Observed Signal · Sep 8, 2026 · Awards · Source: Digiday · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Awards & Recognition Market: ShopMy, Google, WordPress Among Digiday Technology Awards Finalists
The Digiday Technology Awards has announced its 2026 finalists, showcasing the industry's focus on AI-ready infrastructure, first-party data, privacy, and operational efficiency. Notable finalists include WordPress VIP for Best CMS, recognized for its partnership with Pew Research Center to make content AI-discoverable, and ShopMy for Best E-Commerce Technology, highlighting creator-led commerce. Google is a finalist for Best Sell-Side Programmatic Platform for its work with The Guardian on privacy-compliant monetization. The awards feature numerous categories covering AI, programmatic, data, and more, reflecting a shift from adaptation to reinvention in digital media and commerce.
Announcement of industry awards finalists, highlighting trends but not breaking news of high industry impact.
Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Digiday Technology Awards 2026 finalists announced.
- WordPress VIP and Pew Research Center partnership for AI-readable CMS.
- ShopMy nominated for Best E-Commerce Technology.
- Google Ad Manager with The Guardian for post-cookie monetization.
- Awards cover categories like Best Agentic AI Tool, Best Buy-Side Programmatic Platform, and Best Sell-Side Programmatic Platform.
Connected Companies & Entities
71 Entities mappedOmnisend
Ecommerce marketing automation for email, SMS and push.
Pew Research Center
Nonprofit publisher of public opinion and demographic research.
“In partnership with Pew Research Center, WordPress VIP transformed Pew’s CMS into infrastructure designed for machine readability....”
DAZN
Sports streaming platform monetised by subscriptions, advertising and adjacencies.
beehiiv
Newsletter software with built-in audience growth and monetisation.
Rokt
Commerce media platform monetising checkout and post-purchase moments.
Big Happy
Mobile and DOOH adtech with creative production and campaign execution.
Cloudinary
API-first platform for managing, optimising and delivering digital media.
DanAds
White-label self-serve advertising software for publishers and media owners.
Adjust
Mobile measurement, attribution and fraud prevention software for app marketers.
Blockboard
Programmatic DSP focused on verified, fraud-resistant cross-channel media buying.
Viant
Independent DSP focused on CTV, identity and omnichannel measurement.
“Viant’s Ad Platform Redefines CTV as a Growth Engine...”
MNTN
Self-serve connected TV advertising platform for performance marketers.
“MNTN Launches QuickFrame AI...”
ShopMy
Creator-commerce software for brands, creators and affiliate-driven shopping.
“ShopMy, which is nominated for Best E-Commerce Technology, used first-party audience signals and creator-led curation....”
Experian
Credit, identity and marketing data platform for businesses and consumers.
SEMrush
B2B marketing intelligence software for SEO, ads, and competitive research.
BrightLine
Interactive CTV advertising platform for brands, agencies and streamers.
Epsilon
Identity-driven adtech and martech platform for enterprises.
GetResponse
All-in-one marketing automation and email platform for businesses.
Influencity
B2B platform for influencer marketing and social media operations.
Qualcomm
Semiconductor designer and wireless IP licensor for connected devices.
Genuin
Infrastructure for owned video communities and monetisation.
Kaltura
B2B video software for enterprises, education, events and OTT.
RainFocus
Enterprise event software linking event activity to pipeline and revenue.
myGaru
Telecom-based identity and clean room infrastructure for cookieless advertising.
Vault Data Clean Room
Privacy-safe TV data clean room for advertisers and media owners.
PubMatic
Independent adtech platform for publisher monetisation and programmatic supply.
“PubMatic AgenticOS: Autonomous Advertising Platform...”
Seismic
Enterprise sales enablement software for content, learning and buyer engagement.
Seedtag
Contextual adtech platform for open web, video and CTV.
Mediavine
Publisher monetisation platform combining header bidding, data tools, and managed services.
Taboola
Open-web performance advertising and publisher monetisation platform.
“Adam Singolda – Taboola for Technology Founder of the Year...”
Incubeta
Digital marketing consultancy with proprietary media, measurement and creative tools.
Mundial Media
Multicultural contextual advertising platform and managed media network.
Braze
Customer engagement software for real-time cross-channel personalisation.
Verve
Adtech platform spanning media buying, publisher monetisation and privacy-safe targeting.
Measured
Enterprise software for incrementality testing, MMM, and media optimisation.
Cluep
AI-driven programmatic targeting platform for brands and agencies.
realtor.com
Digital real estate marketplace and lead-generation platform.
Index Exchange
Independent supply-side platform for programmatic monetisation and curated deals.
“Andrew Casale – Index Exchange...”
Knotch
Enterprise software for content intelligence and conversational web experiences.
Bango
Subscription bundling and carrier billing platform for digital commerce.
Anoki AI
Scene-level AI platform for contextual CTV advertising and FAST monetisation.
mParticle
Enterprise CDP for unifying and activating first-party customer data.
Intent IQ
Cookieless identity and bid-enhancement infrastructure for programmatic advertising.
Contentstack
Enterprise headless CMS and composable digital experience platform.
Upwork
Freelance work marketplace with payments, subscriptions, and internal ads.
Intel
Computing infrastructure company combining chips, AI tooling and enterprise platforms.
Permutive
Privacy-first audience infrastructure for publishers and advertisers.
“Permutive’s AI-Powered DMP Delivers Real Results...”
PolyAI
Enterprise voice and chat agents for complex customer-service operations.
Canela Media
US Hispanic-focused AVOD platform with advertising and audience data.
WordPress VIP
Enterprise WordPress CMS with managed hosting and content analytics.
“WordPress earned a finalist spot in the Best Content Management System category for its WordPress VIP platform....”
impact.com
Partnership marketing software for affiliates, creators, referrals, and publishers.
Amperity
Enterprise customer data cloud for identity, unification and activation.
Kevel
API-first retail media and ad serving infrastructure provider.
Vistar Media
Programmatic DOOH buying, selling and operations platform.
Ad-Shield
Adblock recovery platform for publisher monetisation and dark traffic analytics.
Cvent
Enterprise software for managing, marketing, and sourcing business events.
The Guardian
Digital news publisher with advertising, subscriptions and content licensing.
“Using Google Ad Manager, The Guardian applied first-party signals to improve audience addressability....”
ViewLift
Enterprise OTT platform for launching and monetising streaming services.
Clinch
Omnichannel ad workflow platform for creative, activation and measurement.
“Clinch’s Flight Control: AI Content Orchestration Platform...”
Flipkart
Indian e-commerce marketplace with retail media, wholesale and logistics arms.
PMG
Independent marketing company combining agency services with proprietary marketing software.
Sightly
Adtech platform for cultural targeting and video media activation.
AdRoll
Adtech platform for retargeting, DSP and B2B ABM.
Optable
Privacy-first audience and identity infrastructure for publishers.
Mastercard
Global payments network and enterprise financial infrastructure provider.
“Mastercard Commerce Media and Mastercard Media Measurement...”
Contentful
API-first content platform for enterprise digital experience delivery.
Celtra
B2B creative automation software for scaled digital advertising.
“Celtra Unifies McDonald’s Creative Operations at Scale...”
Magnite
Independent sell-side ad tech platform for publishers and streaming inventory.
“Not directly, but BidsCube is a sell-side platform....”
Search, video, adtech and cloud giant within Alphabet.
“Google is a finalist for Best Sell-Side Programmatic Platform for its work with The Guardian....”
BidsCube
White-label programmatic infrastructure for buying, selling and trading ads.
Simpli.fi
Programmatic DSP and media software for advertisers and agencies.
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