UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
(Mark One) | | | | | |
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
forFor the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 20212023
or | | | | | |
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
forFor the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-36153 Criteo S.A.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| France | | | Not Applicable |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
| | | |
| 32 Rue Blanche | Paris | 32 Rue Blanche, 75009 Paris—France | 75009 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | | | (Zip Code) |
(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)
Registrant's+33 1 75 85 09 39
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: code)
+33 1 40 40 22 90
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Title of class) | | (Trading Symbol(s)) | (Name of exchange on which registered) | |
American Depositary Shares, each representing
one ordinary share, nominal value €0.025 per share | | CRTO | Nasdaq Global Select Market | |
| Ordinary shares, nominal value €0.025 per share | * | | Nasdaq Global Select Market | * |
* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Large Accelerated Filer | ☒ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ |
| Non-accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
|
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☒☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $2,716$2,137 million, based on the closing sale price of the American Depositary Shares as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 30, 2021.2023. Ordinary shares, nominal value €0.025 per share, held by each officer and director and by each person who owns or may be deemed to own 10% or more of the outstanding ordinary shares have been excluded since such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
As of February 24, 2022,16, 2024, the registrant had 60,757,63555,227,016 ordinary shares, nominal value €0.025 per share, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III incorporates certain information by reference from the registrant’s proxy statement for the 20222024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Such proxy statement will be filed no later than 120 days after the close of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
CRITEO S.A.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 20212023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| Item 1 | | | |
| Item 1A | | | |
| Item 1B | | | |
| Item 1C | | | |
| Item 2 | | | |
| Item 3 | | | |
| Item 4 | | | |
| | | |
| Item 5 | | | |
| Item 6 | | | |
| Item 7 | | | |
| Item 7A | | | |
| Item 8 | | | |
| Item 9 | | | |
| Item 9A | | | |
| Item 9B | | | |
| Item 9C | | | |
| | | |
| Item 10 | | | |
| Item 11 | | | |
| Item 12 | | | |
| Item 13 | | | |
| Item 14 | | | |
| | | |
| Item 15 | | | |
| Item 16 | | | |
General
Except where the context otherwise requires, all references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K ("Form 10-K") to the "Company," "Criteo," "we," "us," "our" or similar words or phrases are to Criteo S.A. and its subsidiaries, taken together. In this Form 10-K, references to "$" and "US$" are to United States dollars. Our audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. Unless otherwise indicated, the statistical and financial data contained in this Form 10-K are presented as of December 31, 2021.2023.
Trademarks
"Criteo," the Criteo logo and other trademarks or service marks of Criteo appearing in this Form 10-K are the property of Criteo. Trade names, trademarks and service marks of other companies appearing in this Form 10-K are the property of their respective holders.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), that are based on our management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to our management. All statements other than present and historical facts and conditions contained in this Form 10-K, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, plans and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this Form 10-K, the words "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is designed to," "may," "might," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "will," "would" or the negative of these and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:
•the ongoing effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its macroeconomic effects, on our business, operations, and financial results, and the effect of governmental lockdowns, restrictions and new regulations on our operations and processes;
•our pending acquisition of IPONWEB;
•the ability of the Criteo Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engine to accurately predict engagement by a user;
•our ability to predict and adapt to changes in widely adopted industry platforms and other new technologies, including without limitation the proposed changes to and enhancements of the Chrome browser announced by Google;
•our ability to continue to collect and utilize data about user behavior and interaction with advertisers and publishers;
•our ability to acquire an adequate supply of advertising inventory from publishers on terms that are favorable to us;
•our ability to meet the challenges of a growing and international company in a rapidly developing and changing industry, including our ability to forecast accurately;
•our ability to maintain an adequate rate of revenue growth and sustain profitability;
•our ability to manage our international operations and expansion and the integration of our acquisitions;
•the effects of increased competition in our market, including the increased prevalence of walled gardens and retail media networks;
•our ability to adapt to regulatory, legislative or self-regulatory developments regarding internet privacy matters;
•our ability to protect users’ information and adequately address privacy concerns;
•our ability to enhance our brand;
•our ability to enter new industry verticals, new marketing channels and new geographies;
•our ability to effectively scale our technology platform;
•our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel;
•our ability to maintain, protect and enhance our brand and intellectual property; and
•failures in our systems or infrastructure.
You should refer to Item 1A "Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame or at all. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
You should read this Form 10-K and the documents that we reference in this Form 10-K and have filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
This Form 10-K contains market data and industry forecasts that were obtained from industry publications. These data and forecasts involve a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such information. We have not independently verified any third-party information. While we believe the market position, market opportunity and market size information included in this Form 10-K is generally reliable, such information is inherently imprecise.
Summary Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors”, which are summarized below:
•If we fail to innovate, enhance our brand, adapt and respond effectively to rapidly changing technology, our offerings may become less competitive or obsolete. Our investments in new solutions and technologies to address new marketing goals for our clients are inherently risky and may not be successful.
•Failure to complete the IPONWEB Acquisition could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and could negatively impact our stock price.
•Our business, including our global operations and sales, faces risk related to public health developments, and has been, and we expect will continue to be, negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the global attempt to contain it.
•We face intense and increasing competition for employee talent, and if we do not retain and continue to attract highly skilled talent or retain our senior management team and other key employees, we may not be able to sustain our growth or achieve our business objectives.
•The market in which we participate is intensely competitive, and we may not be able to compete successfully with our current or future competitors.
•If we failOur success depends on our ability to access a consistent supply of advertising inventory and expand our access to such inventory,implement our business transformation and results of operations could be harmed.achieve our global business strategies.
•The failure by Criteo AI Engine to accurately predict engagement by users and maintain the quality of our client and publisher content could result in significant costs to us, lost revenue and diminished business opportunities.
•Third parties may implement technical restrictions that impede our access to data and revenue opportunities upon which we rely, which could materially impact our business and results of operations.
•Our ability to generate revenue depends on our collection of significant amounts of data from various sources, which may be restricted by consumer choice, clients, publishers, browsers or other software, changes in technology, and new developments in laws, regulations and industry standards.
•Our international operations and expansion expose us to several risks.
•Regulatory, legislative or self-regulatory developments regarding internet or online matters could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
•Our success depends onWe may not be able to effectively integrate the businesses we acquire, which may adversely affect our ability to implement our business transformation and achieve our globalgrowth and business strategies.objectives.
•Our international operationsWe have substantial client concentration in certain local markets and expansion expose us to several risks.
•Our future success will dependsolutions, with a limited number of clients accounting for a substantial portion of our revenues in part on our ability to expand into new industry verticals.those areas.
•We operate in a rapidly evolving industry, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and may increase the risk that we will not be successful. Our historical growth rates may not be indicative of our future growth, and we expect our operating and capital investments to continue to increase in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, we may have difficulty sustaining profitability.
•We derive a significant portion of our revenue from companies in the retail, travel and classified industries, and any downturn in these industries or any changes in regulations affecting these industries could harm our business.
•Our future success will depend in part on our ability to generate revenue dependsexpand into new industry verticals.
•As we expand the market for our solutions, we may become more dependent on advertising agencies as intermediaries, which may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain business.
•Our future success will depend in part on our collectionability to expand into new advertising channels.
•We experience fluctuations in our results of significant amountsoperations due to a number of data from various sources,factors, which make our future results difficult to predict and could cause our operating results to fall below expectations or our guidance.
•We face intense competition for employee talent, and if we do not retain and continue to attract highly skilled talent or retain our senior management team and other key employees, we may not be restricted by consumer choice, clients, publishers, browsers or other software, changes in technology, and new developments in laws, regulations and industry standards.able to achieve our business objectives.
•Our business involves the use, transmission and storage of personal data and confidential information, and the failure to properly safeguard such information could result in significant reputational harm and monetary damages.
•Failures in the systems and infrastructure supporting our solutions and operations, including as we scale our offerings, could significantly disrupt our operations and cause us to lose clients.
•If we are unable to protect our proprietary information or other intellectual property, our business could be adversely affected.
•Our business may suffer if it is alleged or determined that our technology or another aspect of our business infringes the intellectual property rights of others.
•Our inability to use software licensed from third parties, or our use of open source software under license terms that interfere with our proprietary rights, could disrupt our business.
•The market price for the ADSs havehas been and may continue to be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance.
•ADS holdersWe may need additional capital in the future to meet our financial obligations and to pursue our business objectives. Additional capital may not be available on favorable terms, or at all, which could compromise our ability to meet our financial obligations and grow our business.
•Our business could be negatively impacted by the activities of hedge funds or short sellers.
•Our credit agreement contains, and future debt agreements may contain, restrictions that may limit our flexibility in operating our business.
•We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our securities and, consequently, the ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of the ADSs. In addition, French law may limit the amount of dividends we are able to distribute.
•Our by-laws and French corporate law contain provisions that may delay or discourage a sale of the Company.
•You may not be able to exercise your right to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs.
•Your right as a holder of ADSs to participate in any future preferential subscription rights or to elect to receive dividends in shares may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings.
•You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of theiryour ADSs and the withdrawal of the underlying ordinary shares.
•U.S. investors may have difficulty enforcing civil liabilities against our Company and directors and senior management.
•The rights of shareholders in companies subject to French corporate law differ in material respects from the rights of shareholders of corporations incorporated in the U.S.
•In periods of economicmacroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty beyond our control, businesses may delay or reduce their spending on advertising, and we are exposedwhich may expose us to the credit risk of some of our clients and customers, which could materially harmadversely affect our business.business, financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows.
•If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of the ADSs may, therefore, be adversely impacted.
•Our failure to maintain certain tax regimes applicable to French technology companies may adversely affect our results of operations.
•We are a multinational organization facing increasingly complex tax issues in many jurisdictions, and new taxes or laws, or revised interpretations thereof, that may negatively affect our results of operations.
•U.S. holders of our ADSs may suffer adverse tax consequences if we are treated as a "passive foreign investment company" for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
•If a U.S. holder is treated as owning at least 10% of our ADSs, such person may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
PART I
Item 1. Business
History and Development of the Company
Criteo S.A. was initially incorporated as a société par actions simplifiée, or S.A.S., under the laws of the French Republic on November 3, 2005, for a period of 99 years and subsequently converted to a société anonyme, or S.A. We are registered at the Paris Commerce and Companies Register under the number 484 786 249. Our agent for service of process in the United States ("U.S.") is National Registered Agents, Inc.
Business Overview
We are athe global technologyCommerce Media company driving superior commerce outcomes forthat enables marketers and media owners through the world’s leading Commerce Media Platform.to drive better commerce outcomes. We operate in commerce media, the future of digital advertising, leveragingleverage commerce data and artificial intelligence ("AI") to connect ecommerce, digital marketing and media monetization to reach consumers throughout their shopping journey. Our vision is to bring richer experiences to every consumer by supporting a fair and open internet that enables discovery, innovation, and choice – powered by trusted and impactful advertising. Since 2018, and accelerating since 2020, we have deeply transformed the Company from a single-product to a multi-solution platform provider, fast diversifying our business into new solutions.
We enable brands', retailers' and media owners’ growth by providing best-in-class marketing and monetization services and infrastructure on the open Internet, driving approximately $40$29 billion of commerce outcomes for our customers – in the form of product sales for retailers, brands and marketers and advertising revenues for media owners. We differentiate ourselves by delivering the best performing commerce audiences at scale and we deliver this value by activating commerce data in a privacy-by-design way through proprietary AI technology to reach and engage consumers in real time with highly relevant digital advertisements ("ads") based on shared characteristics across all stages of the consumer journey. Our data offers deep insights into consumer intent and purchasing habits.
Our focus is on commerce media. OurAs of December 31, 2023, we served approximately 18,000 clients includeincluding many of the largest and most sophisticated consumer brands, retailers, commerce companies and media owners in the world. We partner with them to capture user activity on their websites and mobile applications ("apps"), which we define as digital properties, and leverage that data to deliver superior ad performance to help marketers, brands and agencies reach their campaign objectives from top to bottom of the marketing funnel. This includes powering the retail media ecosystem as we enable brands to reach shoppers with relevant ads near the digital point of sale on retailer and marketplace websites while enabling retailers to monetize their ad inventory and add a new, high margin revenue stream.
Demonstrating the depth and scale of our data, we have exposure to over $1 trillion in online sales transactions on our clients' digital properties in the year ended December 31, 2021. Based on this data and other assets, we activated about $3 billion of media spend on behalf of our customers and delivered 1.8 trillion targeted ads in the year ended December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, we served approximately 22,000 clients and, in In each of the last three years, our average client retention rate, as measured on a quarterly basis, was approximatelyapproximately 90%.
Demonstrating the depth and scale of our commerce data, we have exposure to $1 trillion in online sales transactions on our clients' digital properties in the year ended December 31, 2023. Based on this data and other assets, we activated over $4 billion of media spend on behalf of our clients and delivered 1.9 trillion targeted ads in the year ended December 31, 2023.
We have established our leading market position in commerce media by focusing on three key assets that differentiate us in the marketplace:us: actionable commerce data, extensive media access, and world-class predictive AI technology. Our large dataset is uniquely focused on commerce and shoppers, our media access across our broad direct network of media owner partners provides large consumer reach as we see approximately 700 million daily active users, and our purpose-built AI technology activates this data and media to drive multiple commerce outcomes for our customers. We continuously improve our technology, broaden our reach and leverage and strengthen Criteo’s Buyer Index, a highly differentiated pool of data built through collaboration within our open ecosystem of marketer and media owner customers. Criteo's Buyer Index is one of the world's biggest privacy-compliant data sets focused on shoppers, retailers and brands.
Each day, we are presented with billions of opportunities to connect consumers with relevant advertising messages from our commerce and consumer brand customersclients in compliance with the highest privacy standards, including the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR") and California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA"). For each of these opportunities, our algorithms analyze massive volumes of shopping data to predict consumer preferences and intent, and deliver specific messaging for products or services that are likely to engage that particular consumer. The accuracy of our algorithms improves with every ad we deliver, as they incorporate new data while continuing to learn from prior interactions.
Historically, the legacy Criteo model had focused solely on converting our clients' website visitors into customers, enabling us to charge our clients when users engage with an ad we deliver, usually by clicking on it. This pay-for-performance pricing model clearly links the cost of an advertising campaign to its effectiveness and performance in driving conversions, and continues to be valued as such by our clients. We have since expanded our solutions to address a broader range of marketing and monetization goals for our clients, including audience targeting and brand awareness. We leverage pricing models consistent with industry standards that include cost-per click, cost-per-impression and cost-per-install, as well as volume-based fees for brands and large retailers using our Retail Media solutions, and, in certain cases, a set fee for the use of our platform capabilities.
In May 2021, we acquired Doobe In Site Ltd. ("Mabaya"), a leading retail media technology company that powers sponsored products and retail media monetization for major ecommerce marketplaces globally (the “Mabaya Acquisition”). This acquisition immediately enhanced our retail media capabilities to better meet the unique needs of marketplaces and marketplace sellers.
In December 2021, we executed a purchase agreement to acquire the business of IPONWEB Holding Limited ("IPONWEB"), a market-leading AdTech company with world-class media trading capabilities, for $380 million comprised of a mix of cash and treasury shares of the Company, subject to certain adjustments including for working capital, other current assets and current liabilities and net indebtedness, with the transaction expected to close in the first quarter of 2022 (the "IPONWEB Acquisition"). The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. This strategic acquisition is expected to accelerate our Commerce Media Platform vision by adding scale, complementary products, and stronger first-party data capabilities, further reducing our reliance on third-party cookies and other identifiers.
During 2021, we operated in 96 countries.
Our financial results include:
•Revenue of $2,254.2 million, $2,072.6 million and $2,261.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively;
•Gross profit of $781.9 million, $688.0 million and $829.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively;
•Contribution excluding Traffic Acquisition Costs, or Contribution ex-TAC, previously called Revenue ex-TAC, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, of $920.8 million, $825.0 million and $946.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively;
•Net income of $137.6 million, $74.7 million and $96.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively; and
•Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, of $322.5 million, $251.0 million and $299.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Please see the Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation, included in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Form 10-K for reconciliations from Gross Profit to Contribution ex-TAC and net income to Adjusted EBITDA, in each case the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States or "U.S. GAAP".
Industry Trends
We operate in commerce media, a new approachthe fourth wave in digital advertising after display, search and social, leveraging our performance assets along with our Retail Media expertise to advertising at the intersection of ecommerce, digital marketingdeliver impactful ads and media monetization, that uses commerce data and machine learning to reach consumers throughout their shopping journey.journey, when they are the most willing to purchase.
The ability to engage consumers across the various steps of the consumer journey is critical for businesses in the broader commerce and consumer brand sectors, who often dedicate a significant portion of their cost base to developing such an ability. We believe the following trends are relevant in assessing our current and future business.business:
E-commerceEcommerce is Booming: According to eMarketer, global retail ecommerce (excluding travelpenetration is expected to grow to 23% in 2027, up from 19% in 2023. Ecommerce growth creates more advertising inventory in places where commerce audiences are, and event ticketsit increases our ability to attract more ad spend. We are ideally positioned to complement Amazon and food services) amounted to close to $5 trillion in 2021 or 19% of global retail sales in 2021 and is forecast to represent 23% by 2024, or $7 trillion. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the boom of ecommerce asenable brands, agencies and retailers rapidly transform their ecommerce presence, and gain share from ecommerce giants. As a resultto activate commerce beyond Amazon, an opportunity which represents approximately 73% of new habits developed by consumers, and as the pandemic has brought in older and less tech-savvy demographics toconsumers' online shopping we expect this trend to continue. 81% of online buyers who tried a new retailer indicate that they expect to continue to shop with them in the future2, creating a shift in brand loyalty towards open Internet retailers, which today represent approximately 88% of global e-commerce sales done outside of Amazon3.1.
First-Party Data Unlocks Huge PotentialPotential:: Amazon opened the way in the commerce media category, and other large retailers also Retailers leverage their shoppers’ first-party data to drive momentum to their advertising revenue. Many more retailersThey are now following suit in creating media experiences around their content assets utilizing their first-party data to curate and monetize their audiences. Driving advertising spend to their content requires AdTech and a huge networkFirst-party data is also increasingly valuable in the absence of shared data.third-party identifiers.
Trade Marketing ShiftsBudgets Shift to DigitalRetail Media: :Retail Media budgets come from shopper and trade marketing budgets. Brands have beenare taking advantage of this surge in ecommerce and accelerating the shift of their trade marketing budgets to online. We believe digital trade marketing represents a market opportunity of approximately $80 billion. This potential of digital trade marketing is feeding growth in the supply of retail media, available for brandsonline to bid on to promote their products directlyaddress consumers at the digital point of sale. A Forrester Research report published in 2020, indicated that 92% of EUsales, recreating in-store experiences on digital shelves. Retail Media budgets also include performance marketing dollars, and full-funnel Retail Media strategies attract brand advertisers say their growth depends on retail media.marketing budgets as well.
Brands, Retailers and PublishersPublishers Increasingly Depend on AdTech Partners: As technology quickly evolves in today's highly competitive environment, advertising technology (“AdTech”) becomes increasingly critical for marketers. According to Merkle research published in 2020, 34% of retailers see creating deeper partnerships with technology companies and media platforms as their largest opportunity. Consumers' shopping journeys increasingly remain fragmented across multiple environments, websites, apps, devices, and physical stores, and we believe most marketers increasingly look at diversifying their significant reliance on walled-garden digital advertising partners. Changes in online identity make the environment more complex for both marketers and media owners around addressability and measurement, andmeasurement. These changes require brands and retailers to better leverage AdTech providers to solve these problems and continue to drive performance for them. The ability for media owners, retailers, brands and agencies to identify users, create and monetize commerce audiences, and drive sales and customer loyalty, today relies on having the right technology partner, able to activate the right data in an efficient way and measure the results in a transparent way across channels.
Addressable Market
WeStarting with Retail Media, we estimate that the total addressableour serviceable available market for the marketing(excluding Amazon and monetization services provided by our Commerce Media Platform on the open Internet represents $100China), or SAM, will reach $42 billion in advertising spend by 2025. We also estimate that we can activate on behalf of our customersserviceable available market for the broader Commerce Media opportunity is expected to reach $110 billion in advertising spend by 2024. In addition, traditional trade marketing dollars used for brick and mortar in-store promotions are rapidly moving to digital, which represents an additional market opportunity of approximately $80 billion. When adding the full potential of online trade marketing our total addressable market reaches $180 to $200 billion.2025.
1 Question Asked: “When you want to buy a new product online, where do you typically start your search?”
1,2 Sources: Activate Consumer Tech &Criteo's Transformation and the Commerce Media Viewpoint Study April 14, 2020 (n = 2,027), ComScore, Freedive, Marketing Dive, Activate analysis
3 Source: eMarketer
Criteo's TransformationPlatform
Since 2018, and accelerating since 2020, Criteo has deeply transformed itself from a single-product toand is now a multi-solution Commerce Media platform provider, fast diversifying the business into new solutions.
The Criteo Commerce Media Platform
We have made significant strides in transforming our company to meet is the needs of brands, marketers,only unified platform that directly connects advertisers with retailers and media owners inpublishers on the evolving commerce landscape. With the Criteo Commerce Media Platform, weopen internet. We offer our marketer and media owner customersclients a single platform for first-party data-based marketing and monetization, that provides a holistic suite of solutions, powered by AI technology and activates the world’s largest set of commerce data.
Our technology is optimized to efficiently and effectively drive trusted and impactful business outcomes efficiently and effectively for our brand, retailer and media owner customers.clients. These include, for example, driving engagement for our customers'clients' brand, shop, app, products and services, driving product sales, driving app installs and consumer visits, driving product consideration from targeted commerce audiences, or driving advertising revenue for media owners and retailers by monetizing their data and audiences with consumer brands.
1 Source: eMarketer
2 Source: McKinsey, Magna Global, eMarketer, GroupM
Our Solutions
The Criteo Commerce Media PlatformOn the demand side, our goal is comprised of:to maximize returns for advertisers by delivering impactful advertising to the right consumer across the entire shopping journey:
•Criteo’s large-scale First-Party Media NetworkCommerce Max is a Commerce self-service Demand Side Platform (“DSP”) used by brands, agencies and retailers, enabling media planning and buying on retailer and open internet inventories, all with closed-loop product-level conversion measurement.
•Criteo’s advanced AI Engine
•Criteo’sCommerce Growth is a powerful, solutions: Marketing Solutionsself-service performance marketing tool used by Direct-to-Consumer brands and Retail Mediatheir agencies to acquire and retain customers.
Criteo'sOn the supply side, we enable media owners to earn more revenue by enriching and activating their first-party data and inventory:
•Commerce Yield is a suite of monetization solutions work seamlesslygiving retailers and marketplaces full control to achieve maximum monetization of their digital assets through inventory and data management, packaging, and in-depth insights.
•Commerce Grid is a Commerce Supply Side Platform ("SSP") for media owners and access from agencies through the DSP of their choice.
Our Segments
Criteo reports its business results as three operating and reportable segments: Marketing Solutions, Retail Media and Iponweb.
Marketing Solutions are available through Commerce Growth to help advertisers achieve their customer acquisition and retention goals.
Examples of potential business outcomes driven by Criteo Marketing Solutions include:
•Discovery: creating and building brand awarenessfor a client's existing or new product or service, by targeting relevant high-quality consumer audiences showing intent for that particular product or service and reaching these audiences, for example, through online video ads and through Connected TV channels;
•Choice: driving visits from new prospects on the website of our clients, or driving installations of our clients' apps by new consumers, by engaging such commerce audiences online (either on the web, in apps or on connected TV), with personalized ads offering products or services tailored to their predicted interest;
•Purchase: driving sales for commerce clients by engaging consumers online, with personalized ads offering products or services for which they have already expressed shopping intent; or driving more sales from existing customers of our commerce clients, by accurately targeting and re-engaging these existing customers online with personalized ads offering new products or services that they have not yet purchased nor been exposed to.
Our clients have access to an integrated self-service client interface that reduces unnecessary complexity and cost associated with manual processes of having to use multiple DSPs and sources of inventory supply.
We also offera managed-service approach to our larger clients, providing deep business intelligence and analytics services. Our teams of advisers aid our larger clients in setting goals for, extracting insights from, and evaluating trends and performance of their various advertising campaigns with us across digital devices (desktops, laptops, smartphones and tablets), commerce and advertising environments (browsers, apps, connected TV and physical retail stores), platforms and operating systems (Windows, Android, iOS/MacOS),multiple marketing goals, sources of inventory, advertising channels and formats, (display, including social and native,the multiple digital devices that consumers may use.
In Marketing Solutions, our Commerce Audiences solutions are focused on attracting more customers for our marketer clients and growing their existing customer relationships, leveraging our AI engine to engage commerce audiences with the right ad for each opportunity:
•Increase awareness and interest in a brand, product, or services;
•Attract new consumers to an online video, connected TVand/or offline store;
•Generate leads from consumers who are in market for a brand, product or services;
•Get more shoppers and grow sales on an online and/or offline store; and
•Encourage consumers who purchased in the past to make additional purchases.
For Criteo Marketing Solutions, we typically purchase inventory programmatically on a CPM basis from our direct publisher partners and Real-Time Bidding (RTB) platforms, through standard terms and conditions for the purchase of advertising inventory. This means that inventory purchased for Criteo Marketing Solutions is paid to the publisher irrespective of whether the user engages, in whatever form, with the advertisement delivered on that publisher's digital property. Pursuant to such arrangements, we purchase impressions for users that Criteo recognizes on these publishers' digital properties.
Retail Media assists retailers in generating high-margin advertising revenues from brands and agencies looking to address multiple marketing goals with strong ROAS, and to drive sales for themselves, by monetizing their audiences through personalized ads, either on retailers' properties) andtheir own digital store (also called "onsite") or on media environments (retail media, thousands of direct publishers and mobile app developers inowner properties on the open Internet and all major real-time bidding exchanges)(also called "offsite").
TheExamples of expected business outcomes driven by Criteo CommerceRetail Media Platform is madeinclude:
•Generating advertising revenue for retailers on their online store, by providing retailers with self-service access to our technology platform for them to monetize their ad inventory, commerce data, traffic and audiences directly with consumer brands across various marketing goals;
•Driving sales for consumer brand clients on the site of retailer partners, by connecting consumer brands and retailers and engaging consumers on the retailer's digital property with personalized ads offering specific brand products available as individualon the retailer's digital store and for which consumers have expressed interest; and
•Driving sales for consumer brand clients on the site of retailer partners, by connecting consumer brands and retailers and engaging consumers outsideof the retailer property on the open Internet with personalized ads offering specific brand products available on the retailer's digital store and services as part of our offering.for which consumers have expressed interest.
Our retailer and brand customers respectively manage their Retail Media revenues and budgets using a self-service interface. We charge retailers a negotiated supply-side platform fee and sometimes a technology or licensing fee, while brands pay us a negotiated demand-side platform fee. In addition, we may charge brands a managed-service fee and other fees for accessing additional insights.
On the supply side of Retail media, Criteo's retailer monetization solution suite, Commerce Yield, provides retailers, marketplaces and commerce companies with a complete media tool set. Commerce Yield combines Criteo's former Retail Media Platform with several solutions derived from recent strategic acquisitions, including:
•Commerce Yield Marketplace: We help monetization officers integrate marketplace tactics and formats.
•Commerce Yield In-Store: Our in-store monetization technology provides advertisers access to a wide range of offline inventory.
•Commerce Yield Insights: Our cutting-edge suite of insight and data tools provides digital-shelf insights to support enterprise-level retail media buys.
On the demand side of Retail Media, Criteo’s self-service demand-side platform (DSP), Commerce Max, gives brands and agencies a single point of entry to Retail Media inventory onsite and across premium publishers offsite.
•Brands and agencies across the globe can use Commerce Max to access data and inventory across multiple retailers and marketplaces, finding valuable audiences on these sites and extending these audiences offsite.
•This is underpinned by closed-loop measurement, enabling brands and agencies to quickly and efficiently determine the effectiveness of campaigns and optimize accordingly.
Criteo’s supply-side platform (SSP), Commerce Grid, brings additional monetization opportunities. It allows retailers to curate their first party audiences and make them available for access through all DSPs.
Iponweb specializes in building real-time advertising technology and trading infrastructure, delivering advanced media buying, selling, and packaging capabilities for media owners, agencies, performance advertisers, and third-party AdTech platforms. It mainly includes:
•Criteo's commerce supply-side platform (SSP), Commerce Grid, which is purpose-built for agencies and publishers looking to efficiently connect media and commerce with programmatic.
•Criteo’s commerce services which provide platform customization for our most strategic enterprise and agency clients, and the BidSwitch media trading marketplace, connecting 140 demand and 130 supply partners, to broaden the distribution of commerce audiences on the open Internet.
For additional information regarding our segments, refer to Note 3, Segment information, in the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Criteo First-Party Media Network
Our First-Party Media Network is a componentkey pillar of our Commerce Media Platformaddressability strategy and represents the combination of our unique data and media assets. It is the powerful combination of our network of direct relationships with media owners, including retailers, together with our Buyer Index dataset focused on commerce and shoppers that powers Criteo's First-Party Media Network.
Our First-Party Media Network enables consented data to interoperate across marketers and, media owners to engage addressable consumers on a one-to-one basis. It also acts as our Truth set to predict how commerce audiences behave and how ads will perform and convert in the same way. We believe that the amount of addressability data we operate in environments that are deprived of third-party signals will allow us to remain effective at private, safe consumer engagement, to drive the best outcomes for our clients and to capture increasingly more advertising budgets.
Our First-Party Media Network won the 2021 Digiday Media Award for best first-party strategy.
Our Data assets: our first-party data-based BuyerIndex
Our data assets include privacy-safe insights derived from our customers' proprietaryclients' proprietary commerce data about their own consumers, such as transaction activity on their digital properties, giving us exposure to over $1 trillion in online sales onon a combined basis in 2021,2023, representing approximately 40%35% of the global retail ecommerce sales excluding China13, or $2.7 billion worth of transactions per day on average.
Through direct integration with our clients' digital properties, we obtain large volumes of consented first-party data, expressed consumer shopping intent and engagement, and transactional data at individual product or service levels, which do not rely on cross-site tracking technologies, such as third-party cookies. The information we collect is anonymized and does not enable us to personally identify any particularindividual consumer.
Our high quality first-party data assets help fuel the accuracy of our algorithms, which improve with the increasing quantity and quality of the data we obtain from our marketer and media owner customers and partners, as well as insights gained through our own extensive operational history. The combination of marketer data, media owner data and proprietary metadata gives us powerful insights into consumer purchasing habits that we use to price media inventory and create relevant ads to drive user engagement and impactful commerce outcomes for our customers.clients. In addition, to commerce data at the granular product SKU level, we seek to use as much relevant information as possible about the context and intent of a given user, collected from customers and media owner partners, to further refine our prediction accuracy.
We believe our access to highly granular first-party commerce data validates the trust that our clients place in us and differentiates us. Most of our clients typically provide real-time access to the products or services a visitor has viewed, researched, added to their shopping cart, or bought from them, and continuously receive updated information on over 4over 4.2 billion products or services across 3,5003,700 product categories, including pricing, images and descriptions. A large numberMany of our clients also provide us with their customers' purchase history data in formats that preservepreserve privacy.
Over the years, we have built data collectives through data pooling amongamongst many of our marketer clients and media owner customers and partners. The combination of these data collectives forms Criteo’s Buyer Index. For each of these data collectives, we ask our clients to grant us the permission to mutualize a significant portion of their proprietary data in an anonymized way with other clients who also contribute data to this collective data pool. With Criteo’s Buyer Index, we have built one of the world's largest and most open data sets focused on shoppers and their commerce activity across retailers and brands, and their activity on media owners’ properties.
The Criteo Buyer Index is comprised of the following data collectives:
•The Identity Graph allows us to match user identifiers provided by clients and publishers across devices and environments, both online and offline. Our algorithms link user identifiers together when they are deemed to belong to the same user. Examples of user identifiers collected from our customers and partners, and included in the Identity Graph include: hashed customer logins and hashed emails, first-party and third-party cookies, app identifiers, such as Apple's IDFA and Android's AAID, in addition to linkages such as LiveRamp's IdentityLink.RampID. The graph has billions of identifiers, which we believe cover about 685approximately 700 million unique Daily Active Users globally, for whom we collect commerce data in real time. In addition, the Identity Graph allows us to leverage offline CRM data of our clients' physical stores to match it with online user profiles, based on their offline shopping history.
•The Interest Map collects and organizes consumer intent and purchasing data across the products available in our network of commerce clients in order to build a comprehensive and accurate non-identifying shopper profile for all consumers on whom we have collected data. Our Interest Map applications include the Universal Catalog, which provides category and/or brand enrichment, as well as a unified view ofof the 44.2 billion products SKUs, across 3,5003,700 product categories, available across the combined catalogs of our 22,00018,000 commerce clients2. Every day, we have exposure to data on close to $3 billion in online sales on average through 7582 million buyer journeys. With the Interest Map, we We seek our clients' permission to use their data, on an aggregated and anonymized basis, to power products that are jointly offered to our clients in the collective.data.
The design and governance of Criteo’s Buyer Index are based on strict and differentiated guiding principles:principles.
•Openness: we commit toWe prioritize openness by facilitating a two-wayreciprocal data exchange of data with our marketer and media owner customers and partners, whereby allclients. All contributing parties contributing data to the collectives, in return for their contribution, benefit from thecollective shared dataset via thethrough our Commerce Media Platform, andgaining access to cross-device user IDs and relevant Key Performance Indicators, to better inform and optimizeenhancing their advertising with us.
•optimization. Transparency: our clients' contribution and sharing of data within the data pools are based on a is upheld through clear and permission-based usage by Criteo for thedata sharing within our data pools, ensuring mutual benefits offor all participants in thedata collectives.
•Security: we applyparticipants. We maintain high levels of data security and user privacy standards tofor the data we hold and manage for ourselves and our clients.handle.
3 Source: eMarketer
Our data collectives are designed and governed in ways suchto ensure fairness, ensuring that the value gained by each participant largely exceeds thesurpasses their individual contribution, to the collectives,irrespective of the participant’s size.
Consistent with our data minimization principles, our technologies only rely on categories of data that are strictly necessary for the purpose of our services. This means that the user information we collect relates primarily to purchase intent. In addition, we provide consumers with easy-to-use and easy-to-access mechanisms to control their advertising experience and opt out of receiving targeted ads we deliver. This transparent, consumer-centric, and controllable approach to privacy empowers consumers to make better-informed decisions about our use of their data.
We also actively encourage our customersclients and media owner partners to provide transparent and clear information to consumers about our collection and use of data relating to the ads we deliver and monitor.
1 Source: eMarketer.
2 Products are not unique and may appear in the catalogs of different customers.
Our Media assets: our first-party media integrations and media buying scale
We provide our marketer customersclients with extensive real-time access to advertising inventory through direct relationships with thousands of media owner partners,, as well as selective supply side partnerships. We define inventory as the combination of desktop web, mobile web, mobile in-app display, including social and native, online video displays, connected TV, and ad inventory on major retail ecommerce properties, including standard banners, native and sponsored product formats.
In some cases, we have negotiated direct and privileged access with publishers, giving us the opportunity to select, buy and price, on an impression-per-impression basis and in real time: (1) inventory that aOur publisher might otherwise only sell subject to minimum volume commitments; and/or (2) particular ad impressions before such impressions are made available to other potential buyers. Among their multiple benefits, these direct relationships can give us privileged access to first-party publisher data which allow us to bid on impressions without using third-party cookies or other third-party identifiers.
Many of our direct publisher partners have granted us preferred access to portions of their inventory as a resultbecause of our ability to effectively monetize that inventory. For example, within Criteo Retail Media, we access inventory and first-party data from ecommerce sites that are generally not available to traditional advertising demand. We believe this inventory and data from ecommerce retailers is particularly valuable for consumer brands looking to advertise their products in a multi-brand retail environment.
We price and buy inventory in real time and typically do not pre-buy any impression. In addition, in some instances, we may commit to buying minimum volumes of impressions to certain publishers partners. Across both our direct publisher relationships and inventory purchasing done on Real-Time Bidding (RTB) exchanges, we leverage Criteo AI Engine's ability to quickly and accurately value available advertising inventory, and utilize that information to bid for inventory on a programmatic, automated basis.
Alongside our existing technologies to integrate directly with publishers, we have developed Criteo Direct Bidder, our header-bidding technology. Header-bidding allows publishers to make their inventory simultaneously available for public auction to several competitive bidders, including RTB exchanges. Thanks to our large scale, Criteo Direct Bidder allows us to connect directly to the ad server of publishers in situations where publishers use header bidding to monetize their inventory, allowing us, among other advantages, to bypass RTB exchanges in the bidding process and to save publishers the take-rate RTBs would typically charge them. As a result, Criteo Direct Bidder helps publishers increase the average monetization of their inventory sold through Criteo Direct Bidder, relative to our overall spend through all channels. Using Criteo Direct Bidder, we were connected to publishers globally, on both web and apps, including: IBM Watson Advertising (The Weather Channel), Globo, OLX, NBC, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Leboncoin, Daily Mail, Viber, Axel Springer's websites, Marktplaats, M6, AJA Japan and EstSoft.
We take a variety of brand safety measures to ensure that the brand equity of our clients is preserved at all possible times. These measures include determining that each publisher's inventory meets our content requirements and those of our clients to ensure that their ads are not shown in inappropriate content categories, such as, for example, adult, violentviolence, harassment or sensitive political content.hate speech. In addition, we are an active member of the Coalition for Better Ads, supported by Google, and are compliant with their recommendations for user-friendly advertising formats. In 2020, we entered into a partnership with Oracle Advertising to strengthen our existing brand safety offering. Criteo’s AI Engine is nowalso integrated with Oracle Contextual Intelligence, a solution providing real-time content review and page-level pre-bid classification to clients across 11 standard brand safety categories. In recognition of our efforts to combat fraud and ensure a brand safe digital ecosystem for our advertisers, Criteo has been independently certified by the Trustworthy Accountability Group for the Certification Against Fraud and the Brand Safety Certification.
For Criteo Marketing Solutions, we typically purchase inventory programmatically on a CPM basis from our direct publisher partners and RTBs, through standard terms and conditions forAI at Scale
AI is core to continuously optimizing the purchase of advertising inventory. This means that inventory purchased for Criteo Marketing Solutions is paid to the publisher irrespective of whether the user engages, in whatever form, with the advertisement delivered on that publisher's digital property. Pursuant to such arrangements, we purchase impressions for users that Criteo recognizes on these publishers' digital properties. Such arrangements are cancellable upon short notice and without penalty.
For Criteo Retail Media, we historically pay for the inventory of retailer partners based on a revenue share, effectively paying the retailer a portion of the click-based revenue generated by customers clicking on the ads displaying the productsperformance of our consumer brand clients. This meanssolutions in ways that deliver effective advertising and highly personalized experiences to consumers. AI is also key to driving operational efficiency across our business.
The Criteo AI Lab
The Criteo AI Lab was established in 2018 and is pioneering AI innovation with these140 engineers and researchers who closely collaborate to deploy AI at scale through the Criteo Retail Media solutions, retailer publishers only get paid if a user effectively clicks on the ad thatAI Engine, and advance new AI technologies. The Criteo AI Lab is displayed on their site. We may also buy inventory on a CPM basis. For our Retail Media Platform (RMP), which represents the majority of our Retail Media Contribution ex-TAC and growing fast, we do not incur our own media cost as retailers use our Retail Media Platformrecognized as a technology platform to sell their inventory directly to consumer brandscenter of scientific excellence for its research on Deep Learning, Generative AI, Game theory AI, Information Retrieval and we bill and collect media cost on their behalf.Privacy Preserving Machine Learning.
We believe that our ability to efficiently access, value and monetize inventory at scale results in a deeply liquid marketplace for both buyers and sellers of advertising, allowing us to deliver effective ads at the right price for our clients, even as the size and complexity of the marketing campaign increases.
The Criteo AI Engine
The Criteo AI Engine consists of multiple artificial intelligence algorithms,is our software and the proprietary global hardware and software infrastructure that enables the Commerce Media Platform to operate in real time at significant scale, and activate our commerce datasets and unique media for effective marketing and monetization.
Criteohighly scalable AI Engine leveragesinfrastructure. It leverages the Buyer Index, with thethe goal of maximizing consumer engagement to drive impactful business outcomes for clients through the delivery of highly relevant and personalized ads in real time.
A wide variety of machine learning and deep models power the Criteo AI Engine consists of:to optimize each and every touch point on the advertising journey, all the way from media planning to shopper conversion.
•Lookalikes finder algorithmsLookalike finder algorithms. These algorithms create userand activate audiences or groupsbuilt out of consumers likely to be interested in and engage with a specific category of our clients’ products or services,shopping insights derived from a predetermined audience seed based on other clients’ audiences that were already targeted and exposed to similar products or services in the context of previous advertising campaigns. Once created, these audiences are used by Criteo AI Engine as targets to reach and be exposed to tailored ads for relevant products or services for the purpose of a dedicated campaign.unique shopper data. This set of algorithms typically supports campaign types addressing Audience Targeting objectives, i.e. drivingCommerce Audiences campaigns to drive new prospects to consider brands, products or services with which they have not yet engaged in the past.
•Recommendation algorithms.algorithms These algorithms create ads tailored to specific consumer interestbuild on top of our cutting-edge Deep KNN (Deep K-Nearest Neighbour) technology, and intent by determiningdetermine the specific products or services to include in the ad. Thesead, based on shopper past interactions, or those shopper lookalikes. Deep KNN is Criteo's proprietary Vector Database technology that processes billions of products and services may be ones that the consumer has already been exposed to, or that the algorithms predict the customer could be interested in. Alternatively, these may be products and services that other consumers within Criteo Buyer Index have been interested in. from our client product feeds.
•Dynamic Creative Optimization+ (DCO+). algorithms Based on the results of our dynamic creative algorithms, Criteo AI Engine automatically and dynamically assembles customized creative ad content on an impression-per-impression basisoptimize banners layout in real time, by optimizing each individual creative component in the ad, from the font, color, size and format of product images to the "call to action" or price discount.on a per impression, per user basis. Our patented Dynamic Creative Optimization+ technology offers virtually unlimited personalization, with up to 17 trillion visual ad variations, without the need to define ad sizes or layouts upfront, while always maintaining the consistency of our clients' brand image.
•Predictive bidding algorithms.algorithms These algorithms predictcompute the probability and nature offair price for each potential ad to show. It does so by predicting a user'suser’s engagement with a given ad. Such predicted userad, while optimizing toward client campaign objectives. User engagement can take the form of, for example, customermay range from site visits, clicks, conversions, shopping basket value, specific product categories purchased, or even the gross margin of the purchased product or service that our client generates from such purchase. This prediction of engagement incorporates data from our marketer customers, our media owner customers
Sponsored Product placement algorithms combine recommendation and partners, including user intent, who our customer is, the products offered in the ad, as well as data on the creative content of the ad and the media context in which the ad is displayed, as well as third-party sources. Together with our recommendationpredictive bidding algorithms the prediction algorithms allow us to determine the most appropriate pricewhich sponsored products to pay for an ad impression, basedshow on an individual user's predicted engagement, what our customer is willingRetail Media client search result pages, in response to pay for that engagement, as well as Criteo's own target margin (or economic "take rate" retained by Criteo) from placing that individual ad.Our bidding engine executes campaigns based on certain objectives set by our clients (such as cost-per-click, cost-per-order, cost-of-sales, cost-per-visit, cost-per-impression, cost-per-install or total campaign budget). After a bid for an ad impression is placed and won, Criteo AI Engine assembles and delivers individualized ads, and provides campaign reporting in near-real time.user’s search queries.
•Software systems and processes.Our algorithms are supported by robust software infrastructure that allows us to operate seamlessly at a large scale through our network of more than 45,000approximately 39,000 servers as of the end of 2021.2023. The architecture and processing capabilities of this technology have been designed to match the massive computational demandsneeds and complexity of our algorithms in real time. This technology enables data synchronization, storage and analysis across a large-scale distributed computing infrastructure in multiple geographies, as well as fast data collection and retrieval using multi-layered caching infrastructure.
•Our Experimentation platformExperimentation platform. Our enables our Research & Development team to continuously tunestune our Criteo AI Engine via experimentation and A/B tests. For example, in 2021,2023, we performed about 8001,250 online A/B tests and over 100,000 offline experiments and tests.We use an online/offline testing platform to improve the capabilities and effectiveness of our prediction models by measuring the correlation of specific parameters with user engagement, usually measured by consumer visits, clicks and conversions, typically in the form of sales. A dedicated team is constantly testing new types and sources of data, as well as new variables, to determine whether they help diminish the gap between, for example, predicted visits, click-throughs and conversions, and actual visits, click-throughs and conversions over the course of a live campaign.
A key attribute of Criteo AI Engine is the vast Privacy-by-design approachmetadata of learnings on marketing and commerce effectiveness that we have accumulated from having delivered and measured responses to close to 11 trillion advertising impressions since our Company's inception.
. We have long established and adoptedPrivacy-by-design as a central element of our technology and product design and development cycles, with a strong commitment to ensuring best practices in privacy, security and safety for consumers and our marketer and media owner customers. Since 2013, we have had a designated Data Privacy Officer along with a team of privacy experts. These experts are integrated withinpart of our R&D and Product organizations, and processes, and consider all facets of user privacy as key elements infor the design of any new technology, solution or feature of the Commerce Media Platform. They also perform ongoing Privacy Impact Assessments to monitor potential risks during the product lifecycle and proactively mitigate those risks. The Data Privacy team delivers company-wide privacy training, enforces our privacy policies and is integral to ensuring that we build the best solutions and services. We regularly review and document our internal privacy policies, amend existing policies as necessary and enforce these policies with our clients, media owner partners and vendors.
Our Solutions
Criteo reports its business results for two operating and reportable segments: Marketing Solutions and Retail Media.
•Criteo Marketing Solutions allow commerce companies to engage consumers with personalized ads across the full marketing funnel, leveraging online and offline store data.
◦Examples of expected business outcomes driven by Criteo Marketing Solutions include:
▪Awareness: creating and building brand awareness for a client's existing or new product or service, by targeting relevant high-quality consumer audiences showing intent for that particular product or service and reaching these audiences, for example, through online video ads across the breadth of our premium publisher network on the open Internet;
▪Audience Targeting: driving visits from new prospects on the website of our clients, or driving installations of our clients' apps by new consumers, by engaging such prospect visitors online (either on the web, in apps or on connected TV), with personalized ads offering products or services tailored to their predicted interest through our audience targeting capabilities, based on our Buying Index data and/or contextual signals;
▪Conversion: driving sales for commerce clients by engaging consumers online, with personalized ads offering products or services for which they have already expressed shopping intent; or driving more salesfrom existing customers of our commerce clients, by accurately targeting and re-engaging these existing customers online with personalized ads offering new products or services that they have not yet purchased nor been exposed to.
◦Our clients' use and consumption of Criteo Marketing Solutions is made flexible through a set of tools and services:
▪Our clients have access to an integrated self-service customer interface, called the Management Center, providing transparency, control and visibility over their marketing investments and campaigns with us, whatever their business and marketing goals may be. This interface enables the flexible and modular consumption of our various solutions directly by our clients, as well as the execution and management of their campaigns through a suite of software and services that automates key campaign processes, and a high level of control over the objectives, parameters and performance of their various campaigns with us. Criteo Management Center reduces unnecessary complexity and cost associated with manual processes of having to use multiple Demand-Side Platforms ("DSPs") and sources of inventory supply, delivering efficiencies across the marketing funnel, even as campaigns grow in size, complexity and mix of marketing goals.
▪In addition to self-service access to Criteo Management Center, we also offer a managed-service approach to our larger clients, providing deep business intelligence and analytics services. Our teams of advisers aid our larger customers in setting goals for, extracting insights from, and evaluating trends and performance of their various advertising campaigns with us across multiple marketing goals, sources of inventory, advertising channels and formats, and the multiple digital devices that consumers may use.
▪In addition, we offer multiple API integrations for certain partners and clients to enable the management of our clients' advertising investments with us in a unified and integrated way with some of their other advertising or marketing technology partners which makes Criteo solutions directly available in their back-office.
▪In parallel with accessing transparent reporting and measurement from Criteo Management Center, a large proportion of our clients regularly use their own attribution tools and solutions from third-party vendors (such as, for example, Nielsen’s Digital Ad Ratings, Google Analytics, IBM Coremetrics or Adobe Analytics) to independently measure and assess the performance of the results that Criteo delivers, including visits, sales and other key metrics.
In Marketing Solutions, our new solutions are focused on the following areas:
•Brand awareness: We are extending our offering to allow for more brand awareness campaigns for both brands and retailers on the open Internet, including in online video formats and through the Connected TV channel.
•Audience-first Targeting: We already address customer acquisition as a marketing objective and intend to continue growing it, along with similar use cases building on audiences based on our shopper data. In addition, we are investing resources in enhancing the efficacy and impact of cohort advertising on our ecosystem and help shape the end solution which will replace third-party cookies in the Google Chrome browser environment.
•Contextual advertising: We are also developing new solutions for contextual advertising to accompany our clients in the fast-changing identity landscape. We believe our approach to contextual advertising is different from what currently exists in the market as we are using first-party data to add a commerce “signature” to the content consumers are reading and watching across the Open Internet. This enables us to go beyond traditional contextual inferences of interest and intent to indicate what combinations of content are actually driving purchases.
•Omnichannel: We are fast growing our Omnichannel capabilities that help bridge offline consumer identities and shopping habits with ecommerce and online shopping. While a large portion of our commerce client base operates physical stores and still generates a significant percentage of their sales from these stores, extracting massive amounts of sales data from their physical stores, they often lack the sophisticated technology necessary to activate this dataset for sales generation, both online and offline. As a result, retailers are increasingly interested in accessing a set of differentiated omnichannel advertising solutions that allow them to target their customers everywhere they are and bridge the gap between online and offline. We believe our Omnichannel offering is highly differentiated compared to traditional digital advertising players in the marketplace. We intend to further expand our solutions for omnichannel advertising, including by feeding our clients' offline CRM data into our Identity Graph, in order to further grow the match rate of offline consumers with their online profile.
•Criteo Retail Media assists retailers in generating high-margin advertising revenues from consumer brands looking to address multiple marketing goals, and to drive sales for themselves, by monetizing their audiences through personalized ads, either on their own digital store or on media owner properties on the open Internet.
◦Examples of expected business outcomes driven by Criteo Retail Media include:
▪generating advertising revenue for retailers on their online store, by providing retailers with self-service access to our technology platform for them to monetize their commerce data, traffic and audiences directly with consumer brands across various marketing goals;
▪driving sales for consumer brand clients on the site of retailer partners, by connecting consumer brands and retailers and engaging consumers on the retailer's digital property with personalized ads offering specific brand products available on the retailer's digital store and for which consumers have expressed interest (also called "onsite");
▪driving sales for consumer brand clients on the site of retailer partners, by connecting consumer brands and retailers and engaging consumers outsideof the retailer property on the open Internet with personalized ads offering specific brand products available on the retailer's digital store and for which consumers have expressed interest (also called "offsite");
◦Our retailer and brand customers respectively manage their Retail Media revenues and budgets using a self-service interface called the Retail Media Platform. The Retail Media Platform provides flexible pricing options to brands: guaranteed placement (cost-per-impression) and auction-based (cost-per-click). We charge retailers a negotiated supply-side platform fee and sometimes a technology fee, while brands pay us a negotiated demand-side platform fee. In addition, we may charge brands a managed-service fee and other fees for accessing additional insights.
In 2021, Criteo Retail Media accounted for more than 10% of our total consolidated revenue.
We believe Criteo Retail Media is a particularly differentiated offering in the marketplace with significant potential opportunities. We will continue to roll out the Retail Media Platform to new markets and move all our Retail Media campaigns to the platform, making the digital stores of large retailers a key advertising channel to generate high gross margin revenue from consumer brands. In addition, we intend to grow the number of retailers we work with in the U.S. and Europe, deepen our share of wallets with existing retailer and brand customers, accelerate our geographic expansion in Europe and enter new markets in the APAC region, grow our offsite advertising capabilities for brands across our premium publisher network on the open Internet, grow Retail Media for retailer marketplaces, bring more commerce insights to brands as a key value-added service and provide brands with an integrated view on the Retail Media spend on Walled Garden retailers.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe the Commerce Media Platform is transforming digital marketing and media monetization for our customers. We enable brands' and retailers' growth by making their marketing and monetization efforts more efficient, effective and measurable by driving trusted and impactful business outcomes across multiple marketing goals. We believe the following competitive strengths, supported by our first-mover advantage, have enabled us and will continue to enable us to capture a significant share of our commerce media opportunity:
Shopper Data. Our First Party Media Network leverages massive amounts of granular first-party data focused on commerce and shopping behaviors, through data sharing among our clients. With an estimated 685 million unique Daily Active Users in our Identity Graph, we are building one of the largest data sets focused on shoppers, with a scope and scale among the largest in the industry. Close to $3 billion worth of daily transactions across 4 billion product SKUs from 3,500 product categories are incorporated into our graph, allowing us to analyze about 75 million daily buyer journeys. Our Buyer Index offers a comprehensive, accurate and non-identifying shopper profile for all consumers on whom we have collected information, and is the foundation for the development of compelling advertising solutions - existing and new - that help our customers span the full marketing funnel across brand awareness, audience targeting and conversion marketing goals.
Consumer Reach, Scale and Network Effects. Our large and loyal base of customers and first-party media owner partners provide for stability and positive network effects. As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately 22,000 clients, including some of the largest ecommerce companies in the world, and our client retention rate was approximately 90%. In parallel, as of the same date, we were working with direct publishers on both web and apps, in addition to all of our large global and local RTB partners. These direct integrations on both the demand and supply sides ensure privacy-compliant access to first-party data, shielding from the consequences of third-party cookie limitations. As we continue to grow our client base, we continue to grow the number of users who interact with our ads, increasing our consumer reach and allowing us to benefit from greater scale when buying inventory from publisher partners, many of whom have granted us preferred access to portions of their advertising inventory. Beyond the stability in our business that our large and loyal base of customers and media owner partners provides us, significant opportunities exist to cross-sell and up-sell our product portfolio within our large existing customer base. As clients spend more with us and we attract more media inventory and deliver more ads, our data assets grow, enabling us to deliver even more precisely targeted and personalized ads and generate a greater impact for our customers, both marketers and media owners. As a result, we believe more brands, commerce marketers and media owners may use our offering and potentially increase their spend with us. This, in turn, may enable us to increase monetization for media owners and retailers, further expanding our media network and enhancing our ability to drive performance for all customers. This cycle of self-reinforcing network effects, based on our large scale and loyal base of marketer and media owner customers and partners, may continue to fuel our business in the future.
Retail Media. Our Retail Media offering provides unique opportunities to both brands and retailers.
Our Retail Media value proposition helping retailers to monetize their data and inventory with brands, is quite unique in the marketplace outside of Amazon. It provides opportunities formarket today. Our offering empowers brands and agencies to advertisefind valuable audiences on retailers'retailer sites using on-site media, while creating a new source of profitable revenues for large retailers. With the acquisition of Mabaya in 2021, we havesponsored and display ads but also enhanced our retail media capabilities to best meet the unique needs of marketplacesextend these audiences off-site, across open internet inventory with unified reporting and marketplace sellers. Criteo's Retail Media Platform is the industry's first self-service and transparent software providing an easy way for brands to manage their online marketing budgets to drive immediate, measurable commerce outcome directly where shoppers search and buy their products.closed-loop measurement, including product-level sales attribution. We enable brands, agencies, and multiple retailers to buy and sell retail media using a common platform, thus benefiting from meaningful network effects due to our unique position as the technology supporting a multi-retailer ecosystem, whereas most competitors in the retail media space focus on supporting siloed retailer Walled Gardens.walled gardens. Brands and their agencies use our platform to access unique inventory at meaningful scale, and retailers get access to brand marketing budgets at a scale they would not be able to access on their own. This creates a network effect where the value for customersclients only increases as more brand and retailer participants join the ecosystem. In addition, our deep technical integrations with retailers requiring meaningful engineering investment from the retailer, make us very sticky with theminstrumental to their digital success and enable us to offer preferred or exclusive inventory to brands and agencies, as well as a superior shopper experience to consumers. We primarily use a server-side technology to integrate our platform with retailer sites and apps. In addition, we require multi-year commitments and product ads exclusivity as part of our standard retailer services agreements.
Both our unique inventory access and increasingly deep technical integrations with other advertising technology and reporting platforms provide defensible relationships with brands and agencies. For example, our API partner program embeds our technology into ad platforms that brands and agencies already use to buy search, social, and other large platforms' ad inventory. Additionally, with many major brand and agency clients, we directly connect our reporting data directly into client analytics and reporting platforms via our APIs.
Superior Insights and Measurement. We believe we have superior capabilities for Commerce Insights and measurement. Our technology provides our clients with the unique ability to measure against product sales at the product SKU level. For example, our commerce insights can bring together organic shopping data with paid media metrics for brands.
Scaled Global Presence. We do businessbusiness in 96109 countries andand have a direct operating presence throughthrough 29 offices in 1517 countries. We have achieved this global presence by replicating and scaling our effective business model across all geographic markets. Large businesses are increasingly seeking global advertising partners able to provide comprehensive offerings that are effective across multiple geographies. We believe we are able tocan meet this demand by leveraging our scalable AI technology and global network of relationships and are well positioned to serve our clients in virtually every market in which they seek to drive trusted, impactful and measurable business results and commerce outcomes.
Strong Financial Model. Our profitable, cash-generative financial model allows us to invest for growth while maintaining healthy profitability. Our company has a sustainable, robust profitability margin. In the year ended December 31, 2021, our operating profit margin was 6.7% of revenue and our Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of Contribution ex-TAC was 35%. In addition, we manage our expense base in a disciplined way, and focus on driving productivity through operational excellencewe have a clear plan to drive operating leverage from scaling and automation across the organization. Productivity and efficiency gains enable ustransitioning to reinvest into strategic growth areas, while maintaining healthy profitability, with the goal to driving Adjusted EBITDA of 32% of Contribution ex-TAC or above. Our financial model generates a sustainable and significant amount of free cash flow. In 2021, net cash flows provided by operating activities were $220.9 million and consisted of net income of $137.6 million, $124.9 million in adjustments for non-cash and non-operating items and $(41.6) million of cash flows used for working capital. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we generated free cash flow of $167.9 million. In addition,more self-service solutions over time, as well as optimizing our company maintained a strong cash position of $515.5 million at the end of fiscal 2021, which, together with marketable securities and our Revolving Credit Facility, provides for financial liquidity of about $967 million, offering flexibility for executing on our strategic roadmap. We believe having a profitable, cash-generative financial model providing for financial flexibility and investment capacity is a strong competitive advantage, in particular compared to multiple sub-scale companies in our industry.business processes.
Our Business & Growth Opportunities
Our mission is to power the world's marketers and media owners with trusted and impactful advertising. We enable our customers’clients’ business growth through commerce media, by providing best-in-class marketing and monetization services and driving measurable business outcomes at scale. As described throughout, ourOur vision is to bring richer experiences to every consumer by supporting a fair and open internet that enables discovery, innovation, and choice – powered by trusted and impactful advertising for the world’s marketers and media owners.
As part of our transformation, we have expanded our business through several opportunities, both within our existing suite of solutions and in new areas, always focused on driving trusted and impactful business outcomes for clients. Our overarching priority is to drive sustainable and profitable growth for our business. This involves increasing our focus even more oninvesting in the fast-growing ecommerce space and broadening our value proposition to cover all commerce media marketing goals onas part of our single Commerce Media Platform in a holistic way, while always driving measurable business outcomes to our marketer and media owner customers, including sales. In parallel, we are focused on investing into our strategic growth priorities and self-funding for these investments by driving efficiency across the organization.clients.
While our strategic priorities focus on the three key areas of integration, differentiation and scale, the core elements of our broader business strategy include:
Strengthen the Core. We continuously strengthen our retargeting product, aimed at converting our clients' customers in both the web and apps. We intend to achieve this by leveraging our strong differentiators, including around Criteo Buyer Index and user identification thanks to our first-party media network, continuously improving Criteo's AI Engine technology and the strong performance of our core product in all environments, providing more transparency on our value proposition, and adding new clients and media owner partners. We are also adding multiple capabilities, like third-party measurement, through industry partnerships to enhancefurther expanding our core solution.rapidly growing retailer client base, becoming a platform of choice for agencies and brands and reinforcing our performance advantage.
Over the past four years, the growth of retargeting has been slowing down and turned negative in 2019 and 2020, before stabilizing in 2021 despite incremental privacy headwinds. Over this period, cookie restrictions on several browsers have had a significant negative impact on our business on the web, including on retargeting. The COVID-19 pandemic was an additional headwind to this business in 2020 and continued to impact our clients in the Travel and Classifieds verticals in 2021. Beyond these headwinds, retargeting has proven resilient and continued to grow in the Retail vertical, which is central to our business.
We are taking several measures asAs part of our strategy to stabilize our retargeting business over time, including:
•Maintaining a high level of preferred direct relationships with media owners, allowing us to grow our first-party media network and reduce our exposure to third-party cookies. We expect to continue to expand our first-party media network, sheltered from cookie restriction, including by increasing the deployment of Criteo Direct Bidder with large publishers, both on the web and on mobile apps, as well as by leveraging our Supply-Side Platform, including through the pending acquisition of IPONWEB;
•Encouraging our clients and publishers to adopt OpenPass, our open-sourced identity framework dedicated to digital advertising and respectful of users' privacy, providing a replacement to third-party cookie bearing users' consent;
•Growing our capabilities as a differentiated Demand-Side-Platform specifically for commerce, including for upper-funnel marketing on top of our strengths in lower funnel, offering more flexibility throughout the stack, and adjusting our pricing model to increase the transparency of our value proposition for our core product;
•Further expanding our global client base across customer categories. We have a track-record of entering new geographic markets, adding new clients successfully and rapidly gaining commercial traction. We intend to continue to grow our client base across the Strategic, Core and Tail customer categories. We believe opportunities also remain to grow our business with large customers in markets wheretransformation, we already operate, including in Western Europe, the U.S. and Japan; and
•Providing even more transparency and control to advertisers and their agencies through our self-service platform.
Expand Our Product Portfolio. We intend to continue to leverage our existing assets to diversify and strengthen our business outside of retargeting, continue to build and expand our suite of fast-growing marketing and monetizationnew solutions in Commerce Media, and build further competitive moats around our core assets.
In fiscal year 2021, our non-retargeting2023, new solutions already represented close to 30%more than half of our total business, as measured on a Contribution ex-TAC basis, including 32% in the fourth quarter 2021.business. We are investing in the growth of these non-retargetingnew solutions and expect them to represent close to 40%more than 50% of our overall business in 2022, including2024.
We continue to invest in building the pending acquisitionworld’s leading Commerce Media Ecosystem with notable wins and valuable expansions across our partner network. Our ecosystem is a critical part of IPONWEB.
Explore Strategic Game Changers. We look for opportunitiesCriteo’s moat and the unique value we provide to extend and accelerate the growth of our business by exploring and bringing strategic assets and capabilities through partnerships and M&A, in addition to executing organically.
For example, in 2021, we entered and expanded a number of partnerships.clients.
•We migrated our partnersE-Commerce Platforms – Criteo became the first open web marketing platform available to the newmerchants using Shopify Audiences to activate their high intent audiences alongside other major advertising platforms like Meta, Google, Pinterest, Snap, and improved Criteo API framework and launched the Criteo Partner Marketplace, an app marketplace that empowers our partner solutions to be discovered by our global customer base;
•Strategics –We built ahave been working to extend Criteo’s integrations with major platforms, beyond Shopify, and in Q4 launched our first series of Criteo destination within the Adobe Real-Time Customer Data Platform (CDP) to enable advertisers to onboard first party data;
•1st party Data –We implemented the capability to bid natively on incremental trafficdrove significant scale in receiving first-party customer records from auctionsclients with Liveramp’s RampID pseudonymous identifier;
•We built pipelines to receive the European Foundation’s netID single sign-on;
•We formed a strategic partnership with Bluecore, to provide Criteo advertisers access to Bluecore’s predictive audience capabilities to engage key shoppers through performance display across the open web;
•We extended our relationship with Oracle Advertising to leverage Oracle Contextual Intelligence, a solution providing real-time content review and pre-bid classification to clients across brand-suitable categories as we continue to scale their tools for brand safety across joint clients.
