SMN

What SMN does

SMN Corporation (SMN株式会社) is a Japan-based marketing technology company headquartered in Tokyo that builds and operates an integrated advertising technology and marketing analytics platform for enterprise advertisers, brands, and agencies. The company is a controlled subsidiary of Sony Network Communications Inc. (within the Sony Group ecosystem) and is publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market under ticker 6185.

SMN's technology foundation is its proprietary VALIS-Engine artificial intelligence, originally developed by machine learning researchers from Sony Corporation's headquarters personalization lab. VALIS-Engine powers a portfolio of products: Logicad (a self-developed DSP for display, video, and DOOH advertising), VALIS-CPX (a fully automated, performance-based DSP using the VALIS-Trader bidding optimizer), VALIS-Cockpit (a marketing AI hub combining AI with human analyst expertise), TVBridge (a cross-media platform combining digital exposure data with Japan's largest TV viewing dataset), and the 2026-launched UREMIRU/UREMIRU light retail analytics solutions plus SENZAI emotional persona analysis tool. The company also operates the SCAN performance-based content marketing service through wholly-owned subsidiary SMT Corporation.

The business generates revenue across three segments: an Ad Technology Business (usage-based DSP spend and media margin), a Marketing Solutions Business (transaction-fee and performance-based compensation including SCAN), and an Other Business that monetizes TV CM broadcast history data. The company employs between 251 and 500 staff across five Japanese offices (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo) plus a Taiwan subsidiary. Strategic priorities have shifted toward cross-media (TV + digital + offline retail) attribution, supported by partnerships with Video Research, Yomiuri Shimbun, unerry, and Intimate Merger, and the recent divisional restructuring and divestiture of Ruby Group in 2024.

Name

SMN

Legal name

SMN株式会社

Website

https://so-netmedia.jp

Company type

Public

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

SMN Corporation is a Tokyo-based marketing technology company that develops and operates AI-powered ad-tech platforms (Logicad, VALIS-CPX, VALIS-Cockpit, TVBridge, UREMIRU) for enterprise advertisers and CPG brands, leveraging Sony Group's proprietary VALIS-Engine AI and TV viewing data.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ad Technology / Marketing Technology Software

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Media Buying Agencies (54183), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Performance Marketing Automation & Bid Management Services (MPAAACAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Retail Media Network (RMN) Planning & Buying (MPAAABAK), B2B SaaS & Enterprise Personalization (CRM, Sales, Support) (HDAAAGAJ)

Keywords

• Programmatic advertising
• Demand-side platform
• Marketing analytics software
• Cross-media attribution
• Retail media solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ad Technology Business (アドテクノロジー事業): Provides DSP services (Logicad, VALIS-CPX, App DSP), DOOH advertising, and the VALIS-Cockpit marketing AI hub. Revenue is generated through advertising spend managed on the platform, media margin, and licensing of proprietary ad technology to enterprise clients. Also includes programmatic TV-digital cross-media advertising.
2. Marketing Solutions Business (マーケティングソリューション事業): Delivers data-driven marketing solutions including data collection/analysis, ad operations, content marketing (SCAN), and supply-side content procurement and monetization support. Revenue includes consulting fees and performance-based compensation (成果報酬型).
3. Other Business (その他事業): Generates and provides TV CM broadcast history data for major Japanese cities through a system jointly developed with Sony, used for marketing support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SMN develops and operates proprietary ad technology platforms — including the Logicad DSP, the performance-based VALIS-CPX DSP, and the VALIS-Cockpit marketing AI hub — powered by its in-house VALIS-Engine AI originally developed at Sony's research labs. The company sells these platforms to enterprise advertisers, agencies, and CPG/retail brands in Japan to maximize marketing ROI through programmatic ad buying, cross-media analytics combining TV viewing data with digital ad exposure (TVBridge), and retail media solutions linking ad spend to in-store sales (UREMIRU). It also delivers marketing solutions (data analysis, ad operations, SCAN content marketing) via its SMT subsidiary and monetizes TV CM broadcast history data.

