Captify vs Outbrain

Social commerce surges 457% and AI fashion searches rise 44% during Christmas, Captify UK data reveals

Captify UK data reveals social commerce surges 457% and AI fashion searches rise 44% during Christmas. Also, Black Friday shopping starts earlier, and gamers are turning in-game finds into real-world buys.

Gamers are turning in-game finds into real-world buys, Captify UK data reveals

New Captify UK data reveals gamers are turning in-game finds into real-world buys (Aug 27, 2026). Also added: Captify UK data reveals Back to School is no longer one shopping moment – it’s two distinct consumer journeys (Aug 10, 2026).

Gaming Spurs Real-World Brand Discovery, Captify UK Data

Captify (part of Verve) analysed UK search data from January–July 2026 alongside Fandom survey data and finds gaming is increasingly a commerce and brand-discovery channel. One-third of UK gamers (33%) are more likely to consider a brand after an in-game interaction (47% for 18–24s); 55% of 18–24s discover brands in-game versus 27% overall. The report highlights specific campaign lifts (e.g., The Sims 4 drove a 40% rise in searches for Coach) and shows Fortnite players searched Lamborghini far more often than Porsche. Captify also found AI responses broaden brand comparisons (AI mentions both PlayStation and Xbox far more than users do). Anticipation for GTA VI is already driving console research: 20% of GTA VI searchers researched Xbox and 16% researched PlayStation. The findings signal opportunities for brands to engage younger, high-consideration gaming audiences.

• Captify analysed billions of UK real-time search signals from January–July 2026 alongside Fandom 2026 UK survey data.
• 33% of UK gamers said they are more likely to consider a brand after an in-game brand interaction; that rises to 47% among 18–24-year-olds.
• 55% of 18–24-year-old gamers discover brands through in-game presence versus 27% of gamers overall.

Assertive Yield Hires Shez Iqbal and Jack Watt

Assertive Yield, a provider of publisher monetization technology, announced the strategic expansion of its team with two senior appointments: Shez Iqbal as Senior Director, Global App Monetisation, and Jack Watt as Lead Sales Engineer, EMEA. Iqbal brings over 20 years of experience in digital media and ad tech, having held senior roles at Criteo, Sabio, Sublime, LiveIntent, and Outbrain. Watt brings 13 years of ad tech experience, including a long tenure at MinuteMedia, with expertise in ad serving infrastructure and data strategy. These hires aim to strengthen Assertive Yield's technical and commercial capabilities across the app ecosystem and European markets, supporting its global growth strategy.

• Assertive Yield hired Shez Iqbal as Senior Director, Global App Monetisation, and Jack Watt as Lead Sales Engineer, EMEA.
• Iqbal has over 20 years of experience in digital media and ad tech, previously at Criteo, Sabio, Sublime, LiveIntent, and Outbrain.
• Watt brings 13 years of ad tech experience, including a tenure at MinuteMedia.

8-K Financial Filing Analysis for Outbrain (2026-08-14)

On August 11, 2026, Teads Holding Co. (formerly Outbrain / trading as TEAD) received a written deficiency notice from Nasdaq indicating non-compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1), as the closing bid price of its common stock remained below the $1.00 minimum per share for 30 consecutive business days. The notice does not immediately impact the company's listing on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or its daily operations.

• Received Nasdaq deficiency notice on August 11, 2026, due to common stock closing below $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days.
• Granted an initial 180-calendar-day compliance window ending on February 8, 2027, requiring a closing bid price of at least $1.00 for 10 consecutive trading days.
• Evaluating compliance options including a potential reverse stock split previously authorized by shareholders, or transferring to The Nasdaq Capital Market for an additional 180-day grace period.