In the future, we intend to continue to collaborate with existing and new industrymajor CDP partners to extend the capabilities and functionalities of the Criteo Commerce Media Platform, beyond what we currently offer on a standalone basis. This may include partnerships with other Demand-Side-Platforms and other ecosystem players to extend our customer reach to new client categories or agencies. In addition, we may look at further expanding our access to video inventory, both in the Web and mobile apps,like Adobe, Klaviyo, Amperity as well as extending our partnership with data specialists like LiveRamp and Oracle.
•Measurement & Verification – Criteo is the first platform to make Integral Ad Science’s measurement technology available seamlessly to all retailers globally, supporting increased monetization from brands that rely on this standard being available.
•Innovation – We signed a new integration to deliver in-store media with leading digital screen provider SES-Imagotag.
•Addressability – We added four new data partnerships to our Commerce Grid supply-side platform including AirGrid by MiQ, Anonymized and Oracle’s Blue Kai data, which will provide our supply-side curation business with additional dimensions for creating deals leverage by partners such as Dentsu UK. All of the partners provide solutions that are protected from the upcoming changes related to access to Connected TV inventory on a much larger scale.third-party cookies in Chrome.
•API Accessibility – We have the largest global independent API program and expanded to 13 partners including SaaS providers, in house agency technology, and in house brand direct technology, such as Skai and Flywheel. We provide our retailers and brand clients the ability to utilize their platform of choice to drive the greatest outcomes for their business. We also continue to expand our partnerships into more regional markets including EMEA and APAC.
We continue to evaluate and execute onhave an active M&A transactions,pipeline, with a critical assessment on technologies and businesses that have the potential to accelerate our Commerce Media Platform strategy by enhancing, complementing or expanding our strategic capabilities, includingprimarily through technology and broadening our technology, our marketing and monetization solutions, go-to-market, or R&D team. We target acquisitions that, over time, can be efficiently integrated into the Criteo Commerce Media Platform, including into our AI technology, global operations and company culture, while preserving the quality and performance of our offering.capabilities across all channels. Key criteria for acquisitions include demonstrated revenue traction and a proven value proposition for clients and partners and are easy to integrate.ease of integration. We believe our entrepreneurial culture, growth opportunity, global scale, financial profile, strong brand and market position enable us to be an attractive acquirer.
•In May 2021, we acquired Mabaya, a leading retail media technology company that powers sponsored products and retail media monetization for major ecommerce marketplaces globally. The Mabaya Acquisition immediately enhanced our retail media capabilities to better meet the unique needs of marketplaces and marketplace sellers;
•In December 2021, we executed a purchase agreement to acquire IPONWEB, a market-leading AdTech company with world-class media trading capabilities, for $380 million comprised of a mix of cash and treasury shares of the Company, subject to certain adjustments including for working capital, other current assets and current liabilities and net indebtedness, with the transaction expected to close in the first quarter of 2022. The IPONWEB Acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. This strategic acquisition is expected to accelerate our Commerce Media Platform vision by adding scale, complementary products, and stronger first-party data capabilities, further reducing our reliance on third-party cookies and other identifiers.
Drive Technology and Operations Excellence. We take a portfolio management approach to managing our business, organization and expense base: right-sizing or streamlining the parts of the business with stabilizing revenue in order to enable investments on the growing parts of our business into technology innovation and other strategic priorities. We intend to continue to invest in growing our business, while driving productivity and efficiency gains through organization simplification and operational excellence across the company and maintaining healthy profitability. We believe these investments will feed the long-term sustainable growth of Criteo. We intend to continue to make investments in our technology innovation and new product development, including in Retail Media, our first-party media network, Contextual advertising, online video, Connected TV and Commerce Insights. We expect these investments to further strengthen our Commerce Media Platform. Driving operational excellence through the company to self-fund for our investments involves increasing automation and the scalability of our operations. We also leverage cutting-edge technology to streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency
Infrastructure
Our ability to execute depends on our highly sophisticated global technology software and hardware infrastructure. As of December 31, 2021,2023, we manage our global infrastructure included over 40,000of servers through a global network of eleven data centers, including one Hadoop cluster, that comprise to 3,000 servers hosting 800,000 processing cores, providing a storage capacity exceeding 624,000 terabytes and 6,590 terabytes of random-access memory.centers. Our global infrastructure is divided into three independent geographic areas in theareas: Americas, Asia-Pacific and EMEA. In each of these geographic areas,EMEA, and our services are delivered through one or more data centers that support thiseach particular area. We generally rely on more than one data center in any given geographic area. Within large areas, the data centers are strategically placed to be close to our clients, publishers and users.
This provides the benefit of minimizing the impact of network latency within a particular geographic area, especially for time-constrained services such as RTB. RTB.
In addition, we replicate data across multiple data centers to maximize availability and performance. We also generally seek to distribute workload across multiple locations to avoid overloads in our systems and increase reliability through redundancy. In addition, we consider sustainability factors as we evaluate our infrastructure footprint, including prioritizing resource efficiency and clean energy to operate sustainable data centers.
Within each data center, computing power is provided by horizontal build-outs
As part of commodity servers arranged in multiple, highly redundant pools. Someour growth strategy, some of these poolsour products rely on major public cloud providers. Performance, response time and reach are dedicated to handling incoming traffic and delivering ads while others are devoted to the data analytics involved in creating our ads. In particular,driving how we use software specifically designed for processing large data sets, such as Hadoop, to run offline data analyzes and to train our AI and Machine Learning models. The results are then fed back to refresh and improve our prediction and recommendation algorithms.manage cloud capacity.
We use multiple-layered security controls to protect Criteo AI Engine and our data assets, including hardware- and software-based access controls for our source code and production systems, segregated networks for different components of our production systems and centralized production systems management.
Our Clients
Our
On the demand side for commerce media activation, our diversified client base for Criteo Marketing Solutions consists primarily of companiesmore than 2,600 established brands and agencies, and more than 15,400 performance marketers, primarily in the retail, travel and classifieds verticals, which we refer to as "commerce companies" or "commerce clients", and includesincluding some of the largest and most sophisticated commerce companies in the world. These companies range from large, global, diversified
On the supply side for commerce companies to mid-sized regional companies. With Criteomedia monetization, we power the Retail Media weNetworks of approximately 220 retailers, as media owners. We also serve consumer brand manufacturers, which we refer to as "consumer brands" or "consumer brand clients". partner with approximately 75% of the top 100 ComScore publishers in our largest markets.
As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had a total of approximately 22,000 clients (both commerce and consumer brand clients combined).
At the end 2021,18,000 clients.4 In 2023, approximately 70%49% of our client relationships were held directly with the client and the remaining 30%51% with advertising agencies or other third-parties on the Criteo Marketing Solutions side of the business, whereas 50%30% of our Criteo Retail Media revenue comes from agencies.
We believe our business is not substantially dependent on any
particular client or group of clients.
In 2021, 20202023 and 2019,2022, our largest client represented 7.0%2.1%, 3.5% and 2.8%1.9% of our revenue, respectively, and in 2021, 20202023 and 2019,2022, our largest 10 clients represented 16.6%, 13.7%12.3% and 11.4%9.8% of our revenue in the aggregate, respectively.
There is no group of customersclients under common control or customersclients that are affiliates of each other constituting an aggregate amount equal to 10% or more of our consolidated revenues, the loss of which would have a material adverse effect on Criteo.
We define a client to be a unique party from whom we have received a signed contract or an insertion order and for whom we have delivered an advertisement or monetized an advertising inventory during the previous 12 months. We count specific brands or divisions within the same business as distinct clients so long as those entities have separately signed insertion orders with us. In the case of some solutions within Criteo Retail Media, we count the parent company of the brands as an individual client, even if several distinct brands pertaining to the same parent company have signed separate contracts or insertion orders with us. On the other hand, we count a client who runs campaigns in multiple geographies as a single client, even though multiple insertion orders may be involved. When the insertion order is with an advertising agency, we generally consider the client on whose behalf the advertising campaign is conducted as the “client” for purposes of this calculation. In the event a client has its advertising spend with us managed by multiple agencies, that client is counted as a single client.
Our client base is composed of three client categories: the Strategic client category, the Core client category and the Tail client category. Each client category isclients are serviced through a combination of direct and indirect approaches, including through brand agencies for large clients, and performance agencies and resellers for the Strategic, Core and Tail categories respectively. While Criteo historically focused on serving both large (Strategic and Core) and midmarket clients (midmarket being the prior name of Tail clients), our client strategy now focuses more heavily on serving the Strategic and Core categories through the full breadth of our Commerce Media Platform and therefore places less emphasis on serving Tail clients.
Research and Development
We invest substantial resources in research and development to conduct fundamental research on artificial intelligence, machine-learning models, enhancemaintain our leading position in Commerce Media. Aside from the algorithmswalled garden platforms, we have one of the largest R&D teams in the AdTech industry and our Criteo AI Engine, develop new features and solutions, conduct quality assurance testing, improve our core technology and enhance our technology infrastructure.Lab pioneering innovations in computational advertising. Our engineering group is primarily located in research and development centers in Paris, France, Grenoble, FranceGermany, Cyprus, Armenia, Canada and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Within the expected acquisition of IPONWEB, we will expand our R&D engineering centers to include Berlin, Germany, and Moscow, Russia.U.S. We expect to continue to expand capabilities of our technologytechnological capabilities in the future and to invest significantly in continued research and development and new solutions efforts.solutions. We had 6821,021 employees primarily engaged in Research and Development and Product as of December 31, 2021.2023. Research and development expenses, including expenses related to the Product group, totaledtotaled $242.3 million, $187.6 million and $151.8 million $132.5 million for 2023, 2022 and $172.6 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Intellectual Property
Our intellectual property rights are a key component of our success. We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality procedures and contractual restrictions, to establish, maintain and protect our proprietary rights. We generally require employees, consultants, clients, publishers, suppliers and partners to execute confidentiality agreements with us that restrict the disclosure of our intellectual property. We also generally require our employees and consultants to execute invention assignment agreements with us that protect our intellectual property rights.
4 In the first quarter of 2023, we streamlined our client count methodology which is now based on unique billing accounts while the previous methodology included clients from whom Criteo has received a signed contract or an insertion order during the previous 12 months. The new methodology led to the consolidation of some clients accounts but does not change the underlying activity or the overall trends.
Intellectual property laws, together with our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, provide only limited protection, and any of our intellectual property rights may be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, infringed or misappropriated. The laws of certain countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of France and the U.S. and, therefore, in certain jurisdictions, we may be unable to protect our proprietary technology.
Agreements with our employees and consultants may also be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies to address any breach. Further, to the extent that our employees or consultants use intellectual property owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights to know-how and inventions relating thereto or resulting therefrom. Finally, our trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently discovered by competitors and unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of the Criteo Commerce Media Platform or obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary.
As of December 31, 2021,2023, we held 1730 patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and various foreign counterparts, and had filed 13three non-provisional patent applications in the U.S. and Europe. We also own and use registered and unregistered trademarks on or in connection with our products and services in numerous jurisdictions. In addition, we have also registered numerous internet domain names.
Our industry is characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequentoccasional claims and related litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. In particular, leading companies in the technology industry have extensive patent portfolios. From time to time, third parties, including certain of these leading companies, have asserted and may assert patent, copyright, trademark and other intellectual property rights against us, our clients or our publishers. Litigation and associated expenses may be necessary to enforce our proprietary rights.
Privacy, Data Protection and Content Control
Legal and Regulatory
Privacy and data protection laws play a significant role in our business. The regulatory environment for the collection and use of consumer data by advertising networks, advertisers and publishers is frequently evolving in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere. The U.S. and foreign governments have enacted, considered or are considering legislation or regulations that could significantly restrict industry participants’ ability to collect, augment, analyze, use and share personal data, such as by regulating the level of consumer notice and consent required before a company can utilize cookies or other tracking technologies.
In the U.S., at both the federal and state level, there are laws that govern activities such as the collection and use of data by companies like us. At the federal level, online advertising activities in the U.S. have primarily been subject to regulation by the Federal Trade Commission, or the FTC, which has regularly relied upon Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, or Section 5, to enforce against unfair and deceptive trade practices, including alleged violations of consumer privacy interests. Various states have also enacted legislation that governs these practices. For example, on September 27, 2013, the governor of California signed into law AB 370, an amendment to the California Online Privacy Protection Act of 2003, or CalOPPA. This amendment requires that we disclose in our privacy policy how we respond to web browser "do not track" signals. Our current privacy policy discloses that we do not respond to web browser "do not track" signals but that we do respond to opt-out requests made through our proprietary opt-out button or through industry opt-out platforms (namely Network Advertising Initiative and Digital Advertising Alliance). However, theThe U.S. privacy law framework may be subject to significant evolutions in the near future both at a federal and at a state level. At a federal level, lawmakers are currently considering the possibility of adopting a federal privacy law.law and a draft bill was published in this regard in 2022 ("American Data Privacy and Protection Act"). In 2018, the State of California adopted the California Consumer Privacy Act, or the CCPA. The CCPA, has been characterized as the first “GDPR-like” privacy statute to be enacted in the U.S. because its scope, and a number of the key provisions, resemble the GDPR.which went into effect on January 1, 2020. The CCPA establishes a new privacy framework for covered businesses by, among other requirements, creating an expanded definition of personal information, establishing new data privacy rights for consumers in the State of California, imposing special rules on the collection of personal data from minors, creating new notice obligations and new limits on the sale of personal information, and creating a new and potentially severe statutory damages framework for violations of the CCPA and for businesses that fail to implement reasonable security procedures and practices to prevent data breaches. As currently enacted, weWe and partners in our industry have been required to comply with these requirements since January 1, 2020, when the CCPA became effective. As with GDPR, the advertising technology marketplace may have to adapt to operating under the CCPA where it applies. Our advertising or publishing partners may impose new CCPA restrictions with which we must adapt and comply. This pastIn November 2020, the voters in California voted to passpassed the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), an Act thatwhich both amends and expands the scope of the CCPA. The CPRA, will becomewhich became effective on January 1, 2023, created additional privacy rights and protections for California consumers with a look back periodrespect to January 1, 2022. The CPRA creates new criteria by which businesses can be regulated, expands the definition of “personal information” to more closely match Europe, a new audit requirement,their personal information and the creation of an agency to oversee enforcement of the CPRA. The CPRA also explicitly provides an opt-out right for cross-contextual behavioral advertising.additional obligations on businesses. We cannot predict the timing or outcomefull effect of this adaptation or the effectthese laws and regulations on our business. Adaptingbusiness, but adapting our business to the CCPA and the forthcoming new requirements under the CPRAcomply with them could involve substantial resources and expense, and may cause us to divert resources from other aspects of our business, all of which may adversely affect our business.
Other states in the U.S. are quickly adopting state enacted privacy laws. Virginia, Colorado and more recently, Connecticut and Utah have passed consumer and privacy laws that differ slightly from the CCPA and CPRA. If other states follow suit, it could lead to a varied and complex regulatory landscape, which could result in material costs.
In addition, the Criteo Commerce Media Platform reaches users throughout the world, including in Europe, Australia, Canada, South America and Asia-Pacific. As a result, some of our activities may also be subject to the laws of foreign jurisdictions. In particular, data protection laws in Europe can be more restrictive regarding the collection and use of data than those in U.S. jurisdictions.
In the European Union (the "EU"), the two main pillars of the data protection legal framework are the E-Privacy Directive (Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications)Communications (the "E-Privacy Directive") and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which was implemented in May 2018.
GDPR. The E-Privacy Directive directs EU member states to ensure that accessing information on an Internet user’s computer, such as through a cookie and other similar technologies, is allowed only if the Internet user has been informed about such access and given his or her consent. A recent ruling by theThe Court of Justice of the European UnionEU clarified that such consent must be reflected by an affirmative act of the user, and European regulators are increasingly agitating for more robust forms of consent. These developments may result in decreasedending reliance on implied consent mechanisms that have been used to meet requirements of the E-Privacy Directive in some markets. A replacement for the E-Privacy Directive is currentlystill under discussion by EU member states to complement and bring electronic communication services in line withalign the E-Privacy Directive to GDPR and force a harmonized approach across EU member states. It is possible that the proposed e-privacy regulation could further raise the bar for the use of cookies andcookies. However, the fines and penaltiesadvancement of the legislative process for breach could be significant.the adoption of the e-privacy regulation remains quite uncertain.
In December 2016, the EU institutions reached an agreement on the GDPR. TheUnder GDPR, has updated principles drawn from the 1995 Data Protection Directive while imposing new levels of sanctions for non-compliance. The EU data protection authorities have also been grantedthe power to impose administrative fines of up to a maximum of €20 million or 4% of the data controller's or data processor's global turnover forfrom the preceding financial year, whichever is higher.
We believe that the regulation has no material impact on our business or the way our technologies operate. However, GDPR is still a relatively recent regulation with no established case law. Therefore interpretations of the GDPR may vary, especially with respect to the articulation between GDPR (lex generali) and E-Privacy Directive (lex speciali) and the conditions for the collection of a valid "cookie" consent, and thus there can be no assurance that this will not have any particular impact on our business, technologies or practices in the medium to long term.
Further, onOn October 1, 2020, the French data protection authority ((the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés, or CNIL)the "CNIL") issued the final version of its guidelines on the use of cookies and other trackers and its final recommendations on modalities for obtaining users’ consent to store or read non-essential cookies and similar technologies on their devices. The recommendations provide that, when required, consent must be indicated by a clear and positive action of the data subject, such as by clicking on an “accept all” button on the first layer of the consent management platform.
The CNIL also noted that it should be as easy to refuse consent to the use of cookies as it is to accept consent, and aan equivalent to the “refuse all” button should be present on the first layer of the consent management platform, equivalent to the “accept all” button in terms of size, position and color.platform. Further, the ability to withdraw consent must be readily available at all times. The recommendations are not binding, nor are they intended to be prescriptive and exhaustive. Companies had until March 2021 to ensure compliance with these guidelines, and CNIL is currently auditing many websites in France to verify if they comply with its guidelines.
As we continue to expand into other foreign jurisdictions, we may be subject to additional laws and regulations that may affect how we conduct business.
Self-Regulation
In addition to complying with extensive government regulations, we voluntarily and actively participate in several trade associations and industry self-regulatory groups that promulgate best practices or codes of conduct relating to targeted advertising. For example, the Internet Advertising Bureau EU & US, the Network Advertising Initiative, the European Digital Advertising Alliance and the Digital Advertising Alliance have developed and implemented guidance for companies to provide notice and choice to users regarding targeted advertising.
We also provide consumers with notice about our use of cookies and our collection and use of data in connection with the delivery of targeted advertising, and allow them to withdraw consent or opt out from the use of such data for the delivery of targeted advertising. In an effort to harmonize the industry’s approach to internet-based advertising, these programs facilitate a user's ability to disable services of integrated providers, but also educate users on the potential benefits of online advertising, including access to free content and display of more relevant advertisements to them. The rules and policies of the self-regulatory programs that we participate in are updated from time to time and may impose additional restrictions upon us in the future.
Criteo became one of the first companies to broadly include an "Ad Choices" link in all the advertisements we deliver, which gives users access to clear, transparent, detailed and user-friendly information about personalized advertisements and the data practices associated with the advertisements they receive. In addition, we provide consumers with an easy-to-use and easy-to-access mechanism to control their advertising experience and withdraw consent or opt out of receiving targeted advertisements we deliver.
We believe that this transparent consumer-centric approach to privacy empowers consumers to make better-informed decisions about our use of their data. We also actively encouragerequire our clients and publishers to provide information to consumers about our collection and use of data relating to the advertisements we deliver and monitor.
Content Control and Brand Safety
To protect against unlawful advertiserCriteo strives to maintain a trusted advertising ecosystem aligned with the marketing goals and publisher content,the brand requirements of our marketers and media owners alike. We have rigorous supply partner guidelines in place, and we include restrictions on content in our terms and conditions. We also take a large variety of internal and external brand safety measures to ensure that the brand equity of our clients is preserved as much as possible.protected. These measures include determining that each publisher's inventory meets our content requirementspartnership with industry recognized and those ofMRC-accredited services from Oracle Advertising on web and Pixalate on app.
To protect our clients to ensureagainst invalid traffic (IVT), we have built advanced engine detection and filtration systems that their display advertisements arewill discard invalid bid requests, impressions and clicks, and we do not shown in inappropriate content categories. For that purpose, we use numerous internal systemsbill advertisers for the invalid traffic. We also leverage industry compliant blocklists from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and processesTrustworthy Action Group (TAG) to filter out inventory in real time, including the list of suspect IP addresses from the Trustworthy Accountability Group and the listsknown sources of invalid traffic from several specialized external vendors. With respectand we partner with industry recognized and MRC accredited service Pixalate to supplement our inventory purchasedpre-bid and post-bid detection and filtration capabilities of IVT.
We are recognized for trust & safety and have been certified by the Trustworthy Accountability Group for Certification Against Fraud (CAF) and Brand Safety Certification (BSC) through RTB exchanges, we utilize a mix of proprietary methodologies as well as third-party software to verify that inventory where the advertisement placement is shown conforms to our advertising guidelines and the content expectations and branding guidelines of our clients.an independent audit.
Government Regulation
Further to the laws and regulations governing privacy and data protection described above, we are subject to numerous domestic and foreign laws and regulations covering a wide variety of subject matters. New laws and regulations (or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations) may also impact our business. The costs of compliance with these laws and regulations are high and are likely to increase in the future and any failure on our part to comply with these laws may subject us to significant liabilities and other penalties. For additional information regarding a recent investigation into the Company's compliance with GDPR, please refer to Refer to Note 20, Commitments and Contingencies, in our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
Competition
We compete in the commerce media market and in the broader market for digital marketing and media monetization, primarily through Display Advertising. Our market is complex, rapidly evolving, highly competitive, still fragmented and yet rapidly consolidating. We face significant competition in this market, which we expect to intensify in the future, partially as a result of potential new entrants in our market, including but not limited to large well-established internet publishers and players, in particular as we continue to expand the breadth of the Criteo Commerce Media Platform. We currently compete with large, well-established companies, such as Amazon, Meta Platforms, (formerly Facebook), Google, and Microsoft, pure play Demand-Side Platforms ("DSPs"), such as The Trade Desk Viant Technology or Google's DV360, pure play Supply-Side Platforms (“SSPs”) such as Magnite, PubMatic or Google Ad Manager, and pure play retail SSPs such as Microsoft's PromoteIQ or Publicis' CitrusAd, that only focus on monetizing retailers' media, as well as smaller, privately held companies. Potential competition could emerge from large enterprise marketing platforms, like Adobe Systems Inc. ("Adobe"), Oracle Corporation ("Oracle") and Salesforce.com, Inc. ("Salesforce"), or public and private companies specialized in the Marketing Technology ("MarTech") space. In addition, web browsers, and desktop and mobile operating systems developed by large software companies like Google and Apple Inc. ("Apple") can have a significant influence and impact on the way we operate.
We believe the principal competitive factors in our industry include:
•access to granular commerce data on a large scale;
•technology-based ability to activate data, in particular commerce data, for multiple digital marketing and media monetization goals, along the entire consumer journey;
•technology-based ability to generate advertisers' desired business outcomes, including, but not limited to, high return on advertising spend at scale;
•relevance and breadth of solutions to address numerous digital marketing and media monetization goals;
•breadth and depth of consumer reach, including in all environments and devices across the open Internet;
•marketer and publisher control over the objectives, parameters and performance of their advertising campaigns through modular, flexible and easy-to-use tools and services available on a self-service interface;
•measurability of the advertising spend performance, based on clear and transparent measurement metrics;
•completeness and effectiveness of solutions across digital devices, commerce and advertising environments, platforms and operating systems, advertising channels and publisher environments;
•transparency of pricing models, aligning with the value propositions provided to marketers;
•openness, transparency, security and fairness of data sharing and data management practices;
•client trust;
•global presence;
•client service and detailed, transparent client reporting available on a self-service basis;
•commitment to data protection and user privacy; and
•ease of use.
We believe that we are well positioned in commerce media with respect to all of these factors and expect to continue to capture an increasing share of digital marketing and media monetization budgets worldwide.
Seasonality
Our client base consists primarily of commerce of companies in the Retail, Travel and Classifieds industries, which we refer to as “commerce companies” or “commerce clients”.industries. In the digital Retail industry and the consumer brand verticals in particular, many businesses devote the largest portion of their advertising spend to the fourth quarter of the calendar year, to coincide with increased holiday spending by consumers. As a result, the concentration of advertising spend in the fourth quarter of the calendar year may be particularly pronounced. Our Retail clients typically conduct fewer advertising campaigns in the first and second quarters than they do in other quarters, while our Travel clients typically increase their travel campaigns in the first and third quarters and conduct fewer advertising campaigns in the second quarter. For Iponweb, the first and second quarters are seasonally low quarters in terms of Contribution ex-TAC, adjusted EBITDA and cash contribution, while the fourth quarter is the strongest quarter. As a result, our revenue tends to be seasonal in nature. If the seasonal fluctuations become more pronounced, our operating cash flows could fluctuate materially from period to period.
Employees and Human Capital Management
We have a demonstrated history of commitment to the well-being and success of our workforce, and our company is driven by our core values of “open, together and impactful”.
As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had 2,7813,563 employees. Our employees employed by French entities (985(971 employees) are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and are represented by employees through a labor unionSocial and employee representative bodies (works' council, employee delegatesEconomic Committee (Work Council) affiliated to a trade union. As part of the Social and Economic Committee, five sub-committees have been appointed: Health & Safety Committee, Economic Committee, Gender Equality Committee, Training Committee and a health and safety committee) and covered by collective bargaining agreements.Housing Committee. We consider labor relations to be good and have not experienced any work stoppages, slowdowns or other serious labor problems that have materially impeded our business operations.
Our Board, with assistance from our Compensation Committee, has oversight of and periodically reviews the Company's strategies, initiatives and programs with respect to the Company's culture, talent recruitment, development and retention and employee engagement.
Talent Acquisition & Development
Attracting and retaining top talent is a key objective at Criteo, and we invest significantly in talent acquisition.Criteo. We are committed to offering an environment in which employees are ensured equal job opportunities and have a chance for advancement. As part of our transformation, we have undertaken a number of initiatives to enhance our employee value proposition and experience, including the recent publication of our Culture book, very flexible working practices and the renovation of our main offices to offer attractive workplaces. Our compelling employee value proposition, attractive compensation packages and vibrant culture are instrumental in our ability to attract and retain talent.
Additionally, we strive to provide exceptional training opportunities and development programs for our employees. In 2021, over 33,0002023, approximately 30,000 training hours were delivered to our employees. To assess and improve employee retention and engagement, we periodically survey employees, and take action to address areas of employee concern. In 2021,2023, we carried out two3 employee surveys, specific to COVID-19 concerns, soliciting feedback on a wide range of topics fromincluding well-being, to productivityflexibility, and hybrid work to social links with other employees and provided multiple services to our employees, including a hybrid way of working and several wellness interactive sessions.inclusion.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As a global technology company, we believe that a diverse and inclusive culture is the cornerstone for driving creative collaboration and sustainable change across the industry. We are proud that our employees can be themselves at work and we value diversity in the workforce; as of December 31, 2021,2023, 41% of our 2,781 employees are female.women. As stated in our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy, our mission is to sustain our focus on equity, and building stronger diversity through how we hire, develop, reward, and retain all talent at Criteo. We empower our employees to impact the industry, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do, delivering richer experiences for all. In 2021, we achievedWe are proud to have gender pay parity and extended our parental leave to be inclusive of our diverse workforce.parity. Our efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace are led by a dedicated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leadership team who partner through the business and leverage our seven active Employees Resource Groups (“ERGs”) who engage with employees, supportsupport allyship and sponsorship to encourage community, networking and safe spaces for all diverse groups throughout Criteo. In 2021, over half2023, 41% of our employees volunteered acrossemployees were involved in at least one of our seven ERGs.
This work extends to our efforts to strengthen our inclusive culture and drive sustainable efforts that impact our environment and societal interests throughout and beyond Criteo.
Health, Safety and Wellness
Employee health, safety and safetywellness is a priority for Criteo. We devote time and effort across all of our locations to provide positive working conditions, work-life balance and a healthy office environment for our employees. In responseWe recognize and support employees with their work life integration and believe that flexibility is an essential element to remain engaged, efficient, and productive. We also believe in the COVID-19 pandemic, we immediately implementedimportance of employee contribution and results, rather than focusing on where work is being completed. We foster a remote working arrangement that complied with all applicable government regulations and protected ourdynamic environment where employees while allowing themare empowered to continue to be effective inreach their jobs. We continue to stay updated on changes in government regulations and implement them to meet our employees’ changing health and wellness needs.highest potential.
Total Rewards
We are focused on offering competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit packages designed to meet the needs of our employees and reward their efforts and contributions. We seek coherence and fairness in total compensation with reference to external market comparisons, internal comparisonsequity, and the relationship between management and non-management compensation. Our total compensation package includespackages include base pay, bonuses,performance-based incentives, long-term incentives such as equity awards, 401(k) plan,retirement plans, healthcare and other insurance benefits, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, paid family leave, and employee assistance and well-being programs among many others.
Financial Information about Segments and Regions
Prior to the fourth quarter of 2021, we managed our operations as a single reportable segment.Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021, we report our segment results as Marketing Solutions and Retail Media:
•Criteo Marketing Solutions allow commerce companies to address multiple marketing goals by engaging their consumers with personalized ads across the web, mobile and offline store environments.
•Criteo Retail Mediasolutions allow retailers to generate advertising revenues from consumer brands, and/or to drive sales for themselves, by monetizing their data and audiences through personalized ads, either on their own digital property or on the open Internet, that address multiple marketing goals.
For information about revenues, and contribution ex-TAC of our reporting segments, please see our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. For a breakdown of our revenue and non-current assets by region, please see Note 26 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. For information regarding risks associated with our international operations, please refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I in this Form 10-K.
Available Information
Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are made available, free of charge on our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). These documents may be accessed through our website at www.criteo.com under "Investors." Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website does not constitute a part of this Form 10-K. We have included our website address in this Form 10-K solely as an inactive textual reference.
The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, such as Criteo, that file electronically with the SEC. With respect to references made in this Form 10-K to any contract or other document of Criteo, such references are not necessarily complete and you should refer to the exhibits attached or incorporated by reference to this Form 10-K for copies of the actual contract or document.
Item 1A Risk Factors
Investing in our ADSs involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks and all other information contained in this Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, before investing in our ADSs. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, also may become important factors that affect us. If any of the following risks materialize, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed. In that case, the trading price of our ADSs could decline, and you may lose some or all of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
If we fail to innovate, enhance our brand, and adapt and respond effectively to rapidly changing technology, our offerings may become less competitive or obsolete. Our investments in new solutions and technologies to address new marketing goals for our clients are inherently risky and may not be successful.
Our industry and business are subject to rapid and frequent changes in technology, evolving client needs and the frequent introduction by our competitors of new and enhanced offerings. Our future success will depend on our ability to continuously enhance and improve our offerings to meet client needs, build our brand, scale our technology capabilities, add functionality to and improve the performance of the Criteo Commerce Media Platform, and address technological and industry advancements. If we are unable to enhance our solutions to meet market demand in a timely manner, we may not be able to maintain our existing clients or attract new clients, and our solutions may become less competitive or obsolete. Furthermore, brand promotion activities may not yield increased revenue sufficient to offset expenses or any increased revenue and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses we incurred in building our brand.at all.
Our investments in our Commerce Media Platform and new technologies are inherently risky and may not be successful. Addressing broader marketing and monetization goals, in particularparticularly customer acquisition and brand awareness, is relatively new to us, and we have had to invest substantial resources to adapt our model, pricing and organization to support this expansion. It also implies investing in new advertising channels such as Connected TV. Similarly,where we do not have a long or established track record of competing successfully in this particular space.successfully. If we are not successful in expanding our solutions along broader marketing goals, our results of operations could be adversely affected. Furthermore, we believe that the importance of brand recognition will increase as competition in our market increases.
Our business, including our global operations and sales, faces risk related to public health developments, and has been, and we expect will continue to be, negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the global attempt to contain it.
We face various risks related to public health developments and outbreaks of contagious disease, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Any outbreak of contagious diseases, and other adverse public health developments, could have a material adverse effect on our business operations. The spread of COVID-19 and the various attempts to contain it have created volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption to global society, economics, financial markets and business practices. Certain of our customers, especially those in the Travel vertical, as well as those in the Classifieds vertical and traditional brick-and-mortar retailers (specifically those without strong e-commerce channels), have seen their businesses and revenues negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even as efforts to contain the pandemic have made progress and some restrictions have relaxed, new variants of the virus are causing additional outbreaks. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted, and may continue to impact, our business operations and financial position (including a potential negative impact on our revenues) as well as our employees, customers, partners and communities, and there is substantial uncertainty in the nature and degree of its continued effects over time.
We have taken precautionary measures intended to minimize the risk of the spread of the virus to our employees, partners and clients, and the communities in which we operate. A wide range of governmental restrictions has also been imposed on our employees, clients and partners’ in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. There can be no assurance that precautionary measures, whether adopted by us or imposed by others, will be effective, and such measures could negatively affect our sales, marketing, and client service efforts, delay and lengthen our sales cycles, decrease our employees’, clients’, or partners’ productivity, or create operational or other challenges, any of which could harm our business and results of operations.
To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic or any other public health development or outbreak adversely impacts our business, operations and financial results, it may also result in heightening the other risks described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
We face intense and increasing competition for employee talent, and if we do not retain and continue to attract highly skilled talent or retain our senior management team and other key employees, we may not be able to sustain our growth or achieve our business objectives.
Our future success depends on our ability to continue to attract, hire, retain and motivate highly skilled employees, particularly AI experts, software engineers, product managers and other employees with the technical skills that enable us to deliver effective advertising solutions. Competition for diverse, experienced and highly skilled employees in our industry is intense, in particular in the fields of AI and data science, and we expect certain of our key competitors, who generally are larger than us and have access to more substantial resources, to pursue top talent aggressively on a global basis.
Our future success also depends on the continued service of our senior management team. As a global team heading a global company, our management team must operate and collaborate across multiple physical locations and geographies, which can make coordinated management more challenging. Business transformation periods, changes in leadership and changes due to business reorganization may result in uncertainty, impact business performance and strategies, and retention of key personnel. We may be unable to attract or retain the management and highly skilled personnel who are critical to our success, which could hinder our ability to keep pace with innovation and technological change in our industry or result in harm to our key client and publisher relationships, loss of key information, expertise or proprietary knowledge and unanticipated recruitment and training costs.
In addition, we believe that our corporate culture fosters teamwork, impactful results and an open environment. As our organization grows and evolves, and continues to adapt to a hybrid remote working environment, we may need to implement more complex organizational management structures or adapt our corporate culture and work environments to meet changing circumstances, such as during times of a natural disaster or adverse public health development or outbreak of contagious disease (including the COVID-19 pandemic). These changes could impact our ability to compete effectively, or could have an adverse impact on our corporate culture.
The market in which we participate is intensely competitive, and we may not be able to compete successfully with our current or future competitors.
The market for digital advertising solutions, including specifically retail media, is highly competitive and rapidly changing. New technologies and methods of buying advertising present a dynamic competitive challengechanging, as market participants develop new technologies and offer multiple new products and services aimed at facilitating and/or capturing advertising spend. With the introduction of new technologies and the influx of new entrants to the market, including large established companies, andsmaller companies that we do not yet know about, or companies that do not yet exist, we expect competition to persist and intensify in the future, which could harm our ability to increase sales and maintain our profitability.profitability, including if competition increases pricing pressure.
Large and established internet and technology companies may have the power and capital to significantly change the very nature of the digital advertising marketplaces in ways that could materially disadvantage us. Some of these companies could leverage their positions to make changes to their web browsers, mobile operating systems, platforms, exchanges, networks or other solutions or services that could be significantly harmful to our business and results of operations. Some of these companies also have significantly larger resources and capital than we do, and in many cases have advantageous competitive positions in popular products and services such as Amazon Advertising, Google Search, YouTube, Chrome, and Meta Platforms, (formerly Facebook) including Facebook and Instagram,Apple Search Ads, which they can use to their advantage. Furthermore, our competitors include large and established internet and technology companies that have invested substantial resources and capital in innovation, which could lead to technological advancements that change the competitive dynamics of our business in ways that we may not be able to predict.
In addition to competing for advertising spend, we compete with many companies for advertising inventory, some of whom also operate their own advertising networks or exchanges from which we buy advertising inventory.
As more companies compete for advertising impressions on advertising exchange platforms and other platforms that aggregate supply of advertising inventory, advertising inventory may become competitive and expensive, which may adversely affect our ability to acquire a consistent supply of advertising inventory and to deliver advertisements on a profitable basis. Some of the companies that we compete with, either for advertising spend or for advertising inventory, may also be our clients or affiliated with our clients or important sources of advertising inventory. Competitive pressure may incentivize such companies to cease to be our clients or cease to provide us with access to their advertising inventory.
If this were to occur, our ability to place advertisements would be significantly impaired and our results of operations would be adversely affected. We also face competition for advertising spend fromSome large retailers, which could include our own clients. Some large advertisers are increasingly developingclients, may develop retail media platforms and in-house advertising technologies facilitated by self-service tools offered by internetin-house, and technology companies like Google and Adobe. Similarly, large enterprise marketing platforms, like Adobe, Oracle, and Salesforce.com, Inc., could create toolsmay move some of their demand to a direct sales model such that offer our clients additional opportunities to allocate advertising dollars to in-house campaigns.they would do some of their own sales. Competition could also hinder the success of new advertising solutions that we offer in the future.
If any of these risks were to materialize, our ability to compete effectively could be significantly compromised and our results of operations could be harmed. Any of these developments would make it more difficult for us to sell our offerings and could result in increased pricing pressure, reduced fees and gross margins, increased sales and marketing expense and/or the loss of market share.
24Our success depends on our ability to implement our business transformation and achieve our global business strategies.
Our business has recently undergone, and continues to undergo, a significant transformation, partially in response to major changes in the advertising technology industry driven by, but not limited to, regulations such as GDPR and restrictions on data collection and use, including those implemented by large technology companies. The components of our transformation include diversification of our services as we shift away from third-party cookies, focus on growth and investment, and certain organization adjustments and cost optimization opportunities. Our future performance and growth depend on the success of this transformation and our new business strategies, including our management team’s ability to successfully implement them.
If we fail
Our ongoing transformation has resulted, and may continue to access a consistent supplyresult, in changes to business priorities and operations, capital allocation priorities, operational and organizational structure, and increased demands on management. Such changes could result in short-term and one-time costs, lost clients, reduced sales volume, higher than expected restructuring costs, retention issues and loss of advertising inventorykey personnel, workforce productivity challenges and expandother negative impacts on our accessbusiness. We may also become subject to such inventory,the risks of workforce dissatisfaction, negative publicity and business disruption in connection with these initiatives.
Completion of our business transformation may take longer than anticipated, and, once implemented, we may not realize, in full or in part, the anticipated benefits or the realization of such benefits may be delayed. The failure to realize benefits or savings, which may be due to our inability to execute plans, delays in the implementation of the transformation and our product roadmap, global or local economic conditions, competition, changes in the advertising technology industry and the other risks described herein, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, could be harmed.
A large part of our revenue, in particular in our Criteo Marketing Solutions offering, is derived from placing advertisements on publisher digital properties that we do not own. As a result, we do not own or control the advertising inventory upon which our business depends. We currently access advertising inventory through various channels, including through direct relationships with publishers and large retailers, advertising exchange platforms and other platforms that aggregate the supply of advertising inventory.
Since many widely used aggregators of advertising inventory are owned by companies that may compete with us for clients, competitive pressure may incentivize these companies to limit our access to advertising inventory available through their platforms. For example, in October 2019 we filed a complaint with the French Competition Authority against Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), regarding practices which we believe impair the conditions of access to advertising inventories and to data concerning ad campaigns on Facebook under conditions that are not transparent or objective as well as "denigration" actions and difference of treatment. The fact that advertising inventory available within "walled-garden" publisher environments tends to grow faster than other advertising inventory available on the market may limit the growthtrading price of our access to advertising inventory or our mere access to it overall. In addition, industry or technological changes may affect our access to inventory or the price we pay for inventory.
Similarly, our ability to continue to purchase inventory from many of the publishers and large retailers with whom we have direct relationships depends in part on our ability to consistently pay sufficiently competitive CPMs for their advertising inventory, or in the case of some Criteo Retail Media solutions, to generate sufficient advertising revenue for retailers, as well as our ability to offer advertisements from high quality companies. As more companies compete for advertising impressions on advertising exchange platforms and other platforms that aggregate supply of advertising inventory, advertising inventory may become more expensive, which may adversely affect our ability to acquire it and to deliver advertisements on a profitable basis. We may in the future have to increasingly rely on direct relationships with strong publisher partners in order to maintain the necessary access to quality advertising inventory, and we may not be able to do so on terms that are favorable to us. In addition, to support the growth of our solutions for customer acquisition and brand awareness marketing goals, we will need to expand our access to online video and Connected TV inventory, both in the web, mobile applications, and on connected devices, the price of which may not be available on terms that are favorable to us.
Additionally, we are party to certain agreements with partners that provide us with preferred access to inventory. If the terms of those agreements change and we lose our preferred access, then our financial results could be adversely affected.
If we are not successful in these endeavors, our business and results of operations could be harmed.securities.
The failure by Criteo AI Engine to accurately predict engagement by users and maintain the quality of our client and publisher content could result in significant costs to us, lost revenue and diminished business opportunities.
The effective delivery of certain of our digital advertising solutions depends on the ability of Criteo AI Engine to predict the likelihood that a consumer will engage with any given internet display advertisement with a sufficient degree of accuracy so that our clients can achieve desirable returns on their advertising spend. We historically charged our clients primarily based on a cost-per-click pricing model, and our clients only paid us when a user engaged with the advertisement, usually by clicking on it. Although we have started evolvingevolved our pricing models alongside our broader suite of solutions, a large part of our revenue is still generated through cost-per-click pricing models or an equivalent.
Many of our agreements with clients are open-ended and often do not include a spending minimum. Similarly, our contracts with publishers generally do not include long-term obligations requiring them to make their inventory available to us over long periods of time. Therefore, we need to continuously deliver satisfactory results for our clients and publishers in order to maintain and increase revenue, which in turn depends in partpartly on the optimal functioning of Criteo AI Engine.
In addition, as we have increased the number of clients and publishers that use our offerings on a global basis, we have experienced significant growth in the amount and complexity of data processed by Criteo AI Engine and the number of advertising impressions we deliver. As the amount of data and number of variables processed by Criteo AI Engine increase, and the calculations that the algorithms must compute become increasingly complex, the risk of errors in the type of data collected, stored, generated or accessed also increases.
Our client’s satisfaction also depends on our ability to keep advertisements from being placed in unlawful or inappropriate content, or content that is not permitted under the terms of the applicable agreements with clients. While this depends in part on the optimal functioning of the Criteo AI Engine, as more of our clients use our self-service tools with less intervention by us, it could become more challenging to train and support such clients to use such tools and to prevent inappropriate or unlawful advertisements from being shown. Fraudulent or malicious activity, including non-human traffic, could also impair the proper functioning of Criteo AI Engine. For example, the use of bots or other automated or manual mechanisms to generate fraudulent clicks or misattribute clicks on advertisements we deliver could overstate the performance of our advertising. Due to the higher CPMcost per 1,000 impressions paid for online video and connectedConnected TV advertisements, the risk of fraudulent traffic may increase as we increase our purchasing of online video and connectedConnected TV inventory.
If we were to experience significant errors, defects, or fraudulent or malicious activity in Criteo AI Engine, including such that we are unable to keep our clients’ advertisements from being placed in unlawful or inappropriate content, our solution could be impaired or stop working altogether, which could prevent us from purchasingsignificantly impair our ability to purchase any advertising inventory and generatinggenerate any revenue until the errors, defects or fraudulent or malicious activity were detected and corrected. Other negative consequences from significant errors, defects or fraudulent or malicious activityexperiencing such issues in Criteo AI Engine could include:
•a loss of clients and publishers or a decrease in inventory purchased by clients;
•fewer consumer visits to our client websites or mobile applications;
•lower click-through rates or conversion rates;
• faulty inventory purchase decisions, resulting in lower profitability per impression, up to andan including negative margins;
•faulty inventory purchase decisionsmargins, for which we may need to bear the cost;
•lower return on advertising spend for our clients;
•lower price for the advertising inventory we are able tocan offer to publishers;
•delivery of advertisements that are less relevant or irrelevant to users;users, resulting in lower click-through rates or conversion rates;
• being blocked by internet service providers or regulators;
• refusals to pay, demands for refunds, loss of confidence, termination of campaigns or withdrawal of future business and potential liability for damages or regulatory inquiries or lawsuits; and
•negative publicity or harm to our reputation.
As a result, the failure by Criteo AI Engine to accurately predict engagement of users and maintain the quality of our client and publisher content and to continue to do so over time could result in significant costs to us, lost revenue and diminished business opportunities.
Third parties may implement technical restrictions that impede our access to data and revenue opportunities upon which we rely, which could materially impact our business and results of operations.
Regulatory, legislative
A substantial portion of the data we rely on comes from our publisher partners and other third parties, including advertising exchange platforms (including supply-side platforms, or self-regulatory developments regarding internet“SSPs”, such as Google’s Ad Manager) and retailers. Similarly, we rely on our publisher partners, advertising exchange platforms and other third parties, such as retailers, for opportunities to serve advertisements through which we generate our revenue. Our ability to successfully leverage such data and successfully generate revenue from such opportunities could be impacted by restrictions imposed by or online matters could adversely affecton our publisher partners or other third parties, including restrictions on our ability to conductuse or read cookies or other tracking features or our business.ability to use real-time bidding networks or other bidding networks.
Governmental authorities around the world have enacted, considered or are considering legislation or regulations that could significantly restrictFor example, in light of GDPR, some SSPs imposed restrictions on our ability to collect, process, use, transferbid on opportunities to serve ads. Third-party publishers are responsible under GDPR for gathering necessary user consents and pool data collectedindicating to SSPs that Criteo has been approved by the applicable users. As part of their efforts to comply with their understanding of the requirements of GDPR, which are subject to interpretation, certain SSPs that run advertising exchanges have required actions from and about consumers and devices. Trade associations and industry self-regulatory groups have also promulgated best practicessuch third-party publishers with respect to such consents that appear stricter than regulations require. Similarly, SSPs and other industry standards relatingrelevant third parties may take similar actions in response to targeted advertising.any new legislation or regulatory developments or interpretations in the future, in response to perceived user preferences, or for other reasons.
In the European Union, the two main pillars of the data protection legal framework are the Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications (E-Privacy Directive) and the GDPR. The E-Privacy Directive directs EU member states to ensure that accessing information on an Internet user’s computer, such as through a cookie and other similar technologies, is allowed only if the Internet user has been informed about such access and given his or her consent. A recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union clarified that such consent must be reflected by an affirmative act of the user, and European regulators are increasingly agitating for more robust forms of consent. These developments result in decreased reliance on implied consent mechanisms that have been used to meet requirements of the E-Privacy Directive in some markets. A replacement by an e-privacy regulation for the E-Privacy Directive is currently under discussion by EU member states to complement and bring electronic communication services in line with the GDPR and force a harmonized approach across EU member states. It is possible that the proposed e-privacy regulation could further impede the use of cookies and the fines and penalties for breach could be significant.
Under GDPR, data protection authorities have the power to impose administrative fines of up to a maximum of €20 million or 4% of the data controller’s or data processor’s total worldwide turnover of the preceding financial year. Similarly, the e-privacy regulation, once enacted, could result in new rules and mechanisms for "cookie" consent.
Further, on October 1, 2020, the French data protection authority (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés, or "CNIL") issued the final version of its guidelines on the use of cookies and other trackers and its final recommendations on modalities for obtaining users’ consent to store or read non-essential cookies and similar technologies on their devices. The recommendations provide that, when required, consent must be indicated by a clear and positive action of the data subject, such as by clicking on an “accept all” button on the first layer of the consent management platform. CNIL also noted that it should be as easy to refuse consent to the use of cookies as it is to accept consent, and a “refuse all” button should be present on the first layer of the consent management platform, equivalent to the “accept all” button in terms of size, position and color. Further, the ability to withdraw consent must be readily available at all times. The recommendations are not binding, nor are they intended to be prescriptive and exhaustive. Companies had until March 2021 to ensure compliance with these guidelines, and CNIL is currently auditing many websites in France to verify if they comply with its guidelines.
In 2018, the State of California adopted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018,If third parties on which we rely for data or the CCPA. The CCPA has been characterized as the first “GDPR-like” privacy statuteopportunities to be enacted in the U.S. because its scope, and a number of the key provisions, resemble the GDPR. The CCPA establishes a new privacy framework for covered businesses by, among other requirements, creating an expanded definition of personal information, establishing new data privacy rights for consumers in the State of California, imposing special rules on the collection of personal data from minors, creating new notice obligations and new limits on the sale of personal information, and creating a new and potentially severe statutory damages framework for violations of the CCPA and for businesses that fail to implement reasonable security procedures and practices to prevent data breaches. As currently enacted, we and partners in our industry have been requiredserve advertisements impose similar restrictions or are not able to comply with these requirements since January 1, 2020, when the CCPA became effective. As with GDPR, the advertising technology marketplace may have to adapt to operating under the CCPA where it applies. Our advertising or publishing partners may impose new CCPA restrictions with which we must adapt and comply. In November 2020, voters in California voted to pass the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), which both amends and expands the scope of the CCPA. The CPRA will become effective on January 1, 2023, with a look back period to January 1, 2022. The CPRA creates new criteriaimposed by which businesses can be regulated, expands the definition of “personal information” to more closely match European regulations, a new audit requirement, and the creation of an agency to oversee enforcement of the CPRA. The CPRA also explicitly provides an opt-out right for cross-contextual behavioral advertising. We cannot predict the timing or outcome of this adaptation or the effect on our business. Adapting our business to the CCPA and the forthcoming new requirements under the CPRA could involve substantial resources and expense, and may cause us to divert resources from other aspects of our business, all of which may adversely affect our business.
In addition, other states in the U.S. are quickly adopting state enacted privacy laws. Recently Virginia and Colorado passed privacy laws that differ slightly from the CPRA. If other states follow suit, it could lead to a varied and complex regulatory landscape, which could result in material costs.
Clarifications of and changes to these existing and proposed laws, regulations, judicial interpretations and industry standards can be costly to comply with, and we may be unable to pass along those costs to our clients in the form of increased fees, which may negatively affect our operating results.
Such changes can also delay or impede the development of new solutions, result in negative publicity and reputational harm, require significant management time and attention, increase our risk of non-compliance and subject us to claims or other remedies, including fines or demands that we modify or cease existing business practices, including our ability to charge per click or the scope of clicks for which we charge. Additionally, any perception of our practices or solutions as an invasion of privacy, whether or not such practices or solutions are consistent with current or future regulations and industry practices, may subject us to public criticism, private class actions, reputational harm or claims by regulators, which could disrupt our business and expose us to increased liability.
Finally, our legal and financial exposure often depends in part on our clients’ or other third parties' adherence to and compliance with privacy laws and regulations and their use of our services in ways consistent with visitors’ expectations.
If our clients fail to adhere to our contracts in this regard, or a court or governmental agency determines that we have not adequately, accurately or completely described our own solutions, services and data collection, use and sharing practices in our own disclosures to consumers, then we and our clients and publisher partners may be subject to potentially adverse publicity, damages and related possible investigation or other regulatory activity in connection with our privacy practices or those of our clients.
In November 2018, Privacy International filed a complaint with relevant data protection authorities against Criteo and a number of other similarly situated advertising technology companies, arguing that certain of these companies' practices do not comply with the GDPR. In January 2020, CNIL opened a formal investigation into Criteo in response to this complaint, which is still ongoing as per CNIL’s notification to Criteo dated June 23, 2021, which notified the Company of the appointment of an investigator (rapporteur). Their investigation also covers another complaint against Criteo received by the CNIL from European Center for Digital Rights (NOYB). There can be no assurance that actions by the Company will not be required as a result of the investigation.
Our business depends on our ability to maintain the quality of content for our clients and publishers.
Our clients' satisfaction depends on our ability to place advertisements with publisher content that is well-suited to the client's product or service. If we are unable to keep our clients’ advertisements from being placed in unlawful or inappropriate content, our reputation and business may suffer. In particular, we could be treated as a spammer and blocked by internet service providers or regulators. In addition, if we place advertisements on websites containing content that is not permitted under the terms of the applicable agreements with a client, we may be unable to charge the client for impressions or clicks generated on those sites, the client may terminate their campaign, the client may require us to indemnify them for any resulting third party claims, or the client may allege breach of contract. Further, our publishers and exchange partners rely upon us not to place advertisements with inappropriate or unlawful content on their websites. As we grow our business to serve a larger number of smaller clients using self-service tools with less intervention by us, it could become more challenging to train and support such clients to use such tools and to prevent inappropriate or unlawful advertisements from being shown. If we are unable to maintain the quality of our client and publisher content as the number of clients and publishers we work with continues to grow, our reputation and business may suffer and we may not be able to retain or secure additional clients or publisher relationships.
Our success depends on our ability to implement our business transformation and achieve our global business strategies.
Our business has recently undergone, and continues to undergo, a significant transformation, partially in response to major changes in the advertising technology industry driven by, but not limited to, regulations such as the GDPR and restrictions on data collection and use, including those implemented by large technology companies. The components of our transformation include diversification of our services as we shift away from third-party cookies, focus on growth and investment, and certain organization adjustments and cost optimization opportunities. Our future performance and growth depends on the success of this transformation and our new business strategies, including our management team’s ability to successfully implement them.
Our ongoing transformation has resulted and may continue to result in changes to business priorities and operations, capital allocation priorities, operational and organizational structure, and increased demands on management. Such changes could result in short-term and one-time costs, lost customers, reduced sales volume, higher than expected restructuring costs, loss of key personnel and other negative impacts on our business. We may also become subject to the risks of labor unrest, negative publicity and business disruption in connection with these initiatives.
Completion of our business transformation may take longer than anticipated, and, once implemented, we may not realize, in full or in part, the anticipated benefits or such benefits may be realized more slowly than anticipated. The failure to realize benefits or savings, which may be due to our inability to execute plans, delays in the implementation of the transformation, global or local economic conditions, competition, changes in the advertising technology industry and the other risks described herein, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as the trading price of our securities.
We may not be able to effectively integrate the businesses we acquire, which may adversely affect our ability to achieve our growth and business objectives.
We explore, on an ongoing basis, potential acquisitions of additional businesses, products, solutions, technologies or teams. If we identify an appropriate acquisition candidate, we may not be successful in negotiating the terms and/or financing of the acquisition, and our due diligence may fail to identify all of the problems, liabilities or other shortcomings or challenges of an acquired business, product, solution or technology, including issues related to intellectual property, product quality or architecture, employees or clients, regulatory compliance, including tax compliance, practices or revenue recognition or other accounting practices.
Any acquisition or investment, including the contemplated IPONWEB Acquisition, may require us to use significant amounts of cash, incur debt, issue potentially dilutive equity securities or incur contingent liabilities or amortization of expenses, or impairment of goodwill and/or purchased long-lived assets, and restructuring charges, any of which could harm our financial condition or results. The Company has incurred and will incur significant transaction and acquisition-related costs in connection with its acquisitions, including legal, accounting, financial advisory, regulatory and other expenses. The payment of such transaction costs could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, acquisitions, including our recent acquisitions such as the contemplated IPONWEB Acquisition and the Mabaya Acquisition, involve numerous risks, any of which could harm our business, including:
•difficulties in integrating the operations, technologies, services and personnel of acquired businesses, especially if those businesses operate outside of our core competency and market;
•the need to integrate operations across different geographies, cultures and languages and to address the particular economic, currency, political and regulatory risks associated with specific countries;
•cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from the acquired company into our organization;
•ineffectiveness, lack of scalability, or incompatibility of acquired technologies or services;
•potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses;
•inability to maintain the key business relationships and the reputation of acquired businesses;
•failure to successfully further develop the acquired technology in order to recoup our investment;
•unfavorable reputation and perception of the acquired product or technology by the general public;
•diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;
•liability or litigation for activities of the acquired business, including claims from terminated employees, clients, former shareholders or other third parties;
•implementation or remediation of controls, practices, procedures and policies at acquired businesses, including the costs necessary to establish and maintain effective internal controls; and
•increased fixed costs.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully integrate the businesses that we acquire or that we will be able to leverage the acquired commercial relationships, products, technologies or teams in the manner we anticipate. If we are unable to successfully integrate the businesses we have acquired or any business, product, solution, technology or team we acquire in the future, our business and results of operations could suffer, and we may not be able to achieve our business and growth objectives.
Failure to complete the IPONWEB Acquisition could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and could negatively impact our stock price.
The IPONWEB Acquisition is subject to certain customary conditions to closing that must be satisfied or waived (to the extent permissible), in each case prior to the completion of the acquisition. These conditions to the completion of the acquisition, some of which are beyond our control and that of IPONWEB, may not be satisfied or waived in a timely manner or at all, and, accordingly, the acquisition may be delayed or not completed. Any failure of the pending IPONWEB Acquisition to be completed could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and could negatively impact our stock price. The current market price of our stock may reflect an assumption that the pending acquisition will occur and failure to complete the acquisition could result in a decline in our stock price.
Our international operations and expansion expose us to several risks.
As of December 31, 2021, we had a direct operating presence through 29 offices located in 15 countries and did business in 96 countries. Our current global operations and future initiatives involve a variety of risks, including, in addition to risks described elsewhere in this section:
•operational and execution risk, including localization of the product interface and systems, translation into foreign languages, adaptation for local practices, adequate coordination of timing to onboard local clients and publishers, difficulty of maintaining our corporate culture, challenges inherent to hiring and efficiently managing an increased number of employees over large geographic distances, and the increasing complexity of the organizational structure required to support expansion and operations into multiple geographies and regulatory systems;
•insufficient, or insufficiently coordinated, demand for and supply of advertising inventory in specific geographic markets processed through Criteo AI Engine, which could impair its ability to accurately predict user engagement in that market;
•compliance with (and liability for failure to comply with) applicable local laws and regulations, including, among other things, laws and regulations with respect to data protection and user privacy, tax and withholding, labor regulations, anti-corruption, environment, consumer protection, spam and content, which laws and regulations may be inconsistent across jurisdictions;
•intensity of local competition for digital advertising budgets and internet display inventory;
•changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions;
•risks related to tariffs and trade barriers, pricing structure, payment and currency, including aligning our pricing model and payment terms with local norms, higher levels of credit risk and payment fraud, difficulties in invoicing and collecting in foreign currencies and associated foreign currency exposure, restrictions on foreign ownership and investments, and difficulties in repatriating or transferring funds from or converting currencies; and
•limited or unfavorable intellectual property protection;
Additionally, operating in international markets also requires significant management attention and financial resources. We cannot be certain that the investment and additional resources required in establishing operations in other countries will produce desired levels of revenue or profitability.
Because our functional currency is the euro, while our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, we face exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign currency exchange risk exposure also arises from intra-company transactions and financing with subsidiaries that have a functional currency different than the euro. While we are engaging in hedging transactions to minimize the impact of uncertainty in future exchange rates on intra-company transactions and financing, we may not hedge all of our foreign currency exchange rate risk. In addition, hedging transactions carry their own risks and costs, and could expose us to additional risks that could harm our financial condition and operating results.
If we fail to manage our growth and the shift in our client portfolio toward the midmarket effectively, we may be unable to execute our business plan or maintain high levels of client and publisher satisfaction.
We have experienced, and may in the future experience, rapid growth and changes in our client portfolio, which have created, and may continue to create, challenges to the quality of our service to our clients, and which have placed, and may continue to place, significant demands on our management and our operational and financial resources.
For example, over the years, the size of our business with Tail clients (previously called midmarket clients) has grown significantly as a proportion of our overall business, and it may continue to grow in the future. While we intend to put more focus on our Strategic and Core clients and therefore less emphasis on the Tail client category, should our business evolve toward the Tail category, there are several additional risks to our business, including risks relating to the financial stability of our clients and our ability to collect accounts receivable from such clients. In addition, since our business with Tail clients is comprised of thousands of smaller clients that require significant resources to support, it is currently less profitable than our business with Strategic and Core clients. Overall there may not be a direct correlation between a change in the number of clients in a particular period and an increase or decrease in our revenue.
If we fail to successfully manage the anticipated changes in our client portfolio and the associated changes in employee headcount and our organizational structure, our brand and reputation may suffer, which would in turn impair our ability to attract and retain clients and publishers and our results of operations.
Our future success will depend in part on our ability to expand into new industry verticals.
As we market our offering to a wider group of consumer brands and companies outside of our historical key industry verticals of retail, travel and classifieds, among others, we will need to adapt our solutions and effectively market our value to businesses in these new industry verticals. Our successful expansion into new industry verticals will depend on various factors, including our ability to:
•accumulate sufficient data sets relevant for those industry verticals to ensure that Criteo AI Engine has sufficient quantity and quality of information to deliver efficient and effective internet display advertisements applicable to the relevant industry;
•design solutions that are attractive to businesses in such verticals;
•work with clients in new industry verticals through the advertising agencies that manage their advertising budgets
•hire personnel with relevant industry vertical experience to lead sales and product teams
•provide high returns on advertising spend in such industries and maintain such high returns on advertising spend at scale; and
•transparently measure the performance of such advertising spend based on clear, measurable metrics.
If we are unable to successfully adapt our offering to appeal to businesses in industries other than our core verticals, or are unable to effectively market such solutions to businesses in such industries, we may not be able to achieve our growth or business objectives. Further, as we expand our client base and offering into new industry verticals, we may be unable to maintain our current client retention rates.
As we expand the market for our solutions, we may become more dependent on advertising agencies as intermediaries, which may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain business, or exert downward pressure on our margins.
As we market our solutions, we may increasingly need advertising agencies to work with us in assisting businesses in planning and purchasing for broader marketing goals. Over the second half of 2021, 50% of Criteo Retail Media's gross media spend and 29% of Criteo Marketing Solutions' gross media spend relied on advertising agencies.
Overall, we believe that accessing broader advertising budgets by partnering with advertising agencies represents a significant incremental business opportunity for us. However, an increasing exposure to advertising agencies may also represent significant risks. For example, if we have an unsuccessful engagement with an advertising agency on a particular advertising campaign, we risk losing the ability to work not only for the client for whom the campaign was run, but also for other clients represented by that agency. Further, if our business evolves such that we are increasingly working through advertising agency intermediaries, we would have less of a direct relationship with our clients. This may drive our clients to attribute the value we provide to the advertising agency rather than to us, further limiting our ability to develop long-term relationships directly with our clients. Additionally, our clients may move from one advertising agency to another, and, accordingly, even if we have a positive relationship with an advertising agency,ecosystem participants, we may lose the underlying client’s business when the client switches to a new agency.
The presence of advertising agencies as intermediaries between us and our clients thus creates a challenge to building our own brand awareness and maintaining an affinity with our clients, who are the ultimate sources of our revenue. In the event we were to become more dependent on advertising agencies as intermediaries, this may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain business. In addition, an increased dependencyaccess data, bid on advertising agencies may harm our results of operations, asopportunities, or purchase digital ad space, which could have a result of the increased agency fees we may be required to pay and/or as a result of longer payment terms from agencies.
Our future success will depend in part on our ability to expand into new advertising channels.
We define an advertising channel as a specific advertisement medium to engage with a user or a consumer for which we currently purchase inventory through a specific source. We started delivering elements of our offering through internet display advertisements in desktop browsers. Since then, we have expanded into mobile in-browser and in-app, native display, including on social media platforms, and online video inventory.
In the future, we may decide to broaden the spectrum of our advertising channels further, including Connected TV and Digital Out of Home, if we believe that doing so would significantly increase the value we can offer to clients. However, any future attempts to enter new advertising channels may not be successful.
