Overview
Moloco, a hyper-growth machine learning company valued at over $2 billion, was founded by former executives from YouTube, Google, Twitter, and Amazon. Since 5W's partnership began in 2023, we've collaborated to elevate Moloco's brand in the competitive AI and AdTech sectors through a robust awards program. The company faces unique challenges in standing out against industry giants, especially in media conversations and awards circuits. Moloco asked 5W to elevate its innovative AI-driven solutions and market value through targeted award submissions and strategic positioning.
Strategy
To tackle the crowded AI landscape and emphasize Moloco's technological excellence, we developed a dual-pronged approach. For mainstream business awards, we targeted prestigious programs from top publications such as Inc., Forbes, Financial Times, and CNBC. These submissions highlighted Moloco's rapid growth, market impact, and technical advancements, positioning the company as a leader in both the business and tech worlds.
For AdTech industry awards, we initially focused on AI-specific categories to showcase Moloco's cutting-edge technology. However, as the AI space grew more competitive, we pivoted to niche categories like “Best Use of Technology” and “Custom Advertising.” This strategic shift enabled us to emphasize Moloco's unique AdTech capabilities while maintaining a strong connection to its AI-driven core. Throughout the process, every submission was carefully crafted to align with Moloco's rigorous standards for precision and storytelling, ensuring a compelling and consistent narrative.
Results
This targeted strategy delivered impressive results. In mainstream business awards, Moloco received widespread recognition, including listings in Financial Times: The Americas' Fastest Growing Companies 2024 and Inc. 5000 2023. The company also earned accolades such as the Goldman Sachs Award, the Google Cloud Customer Award, and a shortlist position for the Forbes AI 50. Additional honors included wins at the Big AI Excellence Awards 2023 and the 2023 Stratus Awards.
In the AdTech sector, Moloco secured awards that highlighted its leadership and innovation. The company was recognized by AdExchanger as a Programmatic Player in both 2023 and 2024, while Business Insider named it one of the Hottest AdTech Companies of 2023. Moloco also received recognition from Campaign's 2024 Class of Inspiring Women and was included in the Streaming Media 100.Overall, 5W submitted Moloco for 29 award and speaking entries, resulting in 11 award wins and 4 shortlist inclusions. This success solidified Moloco's reputation as a standout player in both the AI and AdTech worlds, effectively raising its profile in a highly competitive environment.
