Avantages
Integral Ad Science was once a great company that helped to build and shape the ad verification industry. Their ability to block ads from delivering was the thing that initially set them apart from competitors, along with their superior tech. The company expanded into EMEA and APAC and the strong sales/CS teams helped to build the business. The company once had a great inclusive culture and I have developed many life long friendships.
Inconvénients
The company changed when it was sold to Vista Equity Partners. The entire management team was replaced, and instead of trying to find ways to save jobs during COVID, they let go 10% of the company. A year later they let go the entire Client Services team that supported agencies. It's apparent that the company that used to value its employees is no more, and there has been a mass exodus of employees ever since. IAS has been slow to develop new products and is losing some market share to competitors like Double Verify who are further ahead with their CTV product. New management does not seem interested in building the company, but to grow it so they can sell it (which is typical of PE firms). While IAS still has a good reputation, a lot of the employees who built the company are no longer there. Now that ad verification is commoditized, it will be harder for IAS to stand out if it just rests on its laurels. Hopefully, the IPO will allow IAS to focus on improving their products and rebuilding the trusts with their employees which has been steadily eroding.