Our success in expanding into any additional advertising channels will depend on various factors, including our ability to:
•identify additional advertising channels where our solutions could perform;
•accumulate sufficient data sets relevant for those advertising channels to ensure that Criteo AI Engine has a sufficient quantity and quality of information to deliver relevant personalized advertisements through those additional advertising channels;
•adapt our solutions to additional advertising channels and effectively market it for such additional advertising channels to our existing and prospective clients;
•integrate newly developed or acquired advertising channels into our pricing and measurement models, with a clear and measurable performance attribution mechanism that works across all channels, and in a manner that is consistent with our privacy standards;
•achieve client performance levels through the new advertising channels that are similar to those delivered through existing advertising channels, and in any case that are not dilutive to the overall client performance;
•identify and establish acceptable business arrangements with inventory partners and platforms to access inventories in sufficient quality and quantity for these new advertising channels;
•maintain our gross margin at a consistent level upon entering one or more additional advertising marketing channels;
•compete with new market participants active in these additional advertising channels; and
•hire and retain key personnel with relevant technology and product expertise to lead the integration of additional advertising channels onto our platform, and sales and operations teams to sell and integrate additional advertising channels.
Any decrease in the use of internet display advertisements, mobile in-browser and in-app, native display, including on social media platforms, and online video advertising, whether due to clients losing confidence in the value or effectiveness of such channels, regulatory or technology restrictions or if we are unable to successfully adapt our solutions to additional advertising channels and effectively market such offerings to our existing and prospective clients, or if we are unable to maintain our pricing and measurement models in these additional advertising channels, may prevent us from achieving our growth or business objectives.
We operate in a rapidly evolving industry, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and may increase the risk that we will not be successful. Our historical growth rates may not be indicative of our future growth, and we expect our operating and capital investments to continue to increase in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, we may have difficulty sustaining profitability.
We operate in a rapidly evolving industry. Our ability to forecast our future operating results is subject to a number of uncertainties, including our ability to plan for and model future growth in both our business and the digital advertising market generally. We are subject to risks and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly evolving industries, including challenges in forecasting accuracy, determining appropriate nature and levels of investments, assessing appropriate returns on investments, achieving market acceptance of our existing and future offerings, managing client implementations and developing new solutions. If our assumptions regarding these uncertainties, which we regularly use and update to plan our business, are incorrect or change in reaction to changes in our markets, or if we do not address these risks successfully, our operating and financial results could differ materially from our expectations and our business could suffer.
You should not consider our revenue growth in past periods to be indicative of our future performance. In future periods, our revenue could decline or grow more slowly than we expect. We believe the growth of our revenue depends on a number of factors, including our ability to:
•attract new clients, and retain and expand our relationships with existing clients;
•maintain the breadth of our media owner network and attract new publishers and media owners, including large retailers, publishers of web content, mobile applications and video and social games, in order to grow the volume and breadth of advertising inventory available to us;
•broaden our solutions portfolio to include additional marketing and monetization goals (including awareness and consideration) for commerce companies and consumer brands across the open Internet, including web, apps and stores;
•adapt our offering to meet evolving needs of businesses, including to address market trends such as (i) the continued migration of consumers from desktop to mobile and from websites to mobile applications, (ii) the increasing percentage of sales that involve multiple digital devices, (iii) the increasing retailer adoption of retail media monetization solutions, (iv) the growing adoption by consumers of “ad-blocking” software on web browsers on desktop and/or on mobile devices and use or consumption by consumers of advertising-free services, (v) changes in the marketplace for and supply of advertising inventory, including the shift toward header bidding, (vi) changes in the overall ecosystem such as Apple's introduction of its Intelligent Tracking Prevention feature into its Safari browser and its App Tracking Transparency feature in its iOS14.5 mobile operating system, Microsoft’s Tracking Prevention feature in its Edge browser, and Mozilla’s introduction of Enhanced Tracking Protection into its Firefox browser and (vii) changes in consumer acceptance of tracking technologies for targeted or behavioral advertising purposes;
•maintain and increase our access to data necessary for the performance of Criteo AI Engine;
•continuously improve the algorithms underlying Criteo AI Engine and apply state-of-the-art Machine Learning approaches and hardware; and
•continue to adapt to a changing regulatory landscape governing data protection and privacy matters.
We also anticipate continuing to invest in our business to increase the scale of our solutions, existing and new, grow our headcount and expand our operations. In particular, we plan to continue to focus on maximizing our Contribution after traffic acquisition costs on an absolute basis, which we call Contribution ex-TAC, as we believe this focus fortifies a number of our competitive strengths. Our focus on maximizing Contribution ex-TAC on an absolute basis may have an adversesubstantial impact on our gross margin and we cannot be certain that this strategy will be successful or result in increased liquidity or long-term value for our shareholders.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from companies in the retail, travel and classified industries, and any downturn in these industries or any changes in regulations affecting these industries could harm our business.
A significant portion of our revenue is derived from companies in the Retail, Travel and Classifieds industries. For example, in 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, 78.1%, 75.6%, 68.9% and 69.1%, respectively, of our combined revenue for Criteo Marketing Solutions was derived from advertisements placed for Retail commerce businesses. Any downturn or increased competitive pressure in any of our core industries, or other industries we may target in the future, may cause our clients to reduce their spending with us, or delay or cancel their advertising campaigns with us.
We have substantial client concentration in certain local markets and solutions, with a limited number of clients accounting for a substantial portion of our revenues in those areas.
Although our overall customer base is well-diversified, with our largest 10 clients only representing 16.6% of our revenue in the aggregate in 2021, in certain of our local markets and specific solutions we derive a substantial portion of revenues from a limited number of clients. There are inherent risks whenever a large percentage of revenues within any specific market or solution are concentrated within a limited number of clients. We cannot predict the future level of demand for our services and products that will be generated by these clients. In addition, revenues from these clients may fluctuate from time to time. Further, some of our contracts with these clients may permit them to terminate use of our products at any time (subject to notice and certain other provisions). If we fail to retain any of these clients and any of these clients terminate or reduce use of our products, our revenues within local markets or specific solutions may be negatively impacted.
We experience fluctuations in our results of operations due to a number of factors, which make our future results difficult to predict and could cause our operating results to fall below expectations or our guidance.
Our quarterly and annual results of operations fluctuate due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. As a result, comparing our results of operations on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful. Fluctuations in our results of operations could cause our performance to fall below the expectations of analysts and investors, and adversely affect the price of our ADSs. You should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. Factors that may affect our quarterly results of operations include:
•the nature of our clients’ products or services, including the seasonal nature of our clients’ advertising spending;
•lengthy implementation cycles resulting in substantial expenses incurred without any guarantee of revenue generation;
•demand for our offering and the size, scope and timing of digital advertising campaigns;
•the relative lack of long-term agreements with our clients and publishers;
•client and publisher retention rates;
•market acceptance of our offering and future solutions and services (i) in current industry verticals and new industry verticals, (ii) in new geographic markets, (iii) in new advertising channels, or (iv) for broader marketing goals;
•the timing of large expenditures related to expansion into new solutions, new geographic markets, new industry verticals, acquisitions and/or capital projects;
•the timing of adding support for new digital devices, platforms and operating systems;
•the amount of inventory purchased through direct relationships with publishers versus internet advertising exchanges or networks;
•our clients’ budgeting cycles;
•changes in the competitive dynamics of our industry, including consolidation among competitors;
•consumers' response to our clients’ advertisements, to online advertising in general and to tracking technologies for targeted or behavioral advertising purposes;
•our ability to control costs, including our operating expenses;
•network outages, errors in our technology or security breaches and any associated expense and collateral effects;
•foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, as some of our foreign sales and costs are denominated in their local currencies;
•failure to successfully manage any acquisitions; and
•general economic and political conditions in our domestic and international markets.
As a result, we may have a limited ability to forecast the amount of future revenue and expense, and our results of operations may from time to time fall below our estimates or the expectations of public market analysts and investors.
Risks Related to Data Privacy, Intellectual Property and Cybersecurityrevenue.
Our ability to generate revenue depends on our collection of significant amounts of data from various sources, which may be restricted by consumer choice, clients, publishers, browsers or other software, changes in technology, and new developments in laws, regulations and industry standards.
Our ability to optimize the delivery of internet advertisements for our clients depends on our ability to successfully leverage data, including data that we collect from our clients, data we receive from our publisher partners and third parties, and data from our own operating history. Using cookies and non-cookie based mechanisms, such as hashed emails, hashed customer log-ins, mobile phone numbers or mobile advertising identifiers, we collect information about the interactions of users with our clients’ and publishers’ digital properties (including, for example, information about the placement of advertisements and users’ shopping or other interactions with our clients’ websites or advertisements). Our ability to successfully leverage such data depends on our continued ability to access and use such data, which could be restricted by a number of factors, including consumer choice,choices, restrictions imposed by counterparties (such as clients, supply sources and publishers, who may also compete with us for advertising spend and inventory) and, web browser developers or other software developers, changes in technology, including changes in web browser technology, increased visibility of consent or “do not track” mechanisms or “ad-blocking” software, the emergence of new opt-out signals such as “Global Privacy Control” and “Global Privacy Platform”, and new developments in, or new interpretations of, laws, regulations and industry standards. These types of restrictions could materially impair the results of our operations.
Web browser developers, such as Apple, Mozilla Foundation, Microsoft or Google, have implemented or may implement changes in browser or device functionality that impair our ability to understand the preferences of consumers, including by limiting the use of third-party cookies or other tracking technologies or data indicating or predicting consumer preferences. Today, threefour major web browsers — Apple’s Safari, Mozilla’s Firefox, and Microsoft’s Edge, and Samsung Internet Browser — block third partythird-party cookies by default. Internet users can also delete cookies from their computers and mobile devices at any time. In January 2020, Google has announced that it plans to phase out support for third-party cookies in Chrome, which has since been delayed until late 2023.with a one-percent deprecation of third-party cookies for Chrome users globally in the first half of 2024 and the entire phase out planned for the second half of 2024, subject to the approval of the UK Competition and Market Authority who is ensuring that Google provides an acceptable advertising targeting solution to the market to replace third-party cookies, such as Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative. Google’s Privacy Sandbox would limit improper tracking through third-party cookies and replace it with certain application programming interfaces (“APIs”) that would allow advertisers to receive aggregated data without using such third-party cookies. While we are one of the largest scaled partners in the Privacy Sandbox as it is being developed and tested, if the Privacy Sandbox is adopted, it could require us to make changes to how we collect information on consumer preferences. Google controls more than 60% of the browser market and has an even more dominant position in the digital advertising market. These web browser developers have significant resources at their disposal and command substantial market share, and any restrictions they impose could foreclose our ability to understand the preferences of a substantial number of consumers.
Although we are actively in the process of moving our business away from third-party cookies towards relying more on first-party data-based and other identifiers, if we are blocked from serving advertisements to a significant portion of internet users, our business could suffer and our results of operations could be harmed.
Similarly, Internet users are increasingly able to download free or paid “ad-blocking” software, including on mobile devices, which prevent third-party cookies from being stored on a user’s computer and block advertisements from being displayed to such user. In addition, Google has introduced ad blocking software in its Chrome browser that blocks certain ads based on quality standards established under a multi-stakeholder coalition. If such a feature inadvertently or mistakenly blocks ads that are not within the established blocking standards, or if such capabilities become widely adopted and the advertising technology industry does not collaboratively develop alternative technologies, our business could be harmed. The Interactive Advertising Bureau and Digital Advertising Alliance have also developed frameworks that allow users to opt out of the “sale” of their personal information under the CCPA, in ways that stop or severely limit the ability to show targeted ads.
In addition, search engines and other service providers that explicitly do not allow the tracking of data such as DuckDuckGo, Inc., may be growing in popularity. If a significant number of web browser users switch to advertising-free services or platforms, our business could be materially impacted. Further, mobile devices allow users to opt out of the use of mobile device IDs for targeted advertising.
For in-app advertising, data regarding interactions between users and devices are tracked mostly through stable, pseudonymous mobile device identifiers that are built into the device operating system with privacy controls that allow users to express a preference with respect to data collection for advertising, including to disable the identifier. These identifiers and privacy controls are defined by the developers of the mobile platforms and could be changed by the mobile platforms in a way that may negatively impact our business. For example, Apple announced in June 2020 that it will requirenow requires user opt-in before permitting access to Apple’s unique identifier, or IDFA, and implemented iOS 15 in September 2021, which allows users to hide IP address information to prevent tracking web usage on the Safari browser and to shut off marketers’ ability to see if and when an email is opened through Apple’s Mail app.IDFA. This shift from enabling user opt-out to an opt-in requirement has had, and is likely to continue to have, a substantial impact on the mobile advertising ecosystem and could harm our growth in this channel.
User privacy features of other channels of programmatic advertising, such as Connected TV or over-the-top video, are still developing. Technical or policy changes, including regulation or industry self-regulation, could harm our growth in those channels.
The data we gather is important to the continued development and success of Criteo Shopper Graph, which is a key element of the Criteo Commerce Media Platform. If too few of our clients provide us with the permission to share their data or if our clients choose to stop sharing their data, or if regulatory or other factors inhibit or restrict us from maintaining the data collectives underlying Criteo Shopper Graph, the value of Criteo Shopper Graph could be materially diminished, which could impact the performance of our products and materially impact our business.
In addition, our ability to collect and use data may be restricted or prevented by a number of other factors, including:
•the failure of our, or our clients’, network, hardware, or software systems, or the network, hardware, or software systems of our clients;systems;
•our inability to grow our client and publisher base in new industry verticals and geographic markets in order to obtain the critical mass of data necessary for Criteo AI Engine to perform optimally in such new industry verticals or geographic markets;
•malicious traffic (such as non-human traffic) that introduces "noise"“noise” in the information that we collect from clients and publishers; and
•interruptions, failures or defects in our data collection, mining, analysis and storage systems.systems, including due to our reliance on external third-party providers for cloud computing services and data center hosting services, in a competitive market subject to close legal and regulatory scrutiny.
Any of the above describedabove-described limitations could also harm our business and adversely impact our future results of operations.
Our international operations and expansion expose us to several risks.
As of December 31, 2023, we had a direct operating presence through 29 offices located in 17 countries and did business in 109 countries. Our current global operations and future initiatives involve a variety of risks, including:
• operational and execution risk, including localization of the product interface and systems, translation into foreign languages, adaptation for local practices, adequate coordination to onboard local clients and publishers, difficulty of maintaining our corporate culture, challenges inherent to hiring and efficiently managing employees over large geographic distances, and the increasing complexity of the organizational structure required to support expansion and operations into multiple geographies and regulatory systems;
• insufficient, or insufficiently coordinated, demand for and supply of advertising inventory in specific geographic markets processed through Criteo AI Engine, which could impair its ability to accurately predict user engagement in that market;
• compliance with (and liability for failure to comply with) applicable local laws and regulations, including, among other things, laws and regulations with respect to data protection and user privacy, data use, tax and withholding, labor regulations, anti-corruption, environment, consumer protection, economic sanctions, public health crises (including the outbreak of contagious disease and pandemics), spam and content, and artificial intelligence, which laws and regulations may be inconsistent across jurisdictions;
• intensity of local competition for digital advertising budgets and internet advertising inventory;
• changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions;
• risks related to tariffs and trade barriers, pricing structure, payment and currency, including aligning our pricing model and payment terms with local norms, higher levels of credit risk and payment fraud, difficulties in invoicing and collecting in foreign currencies and associated foreign currency exposure, restrictions on foreign ownership and investments, and difficulties in repatriating or transferring funds from or converting currencies; and
• limited or unfavorable intellectual property protection;
Additionally, operating in international markets also requires significant management attention and financial resources. We cannot be certain that the investment and additional resources required in establishing operations in other countries will produce desired levels of revenue or profitability.
Because our functional currency is the euro, while our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, we face exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign currency exchange risk exposure also arises from intra-company transactions and financing with subsidiaries that have a functional currency different than the euro. While we are engaging in hedging transactions to minimize the impact of uncertainty in future exchange rates on intra-company transactions and financing, we may not hedge all of our foreign currency exchange rate risk. In addition, hedging transactions carry their own risks and costs, and could expose us to additional risks that could harm our financial condition and operating results.
Regulatory, legislative or self-regulatory developments regarding internet or online matters could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
Governmental authorities around the world have enacted, considered or are considering legislation or regulations that could significantly restrict our ability to collect, process, use, transfer and pool data collected from and about consumers and devices. Trade associations and industry self-regulatory groups have also promulgated best practices and other industry standards relating to targeted advertising.
In the European Union (the “EU”), the two main pillars of the data protection legal framework are the Directive on Privacy and Electronic Communications (“E-Privacy Directive”) and the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). The E-Privacy Directive directs EU member states to ensure that accessing information on an Internet user’s computer, such as through a cookie and other similar technologies, is allowed only if the Internet user has been informed about such access and given his or her consent. The Court of Justice of the EU clarified that such consent must be reflected by an affirmative act of the user in line with the requirements applicable to consent under GDPR. These developments result in ending reliance on implied consent mechanisms used to meet requirements of the E-Privacy Directive in some markets. A replacement by an E-Privacy Regulation for the E-Privacy Directive is still under discussion by EU member states to align the E-Privacy Directive to GDPR and force a harmonized approach across EU member states. The proposed E-Privacy Regulation could further impede the use of cookies. However, the advancement of the legislative process for the adoption of the E-Privacy Regulation remains quite uncertain.
Under GDPR, data protection authorities have the power to impose administrative fines of up to a maximum of €20 million or 4% of the data controller’s or data processor’s total worldwide turnover from the preceding financial year. Similar sanctions would be applicable under the E-Privacy Regulation to cookie consent.
Further, on October 1, 2020, the French data protection authority (the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés, or the “CNIL”) issued the final version of its guidelines on the use of cookies and other trackers and its final recommendations on modalities for obtaining users’ consent to store or read non-essential cookies and similar technologies on their devices. The recommendations provide that, when required, consent must be indicated by a clear and positive action of the data subject, such as by clicking on an “accept all” button on the first layer of the consent management platform. The CNIL also noted that it should be as easy to refuse consent to the use of cookies as it is to accept consent, and an equivalent “refuse all” button should be present on the first layer of the consent management platform. Further, the ability to withdraw consent must be always readily available. Companies had until March 2021 to ensure compliance with these guidelines. The CNIL has launched investigations and sanctioned companies for lack of compliance with its guidelines on cookies. The European Center for Digital Rights (“NOYB”) has also filed several complaints with data protection authorities for failure to comply with GDPR requirements.
In January 2020, the CNIL opened a formal investigation into Criteo. In June 2023, the CNIL issued its decision, which retained alleged GDPR violations but reduced the financial sanction against Criteo from the original amount of €60.0 million ($65.0 million) to €40.0 million ($44.0 million). Criteo made the required sanction payment in the third parties uponquarter of 2023. The decision relates to past matters and does not include any obligation for Criteo to change its current practices. Criteo has appealed this decision before the Conseil d’Etat. Refer to Note 20. Commitments and Contingencies for more information.
In 2018, the State of California adopted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”)., which went into effect on January 1, 2020, and requires covered companies to, among other things, provide new disclosures to California consumers and afford such consumers new abilities to opt out of the sale of their personal information. In November 2020, voters in California passed the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), which both amends and expands the scope of the CCPA. The CPRA, which became effective on January 1, 2023, created additional privacy rights and protections for California consumers with respect to their person information and additional obligations on businesses. We cannot predict the full effect of these laws and regulations on our business, but adapting our business to comply with them could involve substantial resources and expense, and may cause us to divert resources from other aspects of our business, all of which may adversely affect our business.
In addition, other states in the U.S. are quickly adopting state enacted privacy laws. Virginia, Colorado and more recently, Connecticut and Utah have passed consumer and privacy laws that differ slightly from the CCPA and CPRA. If other states follow suit, it could lead to a varied and complex regulatory landscape, which could result in material costs.
Clarifications of and changes to these existing and proposed laws, regulations, judicial interpretations and industry standards can be costly to comply with, and we may be unable to pass along those costs to our clients in the form of increased fees, which may negatively affect our operating results. Such changes can also delay or impede the development of new solutions, result in negative publicity and reputational harm, require significant management time and attention, increase our risk of non-compliance and subject us to claims or other remedies, including fines or demands that we modify or cease existing business practices, such as our ability to charge per click or the scope of clicks for which we rely forcharge. Additionally, any perception of our practices or solutions as an invasion of privacy, whether such practices or solutions are consistent with current or future regulations and industry practices, may subject us to public criticism, private class actions, reputational harm or claims by regulators, which could disrupt our business and expose us to increased liability. Finally, our legal and financial exposure often depends in part on our clients’ or other third parties' adherence to and compliance with privacy laws and regulations and their use of our services in ways consistent with visitors’ expectations. If our clients fail to adhere to our contracts in this regard, or a court or governmental agency determines that we have not adequately, accurately or completely described our own solutions, services and data collection, use and sharing practices in our own disclosures to consumers, then we and our clients and publisher partners may be subject to potentially adverse publicity, damages and investigation or other regulatory activity in connection with our privacy practices or those of our clients.
Additionally, legislative and regulatory action is emerging in the areas of artificial intelligence (“AI”), which given our long history using and innovating through AI with the Criteo AI Engine, could increase costs or restrict opportunity. Compliance with existing, expanding, or new laws and regulations regarding AI may involve significant costs or require changes in products or business practices that could adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, depending on how the final text of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act will regulate the AI supply chain, our ability to innovate may be affected if we cannot have access to datafoundation models and general-purpose AI in the same manner as our non-EU competitors.
We may not be able to effectively integrate the businesses we acquire, which may adversely affect our ability to achieve our growth and business objectives.
We explore, on an ongoing basis, potential acquisitions of additional businesses, products, solutions, technologies or teams. If we identify an appropriate acquisition candidate, we may not be successful in negotiating the terms and/or financing of the acquisition, and our due diligence may fail to identify all of the problems, liabilities or other shortcomings or challenges of an acquired business, product, solution or technology, including issues related to intellectual property, product quality or architecture, employees or clients, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, including tax compliance, practices or revenue opportunitiesrecognition or other accounting practices.
Any acquisition or investment may implement technical restrictions that impede our accessrequire us to such datause significant amounts of cash, incur debt, issue potentially dilutive equity securities or incur contingent liabilities or amortization of expenses, or impairment of goodwill and/or purchased long-lived assets, and revenue opportunities,restructuring charges, any of which could materially impactharm our financial condition or results. The Company has incurred and will incur significant transaction and acquisition-related costs in connection with its acquisitions, including legal, accounting, financial advisory, regulatory and other expenses. The payment of such transaction costs could adversely effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, acquisitions involve numerous risks, any of which could harm our business, including:
• difficulties in integrating the operations, technologies, services and personnel of acquired businesses, especially if those businesses operate outside of our core competency and market;
• the need to integrate operations across different geographies, cultures and languages and to address the economic, currency, political and regulatory risks associated with specific countries;
• ineffectiveness, lack of scalability, or incompatibility of acquired technologies or services;
• potential of integration of cybersecurity issues or flaws in acquired technologies;
• potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses;
• inability to maintain the key business relationships and the reputation of acquired businesses or products;
• failure to successfully further develop the acquired technology to recoup our investment;
• diverting management’s attention from other business concerns;
• liability or litigation for activities of the acquired business, including claims from terminated employees, clients, former shareholders or other third parties;
• implementation or remediation of controls, practices, procedures and policies at acquired businesses, including the costs necessary to establish and maintain effective internal controls; and
• increased fixed costs without corresponding offsetting growth.
If we are unable to successfully integrate or leverage the commercial relationships of the businesses we have acquired or any business, product, solution, technology or team we acquire in the future, our business and results of operations.operations could suffer, and we may not be able to achieve our business and growth objectives.
AWe have substantial client concentration in certain local markets and solutions, with a limited number of clients accounting for a substantial portion of our revenues in those areas.
Although our overall customer base is well-diversified, with our largest 10 clients representing 12.3% of our revenue in the dataaggregate in 2023, in certain of our local markets and specific solutions we rely on comesderive a substantial portion of revenues from a limited number of clients. We cannot predict the future level of demand for our publisher partnersservices and products generated by these clients, and revenues from these clients may fluctuate. Further, some of our contracts with these clients may permit them to terminate or reduce use of our products at any time (subject to notice and certain other third parties, including advertising exchange platforms (including supply-side platforms,provisions). If we fail to retain any of these clients or “SSPs”, such as Google's Ad Manager). Similarly,any of these clients terminate or reduce use of our products, if not replaced by new clients and an increase in business from existing clients, our revenues within local markets or specific solutions may be negatively impacted.
We operate in a rapidly evolving industry, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and may increase the risk that we rely onwill not be successful. Our historical growth rates may not be indicative of our publisher partners, advertising exchange platformsfuture growth, and other third parties for opportunities to serve advertisements through which we generate our revenue.may have difficulty sustaining profitability.
We operate in a rapidly evolving industry. Our ability to forecast our future operating results is subject to several uncertainties, including our ability to plan for and model future growth in both our business and the digital advertising market. We are subject to risks and uncertainties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly evolving industries, including challenges in forecasting accuracy, determining appropriate nature and levels of investments, predicting adequate future headcount, assessing appropriate returns on investments, achieving market acceptance of our existing and future offerings, managing client implementations and developing new solutions. If our assumptions regarding these uncertainties, which we regularly use and update to plan our business, are incorrect or change in reaction to changes in our markets, or if we do not address these risks successfully, leverageour operating and financial results could differ materially from our expectations and our business could suffer.
You should not consider our revenue growth in past periods to be indicative of our future performance. In future periods, our revenue could decline or grow more slowly than we expect. We believe the growth of our revenue depends on a number of factors, including our ability to:
• attract new clients, and retain and expand our relationships with existing clients;
• maintain the breadth of our media owner network and attract new publishers and media owners, including large retailers, publishers of web content, mobile applications and video and social games, in order to grow the volume and breadth of advertising inventory available to us;
• broaden our solutions portfolio to include additional marketing and monetization goals for commerce companies and consumer brands across the open Internet, including web, apps and stores;
• adapt our offering to meet evolving needs of businesses, including to address market trends such as (i) the continued migration of consumers from desktop to mobile and from websites to mobile applications, (ii) the increasing percentage of sales that involve multiple digital devices, (iii) the increasing retailer adoption of retail
media monetization solutions, (iv) the growing adoption by consumers of “ad-blocking” software on web browsers on desktop and/or on mobile devices and use or consumption by consumers of advertising-free services, (v) changes in the marketplace for and supply of advertising inventory,
(vi) changes in the overall ecosystem resulting in signal loss and (vii) changes in consumer acceptance of tracking technologies for targeted or behavioral advertising purposes;
• maintain and increase our access to data necessary for the performance of Criteo AI Engine;
• continuously improve the algorithms underlying Criteo AI Engine and successfully generateapply state-of-the-art machine learning approaches and hardware; and
• continue to adapt to a changing regulatory landscape governing data use, data protection, privacy matters and artificial intelligence.
We also anticipate continuing to invest in our business to increase the scale of our Commerce Media Platform and attract more media spend. We cannot be certain that this strategy will be successful or result in increased liquidity or long-term value for our shareholders.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from companies in the retail, travel and classified industries, and any downturn in these industries or any changes in regulations affecting these industries could harm our business.
A significant portion of our revenue is derived from companies in the Retail, Travel and Classifieds industries. For example, in 2023 and 2022, 77.7% and 78.5%, respectively, of our combined revenue for Criteo Marketing Solutions was derived from advertisements placed for Retail commerce businesses. Any downturn or increased competitive pressure in any of our core industries, such opportunities could be impacted by restrictions imposed by or on our publisher partnersas retailer bankruptcies due to poor economic conditions, or other third parties, including restrictionsindustries we may target in the future, may cause our clients to reduce their spending with us, or delay or cancel their advertising campaigns with us.
Our future success will depend in part on our ability to useexpand into new industry verticals.
As we market our offering to a wider group of consumer brands and companies outside of our historical key industry verticals of retail, travel and classifieds, among others, we will need to adapt our solutions and effectively market our value to businesses in these new industry verticals. Our successful expansion into new industry verticals will depend on various factors, including our ability to:
• accumulate sufficient data sets relevant for those industry verticals to ensure that Criteo AI Engine has sufficient quantity and quality of information to deliver efficient and effective internet display advertisements applicable to the relevant industry;
• design solutions that are attractive to businesses in such verticals;
• work with clients in new industry verticals through the advertising agencies that manage their advertising budgets;
• hire personnel with relevant industry vertical experience to lead sales and product teams;
• provide high returns on advertising spend in such industries and maintain such high returns on advertising spend at scale; and
• transparently measure the performance of such advertising spend based on clear, measurable metrics.
If we are unable to successfully adapt our offering to appeal to businesses in industries other than our core verticals, or read cookiesare unable to effectively market such solutions to businesses in such industries, we may not be able to achieve our growth or other tracking features orbusiness objectives. Further, as we expand our client base and offering into new industry verticals, we may be unable to maintain our current client retention rates.
As we expand the market for our solutions, we may become more dependent on advertising agencies as intermediaries, which may adversely affect our ability to use real-time bidding networks or other bidding networks.attract and retain business.
As we market our solutions, we may increasingly need advertising agencies to work with us in assisting businesses in planning and purchasing for broader marketing goals. In the last quarter of 2023, 30% of Criteo Retail Media’s gross media spend and 32% of Criteo Marketing Solutions’ gross media spend relied on advertising agencies.
Overall, we believe that accessing broader advertising budgets by partnering with advertising agencies represents a significant incremental business opportunity for us, though it also may involve significant risks.
For example, in lightif we have an unsuccessful engagement with an advertising agency on a particular advertising campaign, we risk losing the ability to work not only for the client for whom the campaign was run, but also for other clients represented by that agency.
Further, if our business evolves such that we are increasingly working through advertising agency intermediaries, we would have less of a direct relationship with our clients. This may drive our clients to attribute the value we provide to the advertising agency rather than to us, further limiting our ability to develop long-term relationships directly with our clients. Additionally, our clients may move from one advertising agency to another, and, accordingly, even if we have a positive relationship with an advertising agency, we may lose the underlying client’s business when the client switches to a new agency.
The presence of advertising agencies as intermediaries between us and our clients thus creates a challenge to building our own brand awareness and maintaining an affinity with our clients, who are the ultimate sources of our revenue. In the event we were to become more dependent on advertising agencies as intermediaries, this may adversely affect our ability to attract and retain business. In addition, an increased dependency on advertising agencies may harm our results of operations, because of the GDPR, some SSPs imposed restrictionsincreased agency fees we may be required to pay and/or because of longer payment terms from agencies.
Our future success will depend in part on our ability to bid on opportunities to serve ads. Third-party publishers are responsible under GDPR for gathering necessary user consents and indicating to SSPs that Criteo has been approved by the applicable users. As part of their efforts to comply with their understanding of the requirements of the GDPR, which are subject to interpretation, certain SSPs that runexpand into new advertising exchanges have required actions from such third party publishers with respect to such consents that appear to be stricter than what the regulations require. Similarly, SSPs and other relevant third parties may take similar actions in response to any new legislation or regulatory developments or interpretations in the future, in response to perceived user preferences, or for other reasons.channels.
If third parties onWe define an advertising channel as a specific advertisement medium to engage with a user or a consumer for which we relycurrently purchase inventory through a specific source. We started delivering elements of our offering through internet display advertisements in desktop browsers. Since then, we have expanded into mobile in-browser and in-app, native display, including on social media platforms, and online video inventory.
We may decide to broaden the spectrum of our advertising channels further, including into Social, Connected TV and Digital Out of Home, if we believe that doing so would significantly increase the value we can offer to clients. However, any future attempts to enter new advertising channels may not be successful.
Our success in expanding into any additional advertising channels will depend on various factors, including our ability to:
• identify additional advertising channels where our solutions could perform;
• accumulate sufficient data sets relevant for datathose advertising channels to ensure that Criteo AI Engine has a sufficient quantity and quality of information to deliver relevant personalized advertisements;
• adapt our solutions to additional advertising channels and effectively market such channels to our existing and prospective clients;
• integrate newly developed or opportunitiesacquired advertising channels into our pricing and measurement models, with a clear and measurable performance attribution mechanism that works across all channels, and is consistent with our privacy standards;
• achieve our client's expected levels of performance through the new advertising channels;
• identify and establish acceptable business arrangements with inventory partners and platforms to serve advertisements impose similaraccess inventory of sufficient quality and quantity for these new advertising channels;
• maintain our gross margin at a consistent level upon entering one or more additional advertising channels;
• compete with new market participants active in these additional advertising channels; and
• attract and retain key personnel with relevant technology and product expertise to lead the integration of additional advertising channels onto our platform, and sales and operations teams to sell and integrate additional advertising channels.
Any decrease in the use of current advertising channels, whether due to clients losing confidence in the value or effectiveness of such channels, regulatory or technology restrictions or if we are unable to successfully adapt our solutions to additional advertising channels and effectively market such offerings to our existing and prospective clients, or if we are unable to maintain our pricing and measurement models in these additional advertising channels, may prevent us from achieving our growth or business objectives.
We experience fluctuations in our results of operations due to a number of factors, which make our future results difficult to predict and could cause our operating results to fall below expectations or our guidance.
Our quarterly and annual results of operations fluctuate due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. Fluctuations in our results of operations could cause our performance to fall below the expectations of analysts and investors, and adversely affect the price of our ADSs. You should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. Factors that may affect our quarterly results of operations include:
•the nature of our clients’ products or services, including the seasonal nature of our clients’ advertising spending;
• lengthy implementation cycles resulting in substantial expenses incurred without any guarantee of revenue generation;
• demand for our offering and the size, scope and timing of digital advertising campaigns;
• for certain parts of our business, the relative lack of long-term agreements with our clients and publishers;
• client and publisher retention rates;
• market acceptance of our offering and future solutions and services (i) in current and new industry verticals, (ii) in new geographic markets, (iii) in new advertising channels, or (iv) for broader marketing goals;
• the timing of large expenditures related to expansion into new solutions, new geographic markets, new industry verticals, acquisitions and/or capital projects;
• the timing of adding support for new digital devices, platforms and operating systems;
• the amount of inventory purchased through direct relationships with publishers versus internet advertising exchanges or networks;
• our clients’ budgeting cycles;
• changes in the competitive dynamics of our industry, including consolidation among competitors;
• consumers’ response to our clients’ advertisements, to online advertising in general and to tracking technologies for targeted or behavioral advertising purposes;
• our ability to control costs, including our operating expenses;
• network outages, errors in our technology or security breaches and any associated expense and collateral effects;
• foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, as some of our foreign sales and costs are denominated in their local currencies;
• failure to successfully manage or integrate any acquisitions; and
• general economic and political conditions in our domestic and international markets, including public health crises (such as the outbreak of contagious disease or pandemics) and geopolitical conflicts.
As a result, we may have a limited ability to forecast future revenue and expenses, and our results of operations may from time to time fall below our estimates or the expectations of public market analysts and investors.
We face intense competition for employee talent, and if we do not retain and continue to attract highly skilled talent or retain our senior management team and other key employees, we may not be able to complyachieve our business objectives.
Our future success depends on our ability to continue to attract, hire, retain and motivate highly skilled employees, particularly AI experts, software engineers, product managers and other employees with restrictions imposed by other ecosystem participants,the technical skills that enable us to deliver effective advertising solutions. Competition for diverse, experienced and highly skilled employees in our industry is intense, in particular in the fields of AI and data science, and we expect certain of our key competitors, who are larger than us and have access to more substantial resources, to pursue top talent on a global basis.
Our future success also depends on the continued service of our senior management team. As a global team heading a global company, our management team must operate and collaborate across multiple physical locations and geographies, which can make coordinated management more challenging. Business transformation periods, changes in leadership and changes due to business reorganization may result in uncertainty, impact business performance and strategies, and retention of key personnel. We may be unable to attract or retain the management and highly skilled personnel who are critical to our success, which could hinder our ability to keep pace with innovation and technological change in our industry or result in harm to our key client and publisher relationships, loss of key information, expertise or proprietary knowledge and unanticipated recruitment and training costs.
In addition, a flexible remote working environment may present operational, cybersecurity and corporate culture challenges for which we may lose theneed to adapt.
If we are unable to continue to successfully attract and retain highly skilled talent, senior management and maintain our corporate culture, it could adversely affect our ability to access data, bid on opportunities, or purchase digital ad space, which could have a substantial impactcompete effectively and execute on our revenue.business strategy.
Risks Related to Data Privacy, Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity
Our business involves the use, transmission and storage of personal data and confidential information, and the failure to properly safeguard such information could result in significant reputational harm and monetary damages.
Our business involves the use, storage and transmission of confidential consumer, client and publisher information and personal data, including certain purchaser data, as well as proprietary software and financial, employee and operational information. Security breaches could expose us to unauthorized disclosure of this information, litigation and possible liability, as well as damage to our relationships with our clients and publishers. If our security measures are breached as a result of third-party action, employee or contractor error, malfeasance or otherwise and, as a result, someone obtains unauthorized access to oursuch data, or the data of consumers, our clients, publishers, employees or other third parties, our reputation could be damaged, our business may suffer and we could incur significant liability.
Our industry is prone to cyber-attacks by third parties seeking unauthorized access to our data or users’ data or to disrupt our ability to provide service.services. As a result of our prominence, the size of our user base, and the types and volume of personal data on our systems, we believe that we are a particularly attractive target for such breaches and attacks. Any failure to prevent or mitigate security breaches and improper access to or disclosure of our data or user data, including personal informationtrade secrets and intellectual property, or information from marketers, could result in the loss or misuse of such data, which could harm our business and reputation and diminish our competitive position. In addition, computer malware/ransomware, viruses, unauthorized access or system compromises and hacking by sophisticated actors, including potential attacks from nation-state actors, have become more prevalent in our industry. Our products embed open source software. There may be vulnerabilities in open source software that may make our products susceptible to cyberattacks. We rely on cloud storage providers. There may be increased security exposure due to our use of cloud storage. Security incidents have occurred on our systems in the past, and will likely occur on our systems in the future.
Techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target. As a result, we are unable to anticipate some of these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures for such techniques. In addition, the perpetrators of such activity often are very sophisticated, and can include foreign governments and other parties with significant resources at their disposal.
Cyber-attacks continue to constantly evolve in sophistication and volume, and inherently may be difficult to anticipate and detect for long periods of time. Although we have developed systems and processes that are designed to protect our data, and user data, to prevent data loss, and to prevent or detect security breaches, such measures have not provided, and cannot be expected to provide, absolute security, and we may incur significant costs in protecting against and remediating cyber-attacks. We may also have to expend considerable resources on determining the nature and extent of such attacks.
If an actual or perceived security breach occurs, the market perception of our security measures could be harmed, and we could lose both clients and revenue. Any significant violations of data privacy or other security breaches could result in the loss of business, litigation and regulatory investigations and penalties that could damage our reputation and adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, if a high profile security breach occurs with respect to another provider of digital advertising solutions, our clients and potential clients may lose trust in the security of providers of digital advertising in general, and Display Advertising solutions in particular, which could adversely impact our ability to retain existing clients or attract new ones.
Additionally, third parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, consumers, our clients, our publishers or third-party providers into disclosing sensitive information such as user names, passwords or other information in order to gain access to our data, our clients’ data or our publishers’ data, which could result in significant legal and financial exposure and a loss of confidence in the security of our offering and, ultimately, harm to our future business prospects. A party who is able to compromise the security of our facilities, including our data centers or office facilities, or any device, such as a smartphone or laptop, connected to our systems could misappropriate our, our clients’, our publishers’ or consumers’ proprietary information, or the proprietary information of consumers, our clients and/or our publishers, or cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations or those of our clients and/or publishers.
We have expended significant resources to protect against such threats and to alleviate problems caused by breaches in security and may have to expend additional resources for such purposes in the future.
Our errors and omissions insurance may be inadequate or may not be available in the future on acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, our policy may not cover any claim against us for loss of data or other indirect or consequential damages and defending a suit, regardless of its merit, could be costly and divert management’s attention.
Our efforts to address undesirable activity on our platform may also increase the risk of retaliatory attacks. As a result, we may suffer significant legal, reputational, or financial exposure, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Failures in the systems and infrastructure supporting our solutions and operations, including as we scale our offerings, could significantly disrupt our operations and cause us to lose clients.
In addition to the optimal performance of Criteo AI Engine, our business relies on the continued and uninterrupted performance of our software and hardware infrastructures. We currently place close to five billion advertisements per day and each of those advertisements can be placed in under 100 milliseconds.
Sustained or repeated system failures of our, or our third-party providers’, software or hardware infrastructures (such as massive and sustained data center outages) or of the software or hardware infrastructures of our third-party providers,cloud service provider outages), which interrupt our ability to deliver advertisements quickly and accurately, our ability to serve and track advertisements, our ability to process consumers’ responses to those advertisements or otherwise disrupt our internal operations, could significantly reduce the attractiveness of our offering to clients and publishers, reduce our revenue or otherwise negatively impact our financial situation, impair our reputation and subject us to significant liability.
Additionally, if, for any reason, our arrangement with one or more data centers or cloud providers is terminated, we could experience difficulties and additional expense in arranging for new facilities and support.support, particularly given the current competitive nature of the data centers market at a worldwide scale, which involves high demands, low offers and strong pressure from providers to increase prices and diversify their client base. Any steps we take to ensure business continuity and increase the security, reliability and redundancy of our systems supporting the Criteo technology or operations may be expensive and may not be successful in preventing system failures. Similarly, advancements in machine learning approaches and other technology may require us to upgrade or replace essential hardware (such as graphics processing units), which could involve substantial resources and could be difficult to implement.
In addition, while we seek to maintain excess capacity to facilitate the rapid provision of new client deployments and the expansion of existing client deployments, we may need to increase data center hosting capacity, bandwidth, storage, power or other elements of our system architecture and our infrastructure as our client base and/or our traffic continues to grow. The expansion and improvement of our systems and infrastructure may require us to commit substantial financial, operational and technical resources, with no assurance that the providers will honor such requests or that our business will increase. Our existing systems may not be able to scale up in a manner satisfactory to our existing or prospective clients, and may not be adequately designed with the necessary reliability and redundancy of certain critical portions of our infrastructure to avoid performance delays or outages that could be harmful to our business. Our failure to continuously upgrade or increase the reliability and redundancy of our infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing base of global clients and publishers could adversely affect the functioning and performance of our technology and could in turn affect our results of operations.
Finally, our systems and the systems of our third-party providers are vulnerable to damage and increased costs from a variety of sources, some of which are outside of our control, including telecommunications failures, natural disasters, terrorism, power outages, a variety of other possible outages affecting data centers, increases in the price of energy needed to power and cool data centers, a decision to close any data center or the facilities of any other third-party provider without adequate notice, and malicious human acts, including hacking, computer viruses, malware/ransomware and other security breaches. Techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target. As a result, we may be unable to anticipate some of these techniques or to implement adequate preventive measures.
If we are unable to prevent system failures, the functioning and performance of our solutions could suffer, which in turn could interrupt our business and harm our results of operations.
If we are unable to protect our proprietary information or other intellectual property, our business could be adversely affected.
Our patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights are important assets for us. Various events outside of our control pose a threat to our intellectual property rights, as well as to our products, services, and technologies.
For example, effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country in which we operate or intend to operate our business. Third parties may knowingly or unknowingly infringe our proprietary rights or challenge proprietary rights held by us, and our pending and future trademark and patent applications may not be approved. Although we seek to obtain patent protection for our innovations, it is possible we may not be able to protect some of these innovations in a sufficient or effective manner. Moreover, we may not have adequate patent or copyright protection for certain innovations that later turn out to be important.
Furthermore, there is always the possibility, despite our efforts, that the scope of the protection gained will be insufficient or that an issued patent may be deemed invalid or unenforceable.
Breaches of the security of our data center systems and infrastructureinformation system, our third-party providers’ information system or other IT resources could also result in the exposure of our proprietary information. Additionally, our trade secrets may be independently developed by competitors. We cannot be certain that the steps we have taken to protect our trade secrets and proprietary information will prevent unauthorized use or reverse engineering of our trade secrets or proprietary information.
To protect or enforce our intellectual property rights, we may initiate litigation against third parties. Any lawsuits that we initiate could be expensive, take significant time and divert management’s attention from other business concerns. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate, and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially valuable. Any increase in the unauthorized use of our intellectual property may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business may suffer if it is alleged or determined that our technology or another aspect of our business infringes the intellectual property rights of others.
The online and mobile advertising industries are characterized by the existence of large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property and proprietary rights. Our success depends, in part, upon non-infringement of intellectual property rights owned by others and being able to resolve claims of intellectual property infringement or misappropriation without major financial expenditures or adverse consequences. From time to time, we may be the subject of claims that our services, solutions and underlying technology infringe or violate the intellectual property rights of others, particularly as we expand the scope and complexity of our business.
Regardless of whether claims that we are infringing trademarks, patents or other intellectual property rights have any merit, these claims are time-consuming and costly to evaluate and defend, and the outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain. Some of our competitors have substantially greater resources than we do and are able to sustain the costs of complex intellectual property litigation to a greater degree and for longer periods of time than we could. Claims that we are infringing trademarks, patents or other intellectual property rights could subject us to significant liabilities for monetary damages, interfere with or delay our development, commercialization or provision of our offerings on acceptable terms, harm our reputation or require us to make technology or branding changes to our offerings.
In addition, we may be exposed to claims that the content contained in advertising campaigns violates the intellectual property or other rights of third parties.parties and although we may have the right of recourse, this may be difficult or costly to enforce. Such claims could be made directly against us or against the advertising agencies we work with, and media networks and exchanges and publishers from whom we purchase advertising inventory.
Under our agreements with larger partners, including advertising agencies, media networks and exchanges and publishers, we may be required to indemnify such partners against claims with respect to an advertisement we served. We generally require our clients to indemnify us for any damages from any such claims. There can be no assurance, however, that our clients will have the ability to satisfy their indemnification obligations to us, and pursuing any claims for indemnification may be costly or unsuccessful.
As a result, we may be required to satisfy our indemnification obligations to advertising agencies, media networks and exchanges and publishers or claims against us with our assets. This result could harm our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations, and could impact our relationships with advertising agencies, media networks and exchanges, or clients.
Our inability to use software licensed from third parties, or our use of open source software under license terms that interfere with our proprietary rights, could disrupt our business.
Our technology platform and internal systems incorporate software licensed from third parties, including some software, known as open source software, which we use without charge. Although we monitor our use of open source software, the terms of many open source licenses to which we are subject have not been interpreted by U.S. or foreign courts, and there is a risk that such licenses could be construed in a manner that imposes unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to provide our technology offering to our clients. In the future, we could be required to seek licenses from third parties in order to continue offering our solutions, which licenses may not be available on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all.
Alternatively, we may need to re-engineer our offering or discontinue using portions of the functionality provided by our technology. In addition, the terms of open source software licenses may require us to provide software that we develop using such software to others on unfavorable terms, such as by precluding us from charging license fees or by requiring us to disclose our source code. Any such restriction on the use of our own software, or our inability to use open source or third-party software, could result in disruptions to our business or operations, or delays in our development of future offerings or enhancements of our existing platform, which could impair our business.
Risks Related to Ownership of Our Shares and the ADSs and the Trading of the ADSs
The market price for the ADSs havehas been and may continue to be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance.
The trading price of the ADSs has significantly fluctuated, and is likely to continue to fluctuate, substantially. The trading price of the ADSs depends on a number of factors, including those described in this “Risk Factors” section, many of which are beyond our control and may not be related to our operating performance. Since the ADSs were sold at our initial public offering in October 2013 at a price of $31.00 per share, the price per ADS has ranged as low as $5.89 and as high as $60.95 through December 31, 2021.2023. The market price of the ADSs has fluctuated and may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
•actual or anticipated fluctuations in our revenue and other results of operations;
•the guidance we may provide to the public, any changes in this guidance or our failure to meet this guidance;
•investor perception of risks in our industry, including but not limited to the competitive concentration of supply inventory or risks of fraudulent or malicious activity;industry;
•failure of securities analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of us and our securities, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;
•announcements by us, our competitors or large influential technology companies of significant technical innovations or changes, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
•changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of advertising technology or other technology companies, or those in our industry in particular;
•investor sentiment with respect to our competitors, our business partners or our industry in general;
•price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of trends in the economy as a whole;
•additional ADSs being sold into the market by us or the Company'sCompany’s insiders;
•media coverage of our business and financial performance;
•developments in anticipated or new legislation or new or pending lawsuits or regulatory actions;
•other events or factors, including those resulting from economic recessions, natural disasters or weather events, cyberattacks,cybersecurity incidents, pandemics, war, incidents of terrorism or other catastrophic events or responses to these events; and
•any other risks identified in this Form 10-K.
In addition, stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many technology companies. Stock prices of many technology companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. In the past, shareholders have instituted securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. Because of the past and the potential future volatility of our stock price, we may become the target of securities litigation in the future.
If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business and adversely affect our business.
We may need additional capital in the future to meet our financial obligations and to pursue our business objectives. Additional capital may not be available on favorable terms, or at all, which could compromise our ability to meet our financial obligations and grow our business.
We currently have a senior unsecured revolving credit facility under which we may borrow up to €407 million (or its equivalent in U.S. dollars) for general corporate purposes, including the funding of business combinations (the "General RCF"). Maturity of this facility is in September 2027. While we anticipate that our existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months, we intend to continue growing our business, including through retail media, and as such, we cannot assure that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available under our General RCF in an amount sufficient to fund, among other things, the capital requirements of retail media, new product development, or our future working capital needs. If we may need to raise additional capital to fund operations and growth in the future or to finance acquisitions and adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to fund the expansion of our research and development and sales and marketing efforts, the development of new features or enhancements to our products, increase working capital, take advantage of acquisition or other opportunities, or adequately respond to competitive pressures which could seriously harm our business and results of operations.
Furthermore, if we raise additional funds through the issuance of additional equity securities, shareholders will experience dilution, and the new equity securities could have rights senior to those of our ordinary shares.
Our business could be negatively impacted by the activities of hedge funds or short sellers.
There is the risk that we may be subject, from time to time, to challenges arising from the activities of hedge funds, short sellers or similar individuals who may not have the best interests of shareholders or the Company in mind. Reports or other publications prepared and disseminated by such hedge funds or short sellers may cause significant fluctuations in our stock price based on temporary or speculative market perceptions or other factors that do not necessarily reflect the underlying fundamentals and prospects of our business, and could cause the price of our ADSs or trading volume to decline. Furthermore, responding to such activities could be costly and time-consuming and may be intended to, and may in fact, divert the attention of our board of directors and senior management from the pursuit of our business strategies and adversely affect our business.
WeOur credit agreement contains, and future debt agreements may need additional capitalcontain, restrictions that may limit our flexibility in the future to meet our financial obligations and to pursue our business objectives. Additional capital may not be available on favorable terms, or at all, which could compromise our ability to meet our financial obligations and growoperating our business.
We currently have a senior unsecured revolvingThe credit facility under which weagreement for the General RCF contains, and documents governing our future indebtedness may borrow upcontain, numerous covenants that limit the discretion of management with respect to €350 million (or its equivalent in U.S. dollars or, subject tocertain business matters. These covenants place restrictions on, among other things, our ability and the satisfaction of certain conditions, other optional currencies) for general corporate purposes, including the funding of business combinations (the "General RCF"). While we anticipate that our existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months, we may need to raise additional capital to fund operations in the future or to finance acquisitions. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to fund the expansionability of our researchsubsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, pay dividends, sell certain assets or engage in mergers and developmentacquisitions, and salescreate liens. Our credit agreement also requires, and marketing efforts, increase working capital, take advantage of acquisitiondocuments governing our future indebtedness may require, us or other opportunities,our subsidiaries to meet certain financial ratios and tests. To the extent we draw on the General RCF or adequately respond to competitive pressures which could seriously harm our business and results of operations.
Furthermore, if we issue additional equity securities, shareholders will experience dilution, andincur new debt, the new equity securities coulddebt holders have rights senior to thoseshareholders to make claims on our assets.
The breach of our ordinary shares. Because our decision to issue securitiesany of these covenants or noncompliance with any of these financial ratios and tests could result in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predictan event of default under the applicable debt agreement, which, if not cured or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. As awaived, could result our shareholders bear the risk of our future securities offerings reducing the market pricein acceleration of the ADSsrelated debt and diluting their interest.the acceleration of debt under other instruments evidencing indebtedness that may contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.
We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our securities and, consequently, yourthe ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of the ADSs. In addition, French law may limit the amount of dividends we are able to distribute.
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares and do not currently intend to do so for the foreseeable future. We currently intend to invest our future earnings, if any, to fund our growth, both organic and inorganic.
In addition, we have used a portion of our available liquidity to repurchase our Company's shares in the past (such repurchases being limited as per French law in scope (employee incentive purposes or external growth purposes only) and in amount (notably the Company cannot hold more than 10% of its share capital at any time)), and may continue to do so from time to time in the future.
In addition, to the extent any dividends are paid in the future, under French law, payment of such dividends may subject us to additional taxes, and the determination of whether we have been sufficiently profitable to pay dividends is made on the basis of our statutory financial statements prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in France. Therefore, we may be more restricted in our ability to declare dividends than companies not based in France. Please see the section entitled “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities-Taxation-FrenchSecurities-French Tax Consequences” in Item 5 of Part II in this Form 10-K for further details on the limitations on our ability to declaresuch taxes and pay dividends and the taxes that may become payable by us if we elect to pay a dividend.limitations.
Finally, exchange rate fluctuations may affect the amount of euros that we are able to distribute, and the amount in U.S. dollars that our shareholders receive upon the payment of cash dividends or other distributions we declare and pay in euros, if any. These factors could harm the value of the ADSs, and, in turn, the U.S. dollar proceeds that holders receive from the sale of the ADSs.
Because you are not likely to receive any dividends on your ADSs for the foreseeable future, the success of an investment in ADSs will depend upon any future appreciation in their value. Consequently, investors may need to sell all or part of their holdings of ADSs after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on their investment.
Our credit agreement contains, and future debt agreements may contain, restrictions that may limit our flexibility in operating our business.
The credit agreement for the General RCF contains, and documents governing our future indebtedness may contain, numerous covenants that limit the discretion of management with respect to certain business matters. These covenants place restrictions on, among other things, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, pay dividends and make other distributions and restricted payments, make certain acquisitions and other investments, sell certain assets or engage in mergers, acquisitions and other business combinations, and create liens. Our credit agreement also requires, and documents governing our future indebtedness may require, us or our subsidiaries to meet certain financial ratios and tests in order to incur certain additional debt, make certain loans, acquisitions or other investments, or pay dividends or make other distributions or restricted payments. To the extent we draw on the General RCF or incur new debt, the debt holders have rights senior to shareholders to make claims on our assets.
Our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to comply with these and other provisions of our debt agreements are dependent on our future performance, which will be subject to many factors, some of which are beyond our control. The breach of any of these covenants or noncompliance with any of these financial ratios and tests could result in an event of default under the applicable debt agreement, which, if not cured or waived, could result in acceleration of the related debt and the acceleration of debt under other instruments evidencing indebtedness that may contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.
Our by-laws and French corporate law contain provisions that may delay or discourage a sale of the Company.
Provisions contained in our by-laws and the corporate laws of France, the country in which we are incorporated, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our shareholders. In addition, provisions of our by-laws impose various procedural and other requirements, which could make it more difficult for shareholders to effect certain corporate actions. These provisions include, but are not limited to, the following:
•our ordinary shares are in registered form only and we must be notified of any transfer of our shares in order for such transfer to be validly registered;
•under French law, certain investments in any entity governed by a French law relating to certain strategic industries and activities (such as data processing, transmission or storage activities) by individuals or entities not French, not resident in France or controlled by entities not French or not resident in France are subject to prior authorization of the Minister of Economy (see the section entitled" Exchangeentitled "Exchange Controls & Ownership by Non-French Residents" in Item 5 to Part II in this Form 10-K);
•provisions of French law allowing the owner of 90% of the share capital or voting rights of a public company to force out the minority shareholders following a tender offer made to all shareholders are only applicable to companies listed on a stock exchange of the European UnionEU and will therefore not be applicable to us;
•a merger (i.e., in a French law context, a stock-for-stock exchange following which our companyCompany would be dissolved into the acquiring entity and our shareholders would become shareholders of the acquiring entity) of our companyCompany into a company incorporated outside of the European UnionEU would require the unanimous approval of our shareholders;
•a merger of our companyCompany into a company incorporated in the European UnionEU would require the approval of our board of directors as well as a two-thirds majority of the votes held by the shareholders present, represented by proxy or voting by mail at the relevant extraordinary shareholders' meeting;
•under French law, a cash merger is treated as a share purchase and would require the consent of each participating shareholder; and
•our shareholders have preferential subscription rights proportionally to their shareholding in our companyCompany on the issuance by us of any additional securities for cash or a set-off of cash debts, which rights may only be waived by the extraordinary general meeting (by a two-thirds majority vote) of our shareholders or on an individual basis by each shareholder.
You may not be able to exercise your right to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs.
Holders of ADSs may exercise voting rights with respect to the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs only in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement, as amended from time to time. The deposit agreement provides that, upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of our ordinary shares, the depositary will fix a record date for the determination of ADS holders who shall be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights. Upon timely receipt of notice from us, if we so request, the depositary shall distribute to the holders as of the record date (1) the notice of the meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy sent by us and (2) a statement as to the manner in which instructions may be given by the holders.
You may instruct the depositary of your ADSs to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. Otherwise, you will not be able to exercise your right to vote, unless you withdraw the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs you hold. However, you may not know about the meeting far enough in advance to withdraw those ordinary shares. If we ask for your instructions, the depositary, upon timely notice from us, will notify you of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials to you. We cannot guarantee you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your ordinary shares or to withdraw your ordinary shares so that you can vote them yourself.
If the depositary does not receive timely voting instructions from you, it may give a proxy to a person designated by us to vote the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote, and there may be nothing you can do if the ordinary shares underlying your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
Your right as a holder of ADSs to participate in any future preferential subscription rights or to elect to receive dividends in shares may be limited, which may cause dilution to your holdings.
According to French law, if we issue additional securities for cash, current shareholders will have preferential subscription rights for these securities proportionally to their shareholding in our companyCompany unless they waive those rights at an extraordinary meeting of our shareholders (by a two-thirds majority vote) or individually by each shareholder.
However, our ADS holders in the U.S. will not be entitled to exercise or sell such rights unless we register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements is available.
In addition, the deposit agreement provides that the depositary will not make rights available to you unless the distribution to ADS holders of both the rights and any related securities are either registered under the Securities Act or exempted from registration under the Securities Act.
Further, if we offer holders of our ordinary shares the option to receive dividends in either cash or shares, under the deposit agreement the depositary may require satisfactory assurances from us that extending the offer to holders of ADSs does not require registration of any securities under the Securities Act before making the option available to holders of ADSs. We are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
Accordingly, ADS holders may be unable to participate in our rights offerings or to elect to receive dividends in shares and may experience dilution in their holdings. In addition, if the depositary is unable to sell rights that are not exercised or not distributed or if the sale is not lawful or reasonably practicable, it will allow the rights to lapse, in which case you will receive no value for these rights.
You may be subject to limitations on the transfer of your ADSs and the withdrawal of the underlying ordinary shares.
Your ADSs, which may be evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. The depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of your ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary think it is advisable to do so because of any requirement of law, government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other reason subject to your right to cancel your ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary shares.
Temporary delays in the cancellation of your ADSs and your withdrawal of the underlying ordinary shares may arise because the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books, the transfer of ordinary shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders’ meeting or we are paying a dividend on our ordinary shares.
In addition, you may not be able to cancel your ADSs and withdraw the underlying ordinary shares when you owe money for fees, taxes and similar charges and when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of ordinary shares or other deposited securities.
U.S. investors may have difficulty enforcing civil liabilities against our company andCompany, directors and senior management.
Certain of our directors and members of senior management, and those of certain of our subsidiaries, are non-residents of the U.S., and all or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of such persons are located outside the U.S. As a result, it may not be possible to serve process on such persons or us in the U.S. or to enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts against them or us based on civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the U.S. Additionally, it may be difficult to assert U.S. securities law claims in actions originally instituted outside of the U.S.
Foreign courts may refuse to hear a U.S. securities law claim because foreign courts may not be the most appropriate forums in which to bring such a claim. Even if a foreign court agrees to hear a U.S. securities law claim, it may determine that the law of the jurisdiction in which the foreign court resides, and not U.S. law, is applicable to the claim.
Further, if U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be proved as a fact, which can be a time-consuming and costly process, and procedural rules would still be governed by the law of the jurisdiction in which the foreign court resides. In particular, there is some doubt as to whether French courts would recognize and enforce certain civil liabilities under U.S. securities laws in original actions or judgments of U.S. courts based upon these civil liability provisions. In addition, damages exceeding the actual damages in actions brought in the U.S. or elsewhere, such as punitive damages, may be unenforceable in France.
The enforceability of any judgment in France will depend on the particular facts of the case as well as the laws and treaties in effect at the time. The U.S. and France do not currently have a treaty providing for recognition and enforcement of judgments (other than arbitration awards) in civil and commercial matters; therefore, the recognition and enforcement of any such judgment would be subject to French procedural law and may not be granted.
The rights of shareholders in companies subject to French corporate law differ in material respects from the rights of shareholders of corporations incorporated in the U.S.
We are a French company with limited liability. Our corporate affairs are governed by our by-laws and by the laws governing companies incorporated in France. The rights of shareholders and the responsibilities of members of our board of directors are in many ways different from the rights and obligations of shareholders in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions.
For example, in the performance of its duties, our board of directors is required by French law to consider the interests of our company,Company while taking into consideration its social and environmental challenges, its shareholders, its employees and other stakeholders, rather than solely our shareholders and/or creditors. It is possible that some of these parties will have interests that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder.
General Risk Factors
In periods of economicmacroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, businesses may delay or reduce their spending on advertising, and we are exposedwhich may expose us to the credit risk of some of our clients and customers, which could materially harmadversely affect our business.business, financial condition, results of operations and/or cash flows.
GeneralOur business depends in part on worldwide economic conditions have been significantly unstableand on the overall demand for advertising and the economic health of advertisers that benefit from our platform. Global economies, including the U.S. and Europe, are being impacted by adverse economic conditions, including inflation, elevated interest rates, recessions, volatility in recent years, especiallycredit, equity and foreign exchange markets, bankruptcies and overall uncertainty with respect to the economy.
These conditions coupled with geopolitical instability, such as the current conflicts in the European Union where we generated 30% of our revenue for 2021. Unstable conditionsMiddle East and Ukraine, make it difficult for our clients and us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities, and could cause our clients to reducemay result in businesses reducing or delay theirdelaying advertising spending with us. Historically, economic downturns, including conditions such as inflation, recessions, or other changes in economic conditions have resulted in overall reductions in advertising spending, and businesses may curtail spending both on advertising in general and on a solution such as ours. We cannot predict the timing, strength or duration of any economic slowdown or recovery. Any macroeconomic deterioration in the future could impair our revenue and results of operations.
Furthermore,Additionally, we have expandedare exposed to credit risks due to our offerings to serve a larger number of smaller clients,financing activities and have expanded into emerging markets. Our changingour evolving client portfolio exposes us to additionalinvolving credit risk from varied payment terms, which could result in further exposure in the event of economic uncertainty or an economic downturn, including conditions such as inflation, recession, pandemic or other changes in economic conditions.
Additionally, our exposure to credit risks relating to our financing activities may increase if our customersclients are adversely affected by periodsany such macroeconomic uncertainty. The timing of economic uncertainty, including inflation, recession, pandemic,receipt of payment from our clients may impact our cash flows and working capital.
If any such macroeconomic conditions remain uncertain, persist, spread or other changes in economic conditions, or a global economic downturn. These losses have significantly impacted, anddeteriorate further, this could continue to significantly impact, our operating results, financial condition and financial condition.cash flows.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of the ADSs may, therefore, be adversely impacted.
As a public company, we are required to maintain internal controlcontrols over financial reporting (“ICFR”) and to report any material weaknesses in such internal control. In addition, we are required to submit a report by management to the Audit Committee and external auditors on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reportingICFR pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“SOX”) and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting.ICFR. If we identify material weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting,ICFR, if we are unable to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley ActSOX in a timely manner or assert that our internal controls over financial reportingICFR are effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reportingICFR when required, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of the ADSs may be adversely impacted, and we could become subject to investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are listed, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.
Our failure to maintain certain tax benefitsregimes applicable to French technology companies may adversely affect our results of operations.
As a French technology company, we have benefited from certain tax advantages, including, for example, a reduced tax rate in France on technology royalty income received from global subsidiaries and the French research tax credit (crédit d’impôt recherche), or CIR."CIR"). The French tax authority may audit these tax incentives and challenge theall or part of their benefits. Therefore,In such a case, we could be liable for additional corporate tax, and penalties and interest related thereto, which could have a significant impact on our results of operations and future cash flows. Furthermore, the tax laws may change, and could remove these incentives in the future or reduce their benefits.
