Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on the day's biggest business stories
Subscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matter
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
AT&T
AT&T is naming its new advertising company "Xandr," combining AT&T's advertising infrastructure, as well as assets from its recent Time Warner and AppNexus acquisitions.
Why it matters: AT&T is hoping to bolster its advertising business to help subsidize Pay-TV losses as more people cut the cord.
Details: The new company will be led by the CEO of its advertising and analytics unit, Brian Lesser, who the company poached from GroupM last year.
- It represents one of four divisions that were created by AT&T upon the acquisition of Time Warner in the summer of 2018.
- It encompasses all aspects of the AT&T's advertising & analytics businesses, including its advanced TV advertising business, and ad network.
- It is built around four pillars: data, premium content, advanced advertising technology and AT&T’s wireless, broadband and video distribution footprint.
- Effective today, all of AT&T's pre-existing ad-related businesses and its recently-acquired ad businesses, like ad tech firm AppNexus, will all be employees of Xandr.
- AppNexus will continue to live on as a brand under Xandr.
About the name: The name "Xandr" (sort of short for Alexander) was inspired by AT&T founder Alexander Graham Bell. AT&T says the hexagonal symbol of its logo was inspired by Bell's tetrahedral kite invention.
The bigger picture: The announcement was made at AT&T's first-ever media, entertainment and advertising conference, which within itself is a testament to its commitment to fully entering the media and advertising space.
- The swanky two-day retreat brings together high-level executives across the industry to discuss the future of advertising and media.