Direct Digital Holdings Launches AI Council to Bridge the AI Gap for Small and Medium-size Business Advertisers

Rhea-AI Summary

Direct Digital Holdings (DRCT) has announced the formation of its AI Council, a new initiative designed to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) leverage artificial intelligence in digital advertising. The council aims to bridge the gap between large corporations and smaller enterprises in AI adoption.

The initiative will provide support through several key areas: education and workshops, strategy development, technology implementation, and performance monitoring. The company will offer free eBooks and practical guides, including frameworks for employee generative AI usage policy and best practices.

The AI Council, featuring internal experts like CTO Anu Pillai and VP of Delivery Solutions Christy Nolan, will collaborate with technologists, academic leaders, and industry innovators to develop AI-driven marketing tools and training programs specifically tailored for SMBs. The goal is to democratize access to AI tools and strategies, enabling smaller businesses to compete effectively in the digital marketplace.

Positive

• Launch of new AI initiative targeting underserved SMB market segment
• Strategic positioning in the growing AI-driven advertising technology sector
• Development of new revenue streams through AI-focused products and services

Negative

• None.

The new initiative aims to ensure SMBs and mid-market brands aren't left behind in the digital marketplace

HOUSTON, Feb. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Digital Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRCT) ("Direct Digital Holdings" or the "Company"), a leading advertising and marketing technology platform operating through its companies Colossus Media, LLC ("Colossus SSP") and Orange 142, LLC ("Orange 142"), today announced the formation of its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Council, a new initiative aimed at demystifying and operationalizing artificial intelligence for small and mid-sized business (SMB) advertisers. The cutting-edge council will tackle the widening disparity in AI utilization between large corporations and smaller enterprises by equipping these businesses with actionable AI strategies to enhance their competitiveness in the digital arena.

As digital landscapes evolve, the adoption of AI in advertising has become a critical factor for success. Yet, many SMBs and mid-market brands are disadvantaged due to resource limitations and a lack of specialized knowledge. The AI Council at Direct Digital Holdings is designed to change this narrative by providing small and mid-sized businesses with the tools and insights necessary to leverage AI effectively, leveling the playing field with larger competitors.

"Artificial intelligence is transforming digital advertising, but too often, small and mid-sized businesses are left behind," said Anu Pillai, Chief Technology Officer at Direct Digital Holdings and Member of the AI Council. "The AI Council's mission is to bridge this gap. By democratizing access to AI tools and strategies, we empower small and medium-sized businesses to participate and lead in their markets."

The AI Council will focus on supporting small and mid-sized businesses in several key areas:

• Education and Workshops: Offering seminars and resources that explain AI concepts in straightforward terms, making the technology accessible and understandable.
• Strategy Development: Assisting small and mid-sized businesses in developing AI-driven advertising strategies that are tailored to their unique business needs and market conditions.
• Technology Implementation: Providing support in the implementation of AI tools, from automated bidding systems to customer data analysis, ensuring small and mid-sized businesses can harness AI's full potential without the need for in-house experts.
• Performance Monitoring: Guiding businesses in setting up systems to monitor the effectiveness of AI applications, enabling continuous improvement and optimization
• Free Ebooks: We have produced a series of eBooks to help guide SMBs through the process of navigating the complex landscape.
• Practical Guides: Practical guides include a framework for employee generative AI usage policy and best practices for generative AI prompting.

In addition to internal experts, the AI Council will collaborate with technologists, academic leaders, and industry innovators to stay on the cutting edge of AI developments. This collaborative approach ensures that the Council's initiatives are based on the latest research and best practices, making state-of-the-art AI solutions accessible to small and mid-sized business advertisers. "By leveraging both advertising and AI partners, our company will develop innovative products tailored to the unique needs of small businesses. This includes AI-driven marketing tools that help small and mid-sized businesses optimize their dollars as well as strategic initiatives such as AI training programs and workshops to empower small businesses with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a competitive market," said Christy Nolan, VP of Delivery Solutions at Direct Digital Holdings and Member of the AI Council.

The AI Council will be an ongoing effort to ensure that all Direct Digital Holdings customers, regardless of size, have the tools and knowledge to succeed in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Please visit the DDH AI Council Resource Center to download the eBooks and practical guides.

About Direct Digital Holdings

Direct Digital Holdings (Nasdaq: DRCT) brings state-of-the-art sell- and buy-side advertising platforms together under one umbrella company. Direct Digital Holdings' sell-side platform, Colossus SSP, offers advertisers of all sizes extensive reach within the general market and multicultural media properties. The Company's buy-side platform, Orange 142, delivers significant ROI for middle-market advertisers by providing data-optimized programmatic solutions for businesses in sectors ranging from energy to healthcare to travel to financial services. Direct Digital Holdings' sell- and buy-side solutions generate billions of impressions per month across display, CTV, in-app, and other media channels.

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SOURCE Direct Digital Holdings

FAQ

What is Direct Digital Holdings' (DRCT) new AI Council initiative?

Direct Digital Holdings' AI Council is a new initiative launched to help small and medium-sized businesses leverage AI in digital advertising through education, strategy development, technology implementation, and performance monitoring.

What services will DRCT's AI Council provide to small businesses?

The AI Council will provide education workshops, strategy development assistance, technology implementation support, performance monitoring guidance, free eBooks, and practical guides for AI implementation.

How will DRCT's AI Council benefit small and medium-sized businesses?

The council will help SMBs compete with larger corporations by providing AI tools, strategies, and expertise, democratizing access to AI technology in digital advertising.

What resources are available through DRCT's AI Council Resource Center?

The Resource Center offers free eBooks, practical guides including employee generative AI usage policy frameworks, and best practices for generative AI prompting.

Who are the key members of DRCT's AI Council?

Key members include Anu Pillai, Chief Technology Officer, and Christy Nolan, VP of Delivery Solutions, along with collaboration from technologists, academic leaders, and industry innovators.