Founder and CEO
Los Angeles - CA United States
The big idea: In 25 words or less, please tell us how this Fast 50 Nominee is helping to address the planet's problems.
the Rubicon Project fills a massive technology gap within the $27Bn Internet advertising industry giving websites, for the first time, comprehensive access to the total available advertising market
Please describe how this nominee is using business as a force of positive change. What technology, idea, or strategy is the nominee using -- and what problem, such as global warming, poverty, or pollution, does it address? (suggested length: 100 words)
The founders of the Rubicon Project revolutionized the Internet advertising market ten years ago by building one of the first ad servers, AdMonitor, which later sold to DoubleClick on the heels of a successful IPO. AdMonitor became an industry staple and was used as a model for all further innovation in the direct Internet ad sales business.
In the decade since that success, the online advertising industry has mushroomed, leaving direct ad sales accountable for only a portion of the revenue generated online through advertising. The explosion of ad networks, publishers and brands spending money online has resulted in a $27 billion industry that has become dysfunctional, leaving publishers wracked with frustration and in search of a technology solution to unite all the disparate parts.
the Rubicon Project’s mission is simple: to aid website publishers by uniting the huge but fractured online advertising market through technology innovation and thought leadership. the Rubicon Project’s uniquely experienced engineering team drives the technology; a seasoned management team leads efforts to create deep relationships with publishers and ad networks; and a whip-smart, creative marketing team focuses on educating current and potential customers through market education and extensive communication efforts.
What are the results, both financial and social? How has the nominee's business performed, and what impact has it had on the problem it addresses? (suggested length: 100 words)
the Rubicon Project launched its private Beta program in October 2007. Within six months more than 5,000 websites applied to participate. Since then, more than 12 Billion ads have been optimized across 60+ top ad networks, resulting in $1.5M in increased ad revenue and efficiency for the 750 websites using the service. No other company has had a market impact at this level in this arena. The company has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek and the LA Times. the Rubicon Project has been recognized by AlwaysOn, PriceWaterhouseCoopers/Entretech and LA-based Twiistup as a new market leader.
Comments that readers have made about this submission:
10
The people behind the Rubicon Project are genuine, innovative and open.
Rubicon Rocks! =)
10
Rubicon Project has done a remarkable job in helping website publishers truly make the most of their online real estate space while, at the same time, assisting advertisers in finding the right markets and/or geographies to effectively display ads to. In addition, Frank Addante has done an excellent job in building out a professional team at Rubicon Project that is as pleasurable to work with as they are knowledgeable in the industry.
The right team, the right product, the right time- its a 10 in my book.
Great company, Awesome product
I love the passion of this team and the Rubicon Project is truly an innovator in the space. Sky's the limit!!
brilliant idea, impressive team, strong ( and large) client list. Sounds like a winner.
10
10 - this is a big problem that hasn't had a simple solution and its only getting worse as ad networks proliferate. There's not been enough attention to to helping publishers monetize (vs helping advertisers spend their money)
10
10
10
Strong company and excellent idea.
Innovative optimization across ad networks.
10
Great team!!
10+ They are definitely making waves in the CA tech scene - buzz buzz buzz!
10
Fantastic product.
10
Great team, great product, right space, right time...The Rubicon Project is fast becoming a part of the fabric of the online advertising space.
Exceptional user interface, great value proposition and changing an industry that hasn't seen innovation in years. This sounds like a recipe for success!
The guys behind Rubicon Project are solid in management and technology. They've done a great job all around; UI, Reporting, Account Consolidation and ease of use. The experience shows through the service. I also dig the designer edge.
Amazingly slick product, great customer service, and a huge benefit to websites. If you have a site with ads, you know how difficult it is to manage multiple ad networks, collect all your stats to gauge your performance, and beyond that to optimize them. Rubicon has both the steak and the sizzle!
Great company with fantastic employees!
10
Awesome Company!
outstanding.
What a great idea, technology, fresh User-Interface(most innovative perhaps on the web), and performance driven company I have seen in a long time.
Please check these guys out now.
In under two months, the Rubicon Project has raised my CPM by 170% and the daily revenue my sites bring in from advertising has gone up 306% from the optimized ads! Their system simply works, and they manage it all in an awesome interface! I couldn't be happier!
Rubicon Project has been called a self-serve solution, self-optimizing advertising solution, etc. Rubicon Project should simply be called a MONEYMAKER! The product is not only great, but the people that brought it to us are as well.
I continue to be impressed by what the Rubicon Project team is able to achieve. They're focused and dedicated to building a great business without cutting any corners.
Yes, I believe in their management and ideas. Great start-up.
like a big piece of pie, just waiting to be had. The Rubicon Project is an awesome slice.
Two thumbs up for the Rubicon Project!!
Fantastic idea in a huge space!
I have never seen such a straightforward company. They actually do what they promise and appreciate their publishers. I gave them a 10 also.
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