# Tim Vanderhook

> Tim Vanderhook is co-founder, CEO and chairman of Viant Technology, the Nasdaq-listed advertising software company. He began the business with his brothers in 1999, helped launch Xumo and has led Viant through acquisitions, a return to independent ownership and its 2021 IPO. His current work focuses on AI-driven advertising and connected television.

- **Role:** Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman at Viant Technology
- **Organizations:** Viant Technology, Specific Media, Xumo, Chapman University
- **Known for:** Co-founded the business that became Nasdaq-listed Viant Technology., Co-founded advertising-supported streaming service Xumo, acquired by Comcast in 2020., Holds patents relating to household identification and advertising technology, as described in Viant’s official biography.

## Career timeline

- **1999** — Started the advertising business with brothers Chris and Russell Vanderhook; the early company was known as Specific Media.
- **2007** — Specific Media received a $100 million investment from Francisco Partners to support expansion and acquisitions.
- **2011** — Specific Media acquired Myspace with Justin Timberlake involved as an investor; Tim and Chris also started Xumo.
- **2015** — The business adopted the Viant name.
- **2016** — Time Inc. acquired a 60% interest in Viant.
- **2017** — Viant acquired demand-side advertising platform Adelphic.
- **2019** — The founders regained the 60% ownership interest inherited by Meredith; the transaction closed October 31.
- **2020** — Comcast acquired Xumo on February 25.
- **2021** — Viant began trading on Nasdaq under DSP on February 10.
- **2024** — Viant announced its acquisition of contextual video data platform IRIS.TV on November 12.
- **2025** — Viant completed its Lockr acquisition in February and announced the deal March 3.
- **2026** — Viant introduced Outcomes, an autonomous advertising product, and acquired TVision.

## Achievements

- Co-founded the business that became Nasdaq-listed Viant Technology.
- Co-founded advertising-supported streaming service Xumo, acquired by Comcast in 2020.
- Holds patents relating to household identification and advertising technology, as described in Viant’s official biography.
- Personally designed and coded the initial ViantAI alpha, according to Viant.
- Named an Innovative Individual in the 2026 BIG Innovation Awards, as reported by Viant.
- Serves on Chapman University’s board of trustees.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Viant reported Q2 revenue of $104.3 million, up 34% year over year, and nearly 50% growth in CTV advertiser spend.
- **2026-08** — An interview published by Beet.TV from Cannes Lions 2026 discussed attention measurement and Viant’s buy-side business model.
- **2026-05** — Viant reported that it had acquired TVision Insights, adding television attention measurement capabilities.
- **2026-01** — Viant introduced Outcomes at CES and reported BIG Innovation Awards recognition for Vanderhook and ViantAI.

## Links

- Website: https://www.viantinc.com/company/team/tim-vanderhook/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-vanderhook-01b362/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/tim-vanderhook
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16