8-K: Collective Audience Appoints Andrew Q. Kraft to Board, Peter Bordes Named Chairman

Collective Audience, Inc. announces the appointment of Andrew Q. Kraft to its board of directors and Peter Bordes as chairman, succeeding Joe Zawadzki.

Summary

• Collective Audience, Inc. has appointed Andrew Q. Kraft to its board of directors, effective January 24, 2025.
• Peter Bordes, the current CEO, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Board, also effective January 24, 2025.
• Joe Zawadzki resigned from the board and as Chairman to focus on his venture capital and advertising technology consulting firm, Aperiam Ventures, but will remain on the company's Advisor Collective board.
• The company issued a press release on January 29, 2025, regarding these changes.
• Following these appointments, the company's board will comprise five members, with three serving as independent directors.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The sentiment is positive due to the appointment of an experienced director and the CEO taking on the role of Chairman. The resignation of the previous chairman is framed positively, and the forward-looking statements suggest optimism about future growth.

Positives

• Andrew Q. Kraft brings extensive experience in business transformation, revenue growth, and public company operations to the board.
• Kraft's experience at The Arena Group Holdings, where he tripled revenue and increased EBITDA, suggests he can contribute to Collective Audience's growth.
• Peter Bordes' appointment as Chairman brings continuity and leadership to the board.
• Zawadzki will continue to serve on the company's Advisor Collective board.

Risks

• The press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties.
• The company's future financial performance is not guaranteed and depends on various factors, including market conditions and the company's ability to execute its strategy.
• The company's ability to integrate DSL Digital and BeOp into Collective Audiences operations is a risk.

Future Outlook

Collective Audience anticipates organic and acquisitive growth in 2025, with a focus on full integration and optimization of global teams, technologies, and products.

Management Comments

• Bordes stated that they are thrilled to welcome Andrew to the board and look forward to benefiting from his deep understanding of the publisher business.
• Bordes added that Kraft's strategic vision and extensive experience in driving growth and operational excellence will help guide the company as it continues to execute its mission and deliver value to its stakeholders.
• Kraft stated that he is excited to join the board of Collective Audience at this pivotal stage in its growth and development and looks forward to contributing to its continued success.
• Zawadzki commented that Andrew is a great operator with public and private experience in high growth digital advertising companies, and will champion Collective Audience as it leads the transformation of cloud infrastructure for advertising on the Open Web.

Industry Context

The announcement reflects the ongoing evolution of the AdTech industry, with companies seeking experienced leaders to navigate growth and transformation. Kraft's background in digital advertising and his experience at The Arena Group Holdings align with Collective Audience's focus on audience-based performance advertising.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Andrew Kraft's previous role at The Arena Group Holdings (NYSE-A: AREN) where he tripled revenue from $80 million to $250 million and increased EBITDA by $50 million, demonstrates a track record of successful business transformation.
• His experience at AppNexus, launching the original AppNexus SSP and the global sales house representing Microsoft inventory worldwide, showcases his ability to drive innovation and revenue growth.
• Kraft's leadership at the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) indicates his deep understanding of the digital advertising ecosystem and his ability to build industry consensus.

Management Changes

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders may view the board changes positively, given the experience and expertise of the new appointees.
• Employees may benefit from Kraft's mentorship and management coaching.
• Customers and suppliers may see improved performance and innovation as a result of the board changes.

Next Steps

• Collective Audience will continue to integrate and optimize its global teams, technologies, and products.
• The company will pursue organic and acquisitive growth in 2025.
• The board will leverage Kraft's expertise to guide the company's strategic direction.

Key Dates