In today’s ExchangeWire news digest: Viant acquires Waymark to strengthen AI-powered video advertising, Global to acquire Alight Media in a UK outdoor push, and Fox completes its USD$22bn (£16.6bn) acquisition of Roku

Viant Acquires Waymark

Viant has agreed to acquire Waymark, a video advertising platform that uses AI to help businesses create video ads quickly and affordably. The partnership aims to simplify the process of producing video advertisements and launching campaigns across connected TV (CTV) and other channels.

The deal brings together Viant’s CTV and AI-powered advertising platform with Waymark’s video creation technology, addressing a key challenge for advertisers: producing creative assets quickly enough to take advantage of CTV advertising opportunities. Waymark will continue operating with its existing team, platform, customer support and pricing, while the acquisition is expected to support further product investment and expand opportunities for advertisers to distribute their video content.

Global to acquire Alight Media in UK outdoor push

Global has agreed to acquire Alight Media, a leading UK digital media owner, the company announced on 9th November. Alight operates a national portfolio of more than 1,500 digital 48-sheet screens, digital and classic 6-sheet posters, and over 4,000 digital screens in leisure and hospitality venues. It was co-founded by Matthew Dearden, a former president of Clear Channel Europe, and Dave Huckerby.

Global says the deal will bring its technology to a larger Outdoor estate, widen advertisers’ geographic reach across the UK, and open outdoor advertising to smaller businesses through its self-serve platform, AdPower. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals, and the two businesses will operate independently until then.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Fox completes $22bn Roku acquisition

Fox Corp. completed its USD$22bn (£16.6bn) acquisition of Roku on 6th November, giving the media group a major foothold in connected TV. The company says the combination puts it in front of more than 100 million households. Roku founder Anthony Wood will take a seat on Fox’s board and serve as co-chair of a newly created unit, Fox Digital Platforms, which will house Roku alongside Tubi, Fox One and Red Seat Ventures.