AdCounty Media launches new ad-tech platform

- AdCounty Media's PUB-361 is a proprietary platform that integrates directly with Google Ad Manager 360, offering publishers unified ad operations, real-time revenue analytics, and performance tracking. The initial launch focuses on India, South East Asia, and the UAE. - The launch addresses key industry challenges like adapting to privacy regulations (e.g., Digital Markets Act), the deprecation of third-party cookies, and the need for greater transparency in the programmatic supply chain. - The platform's introduction follows AdCounty Media's recent launch of OpsisAds, a mobile-first performance platform leveraging AI for campaign optimization, and signals a broader ambition to go public, following a July 2025 IPO that was oversubscribed by 273 times. - This move aligns with a wider industry trend of leveraging AI agents for marketing, which can autonomously manage tasks like media buying, budget allocation, and real-time campaign optimization without constant human guidance. - For a CTO at a growth-stage SaaS company, the key is evolving from a hands-on "player-coach" in early stages to a strategic leader who can manage a scaling engineering organization, align technology with business goals for fundraising, and streamline technical due diligence for investors. - In the London tech ecosystem, AI remains a dominant investment sector, attracting a record $3.5 billion in VC funding in 2024. In the first quarter of 2025, London startups have already raised £2.69 billion, with top sectors being AI/ML, FinTech, and Health/Life Sciences. - For personal interests, the 2025 Formula 1 season is set for several rule changes, including the removal of the fastest lap point and tighter restrictions on DRS designs. Pre-season testing is scheduled for February 26-28 in Bahrain, following a joint livery launch event for all 10 teams at London's O2 Arena on February 18. - On the local front, Metropolitan Police data from early 2025 shows Newham as the East London borough with the highest reported crime, while Havering was the safest. The London region's unemployment rate rose to 8.2% in January, a five-year high, reflecting job losses in manufacturing and construction.