Product overview

SMN operates as a marketing technology company offering a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on its proprietary AI engine VALIS-Engine. The core products are the DSP platforms Logicad (algorithm-based targeting) and VALIS-CPX (fully automated performance-based DSP), supported by the marketing AI analytics platform VALIS-Cockpit. A key differentiator is TVBridge, which enables cross-media analysis combining TV viewing data with digital ad data. Recent (June 2026) launches include UREMIRU and UREMIRU light (retail analytics solutions linking ad spend to in-store sales using ID-POS data and location measurement), and SENZAI (Sony Group AI for emotional/creative analysis). The portfolio also includes app DSP, Logicad DOOH, and SCAN (performance-based content marketing via subsidiary SMT). SMN also offers an affiliate network through SMT.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Logicad: Self-developed DSP (Demand-Side Platform) with proprietary algorithms for optimal targeting, timing, and placement of advertising.
• VALIS-Cockpit
• VALIS-CPX
• VALIS-Engine
• SMNアプリDSP
• TVBridge
• UREMIRU
• SCAN
• Logicad DOOH
• SENZAI
• UREMIRU light

Products and services

• Logicad SMN's flagship self-developed DSP (Demand-Side Platform) that uses proprietary algorithms to deliver digital ads at the optimal target, timing, and placement for each advertiser. Handles display, video, and DOOH advertising across the full funnel from awareness to conversion. Used by enterprise advertisers and agencies in Japan.
• VALIS-CPX A fully automated, performance-based DSP powered by Sony Group's VALIS-Trader bidding optimization engine. Maximizes conversion (CVR) acquisitions through end-to-end automated campaign operation with compensation tied to conversion outcomes rather than ad spend volume. Targeted at enterprise advertisers seeking outcome-based buying.
• VALIS-Cockpit A marketing AI hub that integrates SMN's VALIS-Engine AI with human expertise to visualize user behavior data, discover consumer insights, identify potential target segments, and support data-driven decision-making across the marketing PDCA cycle. Used by enterprise advertisers and brands.
• VALIS-Engine SMN's proprietary artificial intelligence engine developed by Sony headquarters researchers, using original machine learning algorithms to process massive discrete and continuous feature values for high-speed, high-precision value judgment. Powers Logicad, VALIS-CPX, and VALIS-Cockpit with ad targeting, bid optimization, conversion prediction, and persona analysis.
• TVBridge A cross-media marketing platform that aggregates SMN's digital media contact data with Japan's largest TV viewing data to enable TV-and-digital cross-campaign measurement and marketing PDCA. Enables cross-analysis of TV CM and digital ad exposure effects on in-store purchasing, supporting cross-media attribution for advertisers.
• SMN App DSP An app DSP solution that operates curated app DSPs to optimize CPI/CPA/ROAS for app advertisers. Introduced major overseas platforms (Google, Facebook/Meta) to the Japanese market for both domestic and overseas app promotion campaigns.
• Logicad DOOH A Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) advertising delivery service that enables programmatic advertising across digital outdoor media as an extension of the Logicad DSP.
• SCAN A performance-based (成果報酬型) content marketing service combining SMN's VALIS-Engine AI with partner creative writing and advertising operations skills. Operated by wholly-owned subsidiary SMT, with no initial cost and charges only on advertising performance outcomes. Used by advertisers and publishers.
• UREMIRU A retail analytics solution that integrates ID-POS purchase data with advertising delivery and measurement, enabling unified ROAS analysis across e-commerce and physical stores. Includes consumer analysis, media planning and execution, and in-store purchase lift measurement for retailers and brand manufacturers.
• UREMIRU light A simplified package version of UREMIRU using Logicad and TVBridge Ads with ID-POS data to visualize the purchasing effects of TV CM and digital advertising on in-store sales for brands seeking easier entry-point retail measurement.
• SENZAI A Sony Group AI-powered emotional/affinity analysis tool used to profile consumer internal preferences and psychographic personas (emotional personas), enhancing creative planning and media targeting within the UREMIRU solution. Generates creative concepts and messaging suited to target audiences.
• YxS Ad Platform A digital advertising delivery platform jointly operated by SMN and Yomiuri Shimbun Tokyo, combining Yomiuri ONE newspaper reader data with SMN's TVBridge TV viewing data to enable cross-mass-media digital marketing and offline store visit attribution.
• TV CM Broadcast History Data Service A data service that generates and provides TV CM broadcast history data for major Japanese cities through a system jointly developed with Sony. Used to support marketing services through visibility into TV commercial airings across major markets.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability8 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, key, subsidiary and supporting.

