Selectable Media

Selectable Media, founded in 2005 and headquartered in New York, operated as a key player in the native and engagement-based advertising sector. The company was established by Founder and CEO Matt Minoff, who identified the substantial growth potential of the digital advertising market. His leadership, along with COO Marc Rothschild, was instrumental in the company's trajectory and eventual acquisition.

The firm's business model centered on a value exchange proposition, enabling consumers to access premium digital content by opting to interact with brand advertising. This approach served a dual purpose: providing content providers with a monetization strategy and offering advertisers a method to engage directly with interested audiences. Selectable Media's technology was designed for cross-platform delivery, reaching users on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. Its core products included "Value Exchange," which presented ads as a gateway to content, and "Sponsored Stories," which integrated video or other content seamlessly into a publication's feed for user-initiated viewing. This model aimed to deliver better brand recall and performance by ensuring ads were both viewable and actively chosen by the consumer.

The company successfully attracted a notable client roster, including major brands like Capital One, GEICO, Merck, and Chipotle. After raising $7.07 million from investors such as Avalon Ventures and Allen & Company, Selectable Media achieved a significant milestone on December 30, 2014, when it was acquired by Meredith Corporation. The acquisition, valued at up to $31 million, was a strategic move for Meredith to enhance its digital advertising capabilities by integrating Selectable Media's engagement-based solutions. Following the acquisition, Matt Minoff and Marc Rothschild transitioned into leadership roles within Meredith Digital, overseeing ad products, operations, and sales.

Keywords: engagement advertising, value exchange ads, native advertising, ad-supported content, digital media monetization, video advertising solutions, Sponsored Stories, user-initiated ads, brand engagement, content monetization, Matt Minoff, Meredith Corporation acquisition, ad tech, digital advertising platform, consumer choice ads