We are a multinational organization faced withfacing increasingly complex tax issues in many jurisdictions, and we could be obligated to pay additional taxes in various jurisdictions as a result of new taxes or laws, or revised interpretations thereof, whichthat may negatively affect our business.results of operations.
As a multinational organization operating in multiple jurisdictions, we are subject to taxation in several jurisdictions around the world with increasingly complex tax laws, the application of which can be uncertain. The amount of taxes we pay in these jurisdictions could increase substantially as a result of changes in the applicable tax principles, including increased tax rates, new tax laws or revised interpretations of existing tax laws and precedents, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and results of operations. For instance, several countries have proposed or enacted Digital Services Taxes ("DST"), many of which would apply to revenues derived from digital services. We,we will continue to assess the ongoing impact of DSTs thatDigital Services Taxes (“DST”) and we pay in certain jurisdictions, as we anticipate that many jurisdictions may sign an agreement withclosely monitor the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in the coming yearstax reforms of Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 that DSTs could be eliminated.may remove DST (Pillar 1), or may generate additional taxes (Pillar 2).
U.S. holdersHolders of our ADSs may suffer adverse tax consequences if we are treated as a "passive“passive foreign investment company"company” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
A non-U.S. corporation will be considered a passive“passive foreign investment company,company”, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for any taxable year if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during such year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. For purposes of the above calculations, we will be treated as if we hold our proportionate share of the assets of, and receive directly our proportionate share of the income of, any other corporation in which we directly or indirectly own at least 25%, by value, of the shares of such corporation. Passive income includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain non-active rents and royalties, net gains from the sale or exchange of property producing such income and net foreign (non-U.S.) currency gains.
For this purpose, cash and assets readily convertible into cash are generally categorized as passive assets, and our goodwillsubject to a limited exception under proposed regulations in respect of working capital held in a non-interest bearing financial account for the present needs of an active trade or business to cover operating expenses reasonably expected to be paid within 90 days. Goodwill and other unbookedun-booked intangibles are taken into account. account and being characterized as either active or passive, as appropriate; for example, our goodwill associated with active business activity is taken into account as a non-passive asset.
As the value of our assets for purposes of the above-mentioned PFIC asset test will generally be determined by reference to the market value of our ADSs, the determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC will depend in large part upon the market value of our ADSs, which we cannot control.
Accordingly, fluctuations in the market price of our ADSs may cause us to become a PFIC for the current taxable year or future taxable years. The determination of whether we will be or become a PFIC will also depend, in part, upon the nature of our income and the valuation of our assets, including goodwill, which are subject to change from year to year. Moreover, as we have valued our goodwill based on the market value of our ADSs, a decrease in the price of ADSs may also result in becoming a PFIC. The composition of our income and assets may also be affected by how, and how quickly, we use our liquid assets.
For purposes of the above-mentioned PFIC tests, we will be treated as if we held our proportionate share of the assets and received directly our proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we directly or indirectly own at least 25% (by value) of the shares of such corporation.
Based on the value and composition of our assets, although not free from doubt, we do not believe we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2021,2023, and we do not expect to beanticipate becoming a PFIC in the current taxable year or the foreseeable future.
The determination of whether we are a PFIC is a fact-intensive determination that must be made on an annual basis applying principles and methodologies that are in some circumstances unclear. Since a separate factual determination as to whether we are or have become a PFIC must be made each year (after the close of such year), we cannot assure you that we will not be or become a PFIC in the current year or any future taxable year.
If we arewere to be classified as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. holderHolder5 holds our ADSs, we would continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to that U.S. personHolder for such taxable year and, unless the U.S. personHolder makes certain elections, for future years even if we cease to be a PFIC. The U.S. holderHolder may be subject to adverse tax consequences, including (1) the treatment of all or a portion of any gain on disposition of our ADSs as ordinary income (and therefore ineligible for the preferential rates that apply to capital gains with respect to non-corporate U.S. persons), (2) the application of an interest charge with respect to such gain and on the receipt of certain dividends on our ADSs and (3) required compliance with certain reporting requirements. Each U.S. holderHolder is strongly urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the application of these rules and the availability of any potential elections. For further information regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to our potential status as a PFIC, please see the section entitled “Taxation—U.S.“U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders—Passive Foreign Investment Company, or PFIC Rules” in our Annual Report.this Form 10-K.
5A U.S. Holder is (1) a legal and/or a beneficial owner of our ADSs and (2) a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes, specifically: (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes; (ii) a corporation, or other entity treated as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is created in, or organized under the law of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source or whether or not the income is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business; (iv) a trust, the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or (v) a person that has otherwise validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended).
If a U.S. personHolder is treated as owning at least 10% of our ADSs, such person may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
If a United States personU.S. Holder is treated as owning (directly, indirectly, or constructively through attribution) at least 10% of the total value of our stock or at least 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote, such person may be treated as a “United States shareholder” (“U.S. Shareholder”) with respect to each “controlled foreign corporation” (“CFC”) in our group (if any). A non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. tax purposes will constitute a CFC if one or more such U.S. Shareholders (generally defined as U.S. persons that—directly, indirectly, or constructively through attribution—own at least 10% of the vote or value of the entity) own in the aggregate more than 50% of the entity’s total vote or value.
If we are classified as both a CFC and a PFIC (as defined above), we generally will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to those U.S. Holders that are U.S. Shareholders during the period in which we are a CFC.
We do not believe we are currently a controlled foreign corporation.CFC. However, no assurances can be given that we are not a controlled foreign corporationCFC or that we will not become a controlled foreign corporationCFC in the future. Because our group includes one or more U.S. corporations, certain of our non-U.S. corporate subsidiaries could be treated as controlled foreign corporationsCFCs (regardless of whether or not we are treated as a controlled foreign corporation)CFC). A U.S. shareholderShareholder of a controlled foreign corporationCFC may be required to report annually and include in its U.S. taxable income its pro rata share of “Subpart F income,” “global intangible low-taxed income,” and investments of earnings in U.S. property by controlled foreign corporations,CFCs, regardless of whether we make any distributions to our shareholders. Subpart F income generally includes dividends, interest, certain non-active rents and royalties, gains from the sale of securities and income from certain transactions with related parties, and “global intangible low-taxed income” generally consists of net income of the controlled foreign corporation,CFC, other than Subpart F income and certain other types of income, in excess of certain thresholds. In addition, a U.S. shareholder that realizes gain from the sale or exchange of shares in a controlled foreign corporationCFC may be required to classify a portion of such gain as dividend income rather than capital gain. If we are classified as both a controlled foreign corporation and a PFIC (as discussed above), we generally will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to those U.S. holders that are U.S. shareholders during the period in which we are a controlled foreign corporation.
Failure to comply with such reporting requirements could result in adverse tax effects for U.S. shareholdersShareholders and potentially significant monetary penalties. An individual that is a U.S. shareholderShareholder with respect to a controlled foreign corporationCFC generally would not be allowed certain tax deductions or foreign tax credits that would be allowed to a U.S. shareholderShareholder that is a U.S. corporation.
The determinations of controlled foreign corporationCFC status and U.S. shareholderShareholder status are complex and includes attribution rules, the application of which are not entirely certain. We cannot provide any assurances that we will assist investors in determining whether any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries is treated as a controlled foreign corporationCFC or whether any investor is a U.S. shareholder,Shareholder, or that we will furnish to any U.S. shareholdersShareholders information that may be necessary to comply with the aforementioned obligations. A U.S. investorHolder should consult its advisors regarding the potential application of these rules to an investment in our ADSs.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
We do not have any unresolved comments from the SEC staff.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Overview
Criteo recognizes the critical importance of maintaining the safety and security of our systems and data and has a holistic process for overseeing and managing cybersecurity and related risks. Our security program is led by our Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”), who reports directly to our Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”), who is responsible for managing cybersecurity risks as well as protecting our networks and systems. Our CISO has extensive information technology and program management experience, and has served many years in our corporate information security organization. Our CISO manages our security organization, which is composed of dedicated teams of experts in security engineering, incident response, compliance, and software development.
Governance
Our Board of Directors is primarily responsible for the oversight of our risk management activities and has delegated to the Audit Committee the responsibility to assist in this task.
The Audit Committee regularly reviews and discusses with management and, as appropriate, the Company’s auditors, the Company’s guidelines and policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including the Company’s data privacy and cybersecurity risk exposures and the steps taken to monitor and manage those exposures.
The CISO helps maintain a comprehensive security program that serves as a governance framework for information security at Criteo, supports the business goals of the company and details, across problem spaces and security core functions, the various initiatives, their scope, the associated risks and weaknesses, the roadmap and the current progress.
Criteo assesses and manages its cybersecurity risks in part through executive committees. The Governance Risk and Compliance Committee (the “GRCC”), composed of the CISO and certain members of our executive and leadership teams, meets several times a year to discuss strategic information security matters including the security program, major risks and incidents and significant key performance indicators (“KPIs”). The Information Security Committee (the “ISC”), a security-focused governance body including senior managers across the Company on information security activities, meets regularly to receive updates on KPIs and to review relevant standards and policies.
As a member of both the GRCC and the ISC, the CISO briefs the Audit Committee on the information security program, major risks and any cybersecurity incidents, typically at least annually. Additionally, cybersecurity risks are reported to the Board of Directors, at least annually, as part of Criteo’s enterprise risk mapping (“ERM”) program.
Quality Control of Security
To help ensure that our security program functions in line with industry expectations, Criteo invests in identifying and remediating gaps in our security posture. To accomplish this, we use a mix of our internal expertise and external third-party expertise, as needed, to audit ourselves against industry standards, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) Cybersecurity Framework, International Organization Standardization 27001 Information Security Management System Requirements (“ISO27001”) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Service Organization Control Type 2 (“AICPA SOC 2”). Various parts of our business maintain independently assessed security certifications, and we also run certification programs to expand the scope of our existing security certifications.
Risk Management
Our security team has several touch points within the business in order to adequately address and mitigate risks. Our technical security teams use a combination of threat intelligence tools, defensive tools and proactive testing to detect vulnerabilities and respond. Our technical security teams also build new tools and solutions in an effort to improve our security posture on an ongoing basis.
Our security compliance teams perform third-party risk assessments, respond to client inquiries about security, help the business to manage our security controls, and translate our external requirements into policies, standards, and actions for the rest of our business. Various parts of our team also participate in risks assessments during project kick-offs.
With regards to third-party risk assessments, our process involves assessing how third parties interact and connect with our information systems and our data, assessing the security of the third-party (including through questionnaires), and obtaining independent proofs of security (including via security certification and/or penetration tests) depending on the associated level of risk, as evaluated by our team. Our procurement teams also run checks to ensure vendors are not sanctioned, or otherwise identified as potentially corrupt.
The process of assessing, identifying and managing cybersecurity related risks is integrated into our overall ERM via a dedicated Information Security Risk Management program that is focused on cybersecurity risk and run by our security compliance team. Risks that are identified through our security processes go through a process of analysis, prioritization, treatment and monitoring. During the lifecycle of cybersecurity specific risks, risk owners, working alongside the security compliance team, are assigned to develop risk mitigation plans, which are followed by the team until a risk is sufficiently mitigated or resolved, at which point such risk reaches a monitoring state. Cybersecurity risks are aggregated into strategic business risks and incorporated into the ERM program.
Cybersecurity Incidents
While we have experienced cybersecurity incidents in the past, there have been none to date which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company, our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows. We continue to invest in the cybersecurity and resiliency of our networks and to enhance our internal controls and processes, which are designed to help protect our systems and infrastructure, and the information they contain.
For more information regarding the risks we face from cybersecurity threats, please see “Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to Data Privacy, Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity.”
Item 2. Properties
Our headquarters are located in Paris, France, in an approximately 8,0899,216 square meter facility, under a lease agreement expiring on July, 2030.in March 2031. In addition, we had 29 offices in 1517 countries as of December 31, 2021.2023. We currently lease space in data centers from third-party hosting providers to operate our servers located in the U.S. (Texas, Virginia), France, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. The properties are used by botheach of our marketing solutions and retail media segments. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our current needs.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time we may become involved inFor a discussion of our legal proceedings, or be subjectrefer to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not presently a party to any legal proceedings that, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defenseNote. 20 Commitments and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.contingencies.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our ADSs have been listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market ("Nasdaq") under the symbol “CRTO” since October 30, 2013. Prior to that date, there was no public trading market for ADSs or our ordinary shares.
Holders
As of January 31, 2022,2024, there were 35 36 holders of record of our ordinary shares and 138125 participants in DTC that held our ADSs. The actual number of holders is greater, and includes beneficial owners whose ADSs are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. This number of holders of record and DTC participants also does not include holders whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.
ADS Performance Graph
The following graph matches ourour cumulative five-year total shareholder return on our ADSs with the cumulative total returns of the Russell 2000 Index and the Nasdaq Internet Index. The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment in our ADSs and in each index (with the reinvestment of all dividends) from December 31, 20162018 to December 31, 2021.2023. The returns shown are based on historical results and are not intended to suggest future performance.
The foregoing performance graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically incorporate it by reference into such filing.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our equity securities in the foreseeable future and intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund our growth.
Subject to the requirements of French law and our by-laws, dividends may only be distributed from our statutory retained earnings. Dividend distributions, if any, will be made in euros and converted into U.S. dollars with respect to the ADSs, as provided in the deposit agreement. In addition, under the General RCF, we may not declare, make or pay dividends if our net debt to Adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio exceeds 2.0x.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
We completedspent $125 million on ADS repurchases in 2023, and we extended our ADSpreviously authorized share repurchase program of $100up to $480 million of outstanding ADS to an increased amount of up to $630 million in December 2021.February 2024. The following table provides certain information with respect to our purchases of our ADSs during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2023:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased(1) | | Average Price Paid per Share(2) | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1) | | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1) |
| October 1 to 31, 2023 | | 88,865 | | | $ | 28.86 | | | 88,865 | | | $ | 144,170,852 | |
| November 1 to 30, 2023 | | 318,322 | | | $ | 24.16 | | | 318,322 | | | 136,427,582 | |
| December 1 to 31, 2023 | | 474,546 | | | $ | 24.91 | | | 474,546 | | | 124,601,156 | |
| Total | | 881,733 | | | | | 881,733 | | | — | |
(1) In October 2021, the board of directors approved an extension of the long-term share repurchase program of up to $175 million of the Company's outstanding American Depositary Shares, and in February 2024, the board of directors further extended this long-term share repurchase program to a total of $630 million.
(2) Average price paid per share excludes any broker commissions paid.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities and Use of Proceeds
There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during 2021.2023.
Exchange Controls & Ownership by Non-French Residents
Under current French foreign exchange control regulations there are no limitations on the amount of cash payments that we may remit to residents of foreign countries. Laws and regulations concerning foreign exchange controls do, however, require that all payments or transfers of funds made by a French resident to a non-resident, such as dividend payments, be handled by an accredited intermediary. All registered banks and substantially all credit institutions in France are accredited intermediaries.
Neither the French Commercial Code nor our by-laws presently impose any restrictions on the right of non-French residents or non-French shareholders to own and vote shares. However, (a) any non-French residents mustcitizen, (b) any French citizen not residing in France, (c) any non-French entity or (d) any French entity controlled by one of the aforementioned persons or entities may have to file a declaration for statistical purposes with the Bank of France (Banque de France) within 20 working days following the date of certain direct foreign investments in us, including any purchase of our ADSs. In particular, such filings are required in connection with investments exceeding €15,000,000 that lead to the acquisition of at least 10% of our outstanding ordinary shares or voting rights or the crossing of either such 10% threshold. Violation of this filing requirement may be sanctioned by five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to twice the amount of the relevant investment. This amount may be increased fivefold if the violation is made by a legal entity.
Further, any investment (i) by (a) an non-French citizen, (b) any French citizen not residing in France, (c) any non-French entity or (d) any French entity controlled by one of the aforementioned persons or entities, (ii) that will result in the relevant investor (a) acquiring control of any entity registered in France, (b) acquiring all or part of a business line of an entity registered in France, or (c) for non-EU or non-EEA investors crossing, directly or indirectly, alone or in concert, a 25% threshold of voting rights in an entity registered in France, and (iii) made in certain strategic industries, including activities likely to prejudice national defense interests, public policy or public security (such as cryptology, data capturing devices, data storage and IT systems) and research and development related to critical technologies (such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity) is subject to the prior authorization of the French Ministry of Economy, which authorization may be conditioned on certain undertakings. For the purposes of (ii)(a) in the preceding sentence, ownership of at least 40% of our share capital or voting rights is regarded as a controlling interest, but a lower percentage might be held to be a controlling interest in certain circumstances depending upon factors such as telecommunication, cybersecurity, data collection or storage.the acquirer’s intention, the acquirer’s ability to elect directors, and financial reliance by the company on the acquirer.
If an investment requiring the prior authorization of the French Minister of Economy is completed without such authorization having been granted, the relevant investment shall be deemed null and void and the French Minister of Economy, furtherat its discretion, might direct the relevant investor to nonetheless (i) submit a request for authorization, (ii) have the previous situation restored at its own expense or (iii) amend the investment. The relevant investor further may be found criminally liable and may be sanctioned with a fine not to exceed the greater of the following amounts: (i) twice the amount of the relevant investment, (ii) 10% of the annual turnover before tax of the target company or (iii) €5 million (for a company) or €1 million (for a natural person).
Further, (a) any non-French citizen, (b) any French citizen not residing in France, (c) any non- French entity or (d) any French entity controlled by one of the aforementioned persons or entities may have to file a declaration for statistical purposes with the Bank of France (Banque de France) within twenty working days following the date of certain direct foreign investments in us, including any purchase of our ADSs. In particular, such filings are required in connection with investments exceeding €15,000,000 that lead to the acquisition of at least 10% of our share capital or voting rights or cross such 10% threshold. Violation of this filing requirement may be sanctioned by five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to twice the amount of the relevant investment. This amount may be increased fivefold if the violation is made by a legal entity.
Taxation
French Tax Consequences
The following describes the material French income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined below) of purchasing, owning and disposing of the ADSs and ordinary shares, or the Securities as in force on the date of this Form 10-K.
This discussion does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential tax effects of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of our securities to any particular investor, and does not discuss tax considerations that arise from rules of general application or that are generally assumed to be known by investors. All of the following is subject to change. Such changes could apply retroactively and could affect the consequences described below.
For the purposes of this discussion, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of securities that is (1) an individual who is not a French tax resident under French domestic rules / applicable double tax treaty provisions and who is a U.S. citizen or resident for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or (2) a U.S. domestic corporation or certain other entities created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any state thereof, including the District of Columbia, or (3) otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis in respect of securities.
If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds securities, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If a U.S. Holder is a partner in a partnership that holds securities, such holder is urged to consult its own tax adviser regarding the specific tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of securities.
This discussion applies only to investors that hold our securities as capital assets that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, that are entitled to treaty benefits under the “Limitation on Benefits” provision contained in the tax treaty between the Government of the U.S. and the Government of the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital dated August 31, 1994, as amended by additional protocols of December 8, 2004 and January 13, 2009 ("The Treaty"), and whose ownership of the securities is not effectively connected to a permanent establishment or a fixed base in France.
Certain U.S. Holders (including, but not limited to, U.S. expatriates, partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons who acquired the securities pursuant to the exercise of employee share options or otherwise as compensation, persons that own (directly, indirectly or by attribution) 5% or more of our voting stock or 5% or more of our outstanding share capital, dealers in securities or currencies, persons that elect to mark their securities to market for U.S. federal income tax purposes and persons holding securities as a position in a synthetic security, straddle or conversion transaction) may be subject to special rules not discussed below.
U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of securities in light of their particular circumstances, especially with regard to the “Limitations on Benefits” provision.
Furthermore, specific rules apply in France with respect to French assets that are held by or in foreign trusts. These rules, among other things, provide for the inclusion of trust assets in the settlor’s net assets for purpose of applying the French real estate wealth tax, for the application of French gift and inheritance tax to French assets held in trust, for a specific tax on capital on the French assets of foreign trusts not already subject to the French real estate wealth tax and for a number of French tax reporting and disclosure obligations. The following discussion does not address the French tax consequences applicable to securities held in trusts.
If securities are held in trust, the settlor, trustee and beneficiary are urged to consult their own tax adviser regarding the specific tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of securities.
Purchasing Consequences
Financial Transactions Tax
Pursuant to Article 235 ter ZD of the French Tax Code ("FTC"), purchases of shares or ADSs of a French company listed on a regulated market of the European Union or an exchange formally acknowledged by the French Financial Market Authority ("AMF") are subject to a 0.3% French tax on financial transactions provided that the issuer’s market capitalization exceeds €1 billion as of December 1 of the year preceding the taxation year.
A list of companies whose market capitalization exceeds €1 billion as of December 1 of the year preceding the taxation year within the meaning of Article 235 ter ZD of the FTC is published annually by the French tax authorities. Pursuant to Regulations BOI‑ANNX‑000467‑2020122320211229 issued on December 23, 2020,29, 2021, Criteo is currently not included in such list. Please note that such list may be updated from time to time, or may not be published anymore in the future. Moreover, Nasdaq, on which Criteo's ADSs are listed for trading, is not currently acknowledged by the AMF but this may change in the future. Consequently, Criteo’s securities should not fall within the scope of the tax on financial transactions described above and purchasers of Criteo's securities in 20212022 should not be subject to the tax on financial transactions.
Registration Duties
In the case where Article 235 ter ZD of the FTC is not applicable, transfers of shares which are not listed on a regulated market of the European Union or an exchange formally acknowledged by the AMF are subject to uncapped registration duties at the rate of 0.1%. As ordinary shares of Criteo are not listed on an exchange formally acknowledged by the AMF, their transfer should be subject to uncapped registration duties at the rate of 0.1%.
However, although the official guidelines published by the French tax authorities are silent on this point, transfer of ADSs should remain outside of the scope of the aforementioned 0.1% registration duties as they cannot be considered as French shares.
Ownership Consequences
Taxation of Dividends
Dividends paid by a French corporation to non-residents of France are generally subject to French withholding tax at a rate of 25% or 12.8% for individuals. Dividends paid by a French corporation in a non-cooperative State or territory, as set out in the list referred to in Article 238-0 A of the FTC, will generally be subject to French withholding tax at a rate of 75%, except to the extent this French corporation can prove that the main purpose and effect of the distribution is not transfer such dividend income in a non-cooperative State or territory with a view to avoiding taxes. However, eligible U.S. Holders entitled to Treaty benefits under the “Limitation on Benefits” provision contained in the Treaty who are U.S. tax residents, as defined pursuant to the provisions of the Treaty may be subject to the withholding tax at a reduced rate (as described below).
Under the Treaty, the rate of French withholding tax on dividends paid to an eligible U.S. Holder who is a U.S. tax resident as defined pursuant to the provisions of the Treaty, who is the ultimate owner of the distributed dividends, and whose ownership of the ordinary shares or ADSs is not effectively connected with a permanent establishment or fixed base that such U.S. Holder has in France, is generally reduced to 15%, or to 5% if such U.S. Holder is a corporation and owns directly or indirectly at least 10% of the share capital of the issuer, subject to certain procedural requirements discussed below.
For U.S. Holders that are not individuals but are U.S. residents, as defined pursuant to the provisions of the Treaty, the requirements for eligibility for Treaty benefits, including the reduced 15% or 5% withholding tax rates contained in the “Limitation on Benefits” provision of the Treaty, are complicated, and certain technical changes were made to these requirements by the protocol of January 13, 2009. U.S. Holders are advised to consult their own tax advisers regarding their eligibility for Treaty benefits in light of their own particular circumstances.
Dividends paid to an eligible U.S. Holder may immediately be subject to the reduced rates of 15% or 5% provided that such holder establishes before the date of payment that it is a U.S. resident under the Treaty by completing and providing the depositary with the applicable treaty forms (Form 5000 and Form 5001).
Dividends paid to a U.S. Holder that has not filed the Form 5000 before the dividend payment date will be subject to French withholding tax at the rate of 12.8%, 25% in 2022,2023, or 75% if paid in a non-cooperative State or territory (as defined in Article 238-0 A of the FTC). Such U.S. Holder may claim a refund from the French tax authorities of the amount withheld in excess of the Treaty rates of 15% or 5%, if any, provided that such holder duly completes and provides the French tax authorities with the treaty forms (Form 5000 and Form 5001) before December 31 of the second calendar year following the year during which the dividend is paid. Certain qualifying pension funds and certain other tax-exempt entities are subject to the same general filing requirements as other U.S. Holders except that they may have to supply additional documentation evidencing their entitlement to these benefits.
Form 5000 and Form 5001, together with instructions, will be provided by the depositary to all U.S. Holders registered with the depositary. The depositary will arrange for the filing with the French Tax authorities of all such forms properly completed and executed by U.S. Holders of ordinary shares or ADSs and returned to the depositary in sufficient time so that they may be filed with the French tax authorities before the distribution in order to obtain immediately a reduced withholding tax rate.
The withholding tax refund, if any, will not occur before January 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the related dividend was paid.
Subject to certain conditions, corporations can obtain a full refund of the withholding tax if they are in loss-making position. In such case, the taxation is deferred and will occur if and when profits are made.
Because the withholding tax rate applicable under French domestic law to U.S. holders who are individuals does not exceed the cap provided in the Treaty (i.e. 15%), the domestic 12.8% withholding tax rate will generally apply to dividends paid to those U.S. holders, as opposed to the rate provided under the Treaty.
Wealth Tax
As from January 1, 2018, French wealth tax (impôt de solidarité sur la fortune) has been replaced by a newthe real estate wealth tax (impôt sur la fortune immobilière) which applies only to French tax residents on their worldwide real estate assets and non-French tax resident individuals owning French real estate assets or rights, directly or indirectly through one or more legal entities, and whose net taxable assets amount to at least 1,300,000 euros. Generally, real estate assets allocated to an operational activity are excluded from the scope of the real estate wealth tax, depending on the structuring. Shares of an operating company holding French real estate assets in which the relevant individual holds, directly and indirectly, less than 10% of the share capital or voting rights, are also exempt from real estate wealth tax.
The Treaty does not prevent the application of French real estate wealth tax to a U.S. Holder who would be a U.S. tax resident. However, based on the above domestic provisions and considering that Criteo SA is an operating company, the owning of ADSs or ordinary shares should not be subject to real estate wealth tax.
Disposition
Taxation on sale or other disposition
Generally, under French tax law, a foreign shareholder who is not a French tax resident for French tax purposes is not be subject to French tax on any capital gain from the sale, exchange, repurchase or redemption of ordinary shares or ADSs, provided that the foreignthis shareholder either (i) has not held more than 25% of our dividend rights, at any time during the preceding five years, either directly or indirectly, and, as relates to individuals, alone or with relatives (as an exception, a foreignnon-resident shareholder established, domiciled or incorporated in a non-cooperative State or territory as defined in Article 238-0 A of the FTC should be subject to a 75% withholding tax in France on any such capital gain, regardless of the fraction of the dividend rights it holds) or (ii) the issuer of the relevant shares or ADSs is a company at least 50% of the assets of which consist of real estate located in France, or derives at least 50% of its value, directly or indirectly, from real estate located in France..
However, based on the Treaty, a U.S. Holder who is a U.S. tax resident for purposes of the Treaty, has no permanent establishment or fixed base in France within the meaning of the Treaty, and is entitled to Treaty benefits will only be subject to French tax on capital gain resulting from the sale of shares, units or rights in a company at least 50% of the assets of which consist of real estate located in France, or derives at least 50% of its value, directly or indirectly, from real estate located in France. Criteo SA is not expected to meet this standard. Pursuant to these provisions, capital gain resulting from the sale or other disposition of ADSs and ordinary shares should not be subject to taxation in France.France for this shareholder. U.S. Holders who own ordinary shares or ADSs through U.S. partnerships that are not residents for Treaty purposes are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding their French tax treatment and their eligibility for Treaty benefits in light of their own particular circumstances.
A U.S. Holder who owns ordinary shares or ADSs through U.S. partnerships that are not residents for Treaty purposes are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding their French tax treatment and their eligibility for Treaty benefits in light of their own particular circumstances.
A U.S. Holder that is not a U.S. resident for Treaty purposes or is not entitled to Treaty benefits (and in both cases is not resident, established or incorporated in a non-cooperative State or territory as defined in Article 238-0 A of the FTC) and has held more than 25% of Criteo's dividend rights at any time during the preceding five years, either directly or indirectly, and, as relates to individuals, alone or with relatives will be subject to a levy in France at the rate of (i) 25% if such U.S. Holder is a corporate body or a legal entity, or (ii) 12.8% if such U.S. Holder is an individual.
Special rules apply to U.S. Holders who are residents of more than one country.
Gift and Inheritance Tax
Generally, under French tax law, the following assets are subject to gift and inheritance tax:
•all movable or immovable property located in France or outside France when the donor or the deceased had his or her tax residence in France within the meaning of Article 4 B of the FTC;
•movable or immovable property located in France (including French real estate assets held indirectly), when the donor or the deceased is not domiciled for tax purposes in France;
•movable and immovable property located in France or outside France received from a donor or deceased domiciled outside France by an heir, donee or legatee who is domiciled for tax purposes in France within the meaning of Article 4 B of the FTC and has been so domiciled for at least six years during the last ten years preceding the year in which he or she receives the property.
However, under the Convention between the Government of the U.S. and the Government of the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Estates, Inheritances and Gifts, dated November 24, 1978 (as amended by the protocol of December 8, 2004)2004 and as amended on January 13, 2019), if the U.S. Holder is domiciled in the U.S. and is a U.S. tax resident for purposes of the Treaty, has no permanent establishment or fixed base in France within the meaning of the Treaty, and is entitled to Treaty benefits, only French real estate assets and shares, units or other interests in a company or legal entity whose assets consist, directly or through one or more other companies or legal entities, of at least 50% of real property located in France or of rights relating to such property can be subject to gift and inheritance tax.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders
The following section is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to U.S. Holders, as defined below, of owning and disposing of ADSs or ordinary shares.
This section applies only to a U.S. Holder that holds ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets (generally, property held for investment) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This section does not address the U.S. federal estate, gift or other non-income tax considerations or any state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations relating to the ownership or disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares. In addition, it does not set forth all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant in light of the U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax consequences, the potential application of the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), known as the Medicare contribution tax and tax consequences applicable to U.S. Holders subject to special rules, such as:
•certain banks and other financial institutions;
•dealers in securities or currencies;
•traders that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting;
•persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a hedging transaction, straddle, wash sale, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares;
•persons whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;
•entities or arrangements classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
•insurance companies;
•pension plans;
•cooperatives;
•regulated investment companies;
•real estate investment trusts;
•tax-exempt entities, including private foundations and “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs”;
•certain former U.S. citizens or long-term residents;
•persons who acquire their ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to any employee share option or otherwise as compensation;
•persons required for U.S. federal income tax purposes to conform the timing of income accruals with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares to their financial statements under Section 451(b) of the Code;
•persons that directly, indirectly or constructively own 10% or more of our shares (by vote or value); or
•persons holding ADSs or ordinary shares in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the U.S.
If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds ADSs or ordinary shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships holding ADSs or ordinary shares and partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisers as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the ADSs or ordinary shares.
Each U.S. Holder should consult its tax advisor as to the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax considerations relevant to it with respect to the ownership and disposition of our ADSs or ordinary shares in light of its particular circumstances.
This section is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions, final Treasury regulations, and the income tax treaty between France and the U.S. (the “Treaty”), all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect.
A “U.S. Holder” is a holder who, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of ADSs or ordinary shares and who is:
•a citizen or individual resident of the U.S.;
•a corporation, or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
•an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or
•a trust if a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons has or have the authority to control all of the trust’s substantial decisions, or the trust has validly elected to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In general, it is expected that a U.S. Holder who owns ADSs will be treated as the owner of the underlying shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The remainder of this discussion assumes that a U.S. Holder of our ADSs will be treated in this manner. Accordingly, no gain or loss will be recognized if a U.S. Holder exchanges ADSs for the underlying shares represented by those ADSs.
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of ADSs or ordinary shares in their particular circumstances.
Taxation of Distributions
We do not currently expect to make distributions on our ADSs or ordinary shares. If we are not and have not been a PFIC (as discussed below in the section entitled “—Passive Foreign Investment Company, or PFIC,“PFIC Rules”), in the event that we do make distributions of cash or other property, the following rules would apply. The gross amount of any distributions paid on ADSs or ordinary shares, other than certain pro rata distributions of ADSs or ordinary shares, will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). To the extent such amount is treated as a dividend, it will generally be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as dividend income on the day actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder, in the case of ordinary shares, or by the depositary, in the case of ADSs.
If distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess distributions will generally constitute a return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in its ADSs or ordinary shares and will result in a reduction thereof.
To the extent such excess exceeds a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares, such excess will generally be subject to tax as capital gain. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, the full amount of any distribution we pay is generally expected to be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received on our ADSs or ordinary shares will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from U.S. corporations.
Individuals and other non-corporate U.S. Holders will be subject to tax at the lower capital gains tax rate applicable to “qualified dividend income,” provided that certain conditions are satisfied, including that (1) the ADSs or ordinary shares on which the dividends are paid are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S., or we are eligible for the benefitbenefits of the Treaty, (2) we are neither a PFIC nor treated as such with respect to a U.S. Holder (as discussed below) for the taxable year in which the dividend is paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period requirements are met.
If we are eligible for benefits under the Treaty, dividends we pay on our ADSs or ordinary shares, regardless of whether such ADSs or shares are considered readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S., would be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation described in the preceding paragraph, provided the other conditions described above are satisfied. Further, as discussed below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company, or PFIC,“PFIC Rules”, although there can be no assurance that we will or will not be considered a PFIC for any taxable year, we believe we were not a PFIC for our 20212022 taxable year and we do not anticipate that we will be a PFIC in the current and future taxable years. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on dividends in their particular circumstances.
For U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, dividends paid on our ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be treated as income from foreign sources and generally will constitute passive category income. The amount of any dividend income paid in euro will be the U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time.
If the foreign currency received as a dividend is converted into U.S. dollars on the date it is received, a U.S. Holder will generally not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. If the foreign currency received as a dividend is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any gain or loss realized on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the foreign currency will be treated as U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
Sale or Other Disposition of ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the discussion below under “—Passive Foreign Investment Company, or PFIC,“PFIC Rules”, gain or loss realized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than one year. The amount of the gain or loss will equal the difference between the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares disposed of and the amount realized on the disposition, in each case as determined in U.S. dollars. Long-term capital gain of individuals and certain other non-corporate U.S. Holders will generally be eligible for a reduced rate of taxation. The deductibility of a capital loss may be subject to limitations. Any capital gain or loss will generally be treated as U.S.-source gain or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, which will generally limit the availability of foreign tax credits.
Passive Foreign Investment Company, or PFIC Rules
Under the Code, we will be a PFIC for any taxable year in which either (i) 75% or more of our gross income consists of “passive income,” or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our assets consist of assets that produce, or are held for the production of, “passive income.” For purposes of the above calculations, we will be treated as if we hold our proportionate share of the assets of, and receive directly our proportionate share of the income of, any other corporation in which we directly or indirectly own at least 25%, by value, of the shares of such corporation.
Passive income includes, among other things, interest, dividends, certain non-active rents and royalties, net gains from the sale or exchange of property producing such income and net foreign currency gains.
For this purpose, cash and assets readily convertible into cash are categorized as passive assets, and our goodwill and other unbooked intangibles are taken into account.
The determination of whether we are a PFIC is a fact-intensive determination that must be made on an annual basis applying principles and methodologies that are in some circumstances unclear.
Based on the value and composition of our assets, although not free from doubt, we do not believe we were a PFIC for the taxable year ended December 31, 2021,2023, and we do not expect to be a PFIC in the current taxable year or the foreseeable future. Since a separate factual determination as to whether we are or have become a PFIC must be made each year (after the close of such year), we cannot assure you that we will not be or become a PFIC in the current year or any future taxable year.
If we are classified as a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares, the PFIC rules discussed below generally will apply to such U.S. Holder for such taxable year, and unless the U.S. Holder makes certain elections, will apply in future years even if we cease to be a PFIC.
If we were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder held ADSs or ordinary shares (assuming such U.S. Holder has not made a timely mark-to-market or QEF election, as described below), gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or other disposition (including certain pledges) of the ADSs or ordinary shares would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares. The amounts allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an additional tax based on the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax would be imposed on the amount allocated to that taxable year. Further, to the extent that any distribution received by a U.S. Holder on its ADSs or ordinary shares exceeds 125% of the average of the annual distributions on the ADSs or ordinary shares received during the preceding three years or the U.S. Holder’s holding period, whichever is shorter, that distribution would be subject to taxation in the same manner as gain, described immediately above.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs or ordinary shares and any of our non-U.S. affiliated entities are also PFICs, the holder will be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of each such non-U.S. affiliate classified as a PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.
A U.S. Holder can avoid certain of the adverse rules described above by making a mark-to-market election with respect to its ADSs or ordinary shares, provided that the ADSs or ordinary shares are “marketable.” ADSs or ordinary shares will be marketable if they are traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a “qualified exchange” or other market within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations. We expect that our ADSs, but not our ordinary shares, will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which is a qualified exchange for these purposes, but no assurances may be given in this regard. Consequently, assuming that our ADSs are regularly traded, if a U.S. Holder holds our ADSs, it is expected that the mark-to-market election would be available to such holder were we to be or become a PFIC. In addition, because, as a technical matter, a mark-to-market election cannot be made for any lower-tier PFICs that we may own, a U.S. Holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with respect to such holder’s indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If a U.S. Holder makes the mark-to-market election, it will recognize as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of the ADSs or ordinary shares at the end of each taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, and will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of any excess of the adjusted tax basis of the ADSs or ordinary shares over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes the election, the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect the income or loss amounts recognized.
Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares in a year when we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. Holder makes such a mark-to-market election, tax rules that apply to distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us (except that the lower applicable capital gains rate for qualified dividend income would not apply). If a U.S. Holder makes a valid mark-to-market election, and we subsequently cease to be classified as a PFIC, such U.S. Holder will not be required to take into account the mark-to-market income or loss described above during any period that we are not classified as a PFIC.
In addition, in order to avoid the application of the foregoing rules, a U.S. person that owns shares in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes may make a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”) election with respect to such PFIC, if the PFIC provides the information necessary for such election to be made. If a U.S. person makes a QEF election with respect to a PFIC, the U.S. person will be currently taxable on its pro rata share of the PFIC’s ordinary earnings and net capital gain (at ordinary income and capital gain rates, respectively) for each taxable year that the entity is classified as a PFIC and will not be required to include such amounts in income when actually distributed by the PFIC. No assurances can be given that we will provide holders with the information necessary for U.S. Holders to make a QEF election.
In addition, if we were a PFIC or, with respect to a particular U.S. Holder, were treated as a PFIC for the taxable year in which we paid a dividend or for the prior taxable year, the preferential dividend rates discussed above with respect to dividends paid to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders would not apply.
If a U.S. Holder owns ADSs or ordinary shares during any year in which we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder must file annual reports, containing such information as the U.S. Department of the Treasury may require on IRS Form 8621 (or any successor form) with respect to us, with the U.S. Holder’s federal income tax return for that year, unless otherwise specified in the instructions with respect to such form.
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisers concerning our potential PFIC status and the potential application of the PFIC rules.
THE PRECEDING SUMMARY OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE TAX ADVICE. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSIDERATIONS GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO THEM OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR ADSs OR ORDINARY SHARES IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Item 6. [Reserved]
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"), we present Contribution ex-TAC, and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures. We define Contribution ex-TAC as a profitability measure akin to gross profit. It is calculated by deducting traffic acquisition costs from revenue and reconciled to gross profit through the exclusion of other costs of revenue. Contribution ex-TAC is presented in the section entitled "Contribution excluding Traffic Acquisition Costs", which includes a reconciliation to its most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, Gross Profit. We define Adjusted EBITDA as our consolidated earnings before financial income (expense), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to eliminate the impact of equity awards compensation expense, pension service costs, certain restructuring, integration and transformation costs, certain acquisition costs and a loss contingency related to a regulatory matter. Adjusted EBITDA is presented in the section entitled "Adjusted EBITDA", which includes a reconciliation to its most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, Net Income. We also present revenues, traffic acquisition costs and Contribution ex-TAC on a constant currency basis; these measures exclude the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and are computed by applying the average exchange rates for the prior year to the current year figures. A reconciliation is provided in the section entitled "Constant Currency Reconciliation".
We believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with useful supplemental information about the financial performance of our business, enable comparison of financial results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in operating our business. As required by the rules of the SEC, we provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures contained in this document to the most directly comparable measures under GAAP.
Overview
We are a global technology company driving superior commerce outcomes for marketers and media owners through the world’s leading Commerce Media Platform. We operate in commerce media, the future of digital advertising, leveraging commerce data and artificial intelligence ("AI") to connect ecommerce, digital marketing and media monetization to reach consumers throughout their shopping journey. Our vision is to bring richer experiences to every consumer by supporting a fair and open internet that enables discovery, innovation, and choice – powered by trusted and impactful advertising. We have accelerated and deeply transformed the Company from a single-product to a multi-solution platform provider, fast diversifying our business into new solutions.
We enable brands', retailers'have reported our results as three reportable segments: Marketing Solutions, Retail Media and media owners’ growth by providing best-in-class marketing and monetization services and infrastructure on the open Internet, driving approximately $40 billion of commerce outcomes for our customers –Iponweb.
Beginning in the formfirst quarter of product sales for retailers, brands and marketers and advertising revenues for media owners. We differentiate ourselves by delivering high-performing commerce audiences at scale and we deliver this value by activating commerce data in a privacy-by-design way through proprietary AI technology to reach and engage consumers in real time with highly relevant digital advertisements ("ads") across all stages2024 – following the completion of the consumer journey. Our data offers deep insights into consumer intent and purchasing habits.
Our focus is on commerce media. Our clients include many of the largest and most sophisticated consumer brands, commerce companies and media owners in the world. We partner with them to capture user activity on their websites and mobile applications ("apps"), which we define as digital properties, and leverage that data to deliver superior ad performance to help marketers, brands and agencies reach their campaign objectives. This includes powering the retail media ecosystem as we enable brands to reach shoppers with relevant ads near the digital point of sale on retailer and marketplace websites while enabling retailers to add a new revenue stream.
Demonstrating the depth and scaleintegration of our data,Iponweb acquisition – our Chief Operating Decision Maker, who is our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), no longer receives disaggregated information for Iponweb. As such, we collected data on over $1 trillionwill update our segment financial reporting structure in online sales transactions1 online with how our clients' digital properties in the year ended December 31, 2021. Based on this dataCEO assesses performance and other assets, we delivered 1.8 trillion targeted ads in the year ended December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, we served close to 22,000 clientsallocates resources. We will have two segments: Retail Media and in each of the last three years,Performance Media. Performance Media combines our average client retention rate, as measured on a quarterly basis, was approximately 90%.
We serve a wide range of clientsformer Marketing Solutions and our revenue is not concentrated within any single client or group of clients. In 2021, 2020 and 2019, our largest client represented 7.0, 3.5%, and 2.8% of our revenue, respectively, and in 2021, 2020 and 2019, our largest 10 clients represented 16.6%, 13.7% and 11.4% of our revenue in the aggregate, respectively. There is no group of customers under common control or customers that are affiliates of each other constituting an aggregate amount equal to 10% or more of our consolidated revenues, the loss of which would have a material adverse effect on the Company.
We operate in 96 countries through a network of 29 offices located in Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), the Americas and Asia-Pacific. As a result of our significant international operations, our revenue from outside of France, our home country, accounted for 93.2% of our revenue for year ended December 31, 2021.
The Company's foreign currency risk exposure to the British pound, the Japanese yen, the Brazilian real and the U.S. dollar against the euro (the euro still remains the Company's functional currency) is described in Item 7 note B. Liquidity and Capital Resources to our Management's Discussion and Analysis included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
1 Excluding Criteo Retail MediaIponweb segments.
Full Year 2023 financial highlights
For the year ended December 31, 2023, revenue was $1,949.4 million, down 3% compared to the prior year, reflecting growth in Retail Media and Iponweb offset by lower revenue in Marketing Solutions. At constant currency, revenue was down 3%.
Our financial results include:
•Revenue of $2,254.2 million, $2,072.6 million and $2,261.5 millionGross profit for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively;2023 increased by 9% to $863.0 million, compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower traffic acquisition costs.
•Gross profit of $781.9 million, $688.0 million and $829.0 millionContribution ex-TAC for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2021, 20202023 increased by 10% to $1,022.6 million, compared to the prior year, driven by growth in Retail Media and 2019, respectively;
•Iponweb. At constant currency, Contribution ex-TAC increased by 11%. In Q4 2023, new solutions represented approximately 56% of Contribution excluding Traffic Acquisition Costs, or Contribution ex-TAC, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, of $920.8compared to 47% in Q4 2022.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by 402% to $54.6 million, $825.0compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower traffic acquisition costs and lower operating expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by 13% to $301.8 million, compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher Contribution ex-TAC and $946.6planned cost reduction actions.
Cash flow from operating activities was $224.2 million for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively;2023, compared to $256.0 million in the prior year.
•Net Income of $137.6 million, $74.7 million and $96.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively; and
•Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, of $322.5 million, $251.0 million and $299.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Please note that reconciliations of Gross Profit to Contribution ex-TACTrends, Opportunities and Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA - in each case the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States or "U.S. GAAP," are presented below.Challenges
We are focused on maximizing Contribution ex-TAC. We believe this focus builds sustainable long-term value for our business and fortifies a number of our competitive strengths, including a highly liquid marketplace for digital advertising inventory. As part of this focus, we seek to maximize our percentage of overall marketing spend in the digital advertising market over the long-term. In addition, this focus enriches liquidity for both advertisers and publishers resulting in more effective advertising for clients, better monetization for publishers and more relevant advertisements for consumers. We believe our resultsperformance and future success depend on several factors that present significant opportunities but also pose risks and challenges, including those referred to in Part I, Item 1A.
Develop and Scale our Commerce Media Platform
Our future growth depends upon our ability to retain and scale our existing clients and increase the usage of operations reflect this focus.
Acquisitionsour Commerce Media platform as well as adding new customers. We believe that we are in a leading position in the Commerce Media space as we have unique commerce data at scale, deep integrations with retailers, a large client base, differentiated technology and a R&D powerhouse. By unifying the Commerce Media ecosystem with a multi-retailer, multi-channel, multi-format approach and providing full funnel closed loop measurement to our clients, we believe we are well positioned to capture more ad budgets and market share.
On May 18, 2021, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Doobe In Site Ltd. ("Mabaya"), a leading retail media technology company that powers sponsored productsBusiness and retail media monetization for major ecommerce marketplaces globally.Macroeconomic Conditions
Global economic and geopolitical conditions have been increasingly volatile due to factors such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, inflation, and high interest rates. The economic uncertainty resulting from these factors has negatively impacted advertising demand, consumer behavior, and to some extent our performance.
These factors, among others, including the impact of persistent inflation, make it difficult for Criteo and our clients to accurately forecast and plan future business activities, and could cause the company's clients to reduce or delay their advertising spending or increase their cautiousness, which, in turn, could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We are monitoring these macroeconomic conditions closely and may continue to take actions in response to such conditions to the extent they adversely affect our business.
Seasonality
In December 2021, we executed a purchase agreementthe advertising industry, companies commonly experience seasonal fluctuations in revenue, as many marketers allocate the largest portion of their budgets to acquire the business of IPONWEB Holding Limited ("IPONWEB"), a market-leading AdTech company with world-class media trading capabilities, for $380 million comprised of a mix of cashthird and treasury sharesfourth quarter of the Company,calendar year in order to coincide with increased back-to-school and holiday purchasing. Historically, the fourth quarter has reflected our highest level of advertising activity for the year. We generally expect the subsequent first quarter to reflect lower activity levels, but this trend may be masked due to the growth of our business. In addition, historical seasonality may not be predictive of future results given the potential for changes in advertising buying patterns and consumer activity due to the potential impacts of the evolving macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions discussed above. We expect our revenue to continue to fluctuate based on seasonal factors that affect the advertising industry as a whole.
Privacy Trends and Government Regulations
We are subject to certain adjustments includingU.S. and international laws and regulations regarding privacy, data protection, digital advertising and the collection of user data. In addition, large Internet and technology companies such as Google and Apple are making their own decisions as to how to protect consumer privacy with measures resulting in signal loss, which impact the entire digital ecosystem. Google’s web browser, Chrome, announced plans to deprecate support for working capital, other current assets and current liabilities and net indebtedness, withthird-party cookies in the transaction expected to closesecond half of 2024, which will follow a one-percent deprecation of third-party cookies for Chrome users globally in the first quarter of 2022. The transaction is subject2024. These developments could cause instability in the advertising technology industry. We have developed a multi-pronged addressability strategy to customary closing conditions.
A.Operating Results.
Basis of Presentation
The key elements of our results of operations include:
Revenue
We sell personalized display advertisements featuring product-level recommendations either directly to clients or to advertising agencies. Historically, the Criteo model has focused solely on converting our clients' website visitors into customers, enabling us to charge our clients only when users engage with an ad we deliver, usually by clicking on it. More recently, we have expanded our solutions to address a broader range of marketing goals for our clients.
We offer two families of solutions to our commerce and brand clients:
•Criteo Marketing Solutions allow commerce companies to address multiple marketing goals by engaging their consumers with personalized ads across the web, mobile and offline store environments.
•Criteo Retail Media solutions allow retailers to generate advertising revenues from consumer brands, and/or to drive sales for themselves, by monetizing their data and audiences through personalized ads, either on their own digital property or on the open Internet, that address multiple marketing goals.
We also have multiple pricing models which now include percentage of spend models in addition to cost-per-click, cost-per-install and cost-per-impression pricing models.
Cost of Revenue
Our cost of revenue primarily includes traffic acquisition costs and other cost of revenue.
Traffic Acquisition Costs. Traffic acquisition costs consist primarily of purchases of impressions from publishers on a CPM basis. We purchase impressions directly from publishers or third-party intermediaries, such as advertisement exchanges. We recognize cost of revenue on a publisher by publisher basis as incurred. Costs owed to publishers but not yet paid are recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as trade payables.
For solutions within Criteo Retail Media, we pay for the inventory of our retailer partners on a revenue sharing basis, effectively paying the retailers a portion of the click-based revenue generated by user clicks on the sponsored products advertisements or impressions on the commerce display advertisements displaying the products of our consumer brand clients.
For a discussion of the trends we expect to see in traffic acquisition costs, see the section entitled " - Highlights and Trends - Contribution ex-TAC" in Item 7.D - Trend Information below.
Other Cost of Revenue. Other cost of revenue includes expenses related to third-party hosting fees, depreciation of data center equipment, the cost of data purchased from third parties and digital taxes. The Company does not build or operate its own data centers and none of its Research and Development employments are dedicated to revenue generating activities. As a result, we do not include the costs of such personnel in other cost of revenue.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses consist of research and development, sales and operations, and general and administrative expenses. Salaries, bonuses, equity awards compensation, pension benefits and other personnel-related costs are the most significant components of each of these expense categories. The number of employees increased from 2,755 employees at January 1, 2020 to 2,781 employees at December 31, 2021.
We include equity awards compensation expense in connection with grants of share options, warrants, and restricted share units ("RSUs") in the applicable operating expense category based on the respective equity award recipient’s function (Research and development, Sales and operations, General and administrative).
Research and Development Expense. Research and development expense consists primarily of personnel-related costs for our employees working in the engine, platform, site reliability engineering, scalability, infrastructure, engineering program management, product, analytics and other teams, including salaries, bonuses, equity awards compensation and other personnel related costs. Also included are non-personnel costs such as subcontracting, consulting and professional fees to third-party development resources, allocated overhead, including internal IT and depreciation and amortization costs. These expenses are partially offset by the French research tax credit that is conditional upon the level of our expenditures in research and development.
The number of employees in research and development functions increased from 681 at January 1, 2020 to 682 at December 31, 2021.
We believe our continued investment in research and development to be critical to maintaining and improving our technology within the Criteo Commerce Media Platform, our quality of service and our competitive position.
Sales and Operations Expense. Sales and operations expense consists primarily of personnel-related costs for our employees working in our sales, account strategy, sales operations, publisher business development, analytics, marketing, technical solutions, creative services and other teams, including salaries, bonuses, equity awards compensation, and other personnel-related costs. Additional expenses in this category include travel and entertainment, marketing and promotional events, marketing activities, provisions for doubtful accounts, subcontracting, consulting and professional fees paid to third parties, allocated overhead, including internal IT, and depreciation and amortization costs.The number of employees in sales and operations functions increased from 1,578 at January 1, 2020 to 1,596 at December 31, 2021. In order to expand our business, we expect to make targeted investments in our resources in some areas of our sales and operations. Yet, we expect sales and operations expenses to remain fairly flat as a percentage of revenue over time as we increase the productivity of our sales and operations teams.
General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense consists primarily of personnel costs, including salaries, bonuses, equity awards compensation, pension benefits and other personnel-related costs for our administrative, legal, information technology, human resources, facilities and finance teams. Additional expenses included in this category include travel-related expenses, subcontracting and professional fees, audit fees, tax services and legal fees, as well as insurance and other corporate expenses, along with allocated overhead, including internal IT and depreciation and amortization costs. The number of employees in general and administrative functions increased from 496 at January 1, 2020 to 503 at December 31, 2021. We expect our general and administrative expense to decrease as a percentage of revenue over time as we increase the productivity of our general and administrative teams.
Financial and Other Income (Expense)
Financial and Other Income (Expense) primarily consists of:
•exchange differences arising on the settlement or translation into local currency of monetary balance sheet items labeled in euros (the Company's functional currency). We are exposed to changes in exchange rates primarily in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea and Brazil. The U.S. dollar, the British pound, the Korean won, the Japanese yen and the Brazilian real are our most significant foreign currency exchange risks. At December 31, 2021, our exposure to foreign currency risk was centralized at parent company level and hedged. These exchange differences in euro are then translated into U.S. dollars (the Company's reporting currency) according to the average euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate.
•interest received on our cash and cash equivalents and interest incurred on outstanding borrowings under our debt loan agreements and revolving credit facilities ("RCFs").
•Proceeds from sale of data center equipment to third-parties, made as part of Criteo's data center update program.
•Dividends received from an investment made in 2018.
We monitor foreign currency exposure and look to mitigate exposures through normal business operations and hedging strategies.
Provision for Income Taxes
We are subject to potential income taxes in France, the U.S. and numerous other jurisdictions. We recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. These tax liabilities are recognized when we believe that certain positions may not be fully sustained upon review by tax authorities, notwithstanding our belief that our tax return positions are supportable.
Our effective tax rates differ from the statutory rate applicable to us primarily due to valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, differences between domestic and foreign jurisdiction tax rates, Research Tax Credit offsets, which are non-taxable items, potential tax audit provision settlements, share-based compensation expenses that are non-deductible in some jurisdictions under certain circumstances, and transfer pricing adjustments. We license access to our technology to our subsidiaries and charge a royalty fee to these subsidiaries for such access. In France, we benefit from a reduced tax rate of 10% on a large portion of this technology royalty income.
Although we believe that we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions (including net interest and penalties), we can provide no assurance that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be materially different. No uncertain tax positions were identified as of December 31, 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of revenue, assets, liabilities, costs and expenses. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our actual results may differ from these estimates.
An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, if different estimates reasonably could have been used, or if changes in the estimate that are reasonably possible could materially impact the financial statements. We believe estimates associated with (1) gross vs net assessment in revenue recognition, criteria (2) allowances for credit losses, (3) research tax credits (4) income taxes, including i) recognition of deferred tax assets arising from the subsidiaries projected taxable profit for future years, ii) evaluation of uncertain tax positions associated with our transfer pricing policy and iii) recognition of income tax position in respect with tax reforms recently enacted in countries we operate, (5)(3) assumptions used in valuing acquiredlong-lived assets and assumed liabilities in business combinations, (6) assumptions used in the valuation of goodwill,including intangible assets, and right of use assets - operating lease,goodwill, and (7)(4) assumptions used insurrounding the valuation model to determine the fair value of share-based compensation plan. The spread of COVID-19recognition and the various attempts to contain it have continued to create volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption to global society, economics, financial markets and business practices and increase the uncertainty associated with certain estimates, in particular those related to allowance for credit losses, assumptions used in the valuation of goodwillcontingent liabilities and estimates relating to income taxes.losses, are critical as they are made based on assumptions about matters which are uncertain. See Note 1. Principles and Accounting Methods to our audited consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 for a description of our other significant accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenues when we transfer control of promised services directly to our clients or to advertising agencies, which we collectively refer to as our clients, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those services. - Gross vs Net Assessment
For revenue generated from arrangements that involve third-party publishers,purchasing inventory from media owners, there is significant judgment in evaluating whether we are the principal, and report revenue on a gross basis, or the agent, and report revenue on a net basis. In this assessment, we consider if we obtain control of the specified goods or services before they are transferred to the customer, as well as other indicators such as the determination of the party primarily responsible for fulfillment of the promised service, inventory risk, and discretion in establishing price. The assessment of whether we are considered the principal or the agent in a transaction could impact our revenue and cost of revenue recognized onin the consolidated statements of income.
Trade Receivables, NetFor additional information regarding revenue and the assumptions used for determining our revenue recognition refer to Note 1. Principles and Accounting Methods of Allowances for Doubtful Accountsour financial statements.
Income taxes
We apply Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires the measurementare subject to income taxes in France and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost that an entity does not expect to collect over the asset's contractual life, considering past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions.
For accounts receivable measured at amortized cost, we use aging analysis, and probability of default methods to evaluating and estimating the expected credit losses.
Deferred Tax Assets
Deferrednumerous foreign jurisdictions. We record deferred taxes are recorded on all temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and on tax losses, using the liability method. Differences are defined as temporary when they are expected to reverse within a foreseeable future. We may only recognize deferred tax assets if, based on the projected taxable incomes within the next three years, we determine that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses and tax credits can be utilized. As a result, theThe measurement of deferred income tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance for any tax benefits which are not expected to be realized. If future taxable profits are considerably different from those forecasted that support recording deferred tax assets, we will have to revise downwards or upwards the amount of the deferred tax assets, which could have a significant impact on our financial results.
This determination requires many estimates and judgments by our management for which the ultimate tax determination may be uncertain.
Uncertain Tax Positions
We also recognize tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if we believe that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. These uncertain tax positions include our estimates for transfer pricing that have been developed based upon analyses of appropriate arms-length prices. Although we believe that we have adequately assessed all potentialSimilarly, our estimates related to uncertain tax positions we can provide no assurance thatconcerning research and development tax credits are based on an assessment of whether our available documentation corroborating the finalnature of our activities supporting the tax outcomecredits will be sufficient.
Valuation of Long-lived Assets including Goodwill, and Intangible Assets
We allocate the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these matters willidentifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill to reporting units based on the expected benefit from the business combination. Such valuations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets.
Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, estimated replacement costs and future expected cash flows from acquired users, acquired technology, acquired patents, and trade names from a market participant perspective, useful lives, and discount rates. Management's estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be materially different.
Goodwillreasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. Allocation of purchase consideration to identifiable assets and liabilities affects our amortization expense, as acquired finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the useful life, whereas any indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill, are not amortized. During the measurement period, which is not to exceed one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings.
Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at leastthe reporting unit level annually or whenevermore frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate thatwould more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value may not be recoverable. In the course of 2021, the Company has reassessed its operating and reportable segments in accordance with ASC 280 and now reports its results of operations through two segments: Marketing Solutions and Retail Media.value. Goodwill has been allocated to these two segments using a relative fair value allocation approach.
The Company has selected As of December 31, as2023, no impairment of goodwill has been identified.
Long-lived assets, including property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the date to perform its annual impairment test.carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The testevaluation is performed at the reporting unitlowest level for which we have determined to be Marketing Solutions and Retail Media. In the impairment assessment of its goodwill, the Company performs an impairment test, which involves assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows to be derived from the reporting unit. The estimated futureidentifiable cash flows are used to derive the fair valuelargely independent of the reporting unit, whichcash flows of other assets and liabilities. Recoverability of these assets is then comparedmeasured by a comparison of the carrying amounts to its net book value, including goodwill . If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future undiscounted cash flows the Companyassets are expected to generate from the use and eventual disposition. If such review indicates that the carrying amount of property and equipment and intangible assets is not recoverable, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value.
Contingent Losses and Liabilities
With respect to litigation, claims and non-income tax risks, that may be required to record impairment for these assets. If the net book value exceeds its fair value, then the Company would be required to recognize an impairment loss. The impairment lossresult in a provision to be recognized, wouldwe exercise significant judgment in measuring and recognizing provisions or determining exposure to contingent liabilities that are related to pending litigation, other outstanding claims and non income tax audits. These judgment and estimates are subject to change as new information becomes available.
Components of Results of Operations
The key elements of our results of operations include:
Revenue
For Marketing Solutions, we generate revenues by delivering personalized display advertisements featuring product-level recommendations either directly to clients or to advertising agencies. Such products are generally sold based on a cost-per-click or cost-per-impression pricing models. Revenues are recognized when an ad is clicked on or displayed to the end user as that is when we transfer control of promised services directly to our clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be calculated by comparingentitled to in exchange for those services. The cost-per-click or cost-per-impression we charge to the fair valuecustomers, varies depending on the optimization strategy of the Company to its net book value, including goodwill. ThereCriteo engine, the dynamics and performance of the market, amongst other factors. Marketing solutions revenue is also significant judgementprimarily recognized on a gross basis as we act as a principal in the allocationtransaction.
For Retail Media, we generate revenue by providing our platform to brands, agencies and retailers for the purchase and sale of the net book valuedigital advertising inventory. Generally, our revenue is based on a percentage of the Company to each of its segments, as many of the assets are not directly attributableworking media spend that runs through our platform. We earn revenue by applying a margin to the Company's operating segments.
Intangible Assets
Acquired intangible assets are accounted for at acquisition cost, less accumulated amortization. Acquired intangible assets are composedamount of software, technology and customer relationships amortizedworking media spend that runs through the platform. The working media spend running through the platform depends on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives comprised between one and three years for the software, and three and nine years, for the technology and customer relationships. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstancesvarious factors, such as but not limited to, significant declines inthe number of customers using the platform and the budgets allocated by brands and agencies to the Criteo platform. The margin applied by Criteo to the working media spend is dependent on the market dynamics, sector and industry of the customers. Retail Media revenue earnings or cash flows or material adverse changesis primarily recognized on a net basis, as we act as an agent in the business climate indicate thattransaction.
We act as agent in Iponweb as we (i) do not control the carrying amount of an asset may be impaired.
Software development costs also include costs to develop software to be used solely to meet internal needs and cloud based applications used to deliver our services. We capitalize development costs related to these software applications once the preliminary project stage is complete andadvertising inventory before it is probable thattransferred to our clients, (ii) do not have inventory risks because we do not purchase the project will be completedinventory upfront and the software will be used to perform the function intended. Amortization of these costs begins when assets are placed(iii) have limited discretion in service and is calculatedestablishing prices as we charge a fee based on a straight-line basis overpercentage of the assets’ useful lives estimated at three to five years.
Equity Awards CompensationRefer to Note 1. Principles and Accounting Methods of our financial statements for a description of our revenue recognition policies.
Cost of Revenue
Our cost of revenue includes traffic acquisition costs and other cost of revenue. Traffic acquisition costs consist primarily of purchases of impressions from publishers on a CPM basis, incurred to generate our revenues, for the Marketing Solutions segment. We purchase impressions directly from publishers or third-party intermediaries, such as advertisement exchanges. We recognize cost of revenue on a publisher by publisher basis as incurred. Costs owed to publishers but not yet paid are recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as trade payables. For a discussion of the trends we expect to see in traffic acquisition costs, see the section entitled " - Highlights and Trends - Contribution ex-TAC" in Item 7.E -Trend Information below.
Other Cost of Revenue. Other cost of revenue includes expenses related to third-party hosting fees, depreciation of data center equipment, the cost of data purchased from third parties and digital taxes. The Company does not build or operate its own data centers and none of its Research and Development employments are dedicated to revenue generating activities. As a result, we do not include the costs of such personnel in other cost of revenue.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses consist of research and development, sales and operations, and general and administrative expenses. Salaries, bonuses, equity awards compensation, pension benefits and other personnel-related costs are the most significant components of each of these expense categories.