• ゼータ・ブリッジ株式会社 (Zeta Bridge)coreTechnology or IntegrationZeta Bridge developed the real-time TV CM automatic recognition and database system used by SMN. SMN acquired Zeta Bridge as a subsidiary in August 2018 (later merged into SMN in September 2023). Zeta Bridge's technology enables TVBridge, SMN's cross-media solution that detects when a client's TV commercial is airing and triggers real-time digital ad delivery.
• ビデオリサーチ社 (Video Research)keyTechnology or IntegrationSMN partners with Video Research's VR LINC service to integrate TV viewing data with web data, enabling TV viewer targeting. SMN's VALIS-Engine is used to expand targeting audiences based on Video Research's TV data for advertising delivery.
• 株式会社ASA (ASA)subsidiaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerASA (acquired as a subsidiary in August 2019) operates as a consolidated subsidiary of SMN. Specific business activities are focused on digital marketing services.
• SMT株式会社 (SMT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMT is a wholly-owned subsidiary (established April 2016) handling SMN's marketing solutions business including the SCAN performance-based content marketing service, affiliate network, and media support services. Located in Tokyo.
• unerry株式会社 (unerry)keyTechnology or Integrationunerry provides high-precision foot traffic measurement technology using location data. SMN integrated unerry's foot traffic data with its YxS Ad Platform to enable offline store visit attribution, allowing calculation of offline ROAS alongside online ROAS in campaigns.
• 読売新聞東京本社 (Yomiuri Shimbun Tokyo Headquarters)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMN and Yomiuri Shimbun operate the 'YxS Ad Platform' (Yomiuri X-Solutions) together, combining Yomiuri's newspaper reader data基盤 (yomiuri ONE) with SMN's TV viewing data (TVBridge) for cross-mass-media digital marketing.
• 株式会社インティメート・マージャー (Intimate Merger)supportingTechnology or IntegrationSMN uses Intimate Merger's IM-UID common identifier solution for cross-device advertising audience targeting. IM-UID is referenced in SMN's data policy and opt-out disclosures.
• ニフティライフスタイル株式会社 (Nifty Lifestyle)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerNifty Lifestyle co-hosts webinars with SMN featuring SMN's Logicad platform. SMN employees appear as speakers in Nifty Lifestyle's digital marketing webinar series.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Criteo: Commerce media platform specializing in retail media networks and performance retargeting. Directly comparable to SMN's UREMIRU retail analytics solution and Logicad retargeting capabilities, both linking digital ad spend to commerce outcomes.
• Septeni Holdings: Japanese digital marketing group providing advertising agency services and proprietary ad tech. Comparable to SMN's Marketing Solutions business (SMT) and ad technology offerings, serving similar enterprise advertisers and agencies in Japan.
• Magnite: Leading sell-side advertising platform (SSP) specializing in CTV and programmatic video. Comparable to SMN's programmatic ad tech infrastructure, though Magnite operates on the supply side while SMN's Logicad is demand-side. Both serve the same advertisers' omnichannel goals.
• i-mobile: Japanese mobile-focused DSP and ad network. Comparable to SMN's SMN App DSP solution, both focusing on app advertising optimization (CPI/CPA/ROAS) for Japanese advertisers including both domestic and global app campaigns.
• Geniee: Japanese ad tech company specializing in programmatic advertising, DSP/SSP operations, and digital marketing. Direct competitor to SMN's Logicad platform with similar focus on Japanese market programmatic advertising.
• FreakOut Holdings: Japanese DSP and digital advertising company providing programmatic advertising solutions. The most direct Japanese competitor to SMN's Logicad DSP, serving similar enterprise advertisers in the Japanese market with comparable demand-side platform offerings.

Broad incumbents

• AppLovin: Global mobile ad tech platform specializing in app monetization and user acquisition. Comparable to SMN's SMN App DSP and the app advertising focus within Logicad, though AppLovin operates globally and at much larger scale.
• The Trade Desk: Global independent DSP offering programmatic advertising buying across display, video, audio, and connected TV. Directly comparable to SMN's Logicad and VALIS-CPX as a demand-side platform, though The Trade Desk operates globally while SMN is Japan-focused with cross-media TV integration.
• Digital Garage: Japanese digital marketing and fintech conglomerate with significant ad tech and data marketing operations. Comparable as a broader digital advertising platform with proprietary data assets, similar to SMN's cross-media TV + digital positioning.

Others

• Video Research: Japanese television audience measurement company providing TV ratings and viewing data. Strategic partner and enabler to SMN (via VR LINC), but also relevant peer as a data infrastructure provider for cross-media advertising measurement in Japan.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SMN.Corp.official

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SMN