Zeta Global
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Marketing technology |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | David A. Steinberg, John Sculley |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide (11 countries) |
Key people | David A. Steinberg (CEO), Christopher Greiner (CFO), Donald Steele (Chief Revenue Officer) |
| Products | Zeta Marketing Platform (ZMP), customer lifecycle management, multichannel marketing solutions |
Number of employees | 1300+ |
Zeta Global Holdings Corp. is a U.S.-based marketing technology firm established in 2007. It offers an integrated suite of multichannel marketing solutions aimed at building, sustaining, and monetizing customer relationships. The company debuted on the New York Stock Exchange on June 10, 2021, achieving a market capitalization of $1.7 billion.
With its main office located in New York City, Zeta maintains 15 offices across 11 countries, including key hubs in Silicon Valley, London, and India (specifically Chennai and Hyderabad). The organization employs more than 1,300 experts globally. The CEO, David A. Steinberg, is noted for his strategic vision in scaling the enterprise.
Recognized as a "unicorn" startup due to its billion-dollar valuation, Zeta was profitable as of March 2020, generating annual revenues surpassing $400 million. Its business approach centers on utilizing data-centric marketing technologies to improve customer engagement and accelerate growth in international markets.
History
Zeta Global originated in 2007 under the name XL Marketing, founded by David A. Steinberg alongside former Apple CEO John Sculley. The company underwent rebranding to Zeta Interactive in 2014 and later to Zeta Global in 2016, reflecting its broadened strategic focus and worldwide expansion. By April 2017, Zeta had completed nine acquisitions to strengthen its marketing technology platform. In July 2015, it secured $125 million from Blackstone’s GSO Capital Partners to support expansion through acquiring data-driven startups.
Notable acquisitions include Adchemy Actions in 2013 for its machine learning advertising capabilities; Clicksquared in 2014, which provided a SaaS campaign management platform; eBay’s CRM division in 2015—valued between $80 and $90 million—significantly enhancing Zeta’s customer lifecycle management services; and Acxiom Impact in 2016 for over $50 million, boosting its marketing automation portfolio.
Leadership changes saw Jarrod Yahes join as CFO in 2016, succeeded by Christopher Greiner in 2020, while Donald Steele was appointed as the inaugural Chief Revenue Officer in 2017. That year also marked a $140 million funding round from GPI Capital and Franklin Square Capital Partners, elevating the company’s valuation to roughly $1.3 billion.
In July 2017, Zeta acquired Boomtrain to incorporate advanced machine learning into its marketing cloud platform. Later that year, it expanded its digital engagement offerings by purchasing Disqus. Between 2018 and 2020, the company strategically acquired several ad technology firms including Temnos (specializing in AI) and Sizmek’s demand-side platform for about $36 million, thereby enhancing its programmatic advertising solutions. Additional acquisitions during this timeframe included Rocket Fuel’s data management platform and IgnitionOne’s demand-side platform.
Prior to going public, Zeta raised $222.5 million through debt financing in March 2021. The firm launched its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange on June 10, 2021, trading under the ticker symbol ZETA with a valuation of $1.7 billion. This IPO represented a pivotal achievement in the company’s growth trajectory and influence within the marketing technology sector.
Products
By 2019, the company had developed a permission-based database containing more than 750 million profiles. Utilizing advanced big data analytics, it identifies prospective clients, optimizes customer relationship management, and boosts sales performance. The Zeta Marketing Platform (ZMP) represents the largest omnichannel marketing solution focused on identity data. While originally concentrating on email marketing, the firm has broadened its scope to encompass comprehensive customer lifecycle management. By 2021, its permission-based identity database expanded to nearly 2.4 billion profiles, significantly strengthening its market presence and enhancing its suite of products.
Activities and events
On January 30, 2014, Zeta Interactive organized a forum exploring transformations in advertising and marketing, drawing inspiration from Apple’s legendary 1984 advertisement. The gathering showcased prominent executives such as former CEO John Sculley and influential industry figures including David Sable, Global CEO of Young & Rubicam, underscoring the company’s leadership role and recognition within the sector.