead DT's global engineering, product architecture, data-first scaling, and AI-driven development to support its momentum.

Digital Turbine appoints Microsoft AI executive Ben John, an AI, Data, and AdTech veteran, as Chief Technology Officer.

Ben's career is defined by his ability to translate complex technology into real business outcomes. He has successfully built and scaled global engineering teams across multiple continents, navigated multi-billion dollar acquisitions, and built platforms that have shaped the global digital advertising and AI landscape.

"We are excited to welcome Ben to DT. His technical expertise and proven history of disruptive innovation align perfectly with our vision for the future," said Bill Stone, CEO of Digital Turbine. "His track record of driving scale through innovation will be instrumental in maintaining our momentum as we continue to bring premium data driven and AI experiences to mobile carriers, device manufacturers, app developers, advertisers and users worldwide."

With over 20 years of experience, Ben brings deep expertise in building large-scale AI and advertising platforms. He most recently served as Vice President of Engineering at Microsoft AI Copilot. Previously, he was Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Xandr, serving as CTO until its acquisition by Microsoft in 2022. Prior to that he was CTO of AppNexus, the world's largest independent programmatic marketplace for digital advertising including buy-side and sell-side advertising platforms. Ben holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science specializing in machine learning and big data mining and has served as Adjunct Faculty at New York University.

"Mobile is at the heart of our daily lives, and with the scale of the global mobile advertising market expected to exceed $640 billion by 2030, Digital Turbine is uniquely positioned in the ecosystem to continue to innovate and grow," said Ben John. "I am thrilled to join the team at this pivotal moment to harness AI and first-party data in ways that drive real value for mobile carriers, device manufacturers, app developers and advertisers. I could not be more energized about what this world-class global team will build together."

About Digital Turbine
Digital Turbine (NASDAQ: APPS) is unifying the mobile ecosystem by connecting advertisers, app owners, and device partners through on-device integrations, direct app partnerships, and intelligence powered by the Ignite Graph and DT iQ - turning rich data into actionable insight and measurable performance while delivering the scale and performance of a walled garden without the walls. The company's technology is live on more than 1 billion devices and embedded across 80K+ apps, reaching over a billion users each month and enabling growth across the mobile experience. www.digitalturbine.com

Digital Turbine Media Contact:
Daniel Gal
daniel.gal@digitalturbine.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digital-turbine-appoints-ben-john-as-chief-technology-officer-302696975.html

SOURCE Digital Turbine, Inc.

FAQ

Who is Ben John and what role did Digital Turbine (APPS) name him to on February 25, 2026?

Ben John is a 20+ year AI and AdTech executive appointed Chief Technology Officer. According to the company, he will lead global engineering, product architecture and AI-driven development to support Digital Turbine's growth.

What is Ben John's most recent position before joining Digital Turbine (APPS)?

Ben John most recently served as Vice President of Engineering at Microsoft AI Copilot. According to the company, his prior roles include CTO and co-founder of Xandr and CTO of AppNexus.

How will Ben John's appointment change Digital Turbine's technology strategy at APPS?

The hire emphasizes a stronger focus on AI-driven development and data-first scaling. According to the company, John will lead engineering and product architecture to accelerate AI and first-party data initiatives.

Does Ben John's background include experience with major acquisitions relevant to Digital Turbine (APPS)?

Yes, Ben John has navigated multi-billion dollar acquisitions and platform integrations. According to the company, his experience includes Xandr's acquisition by Microsoft and scaling global engineering teams.

What expertise does Ben John bring that is relevant to Digital Turbine's mobile advertising business (APPS)?

He brings deep experience building large-scale AI and advertising platforms and programmatic marketplaces. According to the company, this aligns with Digital Turbine's focus on premium data-driven mobile advertising solutions.

When was the appointment of Ben John as CTO at Digital Turbine (APPS) announced?

The company announced Ben John's appointment on February 25, 2026. According to the company, he joins during a period of accelerating growth to lead global tech and AI initiatives.