We account for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 - Compensation - Stock CompensationResearch and Development Expense. UnderResearch and development expense consists primarily of personnel-related costs for our employees working in the fair value recognitionengine, platform, site reliability engineering, scalability, infrastructure, engineering program management, product, analytics and other teams, including salaries, bonuses, equity awards compensation and other personnel related costs. Also included are non-personnel costs such as subcontracting, consulting and professional fees to third-party development resources, allocated overhead, including internal IT and depreciation and amortization costs. These expenses are partially offset by the French research tax credit that is conditional upon the level of our expenditures in research and development.
Sales and Operations Expense. Sales and operations expense consists primarily of personnel-related costs for our employees working in our sales, account strategy, sales operations, publisher business development, analytics, marketing, technical solutions, creative services and other teams, including salaries, bonuses, equity awards compensation, and other personnel-related costs. Additional expenses in this category include travel and entertainment, marketing and promotional events, marketing activities, provisions of this guidance, share-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the awardfor doubtful accounts, subcontracting, consulting and is recognized as expense, over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the respective award. professional fees paid to third parties, allocated overhead, including internal IT, and depreciation and amortization costs.
Determining the fair valueGeneral and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense consists primarily of share-basedpersonnel costs, including salaries, bonuses, equity awards at the grant date requires judgment. The determination of the grant date fair value of RSUs is based on the share price on the grant date. We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of share options. The determination of the grant date fair value of options using an option-pricing model is affected bycompensation, pension benefits and other personnel-related costs for our estimated ordinary share fair valueadministrative, legal, information technology, human resources, facilities and finance teams. Additional expenses included in this category include travel-related expenses, subcontracting and professional fees, audit fees, tax services and legal fees, as well as assumptions regarding a number ofinsurance and other complexcorporate expenses, along with allocated overhead, including internal IT and subjective variables.depreciation and amortization costs.
These variables include the fair value of our ordinary shares, the exercise price of the option, the expected term of the options, our expected share price volatility, risk-free interest rates,Financial and expected dividends, which are estimated as follows:Other Income (Expense)
Financial and Other Income (Expense) primarily consists of:
•Fair value of our ordinary shares. Following our initial public offering, we established a policy of using the closing sales price per ADS as quoted on NasdaqExchange differences arising on the datesettlement or translation into local currency of grant for purposes of determiningmonetary balance sheet items labeled in euros (the Company's functional currency). At December 31, 2023, our exposure to foreign currency risk was centralized at parent company level and hedged. These exchange differences in euro are then translated into U.S. dollars (the Company's reporting currency) according to the fair value of ordinary shares.average euro/U.S. dollar exchange rate.
•Exercise price of the option. FollowingInterest received on our initial public offering, we established a policy of using the closing sales price per ADS as quotedcash and cash equivalents and interest incurred on Nasdaq on the date of grant for purposes of determining the exercise price with a floor value of 95% of the average of the closing sales price per ADS for the 20 trading days preceding the grant.outstanding borrowings under our debt loan agreements and revolving credit facilities ("RCFs").
•Expected term.Other income (expense) mainly arising from gains and losses on investments.
The expected term represents
Provision for Income Taxes
We are subject to potential income taxes in France, the periodU.S. and numerous other jurisdictions. We recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due. These tax liabilities are recognized when we believe that certain positions may not be fully sustained upon review by tax authorities, notwithstanding our belief that our tax return positions are supportable.
Our effective tax rates differ from the statutory rate applicable to us primarily due to valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, differences between domestic and foreign jurisdiction tax rates, Research Tax Credit offsets, which are non-taxable items, potential tax audit provision settlements, share-based awardscompensation expenses that are expected to be outstanding. As we do not have sufficient historical experience for determiningnon-deductible in some jurisdictions under certain circumstances, non-tax deductible provision from the expected term of the ordinary share option awards granted, we have based our expected termloss contingency on the simplified method, which represents the average period from vesting to the expiration of the award.
•Expected volatility. Priorregulatory matter, and transfer pricing adjustments. We license access to our initial public offering, astechnology to our subsidiaries and charge a royalty fee to these subsidiaries for such access. In France, we did not havebenefit from a trading history for our ordinary shares, the expected share price volatility for our ordinary shares was estimated by taking the average historic price volatility for industry peers basedreduced tax rate of 10% on daily price observations over a period equivalent to the expected termlarge portion of the ordinary share option grants. From the initial public offering, the expected share price volatility takes into account the Criteo closing share price from the initial public offering date to the grant date and closing share price of industry peers for the remaining expected term of the ordinary share option grant.this technology royalty income.
•
Risk-free rate. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yields of France Treasury securities with maturities similar to the expected term of the options for each option group.
•Dividend yield. We have never declared or paid any cash dividends and do not presently plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, we use an expected dividend yield of zero.
If any of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model changes significantly, share-based compensation for future awards may differ materially compared with the awards granted previously.
The following table presents the range of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted during the periods presented:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Volatility | —% | | 39.2% - 39.9% | | 39.2% - 41.2% |
| Risk-free interest rate | — | % | | 0.00% - 0.25% | | 0.00% - 0.10% |
| Expected life (in years) | - | | 6 years | | 6 years |
| Dividend yield | —% | | —% | | — | % |
There were no grants of share options during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements applicable to us, see Note 1 to our audited consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1.
Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 20192021
Revenue breakdown by segment
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2021, we report our segments results as Marketing Solutions and Retail Media:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | 2023 vs 2022 | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | |
| Revenue as reported | $ | 1,949,445 | | | $ | 2,017,003 | | | $ | 2,254,235 | | (3) | % | (11) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | 8,927 | | | 147,636 | | | (19,713) | | | |
| Revenue at constant currency | $ | 1,958,372 | | | $ | 2,164,639 | | | $ | 2,234,522 | | (3) | % | (4) | % |
| | | | | | | |
| Marketing Solutions as reported | $ | 1,617,973 | | | $ | 1,762,517 | | | $ | 2,007,239 | | (8) | % | (12) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | $ | 10,969 | | | $ | 142,661 | | | $ | (16,511) | | | |
| Marketing Solutions at constant currency | $ | 1,628,942 | | | $ | 1,905,178 | | | $ | 1,990,728 | | (8) | % | (5) | % |
| | | | | | | |
| Retail Media as reported | $ | 209,007 | | | $ | 202,317 | | | $ | 246,996 | | 3 | % | (18) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | $ | (1,143) | | | $ | 4,975 | | | $ | (3,202) | | | |
| Retail Media at constant currency | $ | 207,864 | | | $ | 207,292 | | | $ | 243,794 | | 3 | % | (16) | % |
| | | | | | | |
| Iponweb revenue as reported | $ | 122,465 | | | $ | 52,169 | | | $ | — | | 135 | % | N/A |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | $ | (899) | | | | | | | |
| Iponweb revenue at constant currency | $ | 121,566 | | | $ | 52,169 | | | $ | — | | 133 | % | N/A |
•Criteo Marketing Solutions allow commerce companies to address multiple marketing goals by engaging their consumers with personalized ads across the web, mobile and offline store environments.
•Criteo Retail Media solutions allow retailers to generate advertising revenues from consumer brands, and/or to drive sales for themselves, by monetizing their data and audiences through personalized ads, either on their own digital property or on the open Internet, that address multiple marketing goals.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | 2021 vs 2020 | 2020 vs 2019 |
| (in thousands) | | |
| Revenue as reported | $ | 2,254,235 | | | $ | 2,072,617 | | | $ | 2,261,516 | | 9 | % | (8) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | (19,713) | | | 3,239 | | | 51,373 | | | |
Revenue at constant currency (1) | $ | 2,234,522 | | | $ | 2,075,856 | | | $ | 2,312,889 | | 8 | % | (8) | % |
| | | | | | | |
| Marketing Solutions as reported | $ | 2,007,239 | | | $ | 1,806,431 | | | $ | 2,092,590 | | 11 | % | (14) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | $ | (16,511) | | | $ | 4,364 | | | $ | 49,668 | | | |
Marketing Solutions at constant currency (1) | $ | 1,990,728 | | | $ | 1,810,795 | | | $ | 2,142,258 | | 10 | % | (13) | % |
| | | | | | | |
Retail Media as reported (2) | $ | 246,996 | | | $ | 266,186 | | | $ | 168,926 | | (7) | % | 58 | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | $ | (3,202) | | | $ | (1,125) | | | $ | 1,705 | | | |
Retail Media at constant currency (1) | $ | 243,794 | | | $ | 265,061 | | | $ | 170,631 | | (8) | % | 57 | % |
(1) Information herein with respect to results presented on a constant currency basis is computed by applying prior period average exchange rates to current period results. We have included results on a constant currency basis because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to evaluate operating performance. Management reviews and analyzes business results excluding the effect of foreign currency translation because they believe this better represents our underlying business trends. The table above reconciles the actual results presented in this section with the results presented on a constant currency basis.
(2) Criteo operates as two reportable segments from December 31, 2021. The table above presents the operating results of our Marketing Solutions and Retail Media segments. A strategic building block of Criteo’s Commerce Media Platform, the Retail Media Platform, introduced in June 2020, and reported under the retail media segment, is a self-service solution providing transparency, measurement and control to brands and retailers. In all arrangements running on this platform, Criteo recognizes revenue on a net basis, whereas revenue from arrangements running on legacy Retail Media solutions are accounted for on a gross basis. We expect most clients using Criteo’s legacy Retail Media solutions to transition to this platform by the second half of 2022. As new clients onboard and existing clients transition to the Retail Media Platform, Revenue may decline but Contribution ex-TAC margin will increase. Contribution ex-TAC will not be impacted by this transition.
20212023 Compared to 20202022
Revenue in 2021 increased $181.62023 decreased $(67.6) million, or 9%(3)% (or 8%(3)% on a constant currency basis) to $2,254.2 million$2.0 billion compared to 2020.
84% of the year-over-year increase in revenue was driven by the contribution from our existing clients, and 16% of the year-over-year increase was driven by the contribution from new clients. We added 285 net new clients year-over-year across regions.
The year-over-year increase in revenue on a constant currency basis was largely attributable to the increase in the average price charged to advertisers, and partially offset by the decreased number of impressions delivered by us.
Marketing Solutions revenue increased 11% (or 10% on a constant currency basis) to $2,007.2 million for 2021, reflecting increased spend from Retail clients, both on our retargeting, audience targeting and omnichannel solutions, partially offset by incremental identity and privacy changes, as expected.
The year-over-year decrease in revenue was driven by lower Marketing Solutions revenue, partially offset by the increase in Retail Media and Iponweb revenue. Marketing Solutions revenue decreased (7)(8)% (or (8)% on a constant currency basis) to $246.9$1.6 billion for 2023, reflecting decreased spend from large clients, notably on our retargeting solutions, as they adjusted their advertising budgets to the uncertain macro economic environment.
Retail Media revenue increased 3% (or 3% on a constant currency basis) to $209.0 million for 2023, reflecting the strong performance with large retailers across the U.S. and EMEA, partially offset by the technical and transitory impact related to the client migration to the Company's platform. Criteo's platform accounted for most of Retail Media revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, and its revenue is accounted for on a net basis. In 2022, close to 79% of Retail Media revenue was accounted for on a net basis, and as a result of this transition to a full platform business, the growth of Retail Media revenue was temporarily impacted. Reflecting the underlying economic performance, Retail Media's Contribution ex-TAC increased 26% (or 26% on a constant currency basis) in the year ended December 31, 2023, mainly driven by strength in the U.S. market.
2022 compared to 2021
Revenue in 2022 decreased $(237.2) million, or (11)% (or (4)% on a constant currency basis) to $2.0 billion compared to 2021. The year-over-year decrease in revenue was driven by lower Marketing Solutions revenue and the technical impact of the Retail Media transition to a full platform business, partially offset by the positive contribution from Iponweb. Marketing Solutions revenue decreased (12)% (or (5)% on a constant currency basis) to $1.8 billion for 2022, reflecting decreased spend from large clients, notably on our retargeting solutions, as they adjusted their advertising budgets to the current uncertain macro economic environment. Retail Media revenue decreased (18)% (or (16)% on a constant currency basis) to 202.3 million for 2022, as the strong performance with large retailers across the U.S. and EMEA was more than offset by the technical and transitory impact related to the ongoing client migration to the RMP.Company's platform. Criteo's RMP accountsplatform accounted for a fast-growing sharethe majority of Retail Media revenue, or about 50%close to 79% for the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, and its revenue is accounted for on a net basis. In 2020, less than 5%2021, around 50% of Retail Media revenue was accounted for on a net basis, and as a result of this transition to a full RMPplatform business, the growth of Retail Media revenue iswas temporarily impacted. Reflecting the underlying economic performance, Retail Media's Contribution ex-TAC increased 59%29% (or 58%33% on a constant currency basis) in the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, mainly driven by continued strength in Retail Media onsite, in particularparticularly in the U.S. market, and growing network effects of the RMP.market.
2020 compared to 2019
Revenue in 2020 decreased $(188.9) million, or (8)% (or (8)% on a constant currency basis) to $2,072.6 million compared to 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted our business during most of the year, with an estimated net negative impact on revenue of approximately $262 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, or approximately 12 points of year-over-year growth, as some clients decided to temporarily pause or reduce their campaigns with us. The COVID-19 headwind impacted our large customers in our Marketing Solutions business, in particular in the Travel, Classifieds verticals and some large brick-and-mortar Retail clients. However, we believe that client spending from Retail clients in the midmarket and in our Retail Media solutions was supported by stronger ecommerce shopping trends emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The year-over-year decrease in revenue on a constant currency basis is entirely attributable to the decrease in the average price charged to advertisers, partly driven by the evolution of our revenue mix over the period, and partially offset by the increased number of impressions delivered by us and the increased number of clicks delivered on the advertising banners displayed by us.
The year-over-year decrease in revenue was also driven by the lower contribution from our existing clients and some churning clients, both of which we largely attribute to the COVID-19 outbreak, offsetting the positive contribution from new clients. We added 1,213 net new clients year-over-year across regions.
Marketing Solutions revenue decreased (14)% (or (13)% on a constant currency basis) to $1,806.4 million for 2020, reflecting decreased spend from large clients, primarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic impact, which we consider as retail bankruptcies and softness with our Travel and Classifieds clients Retail clients, as well as incremental identity and privacy changes, as expected.
Retail Media revenue increased 58% (or 57% on a constant currency basis) to $266.2 million for 2020, reflecting the strong adoption by large retailers across the U.S. and EMEA.
Revenue breakdown by region
Information in this Form 10-K with respect to results presented on a constant currency basis was calculated by applying prior period average exchange rates to current period results. Management reviews and analyzes business results excluding the effect of foreign currency translation because they believe this better represents our underlying business trends. Below is a table which reconciles the actual results presented in this section with the results presented on a constant currency basis.
| | Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2021 vs 2020 | | 2020 vs 2019 |
| (in thousands) | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands) | |
| Revenue as reported | |
| Revenue as reported | |
| Revenue as reported | Revenue as reported | $ | 2,254,235 | | | $ | 2,072,617 | | | $ | 2,261,516 | | | 9 | % | | (8) | % | $ | 1,949,445 | | | $ | | $ | 2,017,003 | | | $ | | $ | 2,254,235 | | | (3) | | (3) | % | | (11) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | $ | (19,713) | | | $ | 3,239 | | | 51,373 | | |
Revenue at constant currency (*) | $ | 2,234,522 | | | $ | 2,075,856 | | | $ | 2,312,889 | | | 8 | % | | (8) | % |
| Revenue at constant currency | |
| Revenue at constant currency | |
| Revenue at constant currency | | $ | 1,958,372 | | | $ | 2,164,639 | | | $ | 2,234,522 | | | (3) | % | | (4) | % |
| | | Americas | Americas | |
| | Americas | |
| | Americas | |
| Revenue as reported | |
| Revenue as reported | |
| Revenue as reported | Revenue as reported | $ | 916,825 | | | $ | 894,854 | | | $ | 952,154 | | | 2 | % | | (6) | % | $ | 887,247 | | | $ | | $ | 891,267 | | | $ | | $ | 916,825 | | | — | | — | % | | (3) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | 1,380 | | | 12,770 | | | 4,584 | | |
Revenue at constant currency (*) | $ | 918,205 | | | $ | 907,624 | | | $ | 956,738 | | | 3 | % | | (5) | % |
| Revenue at constant currency | |
| Revenue at constant currency | |
| Revenue at constant currency | | $ | 884,609 | | | $ | 890,671 | | | $ | 918,205 | | | (1) | % | | (3) | % |
| | | EMEA | EMEA | |
| | EMEA | |
| | EMEA | |
| Revenue as reported | |
| Revenue as reported | |
| Revenue as reported | Revenue as reported | $ | 844,312 | | | $ | 749,672 | | | $ | 806,197 | | | 13 | % | | (7) | % | $ | 672,610 | | | $ | | $ | 706,861 | | | $ | | $ | 844,312 | | | (5) | | (5) | % | | (16) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | (24,324) | | | (4,528) | | | 44,478 | | |
Revenue at constant currency (*) | $ | 819,988 | | | $ | 745,144 | | | $ | 850,675 | | | 9 | % | | (8) | % |
| Revenue at constant currency | |
| Revenue at constant currency | |
| Revenue at constant currency | | $ | 644,180 | | | $ | 793,448 | | | $ | 819,988 | | | (9) | % | | (6) | % |
| | | Asia-Pacific | Asia-Pacific | |
| | Asia-Pacific | |
| | Asia-Pacific | |
| Revenue as reported | |
| Revenue as reported | |
| Revenue as reported | Revenue as reported | $ | 493,098 | | | $ | 428,091 | | | $ | 503,165 | | | 15 | % | | (15) | % | $ | 389,588 | | | $ | | $ | 418,875 | | | $ | | $ | 493,098 | | | (7) | | (7) | % | | (15) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | 3,231 | | | (5,003) | | | 2,311 | | |
Revenue at constant currency (*) | $ | 496,329 | | | $ | 423,088 | | | $ | 505,476 | | | 16 | % | | (16) | % |
| Revenue at constant currency | |
| Revenue at constant currency | |
| Revenue at constant currency | | $ | 429,583 | | | $ | 480,520 | | | $ | 496,329 | | | 3 | % | | (3) | % |
|
(*) Revenue at constant currency excludes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and is computed by applying the average exchange rates for the prior year to the following year figures.
20212023 Compared to 20202022
Our revenue in the Americas region increased $22.0decreased $(4.0) million or 2%(0.5)% (or (1)% on a constant currency basis) to $887.2 million for 2023 compared to 2022. This reflects negative retail trends in Marketing Solutions and the impact of recognizing revenue on a net basis for clients transitioning to the Company's platform, partially offset by the continued strong performance of Retail Media, as the platform continues to scale with consumer brands and large retailers and growing network effects of the platform.
Our revenue in the EMEA region decreased $(34.3) million, or (5)% (or (9%) on a constant currency basis) to $672.6 million for 2023 compared to 2022. This decrease was driven by negative retail trends in Marketing Solutions, in particular in the UK and France, and the suspension of our business in Russia effective as of March 2022, partially offset by the positive performance of Retail Media across the region.
Our revenue in the Asia-Pacific region decreased $(29.3) million, or (7)% (or increased 3% on a constant currency basis) to $916.8$390 million for 20212023 compared to 2020. This2022. The increase was driven by continued positivehigher spend from retail clients in the region, in particular in Thailand and South Korea.
Additionally, $1,949 million of revenue for 2023 was negatively impacted by $8.9 million of currency fluctuations, particularly as a result of the appreciation of the Euro compared to the U.S. dollar.
2022 Compared to 2021
Our revenue in the Americas region decreased $(25.6) million, or (3)% (or (3)% on a constant currency basis) to $891.3 million for 2022 compared to 2021. This decrease was driven by negative retail trends, in particular with large customers across Marketing Solutions and continued strong performance of Retail Media, as the RMP continues to scale with consumer brands and large retailers, partially offset by the impact of recognizing revenue on a net basis for clients transitioning to the RMP.Company's platform, partially offset by the continued strong performance of Retail Media, as the platform continues to scale with consumer brands and large retailers and growing network effects of the platform.
Our revenue in the EMEA region increased $94.6decreased $(137.5) million, or 13%(16)% (or 9%(6)% on a constant currency basis) to $844.3$706.9 million for 20212022 compared to 2020.2021. This increasedecrease was driven by positivethe suspension of our business in Russia effective as of March 2022, and by the continued decline in retail trendsover the year in our main Marketing Solutions markets, in particular in France, UK and Germany, and emerging markets,partially offset by the positive traction with large customers across our retargeting and new solutions, and continued strong performance of Retail Media across the region.
Our revenue in the Asia-Pacific region increased $65.0decreased $(74.2) million, or 15%(15)% (or 16%(3)% on a constant currency basis) to $493.1$418.9 million for 20212022 compared to 2020.2021. The increasedecrease was driven by the recovery of our large customersreduced spend from retail clients in the region, in particular in Japan as well as positive contributions from Retail clientsand South-Asia, partly offset by our business in South-East Asia.India.
Additionally, $2,254$2,017 million of revenue for 20212022 was positivelynegatively impacted by $(19.7)$147.6 million of currency fluctuations, particularly as a result of the depreciation of the Turkish Lira, Russian Ruble,Euro, the Japanese Yen and the Brazilian real, partially offset by the appreciation of the Euro and the British pound sterling compared to the U.S. dollar.
2020 Compared to 2019
Our revenue in the Americas region decreased $(57.3) million, or (6)% (or (5)% on a constant currency basis) to $894.9 million for 2020 compared to 2019. This decline was driven by an estimated revenue impact from COVID-19 of approximately $90 million, in particular with large customers in the broader Classifieds vertical and some large brick-and-mortar Retail clients in the U.S.
Our revenue in the EMEA region decreased $(56.5) million, or (7)% (or (8)% on a constant currency basis) to $749.7 million for 2020 compared to 2019. This decrease at constant currency includes an estimated $96 million revenue impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, in part due to the fact that the EMEA region had the highest exposure to the Travel vertical prior to the pandemic, which was most impacted by COVID-19.
Our revenue in the Asia-Pacific region decreased $(75.1) million, or (15)% (or (16)% on a constant currency basis) to $428.1 million for 2020 compared to 2019. The decrease at constant currency included an estimated $76 million revenue impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly in the Travel and Classifieds verticals, and was also driven by a weak economic climate in Japan, our largest market in the region.
Additionally, $2,073 million of revenue for 2020 was negatively impacted by $ $3.2 million of currency fluctuations, particularly as a result of the depreciation of the Turkish Lira, Russian Ruble, the Brazilian real, partially offset by the appreciation of the Japanese Yen and the Euro, compared to the U.S. dollar.
Cost of Revenue
| | Year Ended December 31, | | % change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2021 vs 2020 | | 2020 vs 2019 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | % change |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) | |
| Traffic acquisition costs | |
| Traffic acquisition costs | |
| Traffic acquisition costs | Traffic acquisition costs | $ | (1,333,440) | | | $ | (1,247,571) | | | $ | (1,314,947) | | | 7% | | (5)% | $ | (926,839) | | | $ | | $ | (1,088,779) | | | $ | | $ | (1,333,440) | | | (15)% | | (15)% | | (18)% |
| Other cost of revenue | Other cost of revenue | (138,851) | | | (137,028) | | | (117,533) | | | 1% | | 17% | Other cost of revenue | (159,562) | | | (133,024) | | (133,024) | | | (138,851) | | (138,851) | | | 20% | | 20% | | (4)% |
| Total cost of revenue | Total cost of revenue | $ | (1,472,291) | | | $ | (1,384,599) | | | $ | (1,432,480) | | | 6% | | (3)% | Total cost of revenue | $ | (1,086,401) | | | $ | | $ | (1,221,803) | | | $ | | $ | (1,472,291) | | | (11)% | | (11)% | | (17)% |
| % of revenue | % of revenue | (65) | % | | (67) | % | | (63) | % | |
| Gross profit % | Gross profit % | 35 | % | | 33 | % | | 37 | % | |
| Gross profit % | |
| Gross profit % | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | % change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2021 vs 2020 | | 2020 vs 2019 |
| | (in thousands, except percentages) | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | % change |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) | |
| Marketing Solutions | Marketing Solutions | $ | (1,211,087) | | | $ | (1,059,680) | | | $ | (1,197,483) | | | 14% | | (12)% |
Retail Media (1) | $ | (122,353) | | | $ | (187,891) | | | $ | (117,464) | | | (35)% | | 60% |
| Marketing Solutions | |
| Marketing Solutions | | (921,292) | | | (1,047,822) | | | (1,211,087) | | | (12)% | | (13)% |
| Retail Media | | Retail Media | (5,547) | | | (40,957) | | | (122,353) | | | (86)% | | (67)% |
| Iponweb | | Iponweb | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| Traffic Acquisition Costs | Traffic Acquisition Costs | $ | (1,333,440) | | | $ | (1,247,571) | | | $ | (1,314,947) | | | 7% | | (5)% | Traffic Acquisition Costs | $ | (926,839) | | | $ | | $ | (1,088,779) | | | $ | | $ | (1,333,440) | | | (15)% | | (15)% | | (18)% |
(1) Criteo operates as two reportable segments from December 31, 2021. The table above presents the operating results of our Marketing Solutions and Retail Media segments. A strategic building block of Criteo’s Commerce Media Platform, the Retail Media Platform, introduced in June 2020, and reported under the retail media segment, is a self-service solution providing transparency, measurement and control to brands and retailers. In all arrangements running on this platform, Criteo recognizes revenue on a net basis, whereas revenue from arrangements running on legacy Retail Media solutions are accounted for on a gross basis. We expect most clients using Criteo’s legacy Retail Media solutions to transition to this platform by the second half of 2022. As new clients onboard and existing clients transition to the Retail Media Platform, Revenue may decline but Contribution ex-TAC margin will increase. Contribution ex-TAC will not be impacted by this transition.
20212023 Compared to 20202022
Cost of revenue for 2021 increased $87.72023 decreased $(135.4) million, or 6%(11)%, compared to 2020.2022. This increasedecrease was primarily the result of a $85.9$(161.9) million, or 7% increase(15)% decrease in traffic acquisition costs (or 6%(14)% on a constant currency basis), andpartially offset by a $1.8$(26.5) million, or 1% (or 2% on a constant currency basis),20% increase in other cost of revenue.
The 14% increasedecrease in Marketing Solutions' traffic acquisition costs related primarily to the 6% increase (and 5% increaseof (12)% (or (11)% decrease on a constant currency basis) related primarily to the (13)% decrease in the average CPM for inventory purchased, reflecting the year-over-year recovery in the digital advertising market following the trough of the pandemic-related recession in the second quarter of 2020 and our preferred relationships with media owners, as well as the 8%including lower CPMs for signal-limited environments where Criteo continues to perform, partially offset by a 1% increase in the number of impressions we purchased, reflecting our expanding relationships with existing and new publisher partners, in particular through direct connections, to support client demand for advertising campaigns.
Traffic acquisition costs in Retail Media decreased by 35%(86)% reflecting the technical and transitory impact related to the ongoing client migration due to the transitioning of our RMP. Becauseplatform, as we recognize revenue on a net basis in all arrangements running on the RMP, we expect our Traffic acquisition costs for Retail Media to decrease over time as all of our clients are transitioned to the RMP.basis.
The increase in other cost of revenue includes a $(5.2) millionan increase in allocated depreciationhosting costs of $27.9 million and amortization expense, $(3.0) million increase in other cost of sales mainly dueof $3.7 million mostly related to the digital tax, partiallyIponweb offset by $5.7a decrease of $(5.1) million in hosting costs and $0.8 million indepreciation of data acquisition costs.center servers.
20202022 Compared to 20192021
Cost of revenue for 20202022 decreased $(47.9)$(250.5) million, or (3)(17)%, compared to 2019.2021. This decrease was primarily the result of a $(67.4)$(244.7) million, or (5)(18)% decrease in traffic acquisition costs (or (5)(14)% on a constant currency basis), partially offsetand by a $19.5$(5.8) million, or 17%(or 18% on a constant currency basis), increase(4)% decrease in other cost of revenue.
The decrease in Marketing Solutions' traffic acquisition costs on a constant currency basisof (13)%, related primarily to the (13)(25)% decrease (and (13)(or (14)% decrease on a constant currency basis) in the average CPM for inventory purchased. This was partly driven bypurchased, including lower global demandCPMs for advertising inventory, despite the increase in online traffic globally caused by the lockdown imposed in COVID-19 affected areas, making the unit price of inventory relatively cheaper than in the pre-pandemic period. This was also driven by the effectiveness of oursignal-limited environments where Criteo Direct Bidder, which allows uscontinues to buy quality inventory directly from large publishers and remove intermediary fees in the process. This decrease was not entirelyperform, partially offset by the 10%a 15% increase in the number of impressions we purchased, reflecting higher volumes of inventory available and our expanding relationships with existing and new publisher partners, in particular through direct connections, to support client demand for advertising campaigns.
Traffic acquisition costs in Retail Media decreased by (67)% reflecting the technical and transitory impact related to the client migration of our platform, as we recognize revenue on a net basis.
The increasedecrease in other cost of revenue includes $(11.1)a $10.2 million decrease in the allocated depreciation and amortization expense $(4.2) million in hosting costs, $(2.6)and a $0.2 million in data acquisition and $(1.6)costs, partially offset by $(3.3) million increase in hosting costs, $(1.3) million increase in other cost of sales.sales mainly due to the digital tax and proceeds from disposal of data center equipments.
Contribution excluding Traffic Acquisition Costs
We consider Contribution ex-TAC as a key measure of our business activity. Our strategy focuses on maximizing our Contribution ex-TAC on an absolute basis over maximizing our near-term gross margin. We believe this focus builds sustainable long-term value for our business by fortifying a number of our competitive strengths, including access to advertising inventory, breadth and depth of data and continuous improvement of the Criteo AI Engine’s performance, allowing it to deliver more relevant advertisements at scale. As part of this focus, we continue to invest in building preferred relationships with direct publishers and pursue access to leading advertising exchanges.
The following table sets forth our revenue and Contribution ex-TAC by segment:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year Ended December 31, |
| Segment | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | | (in thousands) |
| Revenue | Marketing Solutions | | $ | 2,007,239 | | | $ | 1,806,431 | | | $ | 2,092,590 | |
| Retail Media | | 246,996 | | | 266,186 | | | 168,926 | |
| Total | | $ | 2,254,235 | | | $ | 2,072,617 | | | $ | 2,261,516 | |
| | | | | | | |
Contribution ex-TAC(1) | Marketing Solutions | | $ | 796,152 | | | $ | 746,751 | | | $ | 895,107 | |
| Retail Media | | 124,643 | | | 78,295 | | | 51,462 | |
| Total | | $ | 920,795 | | | $ | 825,046 | | | $ | 946,569 | |
(1)We define Contribution ex-TACexcluding Traffic Acquisition Costs, "Contribution ex-TAC", as a profitability measure akin to gross profit. It is calculated by deducting traffic acquisition costs from revenue and reconciled to gross profit through the exclusion of other cost of revenue. We have included Contribution ex-TAC in this Form 10-K because it is a key measures used by our management and board of directors to evaluate operating performance and generate future operating plans. In particular, we believe that this can provide useful measures for period-to-period comparisons of our core business. Accordingly, we believe that Contribution ex-TAC provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our results of operations in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Our use of Contribution ex-TAC has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our financial results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are: (a) other companies, including companies in our industry which have similar business arrangements, may address the impact of TAC differently; (b) other companies may report Contribution ex-TAC or similarly titled measures but calculate them differently, which reduces their usefulness as a comparative measure. Because of these and other limitations, you should consider Contribution ex-TAC alongside our other U.S. GAAP financial results, including gross profit.
Constant Currency Reconciliation
Information in this Form 10-K with respect to results presented on a constant currency basis was calculated by applying prior period average exchange rates to current period results. Management reviews and analyzes business results excluding the effect of foreign currency translation because they believe this better represents our underlying business trends. Below is a table which reconciles the actual results presented in this section with the results presented on a constant currency basis:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2021 vs 2020 | | 2020 vs 2019 |
| (in thousands) | | | | |
| Revenue as reported | $ | 2,254,235 | | | $ | 2,072,617 | | | $ | 2,261,516 | | | 9% | | (8)% |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | (19,713) | | | 3,239 | | | 51,373 | | | | | |
| Revenue at constant currency | $ | 2,234,522 | | | $ | 2,075,856 | | | $ | 2,312,889 | | | 8% | | (8)% |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Gross profit as reported | $ | 781,944 | | | $ | 688,018 | | | $ | 829,036 | | | 14% | | (17)% |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | (7,822) | | | 467 | | | 20,686 | | | | | |
| Gross profit at constant currency | $ | 774,122 | | | $ | 688,485 | | | $ | 849,722 | | | 13% | | (17)% |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Traffic acquisition costs as reported | $ | (1,333,440) | | | $ | (1,247,571) | | | $ | (1,314,947) | | | 7% | | (5)% |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | 12,263 | | | (1,605) | | | (28,831) | | | | | |
| Traffic acquisition cost at constant currency | $ | (1,321,177) | | | $ | (1,249,176) | | | $ | (1,343,778) | | | 6% | | (5)% |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Contribution ex-TAC as reported | $ | 920,795 | | | $ | 825,046 | | | $ | 946,569 | | | 12% | | (13)% |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | (7,450) | | | 1,634 | | | 22,542 | | | | | |
| Contribution ex-TAC at constant currency | $ | 913,345 | | | $ | 826,680 | | | $ | 969,111 | | | 11% | | (13)% |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Other cost of revenue as reported | $ | (138,851) | | | $ | (137,028) | | | $ | (117,533) | | | 1% | | 17% |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | (372) | | | (1,167) | | | (1,856) | | | | | |
| Other cost of revenue at constant currency | $ | (139,223) | | | $ | (138,195) | | | $ | (119,389) | | | 2% | | 18% |
Research and Development Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2021 vs 2020 | 2020 vs 2019 |
| (in thousands, except percent of revenue) | | | |
| Research and development expenses | $ | (151,817) | | | $ | (132,513) | | | $ | (172,591) | | | 15% | (23)% |
| % of revenue | (7) | % | | (6) | % | | (8) | % | | | |
2021 Compared to 2020
Research and development expenses for 2021 increased $19.3 million, or 15%, compared to 2020. This increase mainly related to an increase in headcount-related expenses driven by the negative impact of our increasing stock price.
2020 Compared to 2019
Research and development expenses for 2020 decreased $(40.1) million, or (23)%, compared to 2019. This decrease mainly related to a decrease in headcount-related costs following the cessation of our R&D operations in Palo Alto in 2019 and lower amortization expense due to the Manage assets revised useful life in 2019.
Sales and Operations Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2021 vs 2020 | | 2020 vs 2019 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | (in thousands, except percent of revenue) | | | | |
| Sales and operations expenses | | $ | (325,616) | | | $ | (330,285) | | | $ | (375,477) | | | (1)% | | (12)% |
| % of revenue | | (14) | % | | (16) | % | | (17) | % | | | | |
2021 Compared to 2020
Sales and operations expenses for 2021 decreased $(4.7) million, or (1)%, compared to 2020. This decrease was mainly driven by lower net bad debt expense, lower depreciation and amortization costs and lower rent and facilities costs due to the right-sizing of our real estate footprint, partially offset by the reversal of a provision that was settled in 2020 and the negative impact of our increasing stock price on headcount-related expenses.
2020 Compared to 2019
Sales and operations expenses for 2020 decreased $(45.2) million, or (12)%, compared to 2019. This decrease mainly related to a reduction in headcount-related costs, a lower share-based compensation expense, the absence of Manage customer relationships amortization (as asset was fully impaired in 2019), discretionary spend measures on marketing and events, partially offset by an increase in the provision for credit losses.
General and Administrative Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | % change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2021 vs 2020 | | 2020 vs 2019 |
| (in thousands, except percent of revenue) | | | | |
| General and administrative expenses | $ | (152,634) | | | $ | (116,395) | | | $ | (139,754) | | | 31% | | (17)% |
| % of revenue | (7) | % | | (6) | % | | (6) | % | | | | |
2021 Compared to 2020
General and administrative expenses for 2021 increased $36.2 million, or 31%, compared to 2020. This increase was mainly related to an increase in third-party services as part of our on-going transformation program and an increase in headcount related costs including the negative impact of our increasing stock price on compensation expense.
2020 Compared to 2019
General and administrative expenses for 2020 decreased $(23.4) million, or (17)%, compared to 2019. This decrease was mostly driven by a decrease in headcount-related costs, a lower share-based compensation expense and a decrease in rent and facilities costs, following the right-sizing of our real estate footprint, partially offset by transformation fees.
Financial and Other Income (Expense)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | % change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2021 vs 2020 | | 2020 vs 2019 |
| (in thousands, except percent of revenue) | | | | |
| Financial and Other Income (Expense) | $ | 1,939 | | | $ | (1,939) | | | $ | (5,749) | | | (200)% | | (66)% |
| % of revenue | 0.1 | % | | (0.1) | % | | (0.3) | % | | | | |
2021 Compared to 2020
Financial and Other Income for 2021 decreased by $(3.9) million, or (200)% compared to 2020. The $(1.9) million financial and other income for the period ended December 31, 2021 was mainly driven by the financial expense relating to our $350 million available Revolving Credit Facility (RCF), including up-front fees amortization and non-utilization costs, partially offset by income from cash and cash equivalent. Financial and Other income for the period ended December 31, 2021 was supported by $3.0 million in proceeds from disposal of servers and equipments and $2.4 million in dividends received from a minority interest. At December 31, 2021, our exposure to foreign currency risk was centralized at Criteo S.A. and hedged using foreign currency swaps, forward purchases or sales of foreign currencies.
2020 Compared to 2019
Financial expense for 2020 decreased by $(3.8) million, or (66)% compared to 2019. The $1.9 million financial expense for the period ended December 31, 2020 was mainly driven by the financial expense relating to the €140 million drawing from May 2020 to November 2020 as part of our available Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) financing, the up-front fees amortization, and the
non-utilization costs, partially offset by income from invested cash & cash equivalents. At December 31, 2020, our exposure to foreign currency risk was centralized at Criteo S.A. and hedged using foreign currency swaps or forward purchases or sales of foreign currencies.
Provision for Income Taxes
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2021 vs 2020 | | 2020 vs 2019 |
| (in thousands, except percent information) | | | | |
| Provision for income taxes | $ | (16,169) | | | $ | (32,197) | | | $ | (39,496) | | | (50)% | | (18)% |
| % of revenue | (1) | % | | (2) | % | | (2) | % | | | | |
| Effective tax rate | 10.5 | % | | 30.1 | % | | 29.2 | % | | | | |
2021 Compared to 2020
The provision for income taxes for 2021 decreased by $(16.0) million, or 50%, compared to 2020. The annual effective tax rate for 2021 was 10.5%, compared to an annual effective tax rate of 30.1% for 2020. The annual effective tax rates differs from the statutory rates primarily due to the impact of the domestic tax deduction applicable to technology royalty income we received from our subsidiaries, differences in tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, tax loss carryforwards in certain foreign subsidiaries, non-recognition of deferred tax assets related to tax losses and temporary differences, recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses and equity awards compensation expense.
In 2021, our income before taxes increased by $46.9 million to $153.8 million, compared to 2020, generating a $43.7 million theoretical income tax expense at a nominal standard French tax rate of 28.40%. This theoretical tax expense is impacted mainly by the following items contributing to a $16.2 million effective tax expense and a 10.5% effective tax rate: $1.7 million of deferred tax assets on which we recognized a valuation allowance, $6.6 million resulting from the BEAT expense, $6.5 million of permanent differences (mainly based on employee costs, depreciation expenses and intercompany transactions), $2.2 million related to the French business tax, Cotisation sur la Valeur Ajoutée des Entreprises, or “CVAE”, offset by a $25.7 million tax deduction resulting from technology royalty income we received from our subsidiaries, $4.8 million Research and Development tax credit, the recognition or reversal of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $10.4 million and $1.4 million of net effect of share-based compensation. Please see Note 22 to our audited consolidated financial statements for more detailed information on the provision for income taxes.
Amounts recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements are calculated at the level of each subsidiary within our Consolidated Financial Statements. As at December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the valuation allowance against net deferred income taxes amounted to $36.4 million, $37.3 million and $25.3 million, which related mainly to Criteo Corp. ($5.7 million, $13.3 million and $12.8 million, respectively), Criteo Brazil ($2.7 million, $2.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively), Criteo Ltd ($7.6 million, $7.4 million and $7.5 million, respectively), Criteo China ($3.3 million, $3.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively), Criteo Singapore ($4.2 million, $3.3 million and $2.8 million), Criteo Pty ($2.7 million, $2.8 million and $2.6 million) and Criteo France ($6.2 million, $1.0 million and $(7.7) million, respectively).
2020 Compared to 2019
The provision for income taxes for 2020 decreased by $(7.3) million, or 18%, compared to 2019. The annual effective tax rate for 2020 was 30.1%, compared to an annual effective tax rate of 29.2% for 2019. The annual effective tax rates differs from the statutory rates primarily due to the impact of the domestic tax deduction applicable to technology royalty income we received from our subsidiaries, differences in tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, tax loss carryforwards in certain foreign subsidiaries, non-recognition of deferred tax assets related to tax losses and temporary differences, recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses and equity awards compensation expense.
In 2020, our income before taxes decreased by $28.6 million to $106.9 million, compared to 2019, generating a $34.2 million theoretical income tax expense at a nominal standard French tax rate of 32.02%. This theoretical tax expense is impacted primarily by the following items contributing to a $32.2 million effective tax expense and a 30.1% effective tax rate: $11.6 million of net effect of share-based compensation, $6.0 million of deferred tax assets on which we recognized a valuation allowance, $13.4 million resulting from the BEAT waiver election, $3.5 million related to the French business tax, Cotisation sur la Valeur Ajoutée des Entreprises, or “CVAE”, offset by a $13.4 million tax deduction resulting from technology royalty income we received from our subsidiaries, $5.3 million Research and Development tax credit, the recognition or reversal of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $2.5 million and $9.0 million of permanent differences (mainly based on employee costs, depreciation expenses and intercompany transactions). Please see Note 21 to our audited consolidated financial statements for more detailed information on the provision for income taxes.
Amounts recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements are calculated at the level of each subsidiary within our Consolidated Financial Statements. As at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the valuation allowance against net deferred income taxes amounted to $37.3 million, $25.3 million and $43.2 million, which related mainly to Criteo Corp. ($13.3 million, $12.8 million and $18.6 million, respectively), Criteo do Brasil ($2.8 million, $3.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively), Criteo Ltd ($7.4 million, $7.5 million and $7.2 million, respectively), Criteo China ($3.3 million, $3.3 million and $3.5 million, respectively), Criteo Singapore ($3.3 million, $3.6 million and $2.9 million ), Criteo Pty ($2.8 million, $2.6 million and $2.5 million) and Criteo France ($1.0 million, $(7.7) million and $3.9 million, respectively).
Net Income
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | 2021 vs 2020 | | 2020 vs 2019 |
| (in thousands, except percent of revenue) | | | |
| Net income | $ | 137,647 | | | $ | 74,689 | | | $ | 95,969 | | 84% | | (22)% |
| % of revenue | 6 | % | | 4 | % | | 4 | % | | | |
2021 Compared to 2020
Net income for 2021 increased $63.0 million, or 84% compared to 2020. This increase was the result of the business dynamics discussed above, in particular a $43.1 million increase in income from operations, a $3.9 million increase in financial and other income and a $16.0 million decrease in the provision for income taxes compared to 2020.
2020 Compared to 2019
Net income for 2020 decreased $(21.3) million, or (22)% compared to 2019. This decrease was the result of the factors discussed above, in particular a $(32.4) million decrease in income from operations, a $3.8 million decrease in financial expense and a $7.3 million decrease in the provision for income taxes compared to 2019.
Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliation
Reconciliation of Contribution ex-TAC to Gross Profit
We define Contribution ex-TAC as a profitability measure akin to gross profit. It is calculated by deducting traffic acquisition costs from revenue and reconciled to gross profit through the exclusion of other cost of revenue. Contribution ex-TAC is not a measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have included Contribution ex-TAC because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to evaluate operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions. In particular, we believe that this measure can provide useful measures for period-to-period comparisons of our business. Accordingly, we believe that Contribution ex-TAC provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our results of operations in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Our use of Contribution ex-TAC has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our financial results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are: (a) other companies, including companies in our industry which have similar business arrangements, may address the impact of TAC differently; (b) other companies may report Contribution ex-TAC or similarly titled measures but calculate them differently, which reduces their usefulness as a comparative measure. Because of these and other limitations, you should consider Contribution ex-TAC alongside our other U.S. GAAP financial result measures.
The below table provides a reconciliation of Contribution ex-TAC to gross profit:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | | |
| Gross Profit | 863,044 | | | 795,200 | | | 781,944 | | | 9 | % | | 2 | % |
| Other Cost of Revenue | 159,562 | | | 133,024 | | | 138,851 | | | 20 | % | | (4) | % |
| Contribution ex-TAC | 1,022,606 | | | 928,224 | | | 920,795 | | | 10 | % | | 1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Twelve Months Ended |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | (in thousands) |
| Gross Profit | | 781,944 | | | 688,018 | | | 829,036 | |
| | | | | | |
| Other Cost of Revenue | | 138,851 | | | 137,028 | | | 117,533 | |
| | | | | | |
| Contribution ex-TAC | | $ | 920,795 | | | $ | 825,046 | | | $ | 946,569 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The following table sets forth our revenue and Contribution ex-TAC by segment:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year Ended December 31, | | % change |
| Segment | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| | | (in thousands) | | |
| Revenue | Marketing Solutions | | $ | 1,617,973 | | | $ | 1,762,517 | | | $ | 2,007,239 | | | (8) | % | | (12) | % |
| Retail Media | | 209,007 | | | 202,317 | | | 246,996 | | | 3 | % | | (18) | % |
| Iponweb | | 122,465 | | | 52,169 | | | — | | | 135 | % | | — | % |
| Total | | 1,949,445 | | | 2,017,003 | | | 2,254,235 | | | (3) | % | | (11) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Contribution ex-TAC | Marketing Solutions | | 696,681 | | | 714,695 | | | 796,152 | | | (3) | % | | (10) | % |
| Retail Media | | 203,460 | | | 161,360 | | | 124,643 | | | 26 | % | | 29 | % |
| Iponweb | | 122,465 | | | 52,169 | | | — | | | 135 | % | | — | % |
| Total | | 1,022,606 | | | 928,224 | | | 920,795 | | | 10 | % | | 1 | % |
Gross Profit increased $13.3 million, or 2% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, and Contribution ex-TAC increased $7.4 million, or 1% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2021. The increase in Gross Profit and Contribution ex-TAC was primarily due to the growth in Retail Media, partially offset by a decline in Marketing Solutions.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | | |
| Revenue as reported | $ | 1,949,445 | | | $ | 2,017,003 | | | $ | 2,254,235 | | | (3) | % | | (11) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | 8,927 | | | 147,636 | | | (19,713) | | | | | |
| Revenue at constant currency | $ | 1,958,372 | | | $ | 2,164,639 | | | $ | 2,234,522 | | | (3) | % | | (4) | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Traffic acquisition costs as reported | $ | (926,839) | | | $ | (1,088,779) | | | $ | (1,333,440) | | | (15) | % | | (18) | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | (5,815) | | | (63,434) | | | 12,263 | | | | | |
| Traffic acquisition cost at constant currency | $ | (932,654) | | | $ | (1,152,213) | | | $ | (1,321,177) | | | (14) | % | | (14) | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Contribution ex-TAC as reported | $ | 1,022,606 | | | $ | 928,224 | | | $ | 920,795 | | | 10 | % | | 1 | % |
| Conversion impact U.S. dollar/other currencies | 3,112 | | | 84,202 | | | (7,450) | | | | | |
| Contribution ex-TAC at constant currency | $ | 1,025,718 | | | $ | 1,012,426 | | | $ | 913,345 | | | 11 | % | | 10 | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Other cost of revenue as reported | $ | (159,562) | | | $ | (133,024) | | | $ | (138,851) | | | 20 | % | | (4) | % |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Gross profit as reported | $ | 863,044 | | | $ | 795,200 | | | $ | 781,944 | | | 9 | % | | 2 | % |
ReconciliationResearch and Development Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands, except percent of revenue) | | | | |
| Research and development expenses | $ | (242,289) | | | $ | (187,596) | | | $ | (151,817) | | | 29% | | 24% |
| % of revenue | (12) | % | | (9) | % | | (7) | % | | | | |
2023 Compared to 2022
Research and development expenses for 2023 increased $54.7 million, or 29%, compared to 2022. This increase mainly related to an increase in stock based compensation related to Iponweb acquisition, amortization of Iponweb acquisition-related intangible assets and the headcount-related expenses
2022 Compared to 2021
Research and development expenses for 2022 increased $35.8 million, or 24%, compared to 2021. This increase mainly related to an increase in headcount-related expenses and the amortization of Iponweb acquisition-related intangible assets.
Sales and Operations Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | (in thousands, except percent of revenue) | | | | |
| Sales and operations expenses | | $ | (406,012) | | | $ | (377,996) | | | $ | (325,616) | | | 7% | | 16% |
| % of revenue | | (21) | % | | (19) | % | | (14) | % | | | | |
2023 Compared to 2022
Sales and operations expenses for 2023 increased $28.0 million, or 7%, compared to 2022. This increase was mainly driven by an increase in headcount-related costs and stock based compensation offset by a decrease in marketing expenses.
2022 Compared to 2021
Sales and operations expenses for 2022 increased $52.4 million, or 16%, compared to 2021. This increase was mainly driven by an increase in headcount-related costs and the amortization of Iponweb acquisition-related intangible assets.
General and Administrative Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | % change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands, except percent of revenue) | | | | |
| General and administrative expenses | $ | (137,525) | | | $ | (205,330) | | | $ | (152,634) | | | (33)% | | 35% |
| % of revenue | (7) | % | | (10) | % | | (7) | % | | | | |
2023 Compared to 2022
General and administrative expenses for 2023 decreased $(67.8) million, or (33)%, compared to 2022. This decrease was mainly related to the partial reversal of the loss contingency related to the CNIL matter from the prior year as described in Note 20.
2022 Compared to 2021
General and administrative expenses for 2022 increased $52.7 million, or 35%, compared to 2021. This increase was mainly related to the loss contingency related to the CNIL matter as described in Note 20 and an increase in headcount-related costs.
Financial and Other Income (Expense)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | | % change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands, except percent of revenue) | | | | |
| Financial and Other Income (Expense) | $ | (2,490) | | | $ | 17,783 | | | $ | 1,939 | | | (114)% | | 817% |
| % of revenue | (0.1) | % | | 0.9 | % | | 0.1 | % | | | | |
2023 Compared to 2022
Financial and Other Income for 2023 decreased by $(20.3) million, or (114)% compared to 2022. The $(2.5) million financial and other expense for the period ended December 31, 2023 was mainly driven by proceeds from disposal of non consolidated investments fully offset by the recognition of a negative impact of foreign exchange, the accretion of earn-out liability related to Iponweb acquisition and financial expense relating to our €407 million available Revolving Credit Facility (RCF). At December 31, 2023, our exposure to foreign currency risk was centralized at Criteo S.A. and hedged using foreign currency swaps or forward purchases or sales of foreign currencies.
2022 Compared to 2021
Financial and Other Income for 2022 increased by $15.8 million, or 817% compared to 2021. The $17.8 million financial and other income for the period ended December 31, 2022 was mainly driven by the positive impact of foreign exchange derivatives entered-into to secure the cash consideration of the Iponweb acquisition. This was partially offset by the $4.7 million accretion of earn-out liability related to Iponweb acquisition. Other impacts come from the foreign exchange reevaluations net of related hedging of our operations, income from cash and cash equivalent, and the financial expense relating to our €407 million available Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) up-front fees amortization and non-utilization costs. At December 31, 2022, our exposure to foreign currency risk was centralized at Criteo S.A. and hedged using foreign currency swaps or forward purchases or sales of foreign currencies.
Provision for Income Taxes
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands, except percent information) | | | | |
| Provision for income tax expense (benefit) | $ | 20,084 | | | $ | 31,186 | | | $ | 16,169 | | | (36)% | | 93% |
| % of revenue | 1 | % | | 2 | % | | 1 | % | | | | |
| Effective tax rate | 26.9 | % | | 74.1 | % | | 10.5 | % | | | | |
2023 Compared to 2022
The provision for income taxes for 2023 decreased by $(11.1) million, or (36)%, compared to 2022, due to the non deductible loss contingency related to the CNIL matter as described in Note 20.
The annual effective tax rate for 2023 was 26.9%, compared to an annual effective tax rate of 74.1% for 2022. The annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory rates primarily due to the impact of the domestic tax deduction applicable to technology royalty income we received from our subsidiaries, differences in tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, tax loss carryforwards in certain foreign subsidiaries, non-recognition of deferred tax assets related to tax losses and temporary differences, recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses and equity awards compensation expense.
In 2023, our income before taxes increased by $32.7 million to $74.7 million, compared to 2022, generating a $19.3 million theoretical income tax expense at a nominal standard French tax rate of 25.82%. This theoretical tax expense is impacted mainly by the following items contributing to a $20.1 million effective tax expense and a 26.9% effective tax rate: $8.8 million of net effect of share-based compensation, $2.8 million of permanent differences mainly employee costs, $0.9 million of deferred tax assets on which we recognized a valuation allowance, offset by $4.3 million tax deduction resulting from technology royalty income we received from our subsidiaries, $5.5 million resulting from the non-tax deductible provision following the loss contingency on regulatory matters (refer to Note 20), and the recognition or reversal of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $1.8 million. Please see Note 18 to our audited consolidated financial statements for more detailed information on the provision for income taxes.
Amounts recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements are calculated at the level of each subsidiary within our Consolidated Financial Statements.
As at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the valuation allowance against net deferred income taxes amounted to $29.8 million, $31.1 million and $35.0 million, which related mainly to Criteo Corp. ($5.7 million, $5.7 million and $5.7 million, respectively), Criteo Brazil ($2.7 million, $3.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively), Criteo Ltd ($10.7 million, $8.1 million and $7.6 million, respectively), Criteo Singapore ($1.2 million, $1.5 million and $4.2 million), Criteo Pty ($2.9 million, $2.6 million and $2.7 million) and Criteo France ($5.0 million, $6.5 million and $6.2 million, respectively).
2022 Compared to 2021
The provision for income taxes for 2022 increased by $15.0 million, or 93%, compared to 2021, due to the non deductible loss contingency related to the CNIL matter as described in Note 20.
The annual effective tax rate for 2022 was 74.1%, compared to an annual effective tax rate of 10.5% for 2021. The annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory rates primarily due to the impact of the domestic tax deduction applicable to technology royalty income we received from our subsidiaries, differences in tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, tax loss carryforwards in certain foreign subsidiaries, non-recognition of deferred tax assets related to tax losses and temporary differences, recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses and equity awards compensation expense.
In 2022, our income before taxes decreased by $111.8 million to $42.1 million, compared to 2021, generating a $10.9 million theoretical income tax expense at a nominal standard French tax rate of 25.82%. This theoretical tax expense is impacted mainly by the following items contributing to a 31.2 million effective tax expense and a 74.1% effective tax rate: $1.7 million of deferred tax assets on which we recognized a valuation allowance, $16.9 million resulting from the non-tax deductible provision following the loss contingency on regulatory matters (refer to Note 20) , $6.2 million of permanent differences (mainly employee costs and intercompany transactions), $1.6 million related to the French business tax, Cotisation sur la Valeur Ajoutée des Entreprises, or “CVAE”, and $2.9 million of net effect of share-based compensation offset by a $6.7 million tax deduction resulting from technology royalty income we received from our subsidiaries, $2.9 million Research and Development tax credit in France, and the recognition or reversal of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $1.3 million. Please see Note 18 to our audited consolidated financial statements for more detailed information on the provision for income taxes.
Amounts recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements are calculated at the level of each subsidiary within our Consolidated Financial Statements. As at December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the valuation allowance against net deferred income taxes amounted to $31.1 million, $35.0 million and $37.3 million, which related mainly to Criteo Corp. ($5.7 million, $5.7 million and $13.3 million, respectively), Criteo Brazil ($3.3 million, $2.7 million and $2.8 million, respectively), Criteo Ltd ($8.1 million, $7.6 million and $7.4 million, respectively), Criteo China ($1.1 million, $3.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively), Criteo Singapore ($1.5 million, $4.2 million and $3.3 million), Criteo Pty ($2.6 million, $2.7 million and $2.8 million) and Criteo France ($6.5 million, $6.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively).
Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income
We define Adjusted EBITDA as our consolidated earnings before financial income (expense), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to eliminate the impact of equity awards compensation expense, pension service costs, acquisition-relatedcertain restructuring, integration and transformation costs, certain acquisition costs and restructuringa loss contingency related and transformation costs.to a regulatory matter. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have included Adjusted EBITDA because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget and to develop short-term and long-term operational plans. In particular, we believe that the elimination of equity awards compensation expense, pension service costs, andcertain restructuring, relatedintegration and transformation costs, certain acquisition costs and a loss contingency related to a regulatory matter in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our business. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our results of operations in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Our use of Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our financial results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are: (a) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements; (b) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; (c) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the potentially dilutive impact of equity-based compensation; (d) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; and (e) other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA or similarly titled measures differently, which reduces their usefulness as a comparative measure. Because of these and other limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside our U.S. GAAP financial results, including net income.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Twelve Months Ended |
| | December 31, |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | (in thousands) |
| Net income | | $ | 137,647 | | | $ | 74,689 | | | $ | 95,969 | |
| Adjustments: | | | | | | |
| Financial (Income) expense | | 1,044 | | | 1,939 | | | 5,749 | |
| Provision for income taxes | | 16,169 | | | 32,197 | | | 39,496 | |
| Equity awards compensation expense | | 44,955 | | | 31,425 | | | 49,132 | |
| Research and development | | 16,334 | | | 10,253 | | | 15,036 | |
| Sales and operations | | 13,023 | | | 12,042 | | | 19,301 | |
| General and administrative | | 15,598 | | | 9,130 | | | 14,795 | |
| Pension service costs | | 1,324 | | | 2,232 | | | 1,556 | |
| Research and development | | 686 | | | 1,114 | | | 760 | |
| Sales and operations | | 207 | | | 394 | | | 283 | |
| General and administrative | | 431 | | | 724 | | | 513 | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | | 88,402 | | | 88,238 | | | 93,488 | |
| Cost of revenue (data center equipment) | | 61,119 | | | 55,935 | | | 44,866 | |
| Research and development | | 9,484 | | | 10,741 | | | 16,508 | |
| Sales and operations | | 14,780 | | | 16,770 | | | 24,914 | |
| General and administrative | | 3,019 | | | 4,792 | | | 7,200 | |
| Acquisition-related costs | | 11,256 | | | 286 | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| General and administrative | | 11,256 | | | 286 | | | — | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Restructuring related and transformation (gain) costs (1) | | 21,698 | | | 19,989 | | | 13,582 | |
| | | | | | |
| Research and development | | 5,751 | | | 4,240 | | | 2,000 | |
| Sales and operations | | 9,380 | | | 9,398 | | | 8,810 | |
| General and administrative | | 6,567 | | | 6,351 | | | 2,772 | |
| Total net adjustments | | 184,848 | | | 176,306 | | | 203,003 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 322,495 | | | $ | 250,995 | | | $ | 298,972 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands, except percent information) | | | | |
| Net Income (loss) | $ | 54,644 | | | $ | 10,875 | | | $ | 137,647 | | | 402% | | (92)% |
| Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | |
| Financial (Income) expense | $ | 2,805 | | | $ | (17,053) | | | 1,044 | | | (116)% | | (1,733)% |
| Provision for income taxes (benefit) | $ | 20,084 | | | $ | 31,186 | | | 16,169 | | | (36)% | | 93% |
| Equity awards compensation expense | $ | 99,222 | | | $ | 65,035 | | | 44,955 | | | 53% | | 45% |
| Pension service costs | $ | 401 | | | $ | 1,756 | | | 1,324 | | | (77)% | | 33% |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | $ | 99,653 | | | $ | 89,018 | | | 88,402 | | | 12% | | 1% |
| Acquisition-related costs | $ | 1,894 | | | $ | 12,584 | | | 11,256 | | | (85)% | | 12% |
| Net loss contingency on regulatory matters | $ | (21,632) | | | $ | 63,221 | | | — | | | (134)% | | NM |
| Restructuring, integration and transformation costs | $ | 44,727 | | | $ | 10,677 | | | 21,698 | | | 319% | | (51)% |
| Total net adjustments | $ | 247,154 | | | $ | 256,424 | | | $ | 184,848 | | | (4)% | | 39% |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 301,798 | | | $ | 267,299 | | | $ | 322,495 | | | 13% | | (17)% |
(1)
For the Twelve Months Ended December 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, the Company recognized restructuring related and transformation costs
The following its new organizational structure implemented to support its Commerce Media Platform strategy:table presents our Adjusted EBITDA on a comparative basis:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, | % change |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2023 vs 2022 | | 2022 vs 2021 |
| (in thousands, except percent information) | | | | |
| Net Income | $ | 54,644 | | | $ | 10,875 | | | $ | 137,647 | | | 402% | | (92)% |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 301,798 | | | $ | 267,299 | | | $ | 322,495 | | | 13% | | (17)% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Twelve Months Ended |
| | December 31, |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (Gain) from forfeitures of share-based compensation awards | | (427) | | | (2,655) | | | (8,133) | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | | — | | | — | | | 1,161 | |
| Facilities related (gain) costs | | 16,020 | | | 12,975 | | | 11,080 | |
| Payroll related (gain) costs | | 4,480 | | | 5,911 | | | 9,474 | |
| Consulting costs related to transformation | | 1,625 | | | 3,758 | | | — | |
| Total restructuring related and transformation (gain) costs | | $ | 21,698 | | | $ | 19,989 | | | $ | 13,582 | |
For
Net income decreased $(126.8) million, or (92)% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, and Adjusted EBITDA decreased $(55.2) million, or (17)% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, respectively,2022 compared to the cash outflows relatedtwelve months ended December 31, 2021. The decrease in Net Income was primarily due to restructuring relatedthe CNIL penalty and transformation costs were $3.9 million and $16.9 million respectively, and wereincreased income taxes offset by financial income. The adjusted EBITDA decrease was mainly comprised of payroll costs, broker and termination penalties relateddue to real-estate facilities and other consulting fees.our Iponweb acquisition.
Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations
The following tables set forth our unaudited consolidated statement of income data for the last eight quarters, as well as the percentage of revenue for each line item shown.quarters. We derived this information from our unaudited interim consolidated financial information, which, in the opinion of management, includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the information for the quarters presented. The quarterly results of operations have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, our management and have not been audited or reviewed by our independent registered public accounting firm. You should read this information together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page F-1.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended |
| | | December 31, 2021 | | September 30, 2021 | | June 30, 2021 | | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 | | September 30, 2020 | | June 30, 2020 | | March 31, 2020 |
| | | (in thousands) |
| Consolidated Statements of Income Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue | $ | 653,267 | | | $ | 508,580 | | | $ | 551,311 | | | $ | 541,077 | | | $ | 661,282 | | | $ | 470,345 | | | $ | 437,614 | | | $ | 503,376 | |
| Cost of revenue (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Traffic acquisition costs | (377,076) | | | (297,619) | | | (331,078) | | | (327,667) | | | (408,108) | | | (284,401) | | | (257,698) | | | (297,364) | |
| | Other cost of revenue | (31,840) | | | (34,935) | | | (37,364) | | | (34,712) | | | (34,700) | | | (34,608) | | | (33,914) | | | (33,806) | |
| Gross profit | 244,351 | | | 176,026 | | | 182,869 | | | 178,698 | | | 218,474 | | | 151,336 | | | 146,002 | | | 172,206 | |
| Operating expenses (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Research and development expenses | (44,860) | | | (33,345) | | | (41,915) | | | (31,697) | | | (32,797) | | | (30,954) | | | (31,247) | | | (37,515) | |
| | Sales and operations expenses | (89,892) | | | (75,619) | | | (80,751) | | | (79,354) | | | (85,871) | | | (83,659) | | | (75,781) | | | (84,974) | |
| | General and administrative expenses | (43,855) | | | (34,877) | | | (40,474) | | | (33,428) | | | (32,623) | | | (28,672) | | | (29,185) | | | (25,915) | |
| | Total operating expenses | (178,607) | | | (143,841) | | | (163,140) | | | (144,479) | | | (151,291) | | | (143,285) | | | (136,213) | | | (148,404) | |
| Income from operations | 65,744 | | | 32,185 | | | 19,729 | | | 34,219 | | | 67,183 | | | 8,051 | | | 9,789 | | | 23,802 | |
| Financial and Other income (expense) | 3,330 | | | (154) | | | (519) | | | (718) | | | (111) | | | (491) | | | (1,003) | | | (334) | |
| Income before taxes | 69,074 | | | 32,031 | | | 19,210 | | | 33,501 | | | 67,072 | | | 7,560 | | | 8,786 | | | 23,468 | |
| Provision for income taxes | 5,864 | | | (7,801) | | | (4,181) | | | (10,051) | | | (20,254) | | | (2,267) | | | (2,636) | | | (7,040) | |
| Net income | $ | 74,938 | | | $ | 24,230 | | | $ | 15,029 | | | $ | 23,450 | | | $ | 46,818 | | | $ | 5,293 | | | $ | 6,150 | | | $ | 16,428 | |
| Net income available to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | 73,765 | | | 23,481 | | | 14,804 | | | 22,406 | | | 45,277 | | | 5,227 | | | 5,716 | | | 15,459 | |
| Other Financial Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contribution ex-TAC (2) | $ | 276,191 | | | $ | 210,961 | | | $ | 220,233 | | | $ | 213,410 | | | $ | 253,174 | | | $ | 185,944 | | | $ | 179,916 | | | $ | 206,012 | |
Adjusted EBITDA (3) | $ | 110,867 | | | $ | 68,430 | | | $ | 67,269 | | | $ | 79,929 | | | $ | 103,423 | | | $ | 49,471 | | | $ | 38,911 | | | $ | 59,190 | |
(1) Cost of revenue and operating expenses include equity awards compensation expense, pension service costs, depreciation and amortization expense and acquisition-related costs and deferred price consideration as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| December 31, 2021 | | September 30, 2021 | | June 30, 2021 | | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 | | September 30, 2020 | | June 30, 2020 | | March 31, 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
| Equity awards compensation expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Research and development expenses | 4,762 | | | 4,858 | | | 4,218 | | | 2,496 | | | 2,482 | | | 3,333 | | | 2,068 | | | 2,370 | |
| Sales and operations expenses | 3,143 | | | 3,875 | | | 3,636 | | | 2,369 | | | 3,662 | | | 3,190 | | | 1,572 | | | 3,618 | |
| General and administrative expenses | 4,209 | | | 4,557 | | | 3,815 | | | 3,017 | | | 2,816 | | | 280 | | | 3,519 | | | 2,515 | |
Total equity awards compensation expense (a) | 12,114 | | | 13,290 | | | 11,669 | | | 7,882 | | | 8,960 | | | 6,803 | | | 7,159 | | | 8,503 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pension service costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Research and development expenses | 166 | | | 170 | | | 175 | | | 175 | | | 290 | | | 286 | | | 269 | | | 269 | |
| Sales and operations expenses | 49 | | | 52 | | | 53 | | | 53 | | | 103 | | | 101 | | | 95 | | | 95 | |
| General and administrative expenses | 104 | | | 108 | | | 109 | | | 110 | | | 190 | | | 185 | | | 175 | | | 174 | |
| Total pension service costs | 319 | | | 330 | | | 337 | | | 338 | | | 583 | | | 572 | | | 539 | | | 538 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of revenue | 14,611 | | | 15,520 | | | 15,744 | | | 15,244 | | | 15,354 | | | 14,712 | | | 13,098 | | | 12,771 | |
| Research and development expenses | 2,967 | | | 2,557 | | | 2,207 | | | 1,753 | | | 1,712 | | | 1,721 | | | 1,658 | | | 5,650 | |
Sales and operations expenses | 3,579 | | | 3,545 | | | 3,702 | | | 3,954 | | | 4,033 | | | 4,176 | | | 4,221 | | | 4,340 | |
| General and administrative expenses | 599 | | | 679 | | | 838 | | | 903 | | | 1,041 | | | 1,143 | | | 1,231 | | | 1,377 | |
| Total depreciation and amortization expense | 21,756 | | | 22,301 | | | 22,491 | | | 21,854 | | | 22,140 | | | 21,752 | | | 20,208 | | | 24,138 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Acquisition-related costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| General and administrative expenses | 6,118 | | | 2,091 | | | 3,047 | | | — | | | 174 | | | 112 | | | — | | | — | |
| Total acquisition-related costs | 6,118 | | | 2,091 | | | 3,047 | | | — | | | 174 | | | 112 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Restructuring related and transformation costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Research and development expenses | 513 | | | (1,029) | | | 4,831 | | | 1,436 | | | 747 | | | 1,985 | | | 513 | | | 995 | |
| Sales and operations expenses | 568 | | | (106) | | | 1,551 | | | 7,367 | | | 2,605 | | | 5,357 | | | 415 | | | 1,021 | |
| General and administrative expenses | 752 | | | (632) | | | 3,614 | | | 2,833 | | | 1,031 | | | 4,839 | | | 288 | | | 193 | |
Total restructuring related and transformation costs (b) | $ | 1,833 | | | $ | (1,767) | | | $ | 9,996 | | | $ | 11,636 | | | $ | 4,383 | | | $ | 12,181 | | | $ | 1,216 | | | $ | 2,209 | |
(a) Excludes $0.2 million, $(2.7) million and $(4.8) million disclosed as restructuring costs as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(b)For the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 the Company recognized restructuring charges for its new organizational structure implemented to support its multi-product platform strategy and office right sizing policy detailed below:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (Gain) from forfeitures of share-based compensation awards | 239 | | | (2,655) | |
| | | |
| Facilities and impairment related costs | 1,328 | | | 4,158 | |
| Payroll related costs | (157) | | | 1,422 | |
| Consulting costs related to transformation | 423 | | | 1,458 | |
| Total restructuring related and transformation costs | $ | 1,833 | | | $ | 4,383 | |
(2 We define Contribution ex-TAC as a profitability measure akin to gross profit. It is calculated by deducting traffic acquisition costs from revenue and reconciled to gross profit through the exclusion of other cost of revenue. Contribution ex-TAC is not a measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Below is a reconciliation of Contribution ex-TAC to gross profit, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | |
| December 31, 2021 | | September 30, 2021 | | June 30, 2021 | | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 | | September 30, 2020 | | June 30, 2020 | | March 31, 2020 | |
| (in thousands) | |
| Gross Profit | 244,351 | | | 176,026 | | | 182,869 | | | 178,698 | | | 218,474 | | | 151,336 | | | 146,002 | | | 172,206 | | |
| Other Cost of Revenue | 31,840 | | | 34,935 | | | 37,364 | | | 34,712 | | | 34,700 | | | 34,608 | | | 33,914 | | | 33,806 | | |
| Contribution ex-TAC | $ | 276,191 | | | $ | 210,961 | | | $ | 220,233 | | | $ | 213,410 | | | $ | 253,174 | | | $ | 185,944 | | | $ | 179,916 | | | $ | 206,012 | | |
(3) We define Adjusted EBITDA as our consolidated earnings before financial income (expense), including dividends, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to eliminate the impact of equity awards compensation expense, pension service costs, restructuring related and transformation costs, acquisition-related costs and deferred price consideration. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Below is a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended |
| | | December 31, 2021 | | September 30, 2021 | | June 30, 2021 | | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 | | September 30, 2020 | | June 30, 2020 | | March 31, 2020 |
| | | (in thousands) |
| Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income: | |
| Net Income | $ | 74,938 | | | $ | 24,230 | | | $ | 15,029 | | | $ | 23,450 | | | $ | 46,818 | | | $ | 5,293 | | | $ | 6,150 | | | $ | 16,428 | |
| Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Financial (income) expense | (347) | | | 154 | | | 519 | | | 718 | | | 111 | | | 491 | | | 1,003 | | | 334 | |
| | Provision for income taxes | (5,864) | | | 7,801 | | | 4,181 | | | 10,051 | | | 20,254 | | | 2,267 | | | 2,636 | | | 7,040 | |
| | Equity awards compensation expense (a) | 12,114 | | | 13,290 | | | 11,669 | | | 7,882 | | | 8,960 | | | 6,803 | | | 7,159 | | | 8,503 | |
| | Pension service costs | 319 | | | 330 | | | 337 | | | 338 | | | 583 | | | 572 | | | 539 | | | 538 | |
| | Depreciation and amortization expense | 21,756 | | | 22,301 | | | 22,491 | | | 21,854 | | | 22,140 | | | 21,752 | | | 20,208 | | | 24,138 | |
| | Acquisition-related costs | 6,118 | | | 2,091 | | | 3,047 | | | — | | | 174 | | | 112 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Restructuring costs | 1,833 | | | (1,767) | | | 9,996 | | | 11,636 | | | 4,383 | | | 12,181 | | | 1,216 | | | 2,209 | |
| | Total net adjustments | 35,929 | | | 44,200 | | | 52,240 | | | 52,479 | | | 56,605 | | | 44,178 | | | 32,761 | | | 42,762 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 110,867 | | | $ | 68,430 | | | $ | 67,269 | | | $ | 75,929 | | | $ | 103,423 | | | $ | 49,471 | | | $ | 38,911 | | | $ | 59,190 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended |
| | | December 31, 2023 | | September 30, 2023 | | June 30, 2023 | | March 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 | | September 30, 2022 | | June 30, 2022 | | March 31, 2022 |
| | | (in thousands) |
| Consolidated Statements of Income Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue | $ | 566,302 | | | $ | 469,193 | | | $ | 468,934 | | | $ | 445,016 | | | $ | 564,425 | | | $ | 446,921 | | | $ | 495,090 | | | $ | 510,567 | |
| Cost of revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Traffic acquisition costs (1) | (249,926) | | | (223,798) | | | (228,717) | | | (224,398) | | | (281,021) | | | (233,543) | | | (280,565) | | | (293,650) | |
| | Other cost of revenue | (39,750) | | | (40,268) | | | (40,435) | | | (39,109) | | | (36,810) | | | (33,771) | | | (29,550) | | | (32,893) | |
| Gross profit | 276,626 | | | 205,127 | | | 199,782 | | | 181,509 | | | 246,594 | | | 179,607 | | | 184,975 | | | 184,024 | |
| Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Research and development expenses | (48,402) | | | (62,522) | | | (67,775) | | | (63,590) | | | (69,348) | | | (42,725) | | | (41,496) | | | (34,027) | |
| | Sales and operations expenses | (97,687) | | | (94,572) | | | (112,511) | | | (101,242) | | | (99,633) | | | (90,051) | | | (99,313) | | | (88,999) | |
| | General and administrative expenses | (42,219) | | | (36,599) | | | (18,537) | | | (40,170) | | | (28,969) | | | (42,353) | | | (100,672) | | | (33,336) | |
| | Total operating expenses | (188,308) | | | (193,693) | | | (198,823) | | | (205,002) | | | (197,950) | | | (175,129) | | | (241,481) | | | (156,362) | |
| Income (loss) from operations | 88,318 | | | 11,434 | | | 959 | | | (23,493) | | | 48,644 | | | 4,478 | | | (56,506) | | | 27,662 | |
| Financial and Other income (expense) | (4,498) | | | (2,967) | | | (1,852) | | | 6,827 | | | (6,144) | | | 3,485 | | | 16,412 | | | 4,030 | |
| Income (loss) before taxes | 83,820 | | | 8,467 | | | (893) | | | (16,666) | | | 42,500 | | | 7,963 | | | (40,094) | | | 31,692 | |
| Provision for income taxes | (21,769) | | | (1,832) | | | (1,078) | | | 4,595 | | | (26,451) | | | (1,442) | | | 7,121 | | | (10,414) | |
| Net income (loss) | $ | 62,051 | | | $ | 6,635 | | | $ | (1,971) | | | $ | (12,071) | | | $ | 16,049 | | | $ | 6,521 | | | $ | (32,973) | | | $ | 21,278 | |
| Net income (loss) available to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | 61,017 | | | 6,927 | | | (2,876) | | | (11,809) | | | 15,400 | | | 6,579 | | | (33,614) | | | 20,587 | |
(a) Excludes $0.2 million, $(2.7) million and $(4.8) million disclosed as restructuring costs as of December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended |
| | | December 31, 2021 | | September 30, 2021 | | June 30, 2021 | | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 | | September 30, 2020 | | June 30, 2020 | | March 31, 2020 |
| | | (as a percentage of revenue) |
| Statements of Operations Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
| Cost of revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Traffic acquisition costs | (57.7) | | | (58.5) | | | (60.1) | | | (60.6) | | | (61.7) | | | (60.5) | | | (58.9) | | | (59.1) | |
| | Other cost of revenue | (4.9) | | | (6.9) | | | (6.8) | | | (6.4) | | | (5.2) | | | (7.4) | | | (7.7) | | | (6.7) | |
| Gross profit | 37.4 | | | 34.6 | | | 33.2 | | | 33.0 | | | 33.0 | | | 32.2 | | | 33.4 | | | 34.2 | |
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Research and development expenses | (6.9) | | | (6.6) | | | (7.6) | | | (5.9) | | | (5.0) | | | (6.6) | | | (7.1) | | | (7.5) | |
| | Sales and operations expenses | (13.8) | | | (14.9) | | | (14.6) | | | (14.7) | | | (13.0) | | | (17.8) | | | (17.3) | | | (16.9) | |
| | General and administrative expenses | (6.7) | | | (6.9) | | | (7.3) | | | (6.2) | | | (4.9) | | | (6.1) | | | (6.7) | | | (5.1) | |
| | Total operating expenses | (27.3) | | | (28.3) | | | (29.6) | | | (26.7) | | | (22.9) | | | (30.5) | | | (31.1) | | | (29.5) | |
| Income from operations | 10.1 | | | 6.3 | | | 3.6 | | | 6.3 | | | 10.2 | | | 1.7 | | | 2.2 | | | 4.7 | |
| Financial and Other income (expense) | 0.5 | | | — | | | (0.1) | | | (0.1) | | | — | | | (0.1) | | | (0.2) | | | (0.1) | |
| Income before taxes | 10.6 | | | 6.3 | | | 3.5 | | | 6.2 | | | 10.1 | | | 1.6 | | | 2.0 | | | 4.7 | |
| Provision for income taxes | 0.9 | | | (1.5) | | | (0.8) | | | (1.9) | | | (3.1) | | | (0.5) | | | (0.6) | | | (1.4) | |
| Net income | 11.5 | % | | 4.8 | % | | 2.7 | % | | 4.3 | % | | 7.1 | % | | 1.1 | % | | 1.4 | % | | 3.3 | % |
| Net income available to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | 11.3 | % | | 4.6 | % | | 2.7 | % | | 4.1 | % | | 6.8 | % | | 1.1 | % | | 1.3 | % | | 3.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other Financial Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Contribution ex-TAC | 42.3 | % | | 41.5 | % | | 39.9 | % | | 39.4 | % | | 38.3 | % | | 39.5 | % | | 41.1 | % | | 40.9 | % |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 17.0 | % | | 13.5 | % | | 12.2 | % | | 14.8 | % | | 15.6 | % | | 10.5 | % | | 8.9 | % | | 11.8 | % |
B.Liquidity and Capital Resources.
Market Risk
We are mainly exposed to changes of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
The functional currency of the Company is the euro, while our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Because we incur some of our expenses and derive revenues in currencies other than the euro, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk as our results of operations and cash flows are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign exchange risk exposure also arises from intra-company transactions and financing with subsidiaries that have a functional currency different than the euro. The statements of financial position of consolidated entities having a functional currency different from the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the closing exchange rate (spot exchange rate at the statement of financial position date) and the statement of income, statement of comprehensive income and statement of cash flow of such consolidated entities are translated at the average period to date exchange rate. The resulting translation adjustments are included in equity under the caption “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.
The $(1.9) million financial and other income for the period ended December 31, 2021 was mainly driven by the financial expense relating to our $350 million available Revolving Credit Facility (RCF), including up-front fees amortization and non-utilization costs, partially offset by income from cash and cash equivalent. Financial and Other income for the period ended December 31, 2021 was supported by other incomes being $3.0 million proceeds from disposal of servers equipments and $2.4 million dividends received from a minority interest.
The $1.9 million financial expense for the period ended December 31, 2020 was mainly driven by the financial expense relating to the €140 million drawdown from May 2020 to November 2020 as part of our available Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) financing, the up-front fees amortization, and the non-utilization costs, partially offset by income from invested cash & cash equivalents.
The $5.7 million financial expense for the period ended December 31, 2019 was mainly driven by the non-utilization costs and upfront fees amortization incurred as part of our available RCF financing and the recognition of a negative impact of foreign exchange reevaluations net of related hedging.
Since 2013, the Company has had a foreign currency risk management policy in place. At December 31, 2021,2023, our exposure to foreign currency risk was centralized at Criteo S.A. and hedged using foreign currency swaps or forward purchases or sales of foreign currencies.
Foreign Currency Risk
A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease of the British pound,Pound Sterling, the euro,Euro, the Japanese yen or the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar would have impacted the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income including non-controlling interests as follows:
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| GBP/USD | GBP/USD | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | GBP/USD | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% |
| Net income impact | Net income impact | $ | (351) | | | $ | 351 | | | $ | 116 | | | $ | (116) | | | $ | (386) | | | $ | 386 | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| BRL/USD | BRL/USD | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | BRL/USD | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% |
| Net income impact | Net income impact | $ | (38) | | | $ | 38 | | | $ | (41) | | | $ | 41 | | | $ | (71) | | | $ | 71 | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| JPY/USD | JPY/USD | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | JPY/USD | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% |
| Net income impact | Net income impact | $ | 619 | | | $ | (619) | | | $ | 614 | | | $ | (614) | | | $ | 1,019 | | | $ | (1,019) | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| EUR/USD | EUR/USD | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | EUR/USD | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% | | +10% | | -10% |
| Net income impact | Net income impact | $ | 11,162 | | | $ | (11,162) | | | $ | 9,360 | | | $ | (9,360) | | | $ | 10,755 | | | $ | (10,755) | |
Counterparty Risk
As of December 31, 2021,2023, we show a positive net cash position. Since 2012, weWe utilize a cash pooling arrangement,arrangements, reinforcing cash management centralization. Investment and financing decisions are governed by our Investment and Risk Management Policy and carried out by our internal central treasury function. We only deal with counterpartiesfunction, ensuring investments are entered into with high credit ratings. In addition, under our Investment and Risk Management Policy, our central treasury function ensures aratings, balanced distribution between counterparties of the investments, no matter the rating of such counterparty.counterparties.
Liquidity Risk
We are mainly exposed to changes of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Working Capital
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operations, trade receivables, net of allowances and working capital for the periods indicated:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| |
| | | |
| Cash flows provided by operating activities | $220,913 | | $185,356 |
| Trade receivables, net of allowances | $581,988 | | $474,055 |
Working capital (current assets less current liabilities) | $591,620 | | $464,219 |
In addition, the cash flows were also negatively impacted by a $(36.9) million change in foreign exchange rates on our cash position over the period. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes.
Our policy is to invest any cash in excess of our immediate requirements in investments designed to preserve the principal balance and provide liquidity. Accordingly, our cash and cash equivalents are invested primarily in demand deposit accounts and money market funds that are currently providing only a minimal return.
Sources of Liquidity
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations. We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our ordinary shares. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our equity securities in the foreseeable future.Since our inception, we raised a total of $51.1 million aggregate net proceeds from the sale of preferred shares through four private placements. In November 2013, we received aggregate net proceeds before expenses of $269.0 million from our initial public offering. In March 2014, we received aggregate net proceeds before expenses of $22.6 million from our secondary equity offering. We also benefited to a much lesser extent from the proceeds of the exercise of share options and warrants and expect to continue to do so in the future, as such securities are exercised by holders. In 2018, we completed an $80 million share repurchase program. We completed two ADS repurchase programs in 2020: our July 2019 program of up to $80 million, which was completed in February 2020, and our April 2020 program of up to $30 million, which was completed in July 2020. In December 2021, we completed a $100 million share repurchase program. Other than these repurchase programs, we intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund our growth.
We are party to a loan agreement and several RCFs with third-party financial institutions. Our loan and RCF agreements as of December 31, 20212023 are presented in the table below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nominal/ Authorized amounts
(RCF Only) | | Amount drawn as of December 31, 20212023 (RCF only) | | Amount Outstanding as of December 31, 20212023 | | | | |
| Nature | (in thousands) | | Interest rate | | Settlement date |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Bank Syndicate RCF - September 20152022 (1) | € | 350,000407,000 | | | € | — | | | € | — | | | Floating rate: EURIBOR / LIBORSOFR + margin depending on leverage ratio | | March 2022September 2027 |
(1) Subsequent to the settlement date of March 2022, the authorized amount of €350 million is expected to be reduced to €294 million through to a new settlement date of March 2023
For additional information regarding our loan and RCF agreements,agreement, please refer to Note 1311 - Financial Liabilities and Note 2420 - Commitments.
This revolving credit facilitiesRCF is unsecured and contain customary events of default and covenants, including compliance with a total net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio and restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness. At December 31, 2021,2023, we were in compliance with the required leverage ratio.
We are also party to short-term credit lines and overdraft facilities with HSBC Holdings plc, LCL and BNP Paribas. We are authorized to draw up to a maximum of €21.5 million ($24.423.8 million) in the aggregate under thethose short-term credit lines and overdraft facilities. As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had not drawn on either of these facilities. Any loans or overdrafts under these short-term facilities bear interest based on the one month EURIBOR rate or three month EURIBOR rate. As these facilities are exclusively short-term credit and overdraft facilities, ourOur banks have the ability to terminate such facilities on short notice.
Our cash and cash equivalents are invested primarily in demand deposit accounts that are currently providing only a minimal return. Ourand restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 20212023 were held for working capital and general corporate purposes, which could include acquisitions, and amounted to $515.5$411.3 million as of December 31, 2021.2023. The $27.5$(36.9) million increasedecrease in cash and cash equivalents compared with December 31, 20202022 primarily resulted from an increasea decrease of $220.9$(31.7) million in cash from operating activities partially offset byand a $57.4 million decrease of $(76.4) million in cash used for investing activities, and a decreasepartially offset by an increase of $(80.1)$34.2 million in cash used for financing activities. In addition, the increase in cash includes a $36.9flows were also negatively impacted by $(5.2) million negative impact due to changes in foreign exchange rates impact on our consolidated cash position in USD over the period. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. Our policy is to invest any cash in excess of our immediate requirements in investments designed to preserve the principal balance and provide liquidity. Accordingly, our cash and cash equivalents are invested primarily in demand deposit accounts that are currently providing only a minimal return.and term deposit accounts.
Furthermore, Criteo had financial liquidity of approximately $1.068$837.4 million, including its cash position, marketable securities andshort term investments, its Revolving Credit Facility and treasury shares available for acquisitions as of December 31, 2021.2023. Overall, we believe that our current financial liquidity, combined with our expected cash-flow generation in 2022,2023, enables financial flexibility.flexibility and the meeting of all material contractual obligations.
We have also reserved $75 million in cash (classified as Restricted cash on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position) to fund the earn-out liability obligations, resulting from the Iponweb acquisition (refer to Note 2).
Share Buy-back Programs
In December 2021, we completed a $100 million share repurchase program. In 2022, we completed an additional $136 million share repurchase, and in 2023, we completed an additional $125 million share repurchase program.
All above programs have been implemented under our multi-year authorization granted by Board of Directors. On February 1, 2024, this authorization was extended to a total amount of $630 million. Other than these repurchase programs, we intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund our growth.
Operating and Capital Expenditure Requirements
In 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 2019,2021, our actual capital expenditures were $53.0$114.3 million, $65.5$55.8 million and $97.9$53.0 million, respectively, primarily related to the acquisition of data center and server equipment, and internal IT systems. We expect our capital expenditures to remain at, or slightly below, 4%5% of revenue for 2022,2024, as we plan to continue to build, reshape and maintain additional data center equipment capacity in all regions and increase our investments supporting our new work from home policy as part of our office right sizing program.
As part of our strategy to build upon our market and technology leadership, in 2016On March 2023, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of HookLogicBrandcrush Pty Ltd. In 2022 we entered into a definitive purchase agreement which resulted in the Iponweb acquisition for a final purchase price$(135.5) million of $249.0 million financed by (i) a $75.0 million amount drawn on the General RCF and (ii) a $175.1 million amount financed by the available cash resources, in 2018 we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Storetail and Manage for $43.7 million and $60.0 million respectively, and inconsideration paid. In 2021 we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Doobe In Site Ltd. ("Mabaya"), all financed by available cash resources.
We believe our existing cash balances will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements through at least the next 12 months.
Our future working capital requirements will depend on many factors, including the rate of our revenue growth, the amount and timing of our investments in personnel and capital equipment, and the timing and extent of our introduction of new products and product enhancements.
If our cash and cash equivalents balances and cash flows from operating activities are insufficient to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may need to raise additional funds through equity, equity-linked or debt financings to support our operations, and such financings may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. We may also need to raise additional funds in the event we determine in the future to effect one or more acquisitions of businesses, technologies, assets or products.
If we are unable to raise additional funds when needed, our operations and ability to execute our business strategy could be adversely affected. If we raise additional funds through the incurrence of indebtedness, such indebtedness would have rights that are senior to holders of our equity securities and could contain covenants that restrict our operations. Any additional equity financing will be dilutive to our shareholders.
Historical Cash Flows
The following table sets forth our cash flows for 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 20192021 :
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| | Cash flows provided by operating activities | |
| Cash flows provided by operating activities | |
| Cash flows provided by operating activities | Cash flows provided by operating activities | $ | 220,913 | | | $ | 185,356 | | | $ | 222,832 | |
| Cash used in investing activities | Cash used in investing activities | (76,367) | | | (101,093) | | | (103,888) | |
| Cash used for financing activities | Cash used for financing activities | $ | (80,117) | | | $ | (57,747) | | | $ | (59,111) | |
Our cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 20212023 were held for working capital and general corporate purposes, which could include acquisitions. The increasedecrease in cash and cash equivalents compared with December 31, 2020,2022, primarily resulted from an increase of $220.9$224.2 million in cash flows from operating activities partiallyfully offset by a decrease of $(76.4)$(108.7) million in cash flows used for investing activities and a decrease of $(80.1)$(147.3) million in cash flows used for financing activities.
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities is primarily impacted by the increase in the number of clients using our solution and by the amount of cash we invest in personnel to support the anticipated growth of our business.
Cash provided by operating activities has typically been generated from net income and by changes in our operating assets and liabilities, particularly in the areas of accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued expenses, adjusted for certain non-cash and non-operating expense items such as depreciation, amortization, equity awards compensation, deferred tax assets and income taxes.
In 2023, net cash flows provided by operating activities were $224.2 million and consisted of net income of $54.6 million, $103.4 million in adjustments for non-cash and non-operating items and $66.2 million of cash flows from working capital. Adjustments for non-cash and non-operating items mainly consisted of depreciation and amortization expense of $72.3 million, equity awards compensation expense of $97.2 million, partially offset by a $(43.3) million payment of a contingent liability for regulatory matters. In 2023, our cash generated by operating activities benefited from strong working capital leverage.
The $66.2 million increase in cash resulting from changes in working capital primarily consisted of a $(0.7) million decrease due to changes in operating lease liabilities and right of use assets, a $(8.5) million increase in other current assets (including prepaid expenses and VAT receivables) and a $(56.3) million increase in accounts receivable partially offset by a $43.8 million increase in accrued expenses such as payroll and payroll related expenses and VAT payables and a $87.9 million increase in accounts payable. The increase in accounts receivable and in accounts payable is mainly due to seasonality.
In 2022, net cash flows provided by operating activities were $256.0 million and consisted of net income of $10.9 million, $185.0 million in adjustments for noncash and non-operating items and $60.1 million of cash flows from working capital. Adjustments for non-cash and non-operating items primarily consisted of depreciation and amortization expense of $150.3 million, equity awards compensation expense of $65.0 million, changes in deferred tax assets of $3.6 million, partially offset by $(11.0) million of accrued income taxes net of income tax paid and $(22.9) million of other non-cash and non-operating items. In 2022, our cash generated by operating activities benefited from strong working capital leverage, largely due to the impact from strong collections, in particular Iponweb, which has favorable seasonality in the fourth quarter.
The $60.1 million increase in cash resulting from changes in working capital primarily consisted of a $0.7 million decrease due to changes in operating lease liabilities and right of use assets, a $(14.7) million increase in other current assets (including prepaid expenses and VAT receivables) and a $(41.9) million increase in accounts receivable partially offset by a $(17.9) million decrease in accrued expenses such as payroll and payroll related expenses and VAT payables and a $133.8 million increase in accounts payable mainly due to seasonality.
In 2021, net cash flows provided by operating activities were $220.9 million and consisted of net income of $137.6 million, $124.9 million in adjustments for non-cash and non-operating items and $(41.6) million of cash flows from working capital. Adjustments for non-cash and non-operating items primarily consisted of depreciation and amortization expense of $90.9 million, equity awards compensation expense of $44.5 million, changes in deferred tax assets of $(18.6) million, $2.0 million generated on disposal of non-current assets, and by $6.0 million of accrued income taxes net of income tax paid.
The $(41.6) million decrease in cash resulting from changes in working capital primarily consisted of a $(2.6) million decrease due to changes in operating lease liabilities and right of use assets, a $(19.7) million increase in other current assets (including prepaid expenses and VAT receivables) and a $(135.0) million increase in accounts receivable partially offset by a $33.6 million increase in accrued expenses such as payroll and payroll related expenses and VAT payables and $82.7 million increase in accounts payable.
In 2020, net cash flows provided by operating activities were $185.4 million and consisted of net income of $74.7 million, $154.6 million in adjustments for non-cash and non-operating items and $(44.0) million of cash flows from working capital. Adjustments for non-cash and non-operating items primarily consisted of depreciation and amortization expense of $106.6 million, equity awards compensation expense of $28.8 million, changes in deferred tax assets of $3.7 million, $2.7 million generated on disposal of non-current assets, $1.9 million from other non-operating items, and by $10.9 million of accrued income taxes net of income tax paid. The $(44.0) million decrease in cash resulting from changes in working capital primarily consisted of a $(33.3) million decrease in accounts payable, a $(5.8) million decrease due to changes in operating lease liabilities and right of use assets, a $(7.2) million increase in other current assets (including prepaid expenses and VAT receivables) and a $(4.0) million increase in accounts receivable partially offset by a $6.3 million increase in accrued expenses such as payroll and payroll related expenses and VAT payables.
In 2019, net cash flows provided by operating activities were $222.8 million and consisted of net income of $96.0 million, $126.3 million in adjustments for non-cash and non-operating items and $0.6 million of cash flows from working capital. Adjustments for non-cash and non-operating items primarily consisted of depreciation and amortization expense of $97.1 million, equity awards compensation expense of $41.0 million, $15.4 million of changes in deferred tax assets and $0.8 million of changes in other items, partially offset by $28.0 million of accrued income taxes net of income tax paid. The $0.6 million increase in cash resulting from changes in working capital primarily consisted of a $11.4 million increase in accrued expenses such as payroll and payroll related expenses and VAT payables, a $7.6 million decrease in other current assets (including prepaid expenses and VAT receivables) and a $0.9 million decrease in accounts receivable partially offset by a $14.1 million decrease in accounts payable and a $5.2 million decrease due to changes in operating lease liabilities and right of use assets.
Investing Activities
Our investing activities to date have consisted primarily of purchases of servers and other data-center equipment and business acquisitions.
In 2023, net cash flows used in investing activities were $108.7 million and consisted of $114.3 million for purchases of servers and other data-center equipment and capitalized software development costs, $6.8 million payment for a business acquisition, partially offset by a $3.6 million change in other non-current financial assets resulting from investments in Marketable Securities (see Note 4), and $8.8 million in proceeds from the sale of a non consolidated investment.
In 2022, net cash flows used in investing activities were $166.1 million and consisted of $55.8 million for purchases of servers and other data-center equipment and capitalized software development costs, $138.0 million for business acquisitions and $27.8 million change in other non-current financial assets resulting from investments in Marketable Securities (see Note 5).
In 2021, net cash flows used in investing activities were $76.4 million and consisted of $53.0 million for purchases of servers and other data-center equipment and capitalized software development costs, $10.4 million for business acquisitions and $12.9 million change in other non-current financial assets resulting from investments in Marketable Securities (see Note 4 ).
In 2020, net cash flows used in investing activities were $101.1 million and consisted of $65.5 million for purchases of servers and other data-center equipment, $1.2 million for business acquisitions and $34.4 million change in other non-current financial assets resulting from investments in Marketable Securities (see Note 2 and 3)5).
In 2019, net cash flows used in investing activities were $103.9 million and consisted of $97.9 million for purchases of servers and other data-center equipment, $4.6 million for business acquisitions and $1.2 million in other financial liabilities.
Financing Activities
In 2021,2023, net cash used in financing activities was $147.3 million mainly resulting from the $125.5 million impact from our share repurchase program, a $(22.0) million payout of the current portion of the earn-out liability resulting from the Iponweb Acquisition, partially offset by $1.9 million in proceeds from stock-options exercises.
In 2022, net cash used in financing activities was $113.0 million mainly resulting from the $135.7 million impact from our share repurchase program, partially offset by $21.9 million change relating to the recognition of a positive impact of foreign exchange reevaluations net of related hedging and $1.0 million in proceeds from stock-options exercises.
In 2021, net cash used in financing activities was $80.1 million mainly resulting from the $25.2 million proceeds from stock-options exercises and the $100.0 million impact from our share repurchase program.
C.Off-balance Sheet Arrangements.
We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, including entities sometimes referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities that were established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In 2020, netaddition, we do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts. We therefore believe that we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in these relationships.
D.Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations.
Our principal commitments consist of non-cancelable operating leases for our various office facilities and data centers, and other contractual commitments consisting of obligations to our hosting services providers, and providers of software as a service.
The following table discloses aggregate information about material contractual obligations and periods in which payments were due as of December 31, 2023. Future events could cause actual payments to differ from these estimates.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Less than 1 year | | 1 to 5 years | | More than 5 years | | Total |
| (in thousands of U.S. Dollars) |
| Operating Leases | 37,121 | | | 72,970 | | | 13,059 | | | 123,150 | |
| Other purchase obligations | 53,623 | | | 8,286 | | | 3,097 | | | 65,006 | |
| Total | $ | 90,744 | | | $ | 81,256 | | | $ | 16,156 | | | $ | 188,156 | |
Material Cash Requirements
We currently anticipate that our available funds and cash used inflow from operations and financing activities was $57.7 million mainly resulting from the $10.9 million impact of the €140 million drawing from May 2020will be sufficient to November 2020 as part ofmeet our available Revolving Credit Facility (RCF)operational cash needs and the $43.7 million impact fromfund our share repurchase program.program for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. We continuously evaluate our liquidity and capital resources, including our access to external capital, to ensure we can finance our future capital requirements.
In 2019, net cash usedLeases and Contractual Commitments
Our operating lease obligations mostly include offices and data centers. Our finance lease obligations mostly include certain network infrastructure. Our restructuring efforts to sublease, early terminate or abandon several office buildings under operating leases did not materially change our operating lease obligations.
Our contractual commitments are primarily related to our investments in financing activitiesnetwork infrastructure, servers, and consumer hardware products in Reality Labs.
Contingent Consideration
As part of the Iponweb Acquisition that was $59.1completed in August 2022, the Sellers are entitled to contingent consideration of a maximum of $100.0 million, resulting from $58.6 million relatingwhich is conditioned upon the achievement of certain revenue targets by the Iponweb business for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. The related earn out liability is valued and discounted using management's best estimate of the consideration that will be paid in 2024 (current portion). See Note 13 - Other Current Liabilities.
Contingencies
We are involved in legal proceedings, claims, and regulatory, tax or government inquiries and investigations. We record a liability when we believe that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred, and that the amount can be reasonably estimated. If we determine there is a reasonable possibility that we may incur a loss and the loss or range of loss can be estimated, we disclose the possible loss in the accompanying notes to the share repurchase program, $1.2 millionconsolidated financial statements to the extent material. Significant judgment is required to determine both probability and the estimated amount of changesloss. Such matters are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. Should any of these estimates and assumptions change or prove to be incorrect, it could have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
See 12. Leases, 13. Other Current Liabilities and Non Current Liabilities , 20. Commitments and contingencies, and 18. Income Taxes in otherthe notes to the consolidated financial liabilitiesstatements included in Part II, Item 8, and $1.0 million"Legal Proceedings" contained in Part I, Item 3 of this Form 10-K for the repayment of borrowings, partially offset by $1.7 million related to proceeds from capital increase.additional information regarding leases and contractual commitments, long-term debt, taxes, and contingencies.
C.Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
We invest substantial resources in research and development to enhance our solution and technology infrastructure, develop new features, conduct quality assurance testing and improve our core technology. Our engineering group is primarily located in research and development centers in Paris, Grenoble, France and Ann Arbor, Michigan. We expect to continue to expand the capabilities of our technology in the future and to invest significantly in continued research and development efforts. We had 682 employees primarily engaged in research and development at December 31, 2021. Research and development expense totaled $151.8 million, $132.5 million and $172.6 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
D.E. Trend Information.Information
Key Metrics
We review three key metrics to help us monitor the performance of our business and to identify trends affecting our business. These key metrics include number of clients, Contribution ex-TAC, and Adjusted EBITDA. We believe these metrics are useful to understanding the underlying trends in our business. The following table summarizes our key metrics for 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 2019.2021.
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands, except number of clients) | | | (in thousands, except number of clients) |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands, except number of clients) |
| | Number of clients | 21,745 | | | 21,460 | | | 20,247 | |
Number of clients (1) | |
Number of clients (1) | |
Number of clients (1) | | 18,197 | | | 18,990 | | | N/A |
| Contribution ex-TAC | Contribution ex-TAC | $ | 920,795 | | | $ | 825,046 | | | $ | 946,569 | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 322,495 | | | $ | 250,995 | | | $ | 298,972 | |
Number of Clients
We define a client to be a unique party from whom we have received a signed contract or an insertion order and for whom we have delivered an advertisement or monetized an advertising inventory during the previous 12 months. We believe this criteria best identifies clients who actively use our set of solutions. We count specific brands or divisions within the same business as distinct clients so long as those entities have separately signed insertion orders with us. In the case of some solutions within Criteo Retail Media, we count the parent company of the brands as an individual client, even if several distinct brands pertaining to the same parent company have signed separate contracts or insertion orders with us. On the other hand, we count a client who runs campaigns in multiple geographies as a single client, even though multiple insertion orders may be involved. When the insertion order is with an advertising agency, we generally consider the client on whose behalf the advertising campaign is conducted as the “client” for purposes of this calculation. In the event a client has its advertising spend with us managed by multiple agencies, that client is counted as a single client.
We believe that our ability to increase the number of clients is an important indicator of our ability to grow revenue over time. While our client count has increased over time, this metric can also fluctuate from quarter to quarter due to the seasonal trends in advertising spend of clients and the timing and amount of revenue contribution from new clients. Therefore, there is not necessarily a direct correlation between a change in clients in a particular period and an increase or decrease in our revenue over that same period.
Contribution ex-TAC
We considerdefine Contribution excluding Traffic Acquisition Costs, "Contribution ex-TAC", as a profitability measure akin to gross profit. It is calculated by deducting traffic acquisition costs from revenue and reconciled to gross profit through the exclusion of other cost of revenue. Contribution ex-TAC asis not a measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Contribution ex-TAC because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to evaluate operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions. In particular, we believe that this measure can provide useful measures for period-to-period comparisons of our business activity. Our traffic acquisition costs primarily consistbusiness. Accordingly, we believe that Contribution ex-TAC provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our results of purchasesoperations in the same manner as our management and board of impressions from publishers ondirectors. Please see above for a CPM basis.discussion of the limitations of Contribution ex-TAC and a reconciliation of Contribution ex-TAC to gross profit, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this filing.
Our management views our Contribution ex-TAC as a key measure to evaluate, plan and make decisions on our business activities and sales performance. In particular, we believe this can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our business. Accordingly, we believe that Contribution ex-TAC provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our results of operations in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Contribution ex-TAC is not a measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Please see above for a discussion of the limitations of Contribution ex-TAC and a reconciliation of Contribution ex-TAC to gross profit, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure, for 2017, 2018, 2019, 20202022 and 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA represents our consolidated earnings before financial income (expense), income taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to eliminate the impact of equity awards compensation expense, pension service costs, certain restructuring, relatedintegration and transformation costs, acquisition-relatedcertain acquisition costs and deferred price consideration.a loss contingency related to a regulatory matter. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital.trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget and to develop short-term and long-term operational plans. In particular, we believe that the elimination of equity awards compensation expense, pension service costs, certain restructuring, relatedintegration and transformation costs, acquisition-relatedcertain acquisition costs and deferred price considerationa loss contingency related to a regulatory matter in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our business.business,
Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our results of operations in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Please see above for a discussion of the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this filing.
Highlights and Trends
Revenue
We believe the expansion of our business with existing clients as well as the addition of new clients have both been significant drivers of our historical growth. We believe significant opportunities exist for us to continue to expand our business going forward. Specifically, as part of our Commerce Media Platform strategy, we believe that we can further strengthen our core business, continue to expand our product portfolio, explore strategic game changers for our business and drive further technology innovation and operational excellence to further expand our business over time. However, due to external challenges and other factors, we may not be able to maintain our historical growth rates in the future.
Contribution ex-TAC
We are focused on maximizing our Contribution ex-TAC on an absolute basis. We believe this focus builds sustainable long-term value for our business by fortifying a number of our competitive strengths, including access to digital advertising inventory, breadth and depth of data and continuous improvement of the Criteo AI Engine’s performance, allowing us to deliver more relevant advertisements at scale. As part of this focus, we are continuing to invest in building preferred relationships with direct publishers, including with ecommerce retailers, and increasing access to leading advertising exchanges, which includes purchasing advertising inventory that may have lower margins on an individual impression basis, but generates incremental Contribution ex-TAC. We believe this strategy maximizes the growth of our Contribution ex-TAC on an absolute basis and strengthens our market position. As a result, in Marketing Solutions, we expect our traffic acquisition costs to continue to increase on an absolute basis as we continue to grow our revenue.
Adjusted EBITDA
Our Adjusted EBITDA for 2021 was $ 322.5 million, a 28%increase over 2020. Our increase in Adjusted EBITDA for 2021 compared to 2020 was primarily the result of the 12%increase in Contribution ex-TAC over the period, partly offset by a 16% increase in our Non-GAAP operating expenses. This drove a 35% adjusted EBITDA margin in 2021. While this margin improvement was largely driven by operating leverage from revenue growth and productivity improvement, it also reflects several structural cost measures initiated in 2020, including in our hosting and facilities costs, as well as COVID-19-related savings related to the lack of marketing events and travel and entertainment during the pandemic. For 2022, we expect to invest in the strategic growth areas of our business, such as Retail Media, our first-party media network, Contextual advertising, video, Connected TV and Commerce Insights to accelerate growth in 2023, driving a lower Adjusted EBITDA margin as a percentage of Contribution ex-TAC compared to 2021. Over time, we expect to continue to invest in the growth areas of our business and to maintain a healthy profitability as we continue to deliver sustainable revenue growth and as we benefit from operating leverage and continued discipline in our expense management. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Please see above for a discussion of the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
Number of Clients
Since our inception, we have significantly grown the number of clients with which we do business. Our baseWe had approximately 18,200 clients as of clients increased to close to 22,000 at December 31, 2021, a 1% increase over2023, down slightly compared to our client base as of December 31, 2020. This growth in2022.
In recent years, the expansion of our number of clients has been driven by a number of factors, including our global footprint and our commercial expansion in existing markets, our continued development of large clients in the Retail vertical, especially in ecommerce, our expansion of midmarket clients and our penetration into the consumer brand vertical through some of our Criteo Retail Media offerings. We believe that our ability to increase our number of clients is a leading indicator of our ability to grow revenue over time. We expect to continue to focus our attention and investment on further growing our client base across all regions, client categories and verticals, with continued strong focus on ecommerce.
Client Retention
We believe our ability to retain and grow revenue from our existing clients is a useful indicator of the stability of our revenue base and the long-term value of our client relationships. Our offering, the Criteo Commerce Media Platform, is powered by AI technology and aims to cover the entire marketing funnel (Awareness, Audience Targeting, Conversion). Our technology is optimized to drive impactful business outcomes from marketing and monetization for retailers and brands. We measure our client satisfaction through our ability to retain them and the revenue they generate quarter after quarter.
We define client retentionretention rate as the percentage of live clients during the previous quarter that continued to be live clients during the current quarter. This metric is calculated on a quarterly basis, and for annual periods, we use an average of the quarterly metrics. We define a live client as a client whose advertising campaign has or had been generating revenue for us on any day over the relevant measurement period. In each of 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 2019,2021, our client retention rate was approximately 90%.
Seasonality
Our client base consists primarily of businesses in the digital Retail, Travel and Classifieds industries, which we define as commerce clients. In the digital Retail industry and the consumer brand verticals in particular, many businesses devote the largest portion of their advertising spend to the fourth quarter of the calendar year, to coincide with increased holiday spending by consumers. With respect to Criteo Retail Media and Iponweb, the concentration of advertising spend in the fourth quarter of the calendar year is particularly pronounced. Our Retail clients typically conduct fewer advertising campaigns in the first and second quarters than they do in other quarters, while our Travel clients typically increase their travel campaigns in the first and third quarters and conduct fewer advertising campaigns in the second quarter. As a result, our revenue tends to be seasonal in nature, but the impact of this seasonality has, to date, been partly offset by our significant growth and geographic expansion. If the seasonal fluctuations become more pronounced, our operating cash flows could fluctuate materially from period to period.
Contribution ex-TAC
1Our Contribution ex-TAC for 2023 was 1,022.6 million, a 11% increase over 2022, at constant currency. This performance was mainly driven by growth in Retail Media and the contribution from Iponweb. We are focused on maximizing our Contribution ex-TAC on an absolute basis. We believe this focus builds sustainable long-term value for our business by fortifying a number of our competitive strengths, including access to digital advertising inventory, breadth and depth of data and continuous improvement of the Criteo AI Engine’s performance, allowing us to deliver more relevant advertisements at scale.
Adjusted EBITDA
Our Adjusted EBITDA for 2023 was $301.8 million, a 13% Excluding Criteoincrease over 2022. Our increase in Adjusted EBITDA for 2023 compared to 2022 was primarily the result of the 10%increase in Contribution ex-TAC over the period, partly offset by a 5% increase in our Non-GAAP operating expenses. This drove a 30% adjusted EBITDA margin in 2023. We delivered $70 million in cost savings, while continuing to invest for growth, which drove a higher Adjusted EBITDA margin as a percentage of Contribution ex-TAC compared to 2022. Going forward, we intend to continue to right size our organization and optimize our operating model while continuing investments in our multi-pronged addressability strategy and scaling Retail Media.Media capabilities. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Please see above for a discussion of the limitations of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.
E.F. Safe Harbor.
This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are mainly exposed to changes of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
For a description of our foreign exchange risk and a sensitivity analysis of the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on our net income, please see "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – B. Liquidity and Capital Resources" in this Form 10-K.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The information required by Item 8 is set forth on pages F-1 through F-60F-46 of this Form 10-K.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
There have been no changes in our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Associés, or disagreements with our accountants on matters of accounting and financial disclosure.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Criteo carried out an evaluation as of December 31, 2021,2023, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or furnished under the Exchange Act, such as this Annual Report on Form 10-K, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.
Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to reasonably assure that this information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2021,2023, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our management assessed, with the oversight of our board of directors, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021.2023. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria established in the Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, our management has concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.2023. The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20212023 has been audited by Deloitte & Associés, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its attestation report, which appears on page F-2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2021,2023, that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Criteo have been detected.
These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decisions making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies and procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Item 9B. Other Information
Not applicable.During the three months ended December 31, 2023, no directors or Section 16 officers of the Company adopted or terminated any Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions That Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this item (other than the information set forth in the next paragraph in this Item 10) will be included in our definitive proxy statement with respect to our 20222024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC, and is incorporated herein by reference.
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code of Conduct") that is applicable to all of our employees, officers and directors, including(including our chief executive and senior financial officers.officers), directors, temporary workers and interns. The Code of Conduct is available on our website at criteo.investorroom.com under "Governance." The Audit Committee of our board of directors is responsible for overseeing the Code of Conduct and our board of directors is required to approve any waivers of the Code of Conduct for employees, executive officers and directors. We expect that any amendments to the Code of Conduct, or any waivers of its requirements required to be disclosed under the rules of the SEC or Nasdaq will be disclosed on our website.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information called for by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement with respect to our 20222024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information called for by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement with respect to our 20222024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information called for by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement with respect to our 20222024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information called for by this item will be included in our definitive proxy statement with respect to our 20222024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC, and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Financial Statements
The financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-1 are filed as part of this Form 10-K. All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(b) Exhibits
| | Incorporated by Reference |
| | | Incorporated by Reference | | | | | Incorporated by Reference |
| Exhibit | Exhibit | | Description | Schedule/ Form | | File Number | | Exhibit | | File Date | Exhibit | | Description | Schedule/ Form | | File Number | | Exhibit | | File Date |
| | |
| 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 2.1 | | October 4, 2016 | | |
| 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 2.1 | | October 4, 2016 |
| | | | 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 2.1 | | December 22, 2021 | | | | 10-Q | | 001-36153 | | 2.1 | | August 5, 2022 |
| | | |
| | | | |
| | | |
| |
|
| | | | 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 4.1 | | December 29, 2021 | | | | 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 4.1 | | December 29, 2021 |
| | | | |
| | | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 4.3 | | March 2, 2020 |
| | | F-1 | | 333-191223 | | 10.5 | | October 2, 2013 |
| | | S-8 | | 333-197373 | | 99.1 | | July 11, 2014 |
| | | S-8 | | 333-258256 | | 99.1 | | July 29, 2021 |
| | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.7 | | February 29, 2016 |
| | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.9 | | March 1, 2017 |
| | | F-1 | | 333-191223 | | 10.8 | | September 18, 2013 |
| | | F-1 | | 333-191223 | | 10.11 | | September 18, 2013 |
| |
| | | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 4.3 | | March 2, 2020 |
| | | | | F-1 | | 333-191223 | | 10.5 | | October 2, 2013 |
| | | | | S-8 | | 333-197373 | | 99.1 | | July 11, 2014 |
| | | | | S-8 | | 333-273476 | | 99.1 | | July 27, 2023 |
| | | | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.7 | | February 29, 2016 |
| | | | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.9 | | March 1, 2017 |
| | | | | F-1 | | 333-191223 | | 10.8 | | September 18, 2013 |
| | | | | F-1 | | 333-191223 | | 10.11 | | September 18, 2013 |
| | | | | S-8 | | 333-273476 | | 99.2 | | July 27, 2023 |
| | | | | S-8 | | 333-273476 | | 99.3 | | July 27, 2023 |
| | | | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.15 | | February 29, 2016 |
| | Incorporated by Reference |
| | | Incorporated by Reference | | | | | Incorporated by Reference |
| Exhibit | Exhibit | | Description | Schedule/ Form | | File Number | | Exhibit | | File Date | Exhibit | | Description | Schedule/ Form | | File Number | | Exhibit | | File Date |
| | | S-8 | | 333-258256 | | 99.2 | | July 29, 2021 |
| | | S-8 | | 333-258256 | | 99.3 | | July 29, 2021 |
| | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.15 | | February 29, 2016 |
| | | 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.1 | | September 3, 2020 |
| | | 10-Q | | 001-36153 | | 10.1 | | May 5, 2021 |
| | | 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 4.1 | | March 30, 2017 |
| | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.22 | | March 1, 2019 |
| | | 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.1 | | October 30, 2019 |
| | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.18 | | March 2, 2020 |
| | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.19 | | March 2, 2020 |
| | | | | 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.1 | | September 3, 2020 |
| | | | | 10-Q | | 001-36153 | | 10.1 | | May 5, 2021 |
| | | | | 10-Q | | 001-36153 | | 10.1 | | May 5, 2022 |
| | | | | 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 4.1 | | March 30, 2017 |
| | | | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.22 | | March 1, 2019 |
| | | | | 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.1 | | October 30, 2019 |
| | | | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.18 | | March 2, 2020 |
| | | | | 10-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.19 | | March 2, 2020 |
| | | | | 10-Q | | 001-36153 | | 10.2 | | May 5, 2022 |
| | | | Multicurrency Revolving Facility Agreement, dated as of September 27, 2022, among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries, the lenders party thereto from time-to-time, BNP Paribas, Crédit Lyonnais (LCL), HSBC Continental Europe and Société Générale, as bookrunners and mandated lead arrangers, Bank of Montreal Europe PLC, Citibank N.A., London Branch and Crédit Industriel et Commercial (CIC), as mandated lead arrangers, BNP Paribas, as coordinator and documentation agent, Société Générale, as agent, and Société Générale and HSBC Continental Europe, as sustainability coordinators | 8-K | | 001-36153 | | 10.1 | | September 28, 2022 |
| |
| |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| 24.1 | |
| 24.1 | |
| 24.1 | |
| |
| |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Incorporated by Reference |
| Exhibit | | Description | Schedule/ Form | | File Number | | Exhibit | | File Date |
| 101# | | The following financial statements from Criteo S.A.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021,2023, formatted in iXBRL (Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | | | | | | |
| 104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
† Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
# Filed herewith.
* Furnished herewith.
** Schedules have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| | | | | | | | |
| CRITEO S.A. |
| | |
February 25, 202223, 2024 | By: | /s/ Megan Clarken |
| | Megan Clarken |
| | Chief Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Megan Clarken her or his attorney-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for her or him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue of hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | |
| /s/ Megan Clarken | | Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer) | | February 25, 202223, 2024 |
| Megan Clarken | | |
| | |
| /s/ Sarah Glickman | | Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer) | | February 25, 202223, 2024 |
| Sarah Glickman | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Nathalie Balla | | Director | | February 25, 202223, 2024 |
| Nathalie Balla | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Marie Lalleman | | Director | | February 25, 202223, 2024 |
| Marie Lalleman | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Edmond Mesrobian | | Director | | February 25, 202223, 2024 |
| Edmond Mesrobian | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Hubert de Pesquidoux | | Director | | February 25, 202223, 2024 |
| Hubert de Pesquidoux | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Rachel Picard | | Director | | February 25, 202223, 2024 |
| Rachel Picard | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ James Warner | | Director | | Director | February 25, 202223, 2024 |
| James Warner | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Frederik van der Kooi | | Director | | February 23, 2024 |
| Frederik van der Kooi | | |
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
| | | | | |
| |
| Page |
| |
| |
Reports of Deloitte & Associés, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 1756) | |
| |
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 20212023 and 20202022 | |
| |
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 20192021 | |
| |
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 20192021 | |
| |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 20192021 | |
| |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 20192021 | |
| |
| Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements | |
| |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Criteo S.A.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Criteo S.A. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021,2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021,2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021,2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 25, 2022,23, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of this critical audit mattermatters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which itis relates.
Revenue — Refer to NotesNote 1 and 26 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s revenue from Marketing Solutions consists of sellingdelivering personalized display advertisements featuring product-level recommendations either directly to clients or to advertising agencies. ThisSuch products are generally sold based on a cost-per-click or cost-per-impression pricing models.
Revenues for Marketing Solutions are recognized when an ad is primarily achieved by convertingclicked on or displayed to the end user as that is when the Company transfers control of promised services directly to the Company’s clients’ website visitors into customers, enablingclients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to charge its clients when users engage with an adbe entitled to in exchange for those services. The cost-per-click or cost-per-impression the Company delivers, either by clickingcharges to the customers, varies depending on it (cost-per-click basis), or through installing an application by clicking on an ad that the Company delivers (cost-per-install).optimization strategy of the Criteo engine, the dynamics and performance of the market, amongst other factors. Because of the nature of the Company’s revenue, which is made up of a significant volume of low-dollar value transactions, sourced from multiple databases and other tools, the Company uses highly automated systems to process and record its revenue transactions.
We identified revenue for Marketing Solutions as a critical audit matter because the Company’s systems to process and record its revenue transactions are highly automated and thus required significantly more involvement and effort from our information technology (IT) internal specialist team to identify, test, and evaluate the Company’s system, software applications, and automated controls.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
With the assistance of our IT specialists and Data specialists, our audit procedures related to the Company’s system to process and record its revenue transactions included the following:
•Identified the significantrelevant applications and systems used to process revenue transactions and tested the general IT controls over each of these applications and systems, including testing of user access controls, change management controls, and IT operations controls.Datacenter and Network Operations.
•Performed testing of system interface controls and automated controls within the relevant revenue solutions, as well as the controls designed to address the occurrence, accuracy and completeness of revenue.
•Tested internal controls within the relevant revenue business process, including those in place to reconcile the various applications to the Company’s general ledger.
•Tested the underlying data of the revenue transactions by agreeing the events recognized in the financial statements to the source transactional systems and tested the mathematical accuracy of the recorded revenue.
