Publicis Groupe agreed to acquire LiveRamp in an all-cash transaction valued at roughly $2.5 billion, giving the French advertising giant a larger foothold in the fast-changing market for data collaboration and AI-powered marketing technology.
The deal values LiveRamp at $38.50 a share, about 30% above the company’s closing stock price on May 15, before the acquisition was announced. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to shareholder approval and regulatory review.
LiveRamp has increasingly emphasized AI-related products and interoperability between advertising platforms, retailers, publishers and marketers.
Earlier this year, Beet.TV interviewed LiveRamp CEO Scott Howe at the IAB Annual Leadership Meeting, where executives across the media and advertising industries discussed how AI, interoperable systems and trusted data partnerships are reshaping the economics of media buying and marketing performance.
At that time, he said success in using artificial intelligence depends on strong first-party data signals combined with consumer permission to operate reputably as the world shifts from recognition-based to permission-based systems.
The acquisition reflects the increasing value that major holding companies are placing on identity technology, audience measurement and first-party data tools as advertisers adapt to stricter privacy rules and the fading role of third-party cookies. Companies that can help brands connect data across platforms while maintaining consumer privacy have become increasingly strategic targets in the advertising ecosystem.
Revenue rises 9% from year earlier
Separately, LiveRamp reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $206 million, up 9% from a year earlier, while full-year revenue climbed to $813 million. Annual recurring revenue increased 8% and operating cash flow reached a record $168 million for fiscal 2026.
LiveRamp recently introduced AI-agent capabilities designed to automate data collaboration workflows between partners. The company also announced support for NVIDIA AI infrastructure to speed up processing inside its clean-room environment.
Scott Howe said the agreement with Publicis reflects the strategic role LiveRamp believes it plays in the emerging AI-driven advertising market.
LiveRamp ended fiscal 2026 with 133 customers generating more than $1 million in annualized subscription revenue, compared with 128 a year earlier. Subscription net retention was 107%.
The company said it will not issue financial guidance or hold its previously scheduled earnings conference call because of the pending transaction.
