Direct Digital Holdings Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Direct Digital Holdings, Inc., a leading advertising and marketing technology platform through its operating companies Colossus Media LLC (“Colossus SSP”), Huddled Masses LLC (“Huddled Masses”) and Orange142, LLC (“Orange142”), today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022.

Mark Walker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Direct Digital, commented, “We are pleased to report record revenue for the second quarter of 2022, demonstrating the strong growth driven by our business model. By focusing on expanding both of our impactful buy- and sell-side business segments, we have been able to expand our portfolio and client reach, delivering increased topline revenue, and consequently, overall growth in our adjusted EBITDA.”

Keith Smith, President of Direct Digital, added, “This quarter’s results are a testament to Direct Digital’s diverse and open digital marketplace business model. This, along with our supportive partner in Lafayette Square Loan Servicing, LLC, who has recently allowed us to extend our existing non-dilutive debt facility, has propelled the Company to exceptional results for the quarter, which we expect will provide us a strong remainder of the year. Consequently, Direct Digital will be raising guidance for full-year 2022.”

Second Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights:

• Revenue increased to $21.3 million in the second quarter of 2022, an increase of $10.1 million, or up 90% over the $11.2 million in the same period of 2021.
• Sell-side advertising segment, consisting of the Colossus SSP business, grew to $11.9 million and contributed $9.8 million of the increase, or up 477% over the $2.1 million in the same period of 2021.
• Buy-side advertising segment, consisting of the Huddled Masses and Orange142 businesses, grew to $9.3 million and contributed $0.2 million of the increase, or up 2% over the $9.1 million in the same period of 2021.
• Operating income increased $0.6 million, up 22%, to $3.1 million for the second quarter of 2022, compared to income of $2.5 million in the same period of 2021. Operating income was impacted by approximately $0.7 million of public company related costs for the quarter.
• Net income was $2.6 million in the second quarter of 2022, up 58%, compared to $1.7 million in the same period of 2021.
• Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ increased 18% to $3.6 million in the second quarter 2022, compared to $3.0 million in the same period of 2021.
• Net operating cash provided by operating activities for the six-months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.1 million, compared to a net operating cash of $2.6 million generated in the same period of 2021.

Business Highlights

• For the second quarter ended June 30, 2022, Direct Digital processed approximately 98 billion monthly impressions through its sell-side advertising segment, an increase of 176% over the same period of 2021, with over 643 billion bid requests for the quarter.
• In addition, the Company’s sell-side advertising platforms received over six billion bid responses, an increase of over 857% over the same period in 2021, through 88,000 buyers for the quarter.
• The Company’s buy-side advertising segment served over 152 customers, an increase of 18% compared to the same period of 2021.

Financial Outlook

Direct Digital’s guidance assumes that the U.S. economy continues to recover, and there are no major COVID-19-related setbacks that may cause economic conditions to deteriorate or otherwise significantly reduce advertiser demand. Direct Digital plans to offer annual guidance and update it throughout the year. Accordingly, the Company estimates the following:

• For fiscal year 2022, Direct Digital is raising expectations for guidance by approximately 40% to increase from a range of $48.0 million–$52.0 million to $70 million–$75 million, or up 113% year-over-year growth at the mid-point, while targeting an Adjusted EBITDA Margin in the double digits.

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Direct Digital will host a conference call on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the Company’s quarterly results. The live webcast and replay can be accessed at https://ir.directdigitalholdings.com/. Please access the website at least fifteen minutes prior to the call to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot access the webcast, a replay will be available at https://ir.directdigitalholdings.com/ for a period of twelve months following the live webcast.

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