Josh Schmiesing joins Anzu as Strategic Advisor
Anzu.io, the world’s most advanced in-game advertising platform, is pleased to announce the appointment of Josh Schmiesing as a strategic advisor. A true global executive, Josh has experience leading brands spanning 65+ countries in the areas of research, marketing, advertising, media, and digital production. Recently, he led WPP’s Global Microsoft Relationship, including global digital marketing for Xbox. He also serves on the advisory board for Limbitless Solutions, a non-profit organization that uses engineering to promote empowerment, inclusivity, and accessibility by creating personalized bionics and solutions for children with disabilities.
Joining other noteworthy Anzu advisors such as Jens Hilgers, David Sable, Jamie Gutfreund, and Takuya Banno, Josh will focus on guiding the development of strategic partnerships to further Anzu’s opportunities with brands and game publishers.
“Anzu’s in-game advertising platform has created a marketplace for brands to safely reach a massive global gaming audience at scale and for gaming companies to establish new revenue streams that respect the game play,” Josh said. “I am thrilled to join such a dynamic team and bring my passion for building strategic business relationships to help Anzu reach their next level of growth.”
Anzu recently raised $9 million in funding from leading investors such as BITKRAFT Venture Capital, HBSE Ventures, WPP, and Sony. In partnership with WPP, Anzu has introduced digital advertising standards to the in-game space, boosting advertiser confidence and demonstrating the value of in-game advertising. Anzu’s platform provides the highest level of security through ISO certification, as well as ad viewability, brand lift measurement, audience verification, data enrichment, and fraud detection through its partnerships with industry-leading AdTech vendors. Anzu is the only licensed in-game advertising platform for Xbox Middleware Program. Its recent campaign with Samsung Spain won an award for Technology Innovation at MMA Smarties EMEA 2020.
Anzu’s CEO and Co-Founder Itamar Benedy adds: “I am very happy to have Josh on board. We’re already leveraging his unique expertise of working with top-level players across industries to develop new strategic partnerships that will propel Anzu forward during this pivotal stage.”
Anzu is the world’s most advanced in-game advertising solution. Operating across mobile, PC, and console platforms, Anzu blends real-world brand ads directly into video games, esports tournaments, and live streams. The only solution of its kind to bring real-time analytics and existing digital industry standards in-game, Anzu’s patented, adaptive technology features blended, yet highly viewable IAB-compliant ad formats. Anzu’s full suite of one-of-a-kind AdTech integrations includes ad viewability, brand lift measurement, audience verification, data enrichment, and fraud detection in partnership with industry leaders such as Moat, Comscore, Kantar, and Nielsen.
Anzu has raised $17 million to date from investors including WPP, Sony Innovation Fund, BITKRAFT Ventures, and HBSE Ventures. Global partners include advertisers such as Pepsi and Samsung and game studios such as Ubisoft and Nacon.