/s/ Deloitte & Associés
Paris-La Défense, France
February 25, 202223, 2024
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2011.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Criteo S.A.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Criteo S.A. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021,2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021,2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 20212023, of the Company and our report dated February 25, 2022,23, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Associés
Paris-La Défense, France
February 25, 202223, 2024
Criteo S.A. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | | Year Ended December 31, |
| Notes | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| | | Year Ended December 31, | | | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| Notes | | | Notes | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Assets | Assets | | | (in thousands) | Assets | | | (in thousands) |
| Current assets: | Current assets: | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | Cash and cash equivalents | 5 | | $ | 515,527 | | | $ | 488,011 | |
Trade receivables, net of allowances of $45.4 million and $39.9 million as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. | 6 | | 581,988 | | | 474,055 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | |
Trade receivables, net of allowances of $43.3 million and $47.8 million as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. | |
| Income taxes | Income taxes | | 8,784 | | | 11,092 | |
| Other taxes | Other taxes | | 73,388 | | | 69,987 | |
| Other current assets | Other current assets | 7 | | 34,182 | | | 21,405 | |
| Restricted cash - current portion | |
| Marketable securities - current portion | Marketable securities - current portion | | 50,299 | | | — | |
| Total current assets | Total current assets | | 1,264,168 | | | 1,064,550 | |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | Property, plant and equipment, net | 8 | | 139,961 | | | 189,505 | |
| Intangible assets, net | Intangible assets, net | 9 | | 82,627 | | | 79,744 | |
| Goodwill | Goodwill | 10 | | 329,699 | | | 325,805 | |
| Right of use asset - operating lease | Right of use asset - operating lease | 14 | | 120,257 | | | 114,012 | |
| Restricted cash - non-current portion | |
| Marketable securities - non current portion | Marketable securities - non current portion | | 5,000 | | | 41,809 | |
| Non-current financial assets | Non-current financial assets | 11 | | 6,436 | | | 18,109 | |
| Other non - current assets | |
| Deferred tax assets | Deferred tax assets | 22 | | 35,443 | | | 19,876 | |
| Total non current assets | Total non current assets | | 719,423 | | | 788,860 | |
| Total assets | Total assets | | $ | 1,983,591 | | | $ | 1,853,410 | |
| Liabilities and shareholders' equity | Liabilities and shareholders' equity | | | | |
| Current liabilities: | Current liabilities: | |
| Current liabilities: | |
| Current liabilities: | |
| Trade payables | Trade payables | | $ | 430,245 | | | $ | 367,025 | |
| Contingencies | 12 | | 3,059 | | | 2,250 | |
| Trade payables | |
| Trade payables | |
| Contingencies - current portion | |
| Income taxes | Income taxes | | 6,641 | | | 2,626 | |
| Financial liabilities - current portion | Financial liabilities - current portion | 13 | | 642 | | | 2,889 | |
| Lease liability - operating - current portion | Lease liability - operating - current portion | 14 | | 34,066 | | | 48,388 | |
| Other taxes | Other taxes | | 60,236 | | | 58,491 | |
| Employee-related payables | Employee-related payables | | 98,136 | | | 85,272 | |
| Other current liabilities | Other current liabilities | 15 | | 39,523 | | | 33,390 | |
| Total current liabilities | Total current liabilities | | 672,548 | | | 600,331 | |
| Deferred tax liabilities | Deferred tax liabilities | 22 | | 3,053 | | | 5,297 | |
| Retirement benefit obligation | Retirement benefit obligation | 16 | | 5,531 | | | 6,167 | |
| Financial liabilities - non current portion | Financial liabilities - non current portion | 13 | | 360 | | | 386 | |
| Lease liability - operating - non current portion | Lease liability - operating - non current portion | 14 | | 93,893 | | | 83,007 | |
| Contingencies - non-current portion | |
| Other non-current liabilities | Other non-current liabilities | | 9,886 | | | 5,535 | |
| Total non-current liabilities | Total non-current liabilities | | 112,723 | | | 100,392 | |
| Total liabilities | Total liabilities | | 785,271 | | | 700,723 | |
| Commitments and contingencies | Commitments and contingencies | | 0 | | 0 |
| Shareholders' equity: | Shareholders' equity: | |
Common shares, €0.025 per value, 65,883,347 and 66,272,106 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. | | 2,149 | | | 2,161 | |
Treasury stock, 5,207,873 and 5,632,536 shares at cost as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. | | (131,560) | | | (85,570) | |
| Shareholders' equity: | |
| Shareholders' equity: | |
Common shares, €0.025 per value, 61,165,663 and 63,248,728 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. | |
Common shares, €0.025 per value, 61,165,663 and 63,248,728 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. | |
Common shares, €0.025 per value, 61,165,663 and 63,248,728 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. | |
Treasury stock, 5,400,572 and 5,985,104 shares at cost as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. | |
| Additional paid-in capital | Additional paid-in capital | | 731,248 | | | 693,164 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | (40,294) | | | 16,028 | |
| Retained earnings | Retained earnings | | 601,588 | | | 491,359 | |
| Equity - attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | Equity - attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | | 1,163,131 | | | 1,117,142 | |
| Non-controlling interests | Non-controlling interests | | 35,189 | | | 35,545 | |
| Total equity | Total equity | | 1,198,320 | | | 1,152,687 | |
| Total equity and liabilities | Total equity and liabilities | | $ | 1,983,591 | | | $ | 1,853,410 | |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Criteo S.A. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| Notes | | | Notes | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | (in thousands, except share and per share data) | | | | | (in thousands, except share and per share data) |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| Notes | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | | (in thousands, except share and per share data) |
| | Revenue | |
| Revenue | |
| Revenue | Revenue | | $ | 2,254,235 | | | $ | 2,072,617 | | | $ | 2,261,516 | |
| | Cost of revenue | Cost of revenue | |
| Cost of revenue | |
| Cost of revenue | |
| Traffic acquisition costs | |
| Traffic acquisition costs | |
| Traffic acquisition costs | Traffic acquisition costs | 18 | | (1,333,440) | | | (1,247,571) | | | (1,314,947) | |
| Other cost of revenue | Other cost of revenue | 18 | | (138,851) | | | (137,028) | | | (117,533) | |
| Gross profit | Gross profit | | 781,944 | | | 688,018 | | | 829,036 | |
| | Operating expenses: | Operating expenses: | |
| Operating expenses: | |
| Operating expenses: | |
| Research and development expenses | |
| Research and development expenses | |
| Research and development expenses | Research and development expenses | 18,19 | | (151,817) | | | (132,513) | | | (172,591) | |
| Sales and operations expenses | Sales and operations expenses | 18,19 | | (325,616) | | | (330,285) | | | (375,477) | |
| General and administrative expenses | General and administrative expenses | 18,19 | | (152,634) | | | (116,395) | | | (139,754) | |
| Total operating expenses | Total operating expenses | | (630,067) | | | (579,193) | | | (687,822) | |
| Income from operations | Income from operations | | 151,877 | | | 108,825 | | | 141,214 | |
| Financial and Other Income (Expense) | Financial and Other Income (Expense) | 21 | | 1,939 | | | (1,939) | | | (5,749) | |
| Income before taxes | Income before taxes | | 153,816 | | | 106,886 | | | 135,465 | |
| Provision for income taxes | Provision for income taxes | 22 | | (16,169) | | | (32,197) | | | (39,496) | |
| Net income | Net income | | $ | 137,647 | | | $ | 74,689 | | | $ | 95,969 | |
| | Net income available to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | Net income available to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | | $ | 134,456 | | | $ | 71,679 | | | $ | 90,745 | |
| Net income available to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | |
| Net income available to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | |
| Net income available to non-controlling interests | Net income available to non-controlling interests | | $ | 3,191 | | | $ | 3,010 | | | $ | 5,224 | |
| | Net income allocated to shareholders per share: | Net income allocated to shareholders per share: | |
| Net income allocated to shareholders per share: | |
| Net income allocated to shareholders per share: | |
| Basic | |
| Basic | |
| Basic | Basic | 23 | | $ | 2.21 | | | $ | 1.18 | | | $ | 1.41 | |
| Diluted | Diluted | 23 | | $ | 2.09 | | | $ | 1.16 | | | $ | 1.38 | |
| | Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts: | Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts: | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts: | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing per share amounts: | |
| Basic | |
| Basic | |
| Basic | Basic | 23 | | 60,717,446 | | | 60,876,480 | | | 64,305,965 | |
| Diluted | Diluted | 23 | | 64,231,637 | | | 61,818,593 | | | 65,598,588 | |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Criteo S.A. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| Net income | Net income | $ | 137,647 | | | $ | 74,689 | | | $ | 95,969 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | Other comprehensive income (loss): | |
| Foreign currency translation differences, net of taxes | |
| Foreign currency translation differences, net of taxes | |
| Foreign currency translation differences, net of taxes | Foreign currency translation differences, net of taxes | (61,406) | | | 53,213 | | | (8,070) | |
| Foreign currency translation differences | Foreign currency translation differences | (61,406) | | | 53,213 | | | (8,070) | |
| Income tax effect | Income tax effect | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Actuarial (losses) gains on employee benefits, net of taxes | Actuarial (losses) gains on employee benefits, net of taxes | 1,205 | | | 4,692 | | | (1,211) | |
| Actuarial (losses) gains on employee benefits | Actuarial (losses) gains on employee benefits | 1,374 | | | 5,214 | | | (1,373) | |
| Income tax effect | Income tax effect | (169) | | | (522) | | | 162 | |
| | Comprehensive income | 77,446 | | | 132,594 | | | 86,688 | |
| Comprehensive income (loss) | |
| | Comprehensive income (loss) | |
| | Comprehensive income (loss) | |
| Attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | Attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | 81,302 | | | 130,821 | | | 86,353 | |
| Attributable to non-controlling interests | Attributable to non-controlling interests | $ | (3,856) | | | $ | 1,773 | | | $ | 335 | |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Criteo S.A. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Share capital | | Treasury stock | | Additional paid-in capital | | Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | | Retained earnings | | Equity - attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | | Non controlling interests | | Total equity |
| | (in thousands, except share data) |
| | (Common shares) | | (Shares) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance at January 1, 2019 | | 67,708,203 | | $ | 2,201 | | | (3,459,119) | | | $ | (79,159) | | | $ | 663,281 | | | $ | (30,522) | | | $ | 387,869 | | | $ | 943,670 | | | $ | 24,221 | | | $ | 967,891 | |
| Net income | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 90,745 | | | 90,745 | | | 5,224 | | | 95,969 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (9,617) | | | — | | | (9,617) | | | 335 | | | (9,282) | |
| Issuance of ordinary shares | | 83,266 | | 2 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,829 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,831 | | | — | | | 1,831 | |
| Change in treasury stock | | (1,594,288) | | (45) | | | (444,554) | | | 4,259 | | | (36,091) | | | (296) | | | (26,710) | | | (58,883) | | | — | | | (58,883) | |
| Shared-based compensation | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 39,399 | | | — | | | — | | | 39,399 | | | 214 | | | 39,613 | |
| Other changes in equity | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (29) | | | 330 | | | (179) | | | 122 | | | 727 | | | 849 | |
| Balance at December 31, 2019 | | 66,197,181 | | $ | 2,158 | | | (3,903,673) | | | $ | (74,900) | | | $ | 668,389 | | | $ | (40,105) | | | $ | 451,725 | | | $ | 1,007,267 | | | $ | 30,721 | | | $ | 1,037,988 | |
| Net income | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 71,679 | | | 71,679 | | | 3,010 | | | 74,689 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 56,133 | | | — | | | 56,133 | | | 1,773 | | | 57,906 | |
| Issuance of ordinary shares | | 231,784 | | 8 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,928 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,936 | | | — | | | 1,936 | |
| Change in treasury stock | | — | | — | | | (1,728,863) | | | (14,570) | | | — | | | — | | | (29,017) | | | (43,587) | | | — | | | (43,587) | |
| Shared-based compensation | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 26,913 | | | — | | | — | | | 26,913 | | | 188 | | | 27,101 | |
Other changes in equity (1) | | (156,859) | | (5) | | | — | | | — | | | (4,066) | | | — | | | (3,028) | | | (3,199) | | | (147) | | | (3,346) | |
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | | 66,272,106 | | $ | 2,161 | | | (5,632,536) | | $ | (85,570) | | | $ | 693,164 | | | $ | 16,028 | | | $ | 491,359 | | | $ | 1,117,142 | | | $ | 35,545 | | | $ | 1,152,687 | |
| Net income | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 134,456 | | | 134,456 | | | 3,191 | | | 137,647 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | (56,345) | | | — | | | (56,345) | | | (3,856) | | | (60,201) | |
| Issuance of ordinary shares | | 1,109,950 | | 32 | | | — | | — | | | 25,441 | | | — | | | — | | | 25,473 | | | — | | | 25,473 | |
Change in treasury stock (2) | | (1,498,709) | | (44) | | | 424,663 | | (45,990) | | | (29,782) | | | — | | | (24,227) | | | (100,043) | | | — | | | (100,043) | |
| Shared-based compensation | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 42,425 | | | — | | | — | | | 42,425 | | | 309 | | | 42,734 | |
| Other changes in equity | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | 23 | | | — | | | 23 | | | — | | | 23 | |
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | | 65,883,347 | | $ | 2,149 | | | (5,207,873) | | $ | (131,560) | | | $ | 731,248 | | | $ | (40,294) | | | $ | 601,588 | | | $ | 1,163,131 | | | $ | 35,189 | | | $ | 1,198,320 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Share capital | | Treasury stock | | Additional paid-in capital | | Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income | | Retained earnings | | Equity - attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | | Non controlling interests | | Total equity |
| | (in thousands, except share data) |
| | (Common shares) | | (Shares) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance at January 1, 2021 | | 66,272,106 | | $ | 2,161 | | | (5,632,536) | | | $ | (85,570) | | | $ | 693,164 | | | $ | 16,028 | | | $ | 491,359 | | | $ | 1,117,142 | | | $ | 35,545 | | | $ | 1,152,687 | |
| Net income | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 134,456 | | | 134,456 | | | 3,191 | | | 137,647 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (56,345) | | | — | | | (56,345) | | | (3,856) | | | (60,201) | |
| Issuance of ordinary shares | | 1,109,950 | | 32 | | | — | | | — | | | 25,441 | | | — | | | — | | | 25,473 | | | — | | | 25,473 | |
Change in treasury stock(1) | | (1,498,709) | | (44) | | | 424,663 | | | (45,990) | | | (29,782) | | | — | | | (24,227) | | | (100,043) | | | — | | | (100,043) | |
| Shared-based compensation | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 42,425 | | | — | | | — | | | 42,425 | | | 309 | | | 42,734 | |
| Other changes in equity | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 23 | | | — | | | 23 | | | — | | | 23 | |
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | | 65,883,347 | | $ | 2,149 | | | (5,207,873) | | $ | (131,560) | | | $ | 731,248 | | | $ | (40,294) | | | $ | 601,588 | | | $ | 1,163,131 | | | $ | 35,189 | | | $ | 1,198,320 | |
| Net income | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 8,952 | | | 8,952 | | | 1,923 | | | 10,875 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | | | (51,596) | | | — | | | (51,596) | | | (4,436) | | | (56,032) | |
| Issuance of ordinary shares | | 97,767 | | 2 | | | — | | — | | | 429 | | | — | | | — | | | 431 | | | — | | | 431 | |
Change in treasury stock (2) | | (2,732,386) | | (72) | | | (777,231) | | | (42,733) | | | (59,984) | | | — | | | (32,896) | | | (135,685) | | | — | | | (135,685) | |
| Shared-based compensation | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 62,782 | | | — | | | — | | | 62,782 | | | 389 | | | 63,171 | |
| Other changes in equity | | — | | — | | | — | | — | | | 17 | | | — | | | 9 | | | 26 | | | — | | | 26 | |
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | | 63,248,728 | | $ | 2,079 | | | (5,985,104) | | | $ | (174,293) | | | $ | 734,492 | | | $ | (91,890) | | | $ | 577,653 | | | $ | 1,048,041 | | | $ | 33,065 | | | $ | 1,081,106 | |
| Net income | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 53,259 | | | 53,259 | | | 1,385 | | | 54,644 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6,616 | | | — | | | 6,616 | | | (2,199) | | | 4,417 | |
| Issuance of ordinary shares | | 101,935 | | | 3 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,945 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,948 | | | — | | | 1,948 | |
Change in treasury stock (3) | | (2,185,000) | | | (59) | | | 584,532 | | | 12,505 | | | (62,429) | | | — | | | (75,506) | | | (125,489) | | | — | | | (125,489) | |
| Shared-based compensation | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 95,236 | | | — | | | — | | | 95,236 | | | 27 | | | 95,263 | |
| Other changes in equity | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (4) | | | (52) | | | 50 | | | (6) | | | (492) | | | (498) | |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | | 61,165,663 | | $ | 2,023 | | | (5,400,572) | | $ | (161,788) | | | $ | 769,240 | | | $ | (85,326) | | | $ | 555,456 | | | $ | 1,079,605 | | | $ | 31,786 | | | $ | 1,111,391 | |
(1) Includes deferred consideration in the context of Storetail Marketing Services SAS acquisition in 2018 and 2020 and from January 1, 2020, the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).
(2) On February 5, 2021 Criteo's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $175.0 million of the Company's outstanding American Depositary Shares. The change in treasury stocks is comprised of 2,647,742 shares repurchased at an average price of $37.99 offset by 1,573,696 treasury shares used for RSUs vesting and 1,498,709 treasury shares cancelled.
(2) On February 3, 2022 Criteo's Board of Directors extended a share repurchase program of up to $280.0 million of the Company's outstanding American Depositary Shares. The change in treasury stocks is comprised of 5,135,359 shares repurchased at an average price of $26.43 offset by 1,625,742 treasury shares used for RSUs vesting and 2,732,386 treasury shares cancelled.
(3) On December 7, 2022, Criteo's board of Directors extended a share repurchase program to up to $480.0 million of the Company's outstanding American Depositary Shares. The change in treasury stocks is comprised of 4,286,624 shares repurchased at an average price of $30.0 offset by 1,679,674 treasury shares used for RSUs vesting, by 1,006,482 treasury shares used for LUSs vesting and by 2,185,000 treasury shares cancelled.
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Criteo S.A. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| Net income | Net income | $ | 137,647 | | | $ | 74,689 | | | $ | 95,969 | |
| Non-cash and non-operating items | Non-cash and non-operating items | 124,879 | | | 154,629 | | | 126,281 | |
| Amortization and provisions | Amortization and provisions | 90,934 | | | 106,591 | | | 97,110 | |
| Payment for contingent liability on regulatory matters | |
Equity awards compensation expense (1) | Equity awards compensation expense (1) | 44,528 | | | 28,770 | | | 40,999 | |
| Net gain on disposal of non-current assets | Net gain on disposal of non-current assets | 1,965 | | | 2,714 | | | — | |
| Interest accrued and non-cash financial income and expenses | |
| Change in uncertain tax positions | |
| Net change in fair value of Earn-out | |
| Change in deferred taxes | Change in deferred taxes | (18,642) | | | 3,720 | | | 15,418 | |
| Change in income taxes | Change in income taxes | 6,043 | | | 10,867 | | | (28,015) | |
| Other | Other | 51 | | | 1,967 | | | 769 | |
| Change in working capital related to operating activities | Change in working capital related to operating activities | (41,613) | | | (43,962) | | | 582 | |
| (Increase) / Decrease in trade receivables | (Increase) / Decrease in trade receivables | (134,950) | | | (3,957) | | | 876 | |
| Increase / (Decrease) in trade payables | Increase / (Decrease) in trade payables | 82,691 | | | (33,314) | | | (14,145) | |
| (Increase) / Decrease in other current assets | (Increase) / Decrease in other current assets | (19,742) | | | (7,188) | | | 7,631 | |
| Increase / (Decrease) in other current liabilities | Increase / (Decrease) in other current liabilities | 33,033 | | | 6,261 | | | 11,390 | |
| | Change in operating lease liabilities and right of use assets | Change in operating lease liabilities and right of use assets | (2,645) | | | (5,764) | | | (5,170) | |
| Change in operating lease liabilities and right of use assets | |
| Change in operating lease liabilities and right of use assets | |
| Cash from operating activities | Cash from operating activities | 220,913 | | | 185,356 | | | 222,832 | |
| Acquisition of intangibles assets, property, plant and equipment | Acquisition of intangibles assets, property, plant and equipment | (54,983) | | | (67,287) | | | (82,716) | |
| Change in accounts payable related to intangible assets, property, plant and equipment | Change in accounts payable related to intangible assets, property, plant and equipment | 1,973 | | | 1,818 | | | (15,224) | |
| Proceeds from disposition of investments | |
| Payment for businesses, net of cash acquired | Payment for businesses, net of cash acquired | (10,419) | | | (1,176) | | | (4,582) | |
| Change in other financial non-current assets | Change in other financial non-current assets | (12,938) | | | (34,448) | | | (1,366) | |
| Cash used for investing activities | Cash used for investing activities | (76,367) | | | (101,093) | | | (103,888) | |
| Proceeds from borrowings under line-of-credit agreement | Proceeds from borrowings under line-of-credit agreement | — | | | 153,188 | | | — | |
| Repayment of borrowings | Repayment of borrowings | (1,249) | | | (167,344) | | | (1,022) | |
| Proceeds from capital increase | Proceeds from capital increase | 25,196 | | | 1,727 | | | 1,691 | |
| Change in treasury stocks | (100,027) | | | (43,655) | | | (58,588) | |
| Repurchase of treasury stocks | |
| Change in other financial liabilities | Change in other financial liabilities | (4,037) | | | (1,663) | | | (1,192) | |
| Cash payment for contingent consideration | |
| Other | |
| Cash used for financing activities | Cash used for financing activities | (80,117) | | | (57,747) | | | (59,111) | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (36,913) | | | 42,732 | | | (5,496) | |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 27,516 | | | 69,248 | | | 54,337 | |
| Net cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period | Net cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period | 488,011 | | | 418,763 | | | 364,426 | |
| Net cash and cash equivalents - end of period | Net cash and cash equivalents - end of period | $ | 515,527 | | | $ | 488,011 | | | $ | 418,763 | |
| Supplemental disclosures of Cash Flow information | Supplemental disclosures of Cash Flow information | | | | | |
| Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds | Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds | $ | (28,767) | | | $ | (17,610) | | | $ | (52,093) | |
| Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds | |
| Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds | |
| Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized | Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized | $ | (1,486) | | | $ | (2,155) | | | $ | (1,403) | |
(1) Of which $42.7$95.3 million and $27.1$63.3 million of equity awards compensation expense consisted of share-based compensation expense according to ASC 718 Compensation - stock compensation for the twelve month period ended December 31, 20212023 and 2020,2022, respectively.
The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Criteo S.A. was initially incorporated as a société par actions simplifiée, or S.A.S., under the laws of the French Republic on November 3, 2005, for a period of 99 years and subsequently converted to a société anonyme, or S.A.
We are a global technology company powering the world's marketers with trusted and impactful advertising. We enable brands' and retailers' growth by activating commerce data through artificial intelligence ("AI") technology, reaching consumers on an extensive scale across all stages of the consumer journey, and generating advertising revenues from consumer brands for large retailers. Our vision is to build the world's leading Commerce Media Platform to deliver measurable business outcomes at scale for global brands, agencies and retailers across multiple marketing goals. Our data is pooled among our clients and offers deep insights into consumer intent and purchasing habits. To drive trusted and impactful advertising for marketers, we activate our data assets in a privacy-by-design way through proprietary AI technology to engage consumers in real time by designing, pricing and delivering highly relevant digital advertisements ("ads") across devices and environments.
In these notes, Criteo S.A. is referred to as the Parent company and together with its subsidiaries, collectively, as "Criteo," the "Company," the "Group," or "we".
Note 1. Principles and Accounting Methods
Basis of Preparation
We prepared the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Criteo S.AS.A. and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
Consolidation Methods
We have control over all our subsidiaries, and consequently they are all fully consolidated. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The table below presents at each period’s end and for all entities included in the consolidation scope the following information: the country of incorporation and the percentage of voting rights and ownership interests.
| | | 2021 | | 2020 | | |
| Country | | Voting rights | | Ownership Interest | | Voting rights | | Ownership Interest | | Consolidation Method |
| | | 2023 | |
| Country | |
| Country | |
| Country | | | Voting rights | | Ownership Interest | | Voting rights | | Ownership Interest | | Consolidation Method |
| Parent company | Parent company | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Criteo S.A | |
| Criteo S.A | |
| Criteo S.A | Criteo S.A | France | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Parent company | France | | 100% | | 100% | | 100% | | 100% | | Parent company |
| French subsidiaries | French subsidiaries | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Criteo France SAS | Criteo France SAS | France | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Finance SAS | France | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo France SAS | |
| Criteo France SAS | | France | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Technology | Criteo Technology | France | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo Technology | France | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Condigolabs SAS | France | | 40 | % | | 40 | % | | 40 | % | | 40 | % | | Fully consolidated |
Condigolabs SAS (2) | | Condigolabs SAS (2) | France | | —% | | 40% | | Fully consolidated |
| Foreign subsidiaries | Foreign subsidiaries | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Criteo Ltd | Criteo Ltd | United Kingdom | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated |
| | Criteo Ltd | |
| Criteo Ltd | | United Kingdom | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| | Criteo Corp. | Criteo Corp. | United States | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated |
| Madyourself Technologies, Inc. | United States | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Corp. | |
| Criteo Corp. | | United States | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
Madyourself Technologies, Inc. (1) | | Madyourself Technologies, Inc. (1) | United States | | —% | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Doobe In Site Ltd. | Doobe In Site Ltd. | Israel | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | — | % | | — | % | | Fully consolidated | Doobe In Site Ltd. | Israel | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo GmbH | Criteo GmbH | Germany | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo GmbH | Germany | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Nordics AB | Criteo Nordics AB | Sweden | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo Nordics AB | Sweden | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Korea Ltd. | Criteo Korea Ltd. | Korea | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo Korea Ltd. | Korea | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo KK | Criteo KK | Japan | | 66 | % | | 66 | % | | 66 | % | | 66 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo KK | Japan | | 66% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo do Brasil Desenvolvime nto De Serviços De Internet LTDA. | Brazil | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo do Brasil Desenvolvimento De Serviços De Internet Ltda. | | Criteo do Brasil Desenvolvimento De Serviços De Internet Ltda. | Brazil | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| | Criteo BV | |
| Criteo BV | |
| Criteo BV | Criteo BV | The Netherlands | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | The Netherlands | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Australia Pty Ltd | Criteo Australia Pty Ltd | Australia | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo Australia Pty Ltd | Australia | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Srl | Criteo Srl | Italy | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo Srl | Italy | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Advertising (Beijing) Co. Ltd | Criteo Advertising (Beijing) Co. Ltd | China | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo Advertising (Beijing) Co. Ltd | China | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Brandcrush Pty Ltd | | Brandcrush Pty Ltd | Australia | | 100% | | —% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Singapore Pte. Ltd. | Criteo Singapore Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo Singapore Pte. Ltd. | Singapore | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo LLC | Criteo LLC | Russia | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo LLC | Russia | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Europa MM S.L. | Criteo Europa MM S.L. | Spain | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo Europa MM S.L. | Spain | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo España S.L. | Criteo España S.L. | Spain | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo España S.L. | Spain | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| | Criteo Canada Corp. | Criteo Canada Corp. | Canada | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo Canada Corp. | Canada | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo Reklamcılık Hizmetleri ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi | Criteo Reklamcılık Hizmetleri ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi | Turkey | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo Reklamcılık Hizmetleri ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi | Turkey | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo MEA FZ-LLC | Criteo MEA FZ-LLC | United Arab Emirates | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated | Criteo MEA FZ-LLC | United Arab Emirates | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo India Private Ltd. | India | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated |
| Gemini HoldCo, LLC | United States | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | Fully consolidated |
| Criteo India Private Limited | | Criteo India Private Limited | India | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
Gemini HoldCo, LLC (1) | | Gemini HoldCo, LLC (1) | United States | | —% | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Bidswitch GmbH | | Bidswitch GmbH | Switzerland | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Bidswitch Inc. | | Bidswitch Inc. | United States | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Iponweb GmbH | | Iponweb GmbH | Switzerland | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Iponweb GmbH | | Iponweb GmbH | Deutschland | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Iponweb Limited | | Iponweb Limited | United Kingdom | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Iponweb Labs Limited | | Iponweb Labs Limited | Cyprus | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
Iponweb Inc. (1) | | Iponweb Inc. (1) | United States | | —% | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| The MediaGrid Inc. | | The MediaGrid Inc. | United States | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
| Iponweb Labs LLC | | Iponweb Labs LLC | Armenia | | 100% | | Fully consolidated |
(1) Merged with Criteo Corp.
(2) Disposal of investment
Functional Currency and Translation of Financial Statements in Foreign Currency
The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which differs from the functional currency of the Parent, being the Euro. The statements of financial position of consolidated entities having a functional currency different from the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the closing exchange rate (spot exchange rate at the statement of financial position date) and the statements of income, statements of comprehensive income and statements of cash flow of such consolidated entities are translated at the average period to date exchange rate. The resulting translation adjustments are included in equity under the caption “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity.
Conversion of Foreign Currency Transactions
Foreign currency transactions are converted to U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange applicable on the transaction date. At period-end, foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities are converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on that date. The resulting exchange gains or losses are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income in “Other financial income (expense)” with the exception of exchange differences arising from monetary items that form part of the reporting entity’s net investment in a foreign operation which are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss); they will be recognized in profit or loss on disposal of the net investment.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires the use of estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the period. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our actual results may differ from these estimates.
On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates, primarily those related to: (1) gross vs net assessment in revenue recognition criteria (2) allowances for credit losses, (3) research tax credits (4) income taxes, including i) recognition of deferred tax assets arising from the subsidiaries projected taxable profit for future years, ii) evaluation of uncertain tax positions associated with our transfer pricing policy and iii) recognition of income tax position in respect with tax reforms recently enacted in countries we operate, (5) assumptions used in valuing acquired assets and assumed liabilities in business combinations, (6)(3) assumptions used in the valuation of goodwill,long-lived assets including intangible assets, and right of use assets - operating lease,goodwill, (4) assumptions surrounding the recognition and (7) assumptions used in the valuation model to determine the fair value of share-based compensation plan.
The spread of COVID-19 and the various attempts to contain it have continued to create volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption to global society, economics, financial markets and business practices and increase the uncertainty associated with these estimates, in particular those related to allowance for credit losses, assumptions used in the valuation of goodwillcontingent liabilities and estimates relating to income taxes.losses.
Business combinations
We include the results of operations of the businesses that we acquire as of the acquisition date. We allocate the purchase price of our acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred.
Intangible Assets
Acquired intangible assets are accounted for at acquisition cost, less accumulated amortization. Acquired intangible assets are composed of software, technology and customer relationships amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives comprised between one and three years for the software, and three and nine years, for the technology and customer relationships.years. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances such as, but not limited to, significant declines in revenue, earnings or cash flows or material adverse changes in the business climate indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may be impaired.
Software development costsIntangible assets also include costs to develop software to be used solely to meet internal needs and cloud based applications used to deliver our services. We capitalize development costs related to these software applications once the preliminary project stage is complete and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. Amortization of these costs begins when assets are placed in service and is calculated on a straight-line basis over the assets’ useful lives, generally estimated at three to five years.
Cloud computing arrangements (“CCAs”), such as software as a service and other hosting arrangements, are evaluated for capitalized implementation costs in a similar manner as capitalized software development costs.
If a CCA includes a software license, the software license element of the arrangement is accounted for in a manner consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a CCA does not include a software license, the service element of the arrangement is accounted for as a service contract. The Company capitalizedcapitalizes certain implementation costs for its CCAs that are service contracts, which are included in other current assets. The Company amortizes capitalized implementation costs in a CCA over the life of the service contract.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are accounted for at acquisition cost less cumulative depreciation and any impairment loss. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Management determines the appropriate useful life of property, plant and equipment when those assets are initially recognized and it is routinely reviewed. Our current estimate of useful lives as follows:represents the best estimate based on current facts and circumstances, but may differ from the actual useful lives due to changes to our business operations, changes in the planned use of assets, and technological advancements. When we change the estimated useful life assumption for any asset, the remaining carrying amount of the asset is accounted for prospectively and depreciated or amortized over the revised estimated useful life.
Servers...........................................................................................................The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are described below:
Servers....................................................................................................................................................... 5 years over the life of the warranty
Furniture and IT equipments............................................................................................................... 3 to 5 years
Leasehold improvements are depreciated over their useful life or over the lease term, whichever is shorter.
Impairment of Assets
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Intangible assets that are not considered to have an indefinite useful life are amortized over their useful lives. The Company evaluates the estimated remaining useful lives of purchased intangible assets and whether events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization.
Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company has determined that it operates as 2three single reporting units and has selected December 31 as the date to perform its annual impairment test. Goodwill has been allocated to these 2three segments using a relative fair value allocation approach.
In the impairment assessment of its goodwill, the Company performs an impairment test, which involves assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows to be derived from the Company. The estimated future cash flows are used to derive the fair value of the reporting unit, which is then compared to its net book value, including goodwill . If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment foron these assets. If the net book value exceeds its implied fair value, then the Company would be required to recognize an impairment loss. The impairment loss to be recognized would be calculated by comparing the fair value of the Company to its net book value, including goodwill. An impairment loss would be recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.
Income.
With respect to intangible assets, acquiredAcquired intangible assets are accounted for at acquisition cost less cumulative amortization and any impairment loss. Acquired intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives of three to nine years on a straight-line method. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances such as, but not limited to, significant declines in revenue, earnings or cash flows or material adverse changes in the financial and economic environment indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may be impaired.
Property, Plant and Equipment and Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset is impaired or the estimated useful life is no longer appropriate.
If indicators of impairment exist and the undiscounted projected cash flows associated with an asset are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recorded to write the asset down to its estimated fair value. Fair value is estimated based on discounted future cash flows.
Leases
We lease space under non-cancellable operating leases for our offices and data centers. Our office leases typically include rent free periods and rent escalation periods, and may also include leasehold improvement incentives. Leases for data centers may also include rent free periods and rent escalation periods. Our leases typically do not include residual value guarantees. Both office and data center leases may contain both lease components (rent) and non-lease components (maintenance, electrical costs, and other service charges). Non-lease components are accounted for separately.
Both office and data centerOur leases typically contain options to renew, and/or early terminate the lease. Options have been included in the lease term if management has determined it is reasonably certain that they will be exercised.exercised, at lease commencement.
Operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement to determine the present value of future payments. We have a centralized treasury function, and the majority of our leases are negotiated and signed by representatives of Criteo SA. As such, the incremental borrowing rate of Criteo SA is used for all of our contracts. It is then adjusted in consideration of the currency of the lease and the lease term as of the lease commencement date.
Lease expense is recognized for minimum lease payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable costs include changes in indexation and are expensed in the period incurred.
We chose to use certain practical expedients offered by the standard including:
•We did not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, or the initial direct costs for any existing leases,
•We do not recognize a lease liability or right of use asset for leases with a term of 12 months or less, and
•We used hindsight in determining the lease term.
Financial Assets and Liabilities, Excluding Derivative Financial Instruments
Financial assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents, consist exclusively of loans and receivables. Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with a payment, which is fixed or can be determined, not listed on an active market. They are included in current assets, except those that mature more than twelve months after the reporting date. Loans are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The recoverable amount of loans and advances is estimated whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired and at least on each reporting date. If the recoverable amount is lower than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Financial liabilities are initially recorded at their fair value at the transaction date. Subsequently they are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
The Company carries the accounts receivable at original invoiced amount less an allowance for any potential uncollectible amounts. Receivables are presented on a gross basis and are not netted against the payments we are required to make to advertising inventory publishers. Management makes estimates
We apply Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit trendslosses for financial assets held at amortized cost that an entity does not expect to collect over the allowance for credit losses based on, among other factors, aasset's contractual life, considering past history of collections,events, current credit conditions, the aging of the receivables, past history of write downs, credit quality of our customers, current economic conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions.
For accounts receivable measured at amortized cost, we use aging analysis, and probability of default methods to evaluating and estimating the expected credit losses. A receivable is considered past due if we have not received payments based on agreed-upon terms. A higher default rate than estimated or a deterioration in our clients’ creditworthiness could have an adverse impact on our future results. Allowances for credit losses on trade receivables are recorded in “sales and operations expenses” in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We generally do not require any security or collateral to support our receivables.
Derivative financial instruments
We buy and sell derivative financial instruments (mainly put, forward buying and selling) in order to manage and reduce our exposure to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. We deal only with major financial institutions. Financial instruments may only be classified as hedges when we can demonstrate and document the effectiveness of the hedging relationship at inception and throughout the life of the hedge. DerivativesGenerally, our derivatives are not designated as hedging instruments and mainly consist of put, forward buying and selling contracts that we use to hedge intercompany transactions and other monetary assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the local currency of a subsidiary.
We recognize gains and losses on these contracts, as well as the related costs in the financial income (expense), net, along with the foreign currency gains and losses on monetary assets and liabilities.
The Company reportedWe report the cash impact of the settlement of hedging derivatives in cash from (used for) financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. This accounting policy choice results in the cash flows from the derivative instrumentinstruments to be classified in the same category as the underlying cash flows.
Derivatives are considered level 2 financial instruments as they are measured using valuation techniques based on observable market data.
Fair value measurements
Financial instruments are presented in three categories based on a hierarchical method used to determine their fair value : (i) level 1: fair value calculated using quoted prices in an active market for identical assets and liabilities; (ii) level 2: fair value calculated using valuation techniques based on observable market data such as prices of similar assets and liabilities or parameters quoted in an active market; (iii) level 3: fair value calculated using valuation techniques based wholly or partially on unobservable inputs such as prices in an active market or a valuation based on multiples for unlisted companies. The Company's valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of money market funds and certain short term investments were derived from quoted prices in active markets. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the Company's financial liabilities and all other financial instruments, all of which have counterparties with high credit ratings, were valued based on quoted market prices or model-driven valuations using inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
Cash includes cash on deposit with banks and highly liquid investments such as demand deposits with banks. Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments, with a remaining maturity at the date of purchase of three months or less for which the risk of changes in value is considered to be insignificant. Highly liquid demandterm deposits therefore meet the definition of cash equivalents.
We hold investments in marketable securities, consisting mainly of term deposits with banks, not meeting the cash equivalents definition. We classify marketable securities as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity investments, depending on whether we have the positive intent and ability to hold the term deposits to maturity.
Our available-for-sale investments are carried at estimated fair value with any unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders' equity.
Our held-to-maturity investments are carried at amortized cost, and are subject to impairment assessments. Interest income generated from held-to-maturity investments is recorded as financial income.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held and foreign exchange contracts are transacted with major financial institutions that the Company's management has assessed to be of high credit quality. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
The Company mitigates its credit risk with respect to accounts receivable by performing credit evaluations and monitoring agencies' and advertisers' accounts receivable balances. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020 no2023 an individual customer accounted for 10% or more of accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2022, no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, 2020 and 2019, no singleindividual customer represented 10% or more of revenue.
Employee Benefits
Depending on the laws and practices of the countries in which we operate, employees may be entitled to compensation when they retire or to a pension following their retirement. For state-managed plans and other defined contribution plans, we recognize them as expenses when they become payable, our commitment being limited to our contributions.
The liability with respect to defined benefit plans is estimated using the following main assumptions:
•discount rate;
•future salary increases;
•employee turnover; and
•mortality tables.
Service costs are recognized in profit or loss and are allocated by function.
Actuarial gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income and subsequently amortized into the income statement over a specified period, which is generally the expected average remaining service period of the employees participating in the plan. Actuarial gains and losses arise as a result of changes in actuarial assumptions or experience adjustments (differences between the previous actuarial assumptions and what has actually occurred).
Contingencies
An estimated loss fromWe are involved in legal proceedings, claims, and regulatory, tax or government inquiries and investigations that arise in the ordinary course of business. Certain of these matters might include speculative claims for substantial or indeterminate amounts of damages. With respect to these matters, asserted and unasserted, we evaluate the associated developments on a loss contingency is recognized if the following two conditions are met:
• information available before the financial statements are issued indicatesregular basis and accrue a liability when we believe that it is both probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability hadloss has been incurred atand the date ofamount can be reasonably estimated. If we determine there is a reasonable possibility that we may incur a loss and the financial statements;
• the amountloss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated.estimated, we disclose the possible loss in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements to the extent material. We review the developments in our contingencies that could affect the amount of the provisions that have been previously recorded, and the matters and related reasonably possible losses disclosed.
With respect to litigation and claims that may result in a provision to be recognized, we exercise significant judgment in measuring and recognizing provisions or determining exposure to contingent liabilities that are related to pending litigation or other outstanding claims. These judgment and estimates are subject to change as new information becomes available.
Revenue Recognition
We sell personalized display advertisements featuring product-level recommendations either directly to clients or to advertising agencies. Historically,We also provide technology to retailers and other companies in the Criteo model has focused solelyad tech space which enables them to monetize on converting our clients' website visitors into customers, enabling ustheir advertising properties, or connect them to chargeother players in the ad-tech industry.
Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our clients, only when users engage within an adamount that reflects the consideration we deliver, usuallyexpect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. We determine revenue recognition by clicking on it. More recently, we have expanded our solutions to address a broader range of marketing goals for our clients.
We offer two families of solutions to our commerce and brand clients:applying the following steps:
•Criteo Marketing Solutions allow commerce companies to address multiple marketing goals by engaging their consumersIdentification of the contract, or contracts, with personalized ads across the web, mobile and offline store environments.a customer;
•Criteo Retail MediaIdentification of the performance obligations in the contract;
•Determination of the transaction price;
•solutionsAllocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract;
• allow retailers to generate advertising revenues from consumer brands, and/Recognition of revenue when, or to drive sales for themselves, by monetizing their data and audiences through personalized ads, either on their own digital property or on the open Internet, that address multiple marketing goals.as, we satisfy a performance obligations.
We have multiple pricing models which now include percentage of spend models, in addition toas well as cost-per-click, cost-per-install and cost-per-impression pricing models.
Cost-per-click cost-per-install and cost-per-impression pricing models
We recognize revenues when we transfer control of promised services directly to our clients or to advertising agencies, which we collectively refer to as our clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those services.
For campaigns priced on a cost-per-click, cost-per-install basis, we bill our clients when a user clicks on an advertisement we deliver or installs an application by clicking on an advertisement we delivered, respectively. For these pricing models, we recognize revenue when a user clicks on an advertisement or installs an application,, as we consider the delivery of clicks or installs our performance obligation.
For campaigns priced on a cost-per-impression basis, we bill our clients based on the number of times an advertisement is displayed to a user. For this pricing model, we recognize revenue when an advertisement is displayed as we consider the display of advertisements our performance obligation.
Percentage of spend models
Criteo's Retail Media Platform enables the buying and selling of retail media with an end-to-end, self-service platform geared toward our brand, agency and retailer customers and is priced using a percentage of spend model.
We generate revenues when we provide a platform for the purchase and sale of retail media digital advertising inventory. The platform connects sellers and buyers of retail media inventory, in an online marketplace. Retailers provide advertising inventory to the platform and brands and agencies bid on the retailers digital advertising inventory. Winning bids can create advertising, or paid impressions, which retailers display to their website visitors.
The total volume of spending between buyers and sellers on the Company's platform is referred to as working media spend. We charge both the brands and agencies and retailers a contractual fee, based on a percentage of working media spend, for the use of our platform. We recognize revenue when an ad is displayed or clicked on.
Agent vs Principal
When a third-party is involved in the delivery of our services to the client, through the supply of digital advertising inventory, we assess whether we act as principal or agent in the arrangement. The assessment is based on the degree we control the specified services at any time before they are transferred to the customer. The determination of whether we are acting as principal or agent requires judgment.
We act primarily as principal in our Criteo Marketing Solutions arrangementssegment because (i) we control the advertising inventory before it is transferred to our clients; (ii) we bear sole responsibility in fulfillment of the advertising promise and bear inventory risks and (iii) we have full discretion in establishing prices. Therefore, based on these and other factors, we have determined that we act primarily as principal for our Criteo Marketing Solutions engagements and accordingly report the revenue earned and related costs incurred on a gross basis.
We act either as principal orprimarily as agent in our Criteo Retail Media solutions.segment. For the arrangements related to transactions using our legacy Retail Media solutions, we consider that we act as principal, as we exercise significant control over the client’s advertising campaign. For arrangements related to transactions using our Retail Media Platform, a self-service solution providing transparency, measurement and control to our brand, agency and retailer customers, we act as agent, because we (i) do not control the advertising inventory before it is transferred to our clients, (ii) do not have inventory risks because we do not purchase the inventory upfront and (iii)and(iii) have limited discretion in establishing prices as we charge a platform fee based on a percentage of the digital advertising inventory purchased through the use of the platform. Therefore, we report the revenue earned and related costs incurred by the Retail Media Platform solution on a net basis.
Customer Credit NotesWe act as agent in Iponweb segment as we (i) do not control the advertising inventory before it is transferred to our clients, (ii) do not have inventory risks because we do not purchase the inventory upfront and (iii) have limited discretion in establishing prices as we charge a fee based on a percentage of the digital advertising inventory traded through our solutions. Therefore, we report the revenue earned and related costs incurred by the Iponweb solutions on a net basis.
We offer credit notesRebates and Incentives
Criteo offers rebates and incentives to certain customers asthat could be either fixed or variable. Fixed incentives may represent payments to a form of incentive,customer directly related to entering into an agreement, which are accounted for as variable consideration. We estimate these amountscapitalized and amortized over the life of the agreement on a straight-line basis. Variable rebates and incentives are calculated based on the expected amount to be provided to customers and they are recognized as a reduction of revenue. We believe that there will not be significant changes to our estimatescalculate these amounts based upon estimated customer performance, such as volume thresholds, and the terms of variable consideration.the related business agreements.
Deferred Revenues
We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance. Our payment terms vary depending on the service or the type of customer. For certain customers, we require payment before the services are delivered.
Practical Expedients
We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.
We generally expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and operating expenses.
Cost of Revenue
Our cost of revenue primarily includes traffic acquisition costs and other cost of revenue.
Traffic Acquisition Costs. Traffic acquisition costs consist primarily of purchases of impressions from publishers on a CPM basis.basis, incurred to generate our revenues, primarily for the Marketing Solutions segment. We purchase impressions directly from publishers or third-party intermediaries, such as advertisement exchanges. We recognize cost of revenue on a publisher by publisher basis as incurred. Costs owed to publishers but not yet paid are recorded in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as trade payables.
For solutions within Criteo Retail Media, we pay for the inventory of our retailer partners on a revenue sharing basis, effectively paying the retailers a portiondiscussion of the click-based revenue generated by user clicks ontrends we expect to see in traffic acquisition costs, see the sponsored products advertisements or impressions on the commerce display advertisements displaying the products of our consumer brand clients.section entitled " - Highlights and Trends - Contribution ex-TAC" in Item 7.D -Trend Information below.
Other Cost of Revenue. Other cost of revenue includes expenses related to third-party hosting fees, depreciation of data center equipment, the cost of data purchased from third parties and digital taxes. The Company does not build or operate its own data centers and none of its Research and Development employments are dedicated to revenue generating activities. As a result, we do not include the costs of such personnel in other cost of revenue.
Advertising and Promotional Expenses
Advertising costs are expensed when incurred and are included in marketing and sales expenses on the consolidated statements of income. We incurred advertising expenses of $1.7 million, $7.6 million, and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation expense consists of the company's restricted stock units (RSUs), and performance stock units (PSUs) expense and Lock Up Shares employee share options"LUS" expense. RSUs and employee and non-employee warrants are primarily awardedPSUs granted to our employees or directors. These awards are measured at their fair valuebased on the dategrant-date fair value. The PSUs expense is trued up based on the Company’s expectation of grant. The fair value is calculated with the most relevant formula regardinglikelihood of meeting the settlement and theperformance conditions of each plan. The fair valuethe granted instrument. In general, our RSUs and PSUs vest over a service period of four years. LUS were issued to Iponweb seller as partial consideration for the Iponweb Acquisition. Share-based compensation expense is recorded in personnel expenses (allocated by function ingenerally recognized based on the Consolidated Statements of Income) on a straight-line basis over each milestone composing the vesting period with a corresponding increase in shareholders’ equity. At each closing date, we re-examine the number of options likely to become exercisable. If applicable, the impact of the review of the estimate is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income with a corresponding adjustment in equity.requisite service period. We account for forfeitures as they occur.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method of accounting. Deferred taxes are recorded on all temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and on tax losses, using the liability method. Differences are defined as temporary when they are expected to reverse within a foreseeable future. We may only recognize deferred tax assets on net operating losses if, based on the projected taxable incomes within the next three years, we determine that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses and tax credits can be utilized. As a result, the measurement of deferred income tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance for any tax benefits which are not expected to be realized. If future taxable profits are considerably different from those forecasted that support recording deferred tax assets, we will have to revise downwards or upwards the amount of deferred tax assets, which would have a significant impact on our financial results. Tax assets and liabilities are not discounted. Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements are calculated at the level of each tax entity included in the consolidation scope. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that such tax rate changes are enacted.
The French Research Tax Credit, Crédit d’Impôt Recherche (“CIR”), is a French tax incentive to stimulate research and development (“R&D”). Generally, the CIR offsets the income tax to be paid and the remaining portion (if any) can be refunded at the end of a three-fiscal year period. The CIR is calculated based on the claimed volume of eligible R&D expenditures by us. As a result, the CIR is presented as a deduction to “research and development expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Income, as the CIR is not within the scope of ASC 740. We have exclusively claimed R&D performed in France for purposes of the CIR. As of December 31, 2023, we have offset $9.5 million of CIR tax credits against “research and development expenses” in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
The U.S. Research Tax Credit is a U.S. tax credit to incentivize research and development activities in the U.S. Qualifying R&D expenses generating a tax credit which may be used to offset future taxable income once all net operating losses and foreign tax credits have been used. It is not refundable and as such, considered in the scope of ASC 740 as a component of income tax expense. We have exclusively claimed R&D performed in the U.S. for purposes of the U.S. Research Tax Credit.
Uncertain Tax Positions
We recognize tax benefits fromrecord uncertain tax positions only if we believe thaton the basis of a two-step process in which determinations are made (i) whether it is more likely than not that the tax positionpositions will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based onbasis of the technical merits of the position. These uncertainposition and (ii) for those tax positions include our estimates for transfer pricing that have been developed basedmeet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon analyses of appropriate arms-length prices. Similarly, our estimatesultimate settlement with a tax authority. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertainunrecognized tax positions concerning research tax credits are basedbenefits on an assessment of whether our available documentation corroborating the nature of our activities supporting the tax credits will be sufficient. Although we believe that we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions (including net interest and penalties), we can provide no assurance that the final tax outcome of these matters will not be materially different. We make adjustments to these reserves in accordance with the income tax accounting guidance when factsexpense line in our consolidated statement of operations. Accrued interest and circumstances change, such aspenalties are included on the closing of arelated tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the provision for income taxesliability line in the period in which such determination is made, and could have a material impact onconsolidated balance sheet.
Operating Segments
We report our financial conditionresults based on three reportable segments: Marketing Solutions, Retail Media and operating results.
Operating SegmentsIponweb.
Segment information reported is built on the basis of internal management data used for performance analysis of businesses and for the allocation of resources (management approach). An operating segment is a component of the Company for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by our Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") in deciding how to allocate resources and assessing performance.
Our chief operating decision-makerCODM is our CEO. The CEO reviews Contribution ex-TAC, primarily at a solution level, for the purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance.
Contribution ex-TAC is Criteo's profitability measure and reflects the Company's gross profit plus other costs of revenue.
Commencing with December 31, 2021, we have concluded that our operations constitute 2 operating and reportable segments: Marketing Solutions and Retail Media.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) areis calculated by dividing the net income attributable to shareholders of the Parent by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. The weighted average number of shares outstanding is calculated according to movements in share capital.
In addition, we calculate diluted earnings per share by dividing the net income attributable to shareholders of the Parent company, Criteo S.A. by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus any potentially dilutive shares not yet issued. When the statement of income presents a loss position, basic net loss is the same as diluted net loss per share as the inclusion of all potential shares of common stock outstanding would be anti-dilutive
Accounting Pronouncements adopted in 20212023
Effective January 1, 2021, we have adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No.2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12),No standards were adapted in 2023 which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. The adoption of this new standard did not havehad a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Effective January 1, 2021, we have adopted the FASB ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General. The purpose of this update is to modify disclosure requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. It removes requirements to disclose the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year among others. It adds disclosure requirements for the items such as an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The adoption of this new standard did not have a material impact on our consolidatedCompany's financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
AccountingIn December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, a final standard on improvements to income tax disclosures. The standard requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity's effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. The standard is intended to benefit investors by providing more detailed income tax disclosures that would be useful in making capital allocation decisions and applies to all entities subject to income taxes. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. This accounting standard is effective in the first quarter of the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption on our financial disclosures.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280)-Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The ASU requires that an entity disclose significant segment expenses impacting profit and loss that are regularly provided to the CODM. The update is required to be applied retrospectively to prior periods presented, based on the significant segment expense categories identified and disclosed in the period of adoption. The amendments in this ASU are required to be adopted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption on our financial disclosures.
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements upon adoption.
Note 2. Significant Events and Transactions of the PeriodBusiness Combinations
RestructuringBrandcrush
On February 1, 2021, the Company announced a plan to restructure its workforce across functions and regions to better align with the Company's evolution. We expect the plan will be completed by March 31, 2022. The Company recorded $4.5 million of restructuring charges for severance related to this plan during the twelve months ended December 31, 2021. For the period ended December 31, 2021, $3.4 million was included in Sales and Operations expenses, $1.0 million was included in General and Administrative expenses and $0.1 million was included in Research and Development expenses.
The following table presents the breakdown of restructuring liability as of December 31, 2021, presented as part of employees related payables on the balance sheet:
| | | | | | | |
| | | |
| |
| (in thousands) |
Restructuring liability - January 1, 2021 | $ | 510 | | | |
Restructuring costs | 4,480 | | | |
Amount paid | (4,521) | | | |
Restructuring liability - December 31, 2021 | 469 | | | |
Acquisition of Doobe In Site Ltd.
On May 18, 2021,28, 2023, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Doobe In SiteBrandcrush Pty Ltd. ("Mabaya"Brandcrush"), a leading retail media technology company that powers sponsored products and retail media monetization for major ecommerce marketplaces globally.. The total consideration paid was $9.9 millionpurchase price for the acquisition of shares.shares was $7.1 million. The acquisition was financed by available cash resources. The transaction has been accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. The purchase price allocation has been finalized. The valuation of the fair value of Mabaya's assets acquiredcompleted and liabilities assumed resulted in the identificationrecognition of intangible assets related to technology of $8.0$3.5 million a $5.1 million employee related payable and a $2.5 million liability relating to a redemption fee payable to a governmental agency. Goodwill amounted to $9.0goodwill of $5.0 million. In addition, acquisition costs amounting to $0.5$0.7 million were fully expensed as incurred.
Iponweb
On August 1, 2022 (the "Acquisition Date"), the Company entered into an amended and restated Framework Purchase Agreement (the “FPA”), which provided for the acquisition of the business of Iponweb Holding Limited (the "Iponweb business"), a market-leading AdTech company with world-class media trading capabilities (the “Iponweb Acquisition”).
The purchase price, as per ASC 805, was $290.2 million for the Iponweb business, out of which $61.2 million represents the fair value of the contingent consideration. This contingent consideration is payable in cash to the Sellers in an amount up to $100 million, conditioned upon the achievement of certain net revenue targets by the Iponweb business for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. See Note 13 for further details.
The Company transferred Treasury shares with a fair value of $70.2 million to Iponweb's Sellers, subject to lock-up conditions. See Note 16 for further details.
The transaction was accounted for as a business acquisition. The purchase price allocation has been completed and resulted in recognition of $187.6 million of goodwill.
Note 3. Restructuring
As part of our ongoing transformation, the Company incurred restructuring costs of $23.0 million for the year ended December 31,2023. The following table summarizes restructuring activities as of December 31, 2023 included in other current liabilities on the balance sheet:
| | | | | |
| Salaries and other benefits |
| |
| Restructuring liability as of January 1, 2023 | $ | — | |
| Restructuring charge | 22,963 | |
| Amounts paid | (18,591) | |
| Restructuring liability as of December 31, 2023 | $ | 4,372 | |
For the year ended December 31,2023 $3.5 million, was included in Research and Development expenses, $5.6 million, was included in General and Administrative expenses $13.9 million was included in Sales and Operations expenses.
Note 3.4. Segment information
Reportable segments
The Company reports segment information based on the "management" approach. The management approach designates the internal reporting used by management for making decisions and assessing performance as the source of
the Company's reportable segments. For the year ended December 31st, 2023, the Company reported its results of operations through the following three segments: Marketing Solutions, Retail Media and Retail Media.Iponweb.
Criteo's –Marketing SolutionsSolutions: This segment allowallows commerce companies to address multiple marketing goals by engaging their consumers with personalized ads across the web, mobile and offline store environments.
Criteo's –Retail MediaMedia: This segment allowallows retailers to generate advertising revenues from consumer brands, and/or to drive sales for themselves, by monetizing their data and audiences through personalized ads, either on their own digital property or on the open Internet, that address multiple marketing goals.
Segment–Iponweb: This segment specializes in building real-time advertising technology and trading infrastructure, delivering advanced media buying, selling, and packaging capabilities for media owners, agencies, performance advertisers, and 3rd-party ad tech platforms.
The Company's CODM allocates resources to and assesses the performance of each operating results,segment using information about Contribution ex-TAC, which is Criteo's segment profitability measure and reflects our gross profit plus other costs of revenue.
The CODM does not review any other financial information for our three segments, other than Contribution ex-TAC.The following table shows revenue by reportable segment:
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| Marketing Solutions | Marketing Solutions | $2,007,239 | | $1,806,431 | | $2,092,590 |
| Retail Media | Retail Media | 246,996 | | 266,186 | | 168,926 |
| Iponweb | |
| Total Revenue | Total Revenue | $2,254,235 | | $2,072,617 | | $2,261,516 |
The following table shows Contribution ex-TAC by reportable segment and its reconciliation to the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operation:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Contribution ex-TAC | | | | | |
| Marketing Solutions | $796,152 | | $746,751 | | $895,107 |
| Retail Media | 124,643 | | 78,295 | | 51,462 |
| $920,795 | | $825,046 | | $946,569 |
| | | | | |
| Other costs of sales | (138,851) | | (137,028) | | (117,533) |
| Gross profit | $781,944 | | $688,018 | | $829,036 |
| Operating expenses | | | | | |
| Research and development expenses | (151,817) | | (132,513) | | (172,591) |
| Sales and operations expenses | (325,616) | | (330,285) | | (375,477) |
| General and administrative expenses | (152,634) | | (116,395) | | (139,754) |
| Total Operating expenses | (630,067) | | (579,193) | | (687,822) |
| | | | | |
| Income from operations | $151,877 | | $108,825 | | $141,214 |
| Financial and Other Income (Expense) | 1,939 | | (1,939) | | (5,749) |
| Income before tax | $153,816 | | $106,886 | | $135,465 |
The Company's CODM does not review any other financial information for our 2 segments, other than Contribution ex-TAC, at the reportable segment level.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) |
| Contribution ex-TAC | | | | | |
| Marketing Solutions | $ | 696,681 | | | 714,695 | | | 796,152 | |
| Retail Media | 203,460 | | | 161,360 | | | 124,643 | |
| Iponweb | 122,465 | | | 52,169 | | | — | |
| $ | 1,022,606 | | | $ | 928,224 | | | $ | 920,795 | |
| | | | | |
| Other costs of sales | (159,562) | | | (133,024) | | | (138,851) | |
| Gross profit | $ | 863,044 | | | $ | 795,200 | | | $ | 781,944 | |
| Operating expenses | | | | | |
| Research and development expenses | (242,289) | | | (187,596) | | | (151,817) | |
| Sales and operations expenses | (406,012) | | | (377,996) | | | (325,616) | |
| General and administrative expenses | (137,525) | | | (205,330) | | | (152,634) | |
| Total Operating expenses | (785,826) | | | (770,922) | | | (630,067) | |
| | | | | |
| Income from operations | $ | 77,218 | | | $ | 24,278 | | | $ | 151,877 | |
| Financial and Other Income (Expense) | (2,490) | | | 17,783 | | | 1,939 | |
| Income before tax | $ | 74,728 | | | $ | 42,061 | | | $ | 153,816 | |
Note 4. Categories of Financial Assets5. Cash, Cash Equivalents, Marketable Securities and Financial LiabilitiesRestricted Cash
Financial assetsFair value measurements
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | | | | | 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
| Trade receivables, net of allowances | $ | 581,988 | | | | | | | $ | 474,055 | |
| Other taxes | 73,388 | | | | | | | 69,987 | |
| Other current assets | 34,182 | | | | | | | 21,405 | |
| Marketable securities | $ | 55,299 | | | | | | | $ | 41,809 | |
| Non-current financial assets | 6,436 | | | | | | | 18,109 | |
| Total | $ | 751,293 | | | | | | | $ | 625,365 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, 2023 | | As of December 31, 2022 |
| | Cash and Cash Equivalent | Marketable Securities | | Cash and Cash Equivalent | Marketable Securities |
| | (in thousands) | | (in thousands) |
| Cash | | 285,518 | | $ | — | | | 282,293 | | $ | — | |
| Level 2 | | | | | | |
| Term deposits and notes | | 50,823 | | 22,545 | | | 65,907 | | 25,098 | |
| Total | | $ | 336,341 | | $ | 22,545 | | | $ | 348,200 | | $ | 25,098 | |
Credit Risk
We maintain an allowance for estimated credit losses. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, our net change in the allowance for credit losses was $(5.5) million and $(23.8) million, respectively.
For our financial assets, the fair value approximates the carrying amount, given the nature of the financial assets and the maturity of the expected cash flows.
Trade Receivables
Credit risk is defined as an unexpected loss in cash and earnings if the client is unable to pay its obligations in due time. We perform internal ongoing credit risk evaluations of our clients. When a possible risk exposure is identified, we require prepayments.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, no customer accounted for 10% or more of trade receivables.
Financial liabilities
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | | | | | 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
| Trade payables | $ | 430,245 | | | | | | | $ | 367,025 | |
| Other taxes | 60,236 | | | | | | | 58,491 | |
| Employee - related payables | 98,136 | | | | | | | 85,272 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Other current liabilities | 39,523 | | | | | | | 33,390 | |
| Financial liabilities | 1,002 | | | | | | | 3,275 | |
| Total | $ | 629,142 | | | | | | | $ | 547,453 | |
The fair value of financial liabilities approximates the carrying amount, given the nature of the financial liabilities and the maturity of the expected cash flows.
Fair Value Measurements
We measure the fair value of our cash equivalents, which include interest bearingInterest-bearing bank deposits as level 2 measurements because they are valued using observable market data.
Financial assets or liabilities include derivative financial instruments used to manage our exposure to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. These instruments are considered level 2 financial instruments as they are measured using valuation techniques based on observable market data.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivatives consist of foreign currency forward contracts that we use to hedge intercompany transactions and other monetary assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the local currency of a subsidiary. We recognize gains and losses on these contracts in financial income (expense), and their position on the balance sheet is based on their fair value at the end of each respective period. These instruments are considered level 2 financial instruments as they are measured using valuation techniques based on observable market data.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | | | | | 2020 |
| | | | | | | |
| (in thousands) |
| Derivative Assets: | | | | | | | |
| Included in other current assets | $ | 60 | | | | | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | |
| Derivative Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
| Included in financial liabilities - current portion | $ | — | | | | | | | $ | 925 | |
The fair value of derivative financial instrumentsterm deposits approximates thetheir carrying amount given the nature of the derivative financial instrumentsinvestments, its maturities and the maturity of the expected future cash flows.
Marketable Securities
The following table presents for each reporting period, the breakdown of marketable securities:
| | December 31, 2023 | | | December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| | December 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
| | (in thousands) |
| (in thousands) | |
| (in thousands) | |
| (in thousands) | |
| Securities Available-for-sale | Securities Available-for-sale | | |
| Term Deposits | |
| Term Deposits | |
| Term Deposits | Term Deposits | $ | 22,652 | | | $ | 24,538 | |
| Securities Held-to-maturity | Securities Held-to-maturity | |
| Term Deposits | Term Deposits | $ | 32,647 | | | $ | 17,271 | |
| Term Deposits | |
| Term Deposits | |
| Total | Total | $ | 55,299 | | | $ | 41,809 | |
The gross unrealized gains or (loss) on our marketable securities were not material as of December 31, 2021.2023.
For our marketable securities, the fair value approximates the carrying amount, given the nature of the term deposit and the maturity of the expected cash flows. The term deposit is considered a level 2 financial instruments as it is measured using valuation techniques based on observable market data.
The following table classifies our marketable securities by contractual maturities:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Held-to-maturity | | Available-for-sale |
| December 31, 2021 |
| | | |
| (in thousands) |
| Due in one year | $ | 27,647 | | | $ | 22,652 | |
| Due in one to five years | $ | 5,000 | | | $ | — | |
| Total | $ | 32,647 | | | $ | 22,652 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Held-to-maturity | | Available-for-sale |
| December 31, 2023 |
| | | |
| (in thousands) |
| Due in one year | $ | 5,970 | | | $ | — | |
| From one to five years | $ | 16,575 | | | $ | — | |
| Total | $ | 22,545 | | | $ | — | |
Restricted Cash
As part of the Iponweb Acquisition in August 2022, we had deposited $100.0 million of cash into an escrow account containing withdrawal conditions. The cash secures the Company's potential payment of Iponweb Acquisition contingent consideration to the Sellers, which is conditioned upon the achievement of certain revenue targets by the Iponweb business for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. We have paid the contingent consideration of $22.0 million for the 2022 fiscal year in the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Restricted cash – current | | $ | 75,000 | | | $ | 25,000 | | | | | | |
| Restricted cash – non-current | | $ | — | | | $ | 75,000 | | | | | | |
| Total | | $ | 75,000 | | | $ | 100,000 | | | | | | |
Note 5. Cash and Cash Equivalents
The following table presents for each reported period, the breakdown of cash and cash equivalents:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
| Cash equivalent | $ | 137,228 | | | $ | 162,457 | |
| Cash on hand | 378,299 | | | 325,554 | |
| Total Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 515,527 | | | $ | 488,011 | |
Investments in interest–bearing bank deposits which meet ASC 230 - Statement of Cash flows criteria: short-term, highly liquid investments, for which the risks of changes in value are considered to be insignificant. Interest-bearing bank deposits are considered level 2 financial instruments as they are measured using valuation techniques based on observable market data. For our cash and cash equivalents, the fair value approximates the carrying amount, given the nature of the cash and cash equivalents and the maturity of the expected cash flows.
Note 6. Trade Receivables
The following table shows the breakdown in trade receivables net book value for the presented periods:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
| Trade accounts receivables | $ | 627,379 | | | $ | 513,954 | |
| (Less) Allowance for doubtful accounts | (45,391) | | | (39,899) | |
| Net book value at end of period | $ | 581,988 | | | $ | 474,055 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Trade accounts receivables | $ | 818,937 | | | $ | 756,741 | |
| (Less) Allowance for doubtful accounts | (43,348) | | | (47,792) | |
| Net book value at end of period | $ | 775,589 | | | $ | 708,949 | |
Changes in allowance for doubtful accounts are summarized below:
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | (in thousands) | | | | | (in thousands) |
| Balance at beginning of period | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | (in thousands) |
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | (39,899) | | | $ | (16,068) | | | $ | (25,918) | |
Allowance for credit losses through retained earnings (*) | — | | | (3,522) | | | — | |
| Provision for doubtful accounts | Provision for doubtful accounts | (14,433) | | | (30,818) | | | (11,072) | |
| Reversal of provision | 7,485 | | | 11,555 | | | 20,811 | |
| | Provision for doubtful accounts | |
| Provision for doubtful accounts | |
| Write-off, net of recoveries | |
| Increase due to acquisition | |
| Currency translation adjustment | Currency translation adjustment | 1,456 | | | (1,046) | | | 111 | |
| Balance at end of period | Balance at end of period | $ | (45,391) | | | $ | (39,899) | | | $ | (16,068) | |
(*)
From January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). ASU 2016- 13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss model which requires the use of forward-looking information to calculate credit loss estimates. This results in earlier recognition of credit losses. We adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020 with the cumulative effect of adoption recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings (note 1).
The amount of provision for doubtful accounts for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 decreased compared to the same period in the prior year due to lower bankruptcies in 2021 and the severe impact of COVID-19 on the Company's cash collections in 2020, caused by the downturn in the economy which has led to financial difficulties for some of our customers. In times of the global economic turmoil brought about by COVID-19, our estimates and judgments with respect to the collectability of our receivables are subject to greater uncertainty than in more stable periods.
The reversal of provision decreased during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2021, mainly due to lower payments received and lower write-offs of long outstanding receivables already reserved for which it is certain we will not collect the receivable. During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2021, the Company recovered $2.3 million previously provisioned for and accounted for as a reversal of provision.
The Company mitigates its credit risk with respect to accounts receivables by performing credit evaluations and monitoring agencies and advertisers' accounts receivables balances.
We write off accounts receivable balances once the receivables are no longer deemed collectible.
During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2023, the Company recovered $1.4 million, previously reserved for, and accounted for this as a reversal of provision.
Credit risk is defined as an unexpected loss in cash and earnings if the client is unable to pay its obligations in due time. We perform internal ongoing credit risk evaluations of our clients. When a possible risk exposure is identified, we require prepayments or impair Customer credit.
As of December 31, 2023, and 2022, no customer accounted for 10% or more of our gross accounts receivables.
Note 7. Other Current Assets
The following table shows the breakdown in other current assets net book value for the presented periods:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
| Prepayments to suppliers | $ | 9,640 | | | $ | 5,613 | |
| Other debtors | 9,259 | | | 5,991 | |
| Prepaid expenses | 15,283 | | | 9,801 | |
| | | |
| Gross book value at end of period | 34,182 | | | 21,405 | |
| | | |
| Net book value at end of period | $ | 34,182 | | | $ | 21,405 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Prepayments to suppliers | $ | 7,499 | | | $ | 12,421 | |
| Other debtors | 7,279 | | | 6,768 | |
| Prepaid expenses | 32,858 | | | 24,549 | |
| Other current assets | 655 | | | 8,128 | |
| | | |
| Total | $ | 48,291 | | | $ | 51,866 | |
| | | |
Prepaid expenses mainly consist of costs related to SaaS arrangements.arrangements and licenses.
Note 8. Property and Equipment, Net
Major classes of property and equipment were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Computer equipment | 299,012 | | | 292,246 | |
| | | |
| Furniture and fixtures | 9,254 | | | 8,629 | |
Construction in progress (1) | 46,576 | | | 47,534 | |
| Leasehold improvements | 17,738 | | | 12,968 | |
| Gross book value at end of period | 372,580 | | | 361,377 | |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (246,086) | | | (230,170) | |
| Net book value at end of period | $ | 126,494 | | | $ | 131,207 | |
(1) includes leasehold improvements projects which are not yet ready for the intended use.
Depreciation expense for 2023 and 2022 was 51.4 million and 55.6 million, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 there were no impairment charges to property and equipment.
Note 8. Property, Plant and Equipment
Changes in net book value during the presented periods are summarized below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fixtures and fittings | | Furniture and equipment | | Construction in Progress | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| Net book value at January 1, 2020 | $ | 12,823 | | | $ | 177,030 | | | $ | 4,308 | | | $ | 194,161 | |
| Additions to property, plant and equipment | 771 | | | 38,932 | | | 13,164 | | | 52,867 | |
| Disposal of property, plant and equipment net of accumulated depreciation | (2,786) | | | (1,527) | | | — | | | (4,313) | |
| Depreciation expense | (3,815) | | | (59,482) | | | — | | | (63,297) | |
| | | | | | | |
| Change in consolidation scope | — | | | (11) | | | 17 | | | 6 | |
| Currency translation adjustment | 78 | | | 9,485 | | | 518 | | | 10,081 | |
| Transfer into service | 247 | | | 3,596 | | | (3,843) | | | — | |
| Net book value at December 31, 2020 | 7,318 | | | 168,023 | | | 14,164 | | | 189,505 | |
| Gross book value at end of period | 29,606 | | | 439,089 | | | 14,164 | | | 482,859 | |
| Accumulated depreciation at end of period | (22,288) | | | (271,066) | | | — | | | (293,354) | |
| Net book value at January 1, 2021 | 7,318 | | | 168,023 | | | 14,164 | | | 189,505 | |
| Additions to property, plant and equipment | 2,493 | | | 17,396 | | | 14,324 | | | 34,213 | |
| Disposal of property, plant and equipment net of accumulated depreciation | (4,382) | | | (5,237) | | | — | | | (9,619) | |
| Depreciation expense | (1,393) | | | (64,443) | | | — | | | (65,836) | |
| | | | | | | |
| Change in consolidation scope | — | | | 16 | | | — | | | 16 | |
| Currency translation adjustment | (118) | | | (7,291) | | | (909) | | | (8,318) | |
| Transfer into service | — | | | 14,182 | | | (14,182) | | | — | |
| Net book value at December 31, 2021 | $ | 3,918 | | | $ | 122,646 | | | $ | 13,397 | | | $ | 139,961 | |
| Gross book value at end of period | 13,432 | | | 347,812 | | | 13,397 | | | 374,641 | |
| Accumulated depreciation at end of period | (9,514) | | | (225,166) | | | — | | | (234,680) | |
The additions to property plant and equipment (gross book value and accumulated depreciation) mainly includes purchases of server equipment in the French, American and Japanese subsidiaries where the Company’s data center equipment are located.
Note 9. Intangible assets
Changes in net book value during the presented periods are summarized below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Software | | Technology and customer relationships | | Construction in Progress | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| Net book value at January 1, 2020 | $ | 19,115 | | | $ | 65,204 | | | $ | 2,567 | | | $ | 86,886 | |
| Additions to intangible assets | 3,169 | | | — | | | 11,246 | | | 14,415 | |
| Disposal of intangible assets | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Amortization and impairment expense | (9,420) | | | (15,520) | | | — | | | (24,940) | |
| Change in consolidation scope | 64 | | | — | | | — | | | 64 | |
| Currency translation adjustment | 1,460 | | | 1,142 | | | 717 | | | 3,319 | |
| Transfer into service | 2,211 | | | — | | | (2,211) | | | — | |
| Net book value at December 31, 2020 | 16,599 | | | 50,826 | | | 12,319 | | | 79,744 | |
| Gross book value at end of period | 66,851 | | | 148,063 | | | 12,319 | | | 227,233 | |
| Accumulated amortization and impairment at end of period | (50,252) | | | (97,237) | | | — | | | (147,489) | |
| Net book value at January 1, 2021 | 16,599 | | | 50,826 | | | 12,319 | | | 79,744 | |
| Additions to intangible assets | 6,817 | | | — | | | 13,965 | | | 20,782 | |
| Disposal of intangible assets | (49) | | | — | | | — | | | (49) | |
| Amortization and impairment expense | (9,636) | | | (12,930) | | | — | | | (22,566) | |
| Change in consolidation scope | — | | | 7,901 | | | — | | | 7,901 | |
| Currency translation adjustment | (1,165) | | | (1,026) | | | (994) | | | (3,185) | |
| Transfer into service | 5,996 | | | — | | | (5,996) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
| Net book value at December 31, 2021 | $ | 18,562 | | | $ | 44,771 | | | $ | 19,294 | | | $ | 82,627 | |
| Gross book value at end of period | 73,924 | | | 152,282 | | | 19,294 | | | 245,500 | |
| Accumulated amortization and impairment at end of period | (55,362) | | | (107,511) | | | — | | | (162,873) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2023 | | December 31, 2022 |
| | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount |
| Software | | $ | 89,891 | | | $ | (68,474) | | | $ | 21,417 | | | $ | 63,218 | | | $ | (53,228) | | | $ | 9,990 | |
| Acquired technology | | 161,492 | | | (89,819) | | | 71,673 | | | 153,410 | | | (62,492) | | | 90,918 | |
| Acquired customer relationship | | 99,241 | | | (76,079) | | | 23,162 | | | 97,419 | | | (66,003) | | | 31,416 | |
| Internally developed software in progress | | 64,636 | | | — | | | 64,636 | | | 43,659 | | | — | | | 43,659 | |
| Total intangible assets, net | | 415,260 | | | (234,372) | | | 180,888 | | | 357,706 | | | (181,723) | | | 175,983 | |
Additions to softwareAmortization expense was 48.3 million and 33.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Software mainly consist of capitalizationconsists of internally developed internal-use software and IT licenses.
The average life of software is 3 years. The average life of technology and customer relationships, consisting of identified intangible assets arising from HookLogic, Storetail and Mabaya business combinations, is between 3 and 9 years.
As of December 31, 2021,2023, expected amortization expense for intangible assets for the next five years and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):follows:
| | Software | | Technology and customer relationships | | Total |
| 2022 | $ | 15,362 | | | $ | 13,588 | | | $ | 28,950 | |
| 2023 | 12,498 | | | 9,792 | | | 22,290 | |
| Software | | | Software | | Technology and customer relationships | | Total |
| 2024 | 2024 | 9,639 | | | 9,792 | | | 19,431 | |
| 2025 | 2025 | 370 | | | 8,280 | | | 8,650 | |
| 2026 | 2026 | — | | | 1,092 | | | 1,092 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 | |
| Thereafter | Thereafter | — | | | 2,214 | | | 2,214 | |
| Total | Total | $ | 37,869 | | | $ | 44,758 | | | $ | 82,627 | |
Note 10. Goodwill
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 20212023 and 20202022 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Marketing Solutions | | Retail Media | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| Balance at January 1, 2020 | $ | 183,097 | | | $ | 134,003 | | | $ | 317,100 | |
| Additions to goodwill | — | | | 2,807 | | | 2,807 | |
| | | | | |
| Currency translation adjustment | 3,286 | | | 2,612 | | | 5,898 | |
| | | | | |
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | 186,383 | | | 139,422 | | | 325,805 | |
| Additions to goodwill | — | | | 8,712 | | | 8,712 | |
| | | | | |
| Currency translation adjustment | (2,684) | | | (2,134) | | | (4,818) | |
| | | | | |
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | 183,699 | | | $ | 146,000 | | | $ | 329,699 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Marketing Solutions | | Retail Media | | Iponweb | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| Balance at January 1, 2022 | $ | 183,699 | | | $ | 146,000 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 329,699 | |
| Acquisitions | — | | | — | | | 187,600 | | | 187,600 | |
| Disposal of goodwill | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Currency translation adjustment | (2,919) | | | (2,320) | | | 3,080 | | | (2,159) | |
| Impairment expense | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | 180,780 | | | $ | 143,680 | | | $ | 190,680 | | | $ | 515,140 | |
| Acquisitions | — | | | 5,021 | | | — | | | 5,021 | |
| Disposal of goodwill | (597) | | | — | | | — | | | (597) | |
| Currency translation adjustment | 1,185 | | | 978 | | | 2,470 | | | 4,633 | |
| Impairment expense | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $ | 181,368 | | | $ | 149,679 | | | $ | 193,150 | | | $ | 524,197 | |
Additions to goodwill in 2021 and 2020, respectively, were due to 1 business combination occurring in eachOn February 28, 2023, we completed the acquisition of all of the years. These acquisitions are not considered materialoutstanding shares of Brandcrush Inc. ("Brandcrush"), resulting in a provisional goodwill amounting to our consolidated financial statements.$5.0 million, subject to post-closing purchase price adjustments. (See Note 2)
In addition, on the basis of our impairment assessment as of December 31, 2021,2023, no impairment has been detected.
Note 11. Non-Current Financial Assets
Non-current financial assets are mainly composed of guarantee deposits for office rentals in France, Spain, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Japan and Singapore amounting to $6.0 million.
Note 12. Contingencies
Changes in provisions during the presented periods are summarized below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Provision for employee- related litigation | | Other provisions | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| Balance at January 1, 2020 | $ | 620 | | | $ | 5,765 | | $ | 6,385 | |
| Charges | 507 | | | 994 | | 1,501 | |
| Provision used | — | | | (831) | | (831) | |
| Provision released not used | (33) | | | (2,207) | | (2,240) | |
| | | | |
| Currency translation adjustments | 85 | | | 26 | | 111 | |
Other (**) | — | | | (2,676) | | (2,676) | |
| Balance at January 1, 2021 | $ | 1,179 | | | $ | 1,071 | | $ | 2,250 | |
| Charges | 988 | | | 989 | | 1,977 | |
| Provision used | (557) | | | — | | (557) | |
Provision released not used (*) | (394) | | | — | | (394) | |
| | | | |
| Currency translation adjustments | (99) | | | (118) | | (217) | |
| | | | |
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | 1,117 | | | $ | 1,942 | | $ | 3,059 | |
| - of which current | $ | 1,117 | | | $ | 1,846 | | $ | 2,963 | |
| - of which non-current | $ | — | | | $ | 96 | | $ | 96 | |
*Due to changes in management's best estimates of the future outflow
**Transfer to Other liabilities due to tax notification received confirming the amount owed
The amount of the provisions represents management’s best estimate of the future outflow.
Note 13.11. Financial Liabilities
We are party to a loan agreement and several RCFs with third-party financial institutions. Our loan and RCF agreements as of December 31, 20212023 are presented in the table below:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nominal/ Authorized amounts
(RCF Only) | | Amount drawn as of December 31, 20212023 (RCF only) | | Amount Outstanding as of December 31, 20212023 | | | | |
| Nature | (in thousands) | | Interest rate | | Settlement date |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Bank Syndicate RCF - September 2015 2022(1) | € | 350,000407,000 | | | € | — | | | € | — | | | Floating rate: EURIBOR / LIBORSOFR + margin depending on leverage ratio | | March 2022September 2027 |
(1) Subsequent to the settlement date of MarchOn September 27, 2022, the authorized amount of €350 million will be reduced to €294 million through to a new settlement date of March 2023
In September 2015, Criteowe entered into a new Revolving Credit Facility ("RCF") with a five year revolvingtenor with a syndicate of banks which allows us to draw up to €407 million ($450 million).
On November 17, 2023, we updated certain terms of our €407 million ($450 million) syndicated credit facility to a €407 million ($450 million) sustainability-linked credit facility, the framework for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions,which was provided for in the initial credit facility agreement. Certain terms and conditions of the amended credit facility are now linked to our sustainability goals to increase the representation of women in tech roles and reduce our GHG emissions, while the rest of the credit facility agreement remains unchanged.
We are also party to short-term credit lines and overdraft facilities with HSBC plc, BNP Paribas and LCL with an authorization to draw up to a maximum amount of €250€21.5 million ($283.223.8 million), with a bank syndicate composed in the aggregate under the short-term credit lines and overdraft facilities. As of Natixis (coordinator and documentation agent), Le Credit Lyonnais (LCL) (facility agent), HSBC France, Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking and BNP Paribas (each acting individually as bookrunners and mandated lead arrangers). In 2017, this agreement was amended by, among other things, increasing the amountDecember 31, 2023, we had not drawn on any of facility to €350.0 million ($396.4 million) and extending the term of the contract from 2020 to 2022.
In 2020, the parties to the RCF agreement have agreed to extend the term of the agreement for one additional year, from March 2022 to March 2023, composed of a €350 million ($396.4 million) commitment through March 2022, and a €294 million ($333.0 million) commitment from the end of March 2022 through March 2023. This multi-currency revolving credit facility bearsthese facilities. Any loans or overdrafts under these short-term facilities bear interest rate at Euribor or the relevant Libor or the applicable reference rate replacing each of them, plus a margin to be adjustedbased on the basis ofone month EURIBOR rate or three month EURIBOR rate. As these facilities are exclusively short-term credit and overdraft facilities, our banks have the leverage ratio.ability to terminate such facilities on short notice.
At December 31, 2021,2023, no amount is drawn under the RCF.
This revolving credit facilities is unsecured and contain customary events of default and covenants, including compliance with a total net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio and restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness. At December 31, 2021,2023, we were in compliance with the required leverage ratio.
The following table shows the maturity of our financial liabilities:
| | | Maturity |
| | Carrying value | |
| | Carrying value | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2026 | | 2027 | |
| | Carrying value | |
| | (in thousands) | |
| | Carrying value | |
| | (in thousands) | |
| | (in thousands) | |
| | (in thousands) | |
| | Other financial liabilities | Other financial liabilities | | 1,002 | | | 265 | | | 45 | | | 376 | | | 316 | | | 0 | | — | | |
| | | Other financial liabilities | |
| | Other financial liabilities | |
| | Financial derivatives | |
| | Financial derivatives | |
| | Financial derivatives | |
| Financial liabilities | |
| Financial liabilities | |
| Financial liabilities | Financial liabilities | | 1,002 | | | 265 | | | 45 | | | 376 | | | 316 | | | — | | | — | | |
|
Note 14.12. Leases
The components of lease expense are as follows:
| | Three Months Ended | | Twelve Months Ended |
| December 31,
2021 |
| Offices | | Data Centers | | Total | | Offices | | Data Centers | | Total |
| | Three Months Ended | | Three Months Ended | December 31,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| Offices | | | Offices | | Data Centers | | Total | | Offices | | Data Centers | | Total |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| Lease expense | Lease expense | $ | 4,149 | | | $ | 5,143 | | | $ | 9,292 | | | $ | 19,949 | | | $ | 23,704 | | | $ | 43,653 | |
| Short term lease expense | Short term lease expense | 182 | | | 21 | | | 203 | | | 524 | | | 61 | | | 585 | |
| Variable lease expense | Variable lease expense | 46 | | | 23 | | | 69 | | | 353 | | | 291 | | | 644 | |
| Sublease income | Sublease income | (129) | | | — | | | (129) | | | (838) | | | — | | | (838) | |
| Total operating lease expense | Total operating lease expense | $ | 4,248 | | | $ | 5,187 | | | $ | 9,435 | | | $ | 19,988 | | | $ | 24,056 | | | $ | 44,044 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Twelve Months Ended |
| December 31,
2020 |
| Offices | | Data Centers | | Total | | Offices | | Data Centers | | Total |
| | | | | | |
| Lease expense | $ | 8,413 | | | $ | 5,331 | | | $ | 13,744 | | | $ | 29,183 | | | $ | 25,850 | | | $ | 55,033 | |
| Short term lease expense | 487 | | | 335 | | | 822 | | | 819 | | | 335 | | | 1,154 | |
| Variable lease expense | 124 | | | (110) | | | 14 | | | 444 | | | — | | | 444 | |
| Sublease income | (242) | | | — | | | (242) | | | (756) | | | — | | | (756) | |
| Total operating lease expense | $ | 8,782 | | | $ | 5,556 | | | $ | 14,338 | | | $ | 29,690 | | | $ | 26,185 | | | $ | 55,875 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Twelve Months Ended | December 31,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| Offices | | Data Centers | | Total | | Offices | | Data Centers | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| Lease expense | $ | 13,600 | | | $ | 23,037 | | | $ | 36,637 | | | $ | 13,271 | | | $ | 20,013 | | | $ | 33,284 | |
| Short term lease expense | 636 | | | 42 | | | 678 | | | 673 | | | 8 | | | 681 | |
| Variable lease expense | 802 | | | 75 | | | 877 | | | 185 | | | 273 | | | 458 | |
| Sublease income | (921) | | | — | | | (921) | | | (883) | | | — | | | (883) | |
| Total operating lease expense | $ | 14,117 | | | $ | 23,154 | | | $ | 37,271 | | | $ | 13,246 | | | $ | 20,294 | | | $ | 33,540 | |
As of December 31, 2021,2023, we had future minimum lease payments as follows:
| | December 31,
2021 |
| Offices | | Data Centers | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| 2022 | $ | 15,848 | | | $ | 20,509 | | | $ | 36,357 | |
| 2023 | 17,354 | | | 13,182 | | | 30,536 | |
| December 31,
2023 | | | December 31,
2023 |
| Offices | | | Offices | | Data Centers | | Total |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| 2024 | 2024 | 12,695 | | | 4,167 | | | 16,862 | |
| 2025 | 2025 | 11,685 | | | 2,231 | | | 13,916 | |
| 2026 | 2026 | 9,174 | | | 791 | | | 9,965 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 | |
| Thereafter | Thereafter | 26,316 | | | — | | | 26,316 | |
| Total minimum lease payments | Total minimum lease payments | 93,072 | | | 40,880 | | | 133,952 | |
| Impact of Discount Rate | Impact of Discount Rate | (5,491) | | | (502) | | | (5,993) | |
| Total Lease Liability | Total Lease Liability | $ | 87,581 | | | $ | 40,378 | | | $ | 127,959 | |
The weighted average remaining lease term and discount rates as of December 31, 20212023 and 20202022 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| December 31,
2021 | December 31,
2020 |
| Weighted average remaining lease term (years) | | |
| Offices | 6.51 | 3.59 |
| Data Centers | 2.47 | 2.18 |
| Weighted average discount rate | | |
| Offices | 1.02 | % | 1.97 | % |
| Data Centers | 1.69 | % | 1.51 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| December 31,
2023 | December 31,
2022 |
| Weighted average remaining lease term (years) | | |
| Offices | 5.64 | 6.27 |
| Data Centers | 3.26 | 2.93 |
| Weighted average discount rate | | |
| Offices | 1.14 | % | 0.96 | % |
| Data Centers | 3.18 | % | 1.54 | % |
Supplemental cash flow information related to our operating leases is as follows for the period December 31, 20212023 and 2020:2022:
| | Twelve Months Ended |
| December 31, |
| 2021 | 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | |
| Twelve Months Ended | | | Twelve Months Ended |
| December 31, | | | December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | 2022 |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities : | |
| Cash flow for operating activities | |
| Cash flow for operating activities | |
| Cash flow for operating activities | Cash flow for operating activities | $ | (52,107) | | $ | (61,343) | |
| Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | Right of use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $ | 102,162 | | $ | 57,550 | |
As of December 31, 2021,2023, we have additional operating leases, that have not yet commenced which will result in additional operating lease liabilities and right of use assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Offices | Data Centers |
| | (in thousands) |
Additional operating lease liabilities | | $ | — | | $ | 13,877 | | | |
Additional right of use assets | | $ | — | | $ | 13,877 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Offices | Data Centers |
| | (in thousands) |
| Additional operating lease liabilities | | $ | 1,258 | | $ | 9,050 | | | |
| Additional right of use assets | | $ | 1,258 | | $ | 9,050 | | | |
These operating leases will commence during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022.2024.
During the year ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we incurred an impairment loss of $0.0 million, and $1.6 million, respectively, on certain right of use assets due to the implementation of management's facilities right sizing program. We used market quotes in determining the fair value of the right of use assets. The impairment loss was classified between Research and Development expenses of $0.0 million and $0.2 million, Sales and Operations expenses of $0.0 million and $1.1 million, and General and Administrative expenses of $0.0 million and $0.3 million.
Note 15.13. Other Current Liabilities and Non Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities are presented in the following table: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Customer prepayments | $ | 25,914 | | | $ | 16,334 | |
| Rebates | 23,315 | | | 17,671 | |
| Accounts payable relating to capital expenditures | 3,346 | | | 25,414 | |
| Other creditors | 2,319 | | | 2,388 | |
| Deferred revenue | 10 | | | 10 | |
| Earn out liability - current | $ | 49,648 | | | $ | 21,640 | |
| Total | $ | 104,552 | | | $ | 83,457 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (in thousands) |
| Current liabilities to clients | $ | 16,423 | | | $ | 12,234 | |
| Rebates | 17,423 | | | 14,433 | |
| Accounts payable relating to capital expenditures | 4,507 | | | 4,721 | |
| Other creditors | 1,088 | | | 1,918 | |
| Deferred revenue | 82 | | | 84 | |
| Total | $ | 39,523 | | | $ | 33,390 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Earn out liability – non-current | $ | — | | | $ | 44,696 | |
| Uncertain tax positions | 16,785 | | | 17,980 | |
| Other | 2,297 | | | 6,550 | |
| Total | $ | 19,082 | | | $ | 69,226 | |
Earn out liability
As part of the Iponweb Acquisition (refer to Note 2), the Sellers are entitled to contingent consideration of a maximum of $100.0 million, which is conditioned upon the achievement of certain revenue targets by the Iponweb business for the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years. The related earn out liability is valued and discounted using management's best estimate of the consideration that will be paid in 2024 (current portion).
Note 16.14. Employee Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans
According to French law and the Syntec Collective Agreement, French employees are entitled to compensation paid on retirement.
The following table summarizes the changes in the projected benefit obligation:
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) |
| Projected benefit obligation present value - beginning of period | Projected benefit obligation present value - beginning of period | $ | 6,167 | | | $ | 8,485 | | | $ | 5,537 | |
| Service cost | Service cost | 1,324 | | | 2,232 | | | 1,556 | |
| Interest cost | Interest cost | 51 | | | 95 | | | 113 | |
Curtailment | |
| Actuarial losses (gains) | Actuarial losses (gains) | (1,543) | | | (5,214) | | | 1,374 | |
| | Currency translation adjustment | Currency translation adjustment | (468) | | | 569 | | | (95) | |
| Currency translation adjustment | |
| Currency translation adjustment | |
| Projected benefit obligation present value - end of period | Projected benefit obligation present value - end of period | $ | 5,531 | | | $ | 6,167 | | | $ | 8,485 | |
The Company does not hold any plan assets for any of the periods presented.
The main assumptions used for the purposes of the actuarial valuations are listed below:
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Discount rate (Corp AA) | Discount rate (Corp AA) | 1.40% | | 0.9% | | 1.1% | Discount rate (Corp AA) | 3.90% | | 4.3% | | 1.4% |
| Expected rate of salary increase | Expected rate of salary increase | 5.0% | | 5.0% | | 5.0% | Expected rate of salary increase | 7.0% | | 5.0% |
| Expected rate of social charges | Expected rate of social charges | 49.0% - 50.0% | | 49.0% - 50.0% | | 49.0% - 50.0% | Expected rate of social charges | 48.0% | | 48.0% | | 49.0% - 50.0% |
| Expected staff turnover | Expected staff turnover | —% - 17.8% | | —% - 17.8% | | —% - 10.5% | Expected staff turnover | Company age-based table | | 0.0% - 17.8% |
| Estimated retirement age | Estimated retirement age | Progressive table | | Progressive table | | Progressive table | Estimated retirement age | Progressive table | | Progressive table |
| Life table | Life table | TH-TF 2000-2002 shifted | | TH-TF 2000-2002 shifted | | TH-TF 2000-2002 shifted | Life table | TH-TF 2000-2002 shifted | | TH-TF 2000-2002 shifted |
Defined Contribution Plans
The total expense represents contributions payable to these plans by us at specified rates.
In some countries, the Group’s employees are eligible for pension payments and similar financial benefits. The Group provides these benefits via defined contribution plans. Under defined contribution plans, the Group has no obligation other than to pay the agreed contributions, with the corresponding expense charged to income for the year. The main contributions concern France, the U.S., for 401k plans, and the United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Defined contributions plans included in personnel expenses | $ | (16,165) | | | $ | (16,211) | | | $ | (15,686) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) |
| Defined contributions plans included in personnel expenses | $ | (18,342) | | | $ | (17,111) | | | $ | (16,165) | |
Note 17.15. Common shares and Treasury stock
Change in Number of Shares | | | | | |
| Number of ordinary shares |
Balance at January 1, 20202022 | 62,293,50860,675,474 | |
| of which Common shares | 66,197,18165,883,347 | |
| of which Treasury stock | (3,903,673)(5,207,873) | |
| |
Issuance of shares under share option and free share plans (1) | 231,784 (2,634,619) | |
Storetail deferred considerationTreasury Shares Issued for RSU Vesting | (156,859)1,625,742 | |
Treasury Shares Retired (2) | 2,732,386 | |
Share repurchase program(see Note 2) | (1,728,863)(5,135,359) | |
| |
Balance at December 31, 20202022 | 60,639,57057,263,624 | |
| of which Common shares | 66,272,10663,248,728 | |
| of which Treasury stock | (5,632,536)(5,985,104) | |
| |
Issuance of shares under share option and free share plans (2)(3) | (388,759)(2,083,065) | |
| Treasury Shares Issued for RSU Vesting | 1,573,6961,679,674 | |
| Treasury Shares Issued for LUS Vesting | 1,006,482 | |
Treasury Shares Retired(4) | 2,185,000 | | 1,498,709 |
Share repurchase program(3) | (2,647,742)(4,286,624) | |
| |
Balance at December 31, 20212023 | 60,675,47455,765,091 | |
| of which Common shares | 65,883,34761,165,663 | |
| of which Treasury stock | (5,207,873)(5,400,572) | |
(1)Adopted by the Board of Directors on March 3, 2020, April 23, 2020, June 22, 2020, July 23, 2020, October 23, 2020 and December 9, 2020
(2) Adopted by the Board of Directors on February 5, 2021, February 25, 2021, April 29, 2021, June 14, 2021, July 29, 2021, October 28, 20212022 and December 15, 20217, 2022
(3) (4) Adopted by the Board of Directors on October 28, 2021December 7, 2023
Note 18. Nature of Expenses Allocated by Function
Nature of Expenses Allocated to Cost of Revenue
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Traffic acquisition costs | $ | (1,333,440) | | | $ | (1,247,571) | | | $ | (1,314,947) | |
| Other cost of revenue | (138,851) | | | (137,028) | | | (117,533) | |
| Hosting costs | (55,797) | | | (61,458) | | | (57,139) | |
| Depreciation and amortization | (61,119) | | | (55,935) | | | (44,866) | |
| Data acquisition | (4,223) | | | (4,961) | | | (2,410) | |
| Other cost of sales | (17,712) | | | (14,674) | | | (13,118) | |
| Total cost of revenue | $ | (1,472,291) | | | $ | (1,384,599) | | | $ | (1,432,480) | |
Nature of Expenses Allocated to Research and Development
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Personnel expenses | $ | (108,206) | | | $ | (90,525) | | | $ | (116,803) | |
| Personnel expense excluding equity awards compensation expense and research tax credit | (108,877) | | | (97,396) | | | (123,696) | |
| Equity awards compensation expense | (16,334) | | | (9,771) | | | (9,320) | |
| Research tax credit | 17,005 | | | 16,642 | | | 16,213 | |
| Other cash operating expenses | (33,882) | | | (30,115) | | | (37,820) | |
| Subcontracting and other headcount related costs | (10,946) | | | (10,706) | | | (16,343) | |
| Rent and facilities costs | (12,993) | | | (12,196) | | | (14,009) | |
| Consulting and professional fees | (8,613) | | | (4,782) | | | (4,416) | |
| Marketing costs | (897) | | | (2,135) | | | (3,818) | |
| Other | (433) | | | (296) | | | 766 | |
| Other non-cash operating expenses | (9,729) | | | (11,873) | | | (17,968) | |
| Depreciation and amortization | (8,682) | | | (10,759) | | | (17,208) | |
| Net change in other provisions | (1,047) | | | (1,114) | | | (760) | |
| Total research and development expenses | $ | (151,817) | | | $ | (132,513) | | | $ | (172,591) | |
Nature of Expenses Allocated to Sales and Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Personnel expenses | $ | (230,694) | | | $ | (222,370) | | | $ | (243,733) | |
| Personnel expense excluding equity awards compensation expense | (218,071) | | | (212,081) | | | (226,849) | |
| Equity awards compensation expense | (12,623) | | | (10,289) | | | (16,884) | |
| Other cash operating expenses | (77,530) | | | (70,680) | | | (109,268) | |
| Subcontracting and other headcount related costs | (12,930) | | | (13,338) | | | (24,655) | |
| Rent and facilities costs | (24,881) | | | (29,713) | | | (32,353) | |
| Marketing costs | (11,042) | | | (2,882) | | | (20,804) | |
| Consulting and professional fees | (11,982) | | | (9,660) | | | (6,988) | |
| Operating taxes | (6,550) | | | (4,268) | | | (6,197) | |
| Other including bad debt expense | (10,145) | | | (10,819) | | | (18,271) | |
| Other non-cash operating expenses | (17,392) | | | (37,235) | | | (22,476) | |
| Depreciation and amortization | (9,781) | | | (18,495) | | | (30,620) | |
| Net change in provisions for doubtful receivables | (6,948) | | | (19,264) | | | 9,740 | |
| Net change in other provisions | (663) | | | 524 | | | (1,596) | |
| Total sales and operations expenses | $ | (325,616) | | | $ | (330,285) | | | $ | (375,477) | |
Nature of Expenses Allocated to General and Administrative
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Personnel expenses | $ | (82,652) | | | $ | (66,062) | | | $ | (75,815) | |
| Personnel expense excluding equity awards compensation expense | (67,081) | | | (57,351) | | | (61,020) | |
| Equity awards compensation expense | (15,571) | | | (8,711) | | | (14,795) | |
| Other cash operating expenses | (66,731) | | | (47,950) | | | (52,057) | |
| Subcontracting and other headcount related costs | (17,184) | | | (9,576) | | | (14,781) | |
| Rent and facilities costs | (12,037) | | | (11,228) | | | (11,951) | |
| Marketing costs | (2,078) | | | (1,645) | | | (3,130) | |
| Consulting and professional fees | (33,436) | | | (20,081) | | | (19,329) | |
| Other | (1,996) | | | (5,420) | | | (2,866) | |
| Other non-cash operating expenses | (3,251) | | | (2,383) | | | (11,882) | |
| Depreciation and amortization | (2,054) | | | (4,153) | | | (8,825) | |
| Net change in other provisions | (1,197) | | | 1,770 | | | (3,057) | |
| Total general and administrative expenses | $ | (152,634) | | | $ | (116,395) | | | $ | (139,754) | |
Note 19. Allocation of Personnel Expenses
Allocation of Personnel Expenses By Function
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Research and development expenses | $ | (108,206) | | | $ | (90,525) | | | $ | (116,803) | |
| Sales and operations expenses | (230,694) | | | (222,370) | | | (243,733) | |
| General and administrative expenses | (82,652) | | | (66,062) | | | (75,815) | |
| Total personnel expenses | $ | (421,552) | | | $ | (378,957) | | | $ | (436,351) | |
Allocation of Personnel Expenses by Nature
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| Wages and salaries | $ | (300,503) | | | $ | (278,934) | | | $ | (306,862) | |
| Severance pay | (7,145) | | | (5,251) | | | (12,504) | |
| Social charges | (90,532) | | | (75,552) | | | (76,594) | |
| Other social expenses | 4,151 | | | (7,091) | | | (15,513) | |
| Equity awards compensation expense | (44,528) | | | (28,771) | | | (40,999) | |
| Profit sharing | — | | | — | | | (92) | |
| Research tax credit (classified as a reduction of R&D expenses) | 17,005 | | | 16,642 | | | 16,213 | |
| Total personnel expenses | $ | (421,552) | | | $ | (378,957) | | | $ | (436,351) | |
Note 20.16. Share-Based Compensation
Share Options Plans and Employee Warrants Grants (BSPCE)Equity awards Compensation Expense
The BoardEquity awards compensation expense recorded in the consolidated statements of Directors has been authorized by the general meeting of the shareholders to grant employee warrants (Bons de Souscription de Parts de Créateur d’Entreprise or “BSPCE”) and to implement share options, free shares plansoperations was as follows:
•Issuance of 2,112,000 BSPCE, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on October 24, 2008, making available up to 2,112,000 BSPCE until April 24, 2010 (“Plan 1”);
•
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) |
| Research and Development | (54,794) | | | (36,514) | | | (16,334) | |
| Sales and Operations | (20,011) | | | (14,200) | | | (12,623) | |
| General and Administrative | (22,380) | | | (14,320) | | | (15,571) | |
| Total equity awards compensation expense | (97,185) | | | (65,034) | | | (44,528) | |
| Tax benefit from equity awards compensation expense | 7,864 | | | 5,423 | | | 4,858 | |
Issuance of 1,472,800 BSPCE, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on April 16, 2009, making available up to 1,472,800 BSPCE until October 16, 2010 (“Plan 2”);
•1,584,000 Share Options, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on September 9, 2009, making available up to 1,584,000 share options until November 8, 2012. This Plan has been amended at the General Meeting of Shareholders on November 16, 2010, making available up to 2,700,000 share options or BSPCE (“Plan 3”);
•Issuance of 361,118 BSPCE, granted to Criteo co-founders at the General Meeting of Shareholders on April 23, 2010 (“Plan 4”);
•2,800,000 BSPCE or Share Options (Options de Souscription d'Actions or “OSA”), authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on November 18, 2011, making available up to 2,800,000 share options or BSPCE (“Plan 5”);
•1,654,290 BSPCE or Share Options, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on September 14, 2012, making available up to 1,654,290 share options or BSPCE (“Plan 6”).
•6,627,237 BSPCE or Share Options, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on August 2, 2013, making available up to 6,627,237 share options or BSPCE (“Plan 7”).
•9,935,710 Share Options, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on June 18, 2014, making available up to 9,935,710 share options (“Plan 8”). The Board of Directors has also authorized free shares/restricted stock units ("RSUs") to Criteo employees under presence condition and to certain senior managers, employees and members of the Management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and presence condition.
•4,600,000 Share Options or RSUs, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on June 29, 2016 and 100,000 BSAs (any BSA granted will also be deducted from the 4,600,000 limit), such authorizations collectively referred to as “Plan 9”. The Board of Directors has authorized RSUs to Criteo employees subject to a presence condition and to certain senior managers, employees and members of management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and a presence condition.
•4,600,000 Share Options or RSUs, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on June 28, 2017 and 120,000 BSAs (any BSA granted will also be deducted from the 4,600,000 limit), such authorizations collectively referred to as “Plan 10”. The Board of Directors has authorized RSUs to Criteo employees subject to a presence condition and to certain senior managers, employees and members of management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and a presence condition.
•4,200,000 Share Options or RSUs, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on June 27, 2018 and 150,000 BSAs (any BSA granted will also be deducted from the limit), such authorizations collectively referred to as “Plan 11”. The Board of Directors has authorized RSUs to Criteo employees subject to a presence condition and to certain senior managers, employees and members of management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and a presence condition.
•6,200,000 Share Options or RSUs, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on May 16, 2019 and 175,000 BSAs (any BSA granted will also be deducted from the limit), such authorizations collectively referred to as “Plan 12”. The Board of Directors has authorized RSUs to Criteo employees subject to a presence condition and to members of management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and a presence condition.
The breakdown of the equity award compensation expense by instrument type was as follows:
•
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) |
| Share options | (90) | | | (97) | | | (986) | |
| Lock-up shares | (33,224) | | | (18,049) | | | — | |
| Restricted stock units / Performance stock units | (61,949) | | | (45,025) | | | (41,747) | |
| Non-employee warrants | (1,922) | | | (1,863) | | | (1,795) | |
| Total equity awards compensation expense | (97,185) | | | (65,034) | | | (44,528) | |
| Tax benefit from equity awards compensation expense | 7,864 | | | 5,423 | | | 4,858 | |
6,463,000
A detailed description of each instrument type is provided below.
Share Options or RSUs, authorized at
Stock options granted under the General Meeting of Shareholders on June 25, 2020, such authorizations collectively referred to as “Plan 13”. The Board of Directors has authorized RSUs to Criteo employees subject to a presence condition and to members of management,Company’s stock incentive plans generally vest over four years, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and a presence condition.
•7,800,000 Share Options or RSU's, authorized at the General Meeting of Shareholders on June 15, 2021, such authorizations collectively referred to as “Plan 14”. The Board of Directors has authorized RSUs to Criteo employees subject to a presence condition and to members of management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and a presence condition.
Upon the exercise of the BSPCEs or Share Options, we grant beneficiaries newly issued ordinary shares of the Parent. We also grant beneficiaries ordinary shares of the Parent uponholder’s continued service through the vesting of RSUs. Prior to the beginning of our share repurchase programs described elsewhere in this Form 10-K, these grants relating to vested RSUs were completed using newly issued ordinary shares. Since the initiation of our share repurchase programs, the grants relating to vested RSUs are completed using existing ordinary shares that were repurchased as part of our share repurchase programs.
The vesting schedule for the BSPCEsdate and OSAs is the following for the Plans 1, 2 and 3:
•up to one third (1/3) of the BSPCEs on the first anniversary of the date of grant; and
•up to one twelfth (1/12) at the expiration of each quarter following the first anniversary of the date of grant, and this during twenty-four (24) months thereafter.
•The BSPCEs and OSAs may be exercised at the latest within ten (10)expire no later than 10 years from the date of grant.
For the Plan 3 amended to Plan 13, the vesting schedule is as follows:
•up to one fourth (1/4) of the BSPCEs/share options on the first anniversary of the date of grant; and
•up to one-sixteenth (1/16) at the expiration of each quarter following the first anniversary of the date of grant, and this during thirty-six (36) months thereafter.
•The BSPCEs and OSAs may be exercised at the latest within ten (10) years from the date of grant.
The vesting schedule for the RSUs is as follows:
•50% at the expiration of a two year period; and
•6.25% at the expiration of each quarter following the first two years-period during twenty four (24) months.
When the Company was not listed, exercise prices were determined by reference to the latest capital increase as of the date of grant, unless the Board of Directors decided otherwise. Since our initial public offering, exercise prices are determined by reference to the closing share price the day before the date of the grant if higher than a floor value of 95% of the average of the closing share price for the last 20 trading days.
In the following tables, exercise prices, grant date share fair values and fair value per equity instruments are provided in euros, as the Company is incorporated in France and the euro is the currency used for the grants.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Options Outstanding |
| Number of Shares Underlying Outstanding Options | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price | | Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
| | |
| Outstanding - December 31, 2022 | 372,329 | | | | | | | |
| Options granted | — | | | | | | | |
| Options exercised | (43,617) | | | | | | | |
| Options canceled | (5,933) | | | | | | | |
| Options expired | (3,541) | | | | | | | |
| Outstanding - December 31, 2023 | 319,238 | | | € | 20.74 | | | 4.18 | | € | 4.65 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Vested and exercisable - December 31, 2023 | 319,238 | | | | | | | |
The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the options and the fair market value of common stock on the date of exercise. No new stock options were granted in the year ending December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, there is no unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options.
Lock up shares
On August 1, 2022, 2,960,243 Treasury shares were transferred to the Founder (referred to as Lock Up Shares or "LUS"), as partial consideration for the Iponweb Acquisition. As these shares are subject to a lock-up period that expires in three installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the Iponweb Acquisition, unless the Founder's employment agreement is terminated under certain circumstances during the pendency of such lock-up period, they are considered as equity settled share-based payments under ASC 718 and are accounted over the three-year vesting period. The share based compensation expense is included in Research and Development expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Income. The shares were valued based on the volume weighted average price of one ADS traded on Nasdaq during the twenty (20) trading days immediately preceding July 28, 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares | | Weighted-Average Grant date Fair Value Per Share |
|
|
| Outstanding as of December 2022 | 2,960,243 | | | |
| Granted | — | | | |
| Vested | (1,006,482) | | | |
| Forfeited | — | | | |
| Outstanding as of December 31, 2023 | 1,953,761 | | | $ | 23.94 | |
Details
At December 31, 2023, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation relating to lock-up shares of BSPCEapproximately $17.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a period from January 2024 to August 1, 2025.
Restricted Stock Units /
OSA / RSU plans | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Plans
1 & 2 | Plan 3 | | Plan 5 | Plan 6 | Plan 7 | Plan 8 | Plan 9 | Plan 10 | Plan 11 | Plan 12 | Plan 13 | Plan 14 | | |
| Dates of grant (Boards of Directors) | Oct 24, 2008 - Sept 14, 2010 | Sept 9, 2009 - Sept 21, 2011 | | Nov 18, 2011 - May 22, 2012 | Oct 25, 2012 | Oct 25, 2012 -
April 18, 2013 | Sept 3, 2013 - April 23, 2014 | July 30, 2014 - June 28, 2016 | July 28, 2016 - June 27, 2017 | July 27, 2017 - June 26, 2018 | July 26, 2018 - June 25, 2019 | July 25, 2019 - June 24, 2020 | June 25, 2020 - June 14, 2021 | June 15, 2021 - December 15, 2021 | | |
| Vesting period | 3.0 years | 3.0 - 4.0 years | | 4.0 years | 1.0 year | 4.0 - 5.0 years | 4.0 years | 4.0 years | | 4.0 years | 4.0 years | | 4.0 years | 4.0 years | | 4.0 years | 4.0 years | | 4.0 years | 4.0 years | | 4.0 years | 4.0 years | 4.0 years | | |
| Contractual life | 10.0 years | 10.0 years | | 10.0 years | 10.0 years | 10.0 years | 10.0 years | 10.0 years | | 0.0 years | 10.0 years | | 0.0 years | 10.0 years | | 0.0 years | 10.0 years | | 0.0 years | 10.0 years | | 0.0 years | 0.0 years | 0 years | | |
| Expected option life | 8.0 years | 8.0 years | | 8.0 years | 8.0 years | 8.0 years | 6.0 - 8.0 years | 6.0 years | | 0.0 years | 6.0 years | | 0.0 years | 6.0 years | | 0.0 years | 6.0 years | | 0.0 years | 6.0 years | | 0.0 years | 0.0 years | 0 years | | |
| Number of instruments granted | 1,819,120 | 4,289,940 | | 1,184,747 | 257,688 | 1,065,520 | 2,317,374 | 4,318,551 | | 2,534,262 | 502,410 | | 2,556,315 | 947,565 | | 2,150,498 | 128,380 | | 2,712,014 | 515,980 | | 3,733,588 | 3,058,526 | 301,338 | | |
| Type : Share Option (S.O.) / BSPCE / RSU | BSPCE | BSPCE & OSA | | BSPCE & OSA | BSPCE | BSPCE & OSA | BSPCE & OSA | OSA | | RSU | OSA | | RSU | OSA | | RSU | OSA | | RSU | OSA | | RSU | RSU | RSU | | |
| Share entitlement per option | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 1 | 1 | | |
| Exercise price | €0.45- €2.1
| €0.2- €5.95 | | €5.95 | €8.28 | €8.28 - €10.43 | €12.08 - €38.81 | €22.95 - €47.47 | | — | €38.2 - €43.45 | | — | €24.63 - €28.69 | | — | €15.86 - €17.98 | | — | €8.66 - €15.67 | | — | — | — |
| Valuation method | Black & Scholes | | | |
| Grant date share fair value | €0.2 - €0.7 | €0.20 - €4.98 | | €4.98 | €6.43 | €5.45 - €6.43 | €12.08 - €38.81 | €22.50- €47.47 | | €35.18- €35.58 | €38.20 - €43.45 | | €33.98- €49.08 | €24.63 - €28.69 | | €22.92 - €44.37 | €15.86 - €17.98 | | €24.92 - €44.37 | €8.66 - €15.67 | | €3.29- €17.44 | €10.79- €33.36 | €27.92 - €35.64 | | |
Expected volatility (1) | 53.0% - 55.7% | 55.2% - 57.8% | | 52.1% - 52.9% | 50.2% | 49.6% - 50.2% | 44.2% - 50.1% | 39.4% - 44.5% | | — | 40.6% - 41.3% | | — | 41.0% - 41.5% | | — | 40.7% - 41.2% | | — | 39.2% - 39.9% | | — | — | — | | |
Discount rate (2) | 2.74% - 4.10% | 2.62% - 3.76% | | 2.79% - 3.53% | 2.20% | 1.80% - 2.27% | 1.20% - 2.40% | —% - 0.71% | | N/A | N/A | | N/A | 0.60% - 0.70% | | N/A | 0.10% - 0.90% | | N/A | —% - 0.25% | | N/A | N/A | N/A | | |
| Performance conditions | No | Yes (A) | | No | Yes (B) | No | No | No | | Yes (C) | No | | Yes (D) (E) | No | | No | No | | Yes (F) | No | | Yes (G) (H) | Yes (H) (I) | Yes (I) | | |
| Fair value per option / RSU | €0.08- €0.45 | €0.08 - €2.88 | | €2.75 - €2.85 | €3.28 | €3.28 - €5.83 | €6.85 - €16.90 | €9.47 - €17.97 | | €26.16 - €37.10 | €14.49 - €16.82 | | €33.98 - €49.08 | €9.85 - €11.40 | | €22.92 - €44.37 | €6.15 - €6.94 | | €15.86 - €30.80 | €3.29 -€5.78 | | €8.66-€17.44 | €10.79 - €33.36 | €27.92 - €35.64 | | |
(1)
Restricted stock awards generally vest over four years, subject to the holder’s continued service and/or certain performance conditions through the vesting date.
In the following tables, exercise prices, grant date share fair values and fair value per equity instruments are provided in euros, as the Company is incorporated in France and the euro is the currency used for the grants.
Based on similar listed entities.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares (RSU) | | Weighted-Average Grant date Fair Value Per Share |
|
|
| Outstanding as of December 2022 | 5,349,955 | | | |
| Granted | 1,894,491 | | | |
| Vested | (1,476,005) | | | |
| Forfeited | (475,178) | | | |
| Outstanding as of December 31, 2023 | 5,293,263 | | | € | 26.67 | |
At December 31, 2023, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation relating to restricted stock of approximately $74.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.1 years.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares (PSU) | | Weighted-Average Grant date Fair Value Per Share |
|
|
| Outstanding as of December 2022 | 522,467 | | | |
| Granted | 356,402 | | | |
| Vested | (204,218) | | | |
| Forfeited | (14,256) | | | |
| Outstanding as of December 31, 2023 | 660,395 | | | € | 28.27 | |
(2)At December 31, 2023, the Company had unrecognized stock-based compensation relating to restricted stock of approximately $9.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years Based on Obligation Assimilables du Trésor, i.e. French government bonds with a ten-year maturity (“TEC 10 OAT floating-rate bonds”).
(A) Options subject to performance condition: Among the 960,000 share options granted in April 7, 2011, 180,000 are subjected to performance conditions based on revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs targets that were met in 2012.
(B) On October 25, 2012, the Board of Directors of the Parent also granted a total of 257,688 BSPCE to our co-founders. The conditions of exercise of these BSPCE are linked to a future liquidity event or a transfer of control of the Company, and the number of BSPCE that can be exercised are determined by the event’s date which cannot occur after March 31, 2014. Based on the assumptions known as at December 31, 2012, we determined that the share-based compensation expense would be recognized over a one-year period. This assumption was confirmed in 2013.
(C) On October 29, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Parent also granted a total of 337,960 RSU to Criteo employees under condition of presence and to certain senior managers, employees and members of the management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and condition of presence. Based on the assumptions known at December 31, 2015, we determined the share-based compensation expense by applying a probability ratio on performance objectives completion. This assumption was confirmed in 2016.On January 29, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Parent granted a total of 33,010 RSUs to members of the management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and condition of presence. Based on the assumptions known at December 31, 2016, we determined the share-based compensation expense by applying a probability ratio on performance objectives completion. This assumption was confirmed in 2016.
(D) On July 28, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Parent granted a total of 195,250 RSUs to certain senior managers and members of the management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and condition of presence. Based on the assumptions known at December 31, 2016, we determined the share-based compensation expense by applying a probability ratio on performance objectives completion. This assumption was confirmed in 2017.
(E) On June 27, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Parent granted a total of 135,500 RSUs to certain senior managers and members of the management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and condition of presence. Based on the assumptions known at December 31, 2017, we determined the share-based compensation expense by applying a probability ratio on performance objectives completion. This assumption was confirmed in 2018.
(F) On July 26, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Parent granted a total of 203,332 RSUs to certain senior managers and members of the management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and condition of presence. Based on the assumptions known at December 31, 2018, we determined the share-based compensation expense by applying a probability ratio on performance objectives completion.
(G) On April 25, 2019, the Board of Directors of the Parent granted a total of 257,291 RSUs to members of the management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and condition of presence. Based on the assumptions known at December 31, 2019, we determined the share-based compensation expense by applying a probability ratio on performance objectives completion.
(H) On March 3, 2020, October 23, 2020 and December 9, 2020 the Board of Directors of the Parent granted a total of 272,600 RSUs to members of the management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and condition of presence. Based on the assumptions known at December 31, 2020, we determined the share-based compensation expense by applying a probability ratio on performance objectives completion.
(I)On February 25, 2021, June 14, 2021 and October 28, 2021 the Board of Directors of the Parent granted a total of 261,198 RSUs to members of the management, subject to the achievement of internal performance objectives and condition of presence. Based on the assumptions known at December 31, 2021, we determined the share-based compensation expense by applying a probability ratio on performance objectives completion.
Change in Number of outstanding BSPCE / OSA / RSU
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | OSAs | | RSUs | | Total |
| Balance at January 1, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3,187,465 | | | 4,780,137 | | | 7,967,602 | |
| Granted | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 438,347 | | | 3,147,751 | | | 3,586,098 | |
| Exercised (BSPCE and OSA) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (83,266) | | | — | | | (83,266) | |
| Vested (RSU) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | (1,219,112) | | | (1,219,112) | |
| Forfeited | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (983,012) | | | (1,729,789) | | | (2,712,801) | |
| Expired | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Balance at December 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,559,534 | | | 4,978,987 | | | 7,538,521 | |
| Granted | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 140,513 | | | 2,684,402 | | | 2,824,915 | |
| Exercised (BSPCE and OSA) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (223,934) | | | — | | | (223,934) | |
| Vested (RSU) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | (1,478,894) | | | (1,478,894) | |
| Forfeited | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (370,355) | | | (1,230,404) | | | (1,600,759) | |
| Expired | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (3,600) | | | — | | | (3,600) | |
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,102,158 | | | 4,954,091 | | | 7,056,249 | |
| Granted | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | 2,501,397 | | | 2,501,397 | |
| Exercised (BSPCE and OSA) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (1,100,733) | | | — | | | (1,100,733) | |
| Vested (RSU) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | (1,570,815) | | | (1,570,815) | |
| Forfeited | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (430,624) | | | (585,317) | | | (1,015,941) | |
| Expired | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 570,801 | | | 5,299,356 | | | 5,870,157 | |
Breakdown of the Closing Balance | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Plans 1 & 2 | | Plan 3 | | Plan 5 | | Plan 6 | | Plan 7 | | Plan 8 | | Plan 9 | | Plan 10 | | Plan 11 | | Plan 12 | | RSUs | | Total |
| Balance at December 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number outstanding | | $ | 3,600 | | | $ | 63,544 | | | $ | 230,673 | | | $ | 26,350 | | | $ | 216,157 | | | $ | 1,080,017 | | | $ | 116,580 | | | $ | 318,766 | | | $ | 128,380 | | | $ | 375,467 | | | $ | 4,978,987 | | | $ | 7,538,521 | |
| Weighted-average exercise price | | € | 0.70 | | | € | 4.37 | | | € | 5.95 | | | € | 9.28 | | | € | 17.70 | | | € | 29.69 | | | € | 41.50 | | | € | 26.58 | | | € | 17.32 | | | € | 15.67 | | | € | — | | | € | 23.09 | |
| Number exercisable | | 3,600 | | | 63,544 | | | 230,673 | | | 26,350 | | | 216,157 | | | 1,066,670 | | | 80,966 | | | 129,908 | | | 16,375 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,834,243 | |
| Weighted-average exercise price | | € | 0.70 | | | € | 4.37 | | | € | 5.95 | | | € | 9.28 | | | € | 17.70 | | | € | 29.58 | | | € | 41.17 | | | € | 26.42 | | | € | — | | | € | — | | | € | — | | | € | 24.12 | |
| Weighted-average remaining contractual life | | 0.2 years | | 1.4 years | | 2.3 years | | 3.0 years | | 3.9 years | | 5.1 years | | 7.1 years | | 8.3 years | | 9.1 years | | 9.9 years | | — | | | 6.2 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance at December 31, 2020 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number outstanding | | — | | | 42,644 | | | 101,852 | | | 20,870 | | | 104,131 | | | 921,534 | | | 97,013 | | | 169,754 | | | 128,380 | | | 515,980 | | | 4,954,091 | | | 7,056,249 | |
| Weighted-average exercise price | | € | — | | | € | 5.31 | | | € | 5.95 | | | € | 9.36 | | | € | 20.05 | | | € | 29.82 | | | € | 41.18 | | | € | 26.46 | | | € | 17.32 | | | € | 13.76 | | | € | — | | | € | 26.81 | |
| Number exercisable | | — | | | 42,644 | | | 101,852 | | | 20,870 | | | 104,131 | | | 921,534 | | | 97,013 | | | 169,754 | | | 56,330 | | | 93,867 | | | — | | | 1,607,995 | |
| Weighted-average exercise price | | € | — | | | € | 5.31 | | | € | 5.95 | | | € | 9.36 | | | € | 20.05 | | | € | 29.82 | | | € | 41.18 | | | € | 26.46 | | | € | 17.52 | | | € | — | | | € | — | | | € | 24.87 | |
| Weighted-average remaining contractual life | | — | | | 0.5 years | | 1.3 years | | 2.1 years | | 2.9 years | | 4.2 years | | 6.1 years | | 7.3 years | | 8.1 years | | 9.0 years | | — | | | 5.8 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number outstanding | | — | | | — | | | 9,400 | | | 10,382 | | | 45,751 | | | 170,006 | | | — | | | — | | | 52,072 | | | 283,190 | | | 5,299,356 | | | 5,870,157 | |
| Weighted-average exercise price | | € | — | | | € | — | | | € | 5.95 | | | € | 9.37 | | | € | 22.45 | | | € | 30.19 | | | € | — | | | € | — | | | € | 17.21 | | | € | 13.50 | | | € | — | | | € | 26.04 | |
| Number exercisable | | — | | | — | | | 9,400 | | | 10,382 | | | 45,751 | | | 170,006 | | | — | | | — | | | 12,117 | | | 7,638 | | | — | | | 255,294 | |
| Weighted-average exercise price | | € | — | | | € | — | | | € | 5.95 | | | € | 9.37 | | | € | 22.45 | | | € | 30.19 | | | € | — | | | € | — | | | € | 17.79 | | | € | 15.67 | | | € | — | | | € | 19.78 | |
| Weighted-average remaining contractual life | | — | | | — | | | 0.2 years | | 1.1 years | | 1.9 years | | 2.9 years | | — | | | — | | | 7.2 years | | 8.1 years | | — | | | 5.7 years |
Non-Employee Warrants (Bons de Souscription d’Actions or BSA)
In addition to the RSUs, share options and BSPCE grants, the shareholders of the Parent also authorized the grant of non-employee warrants or Bons de Souscription d’Actions (“BSA”), as indicated below:
•Plan A : up to one-eighth (1/8) at the expiration of each quarter following the date of grant, and this during twenty-four (24) months; and at the latest within ten (10) years as from the date of grant.
•Plan B : up to one third (1/3) of the non-employee warrants on the first anniversary of the date of grant; then up to one twelfth (1/12) at the expiration of each quarter following the first anniversary of the beginning of the vesting period, and this during twenty-four (24) months thereafter; and at the latest within ten (10) years as from the date of grant.
•Plan C : up to one-twenty fourth (1/24) at the expiration of each month following the date of grant, and this during twenty-four (24) months, and at the latest within ten (10) years as from the date of grant.
•Plan D (member of the advisory board) : up to one-twenty fourth (1/24) at the expiration of each month following the date of grant, and this during twenty-four (24) months; and at the latest within ten (10) years as from the date of grant.
•Plan D (not member of the advisory board): one-third (1/3) at the date of grant; one third (1/3) at the first anniversary of the date of grant; one third (1/3) at the second anniversary of the date of grant; and at the latest within ten (10) years as from the date of grant.
•Plans E, F, G, H and I: up to one fourth (1/4) of the non-employee warrants on the first anniversary of the date of grant; up to one-sixteenth (1/16) at the expiration of each quarter following the first anniversary of the date of grant, and this during thirty-six (36) months thereafter; and at the latest within ten (10) years from the date of grant.
Upon exercise of the non-employee warrants, we offer settlement of the warrants in newly issued ordinary shares of the Parent.
Details of Non-Employee Warrants
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Plan A | | Plan B | | Plan C | | Plan D | | Plan E | | Plan F | | Plan G | | Plan H | Plan I |
Dates of grant
(Boards of Directors) | | November 17, 2009 | | March 11, 2010 | | November 16, 2010 - September 21, 2011 | | October 25, 2012 - March 6, 2013 | | March 19, 2015 - October 29, 2015 | | April 20, 2016 - March 1, 2017 | | July 27, 2017 - October 26, 2017 | | October 25, 2018 | October 24, 2019 |
| Vesting period | | 2 years | | 3 years | | 2 years | | 2 years | | 1 - 4 years | | 1 - 4 years | | 1- 4 years | | 1 - 4 years | 1- 4 years |
| Contractual life | | 10 years | | 10 years | | 10 years | | 10 years | | 10 years | | 10 years | | 10 years | | 10 years | 10 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of warrants granted | | 231,792 | | 277,200 | | 192,000 | | 125,784 | | 38,070 | | 59,480 | | 46,465 | | 125,000 | 105,680 |
| Share entitlement per warrant | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | 1 |
| Share warrant price | | €0.02 | | €0.07 - €0.11 | | €0.04 - €0.30 | | €0.43 - €0.48 | | €9.98- €16.82 | | €13.89 - €17.44 | | €13.88 - €17.55 | | €6.91 | €6.81 |
| Exercise price | | €0.70 | | €0.70 | | €0.70 - €5.95 | | €8.28 - €9.65 | | €35.18 - €41.02 | | €33.98 - €43.42 | | €35.80- €44.37 | | €19.71 | €17.44 |
| Valuation method | | Binomial method |
| Grant date share fair value | | €0.2 | | €0.7 | | €0.7 - €4.98 | | €6.43 - €9.65 | | €35.18 - €41.02 | | €33.98 - €44.33 | | €35.8 - €44.37 | | €19.71 | €17.44 |
Expected volatility (1) | | 55.7% | | 55.2% | | 53.5%- 55% | | 50%- 50.2% | | 39.9% | | 40.6% - 40.9% | | 41%- 41.3% | | 40.7% | 37.2% |
Discount rate (2) | | 3.58% | | 3.44% | | 2.62% - 3.38% | | 2.13% - 2.27% | | —%- 0.52% | | 0.1% - 0.66% | | 0.54% - 0.6% | | 0.6% | (0.2)% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Performance conditions | | No | | Yes (A) | | No | | No | | No | | No | | No | | No | No |
| Fair value per warrant | | €0.05 | | €0.33 - €0.38 | | €0.40 - €2.58 | | €2.85 - €4.98 | | €9.98 - €16.82 | | €13.89 - €14.55 | | €13.88 - €17.55 | | €6.91 | €6.81 |
(1)Based on similar listed entities.
(2) Based on Obligations Assimilables du Trésor, i.e. French government bonds with a ten-year maturity (“TEC 10 OAT floating-rate bonds”).
(A) All the performance conditions were achieved during the period ended December 31, 2010.
Changes in Number of Non-Employee Warrants
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Balance at January 1, 2019 | | 291,670 | |
Granted | | 105,680 | |
Exercised | | — | |
Forfeited | | (33,583) | |
| | |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | | 363,767 | |
Granted | | — | |
Exercised | | (7,250) | |
Forfeited | | (12,742) | |
| | |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | | 343,775 | |
Granted | | — | |
Exercised | | — | |
Forfeited | | — | |
Expired | | — | |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | | 343,775 | |
Non-employee warrants
Non-employee warrants generally vest over four years, subject to the holder’s continued service through the vesting date.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares | | Weighted-Average Grant date Fair Value Per Share | | Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
| | |
| | |
| Outstanding - December 31, 2022 | 302,775 | | | | | | | |
| Granted | — | | | | | | | |
| Exercised | (58,318) | | | | | | | |
| Cancelled | — | | | | | | | |
| Expired | — | | | | | | | |
| Outstanding - December 31, 2023 | 244,457 | | | € | 17.65 | | | 4.48 | | € | 9.79 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Vested and exercisable - December 31, 2023 | 244,457 | | | | | | | |
BreakdownThe aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the Closing Balance
| | | | | | | | |
| | Non-employee warrants |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Balance at December 31, 2019 | | |
Number outstanding | | 363,767 | |
Weighted-average exercise price | | € | 14.83 | |
Number exercisable | | 156,604 | |
Weighted-average exercise price | | € | 17.52 | |
Weighted-average remaining contractual life | | 7.6 years |
Balance at December 31, 2020 | | |
Number outstanding | | 343,775 | |
Weighted-average exercise price | | € | 15.12 | |
Number exercisable | | 205,890 | |
Weighted-average exercise price | | € | 17.33 | |
Weighted-average remaining contractual life | | 6.8 years |
Balance at December 31, 2021 | | |
Number outstanding | | 343,775 | |
Weighted-average exercise price | | € | 15.12 | |
Number exercisable | | 343,775 | |
Weighted-average exercise price | | € | 15.12 | |
Weighted-average remaining contractual life | | 5.8 years |
Reconciliation with the Consolidated Statements of Income
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance for the year ended December 31, 2021 | | Balance for the year ended December 31, 2020 | | Balance for the year ended December 31, 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| R&D | | S&O | | G&A | | Total | | R&D | | S&O | | G&A | | Total | | R&D | | S&O | | G&A | | Total |
| RSUs | (16,334) | | | (12,337) | | | (13,076) | | | (41,747) | | | (9,771) | | | (9,891) | | | (6,619) | | | (26,281) | | | (9,742) | | | (17,282) | | | (11,109) | | | (38,133) | |
| Share options / BSPCE | — | | | (286) | | | (700) | | | (986) | | | — | | | (398) | | | (422) | | | (820) | | | 422 | | | 398 | | | (2,300) | | | (1,480) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Plan 8 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (20) | | | (20) | | | 131 | | | 90 | | | (187) | | | 34 | |
| Plan 9 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 231 | | | 231 | | | 202 | | | 258 | | | (314) | | | 146 | |
| Plan 10 | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 874 | | | 874 | | | 89 | | | 178 | | | (1,454) | | | (1,187) | |
| Plan 11 | — | | | (83) | | | (60) | | | (143) | | | — | | | (190) | | | (118) | | | (308) | | | — | | | (128) | | | (269) | | | (397) | |
| Plan 12 | — | | | (203) | | | (640) | | | (843) | | | — | | | (208) | | | (1,389) | | | (1,597) | | | — | | — | | (76) | | | (76) | |
| Total share-based compensation | (16,334) | | | (12,623) | | | (13,776) | | | (42,733) | | | (9,771) | | | (10,289) | | | (7,041) | | | (27,101) | | | (9,320) | | | (16,884) | | | (13,409) | | | (39,613) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| BSAs | — | | | — | | | (1,795) | | | (1,795) | | | — | | | — | | | (1,670) | | | (1,670) | | | — | | | — | | | (1,386) | | | (1,386) | |
| Total equity awards compensation expense | $ | (16,334) | | | $ | (12,623) | | | $ | (15,571) | | | $ | (44,528) | | | $ | (9,771) | | | $ | (10,289) | | | $ | (8,711) | | | $ | (28,771) | | | $ | (9,320) | | | $ | (16,884) | | | $ | (14,795) | | | $ | (40,999) | |
Note 21.17. Financial and Other Income (Expense)
The Consolidated Statements of Income line item “Financial and Other income (expense)” can be broken down as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | |
| Financial income from cash equivalents | $ | 634 | | | $ | 1,117 | | | $ | 1,528 | |
| Interest and fees | (2,271) | | | (2,811) | | | (2,383) | |
| Interest on debt | (1,988) | | | (2,381) | | | (1,756) | |
| Fees | (283) | | | (430) | | | (627) | |
| Foreign exchange loss | (1,776) | | | (150) | | | (4,425) | |
| Other financial income (expense) | 2,369 | | | (95) | | | (469) | |
| Other income | $ | 2,983 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| Total financial and other income (expense) | $ | 1,939 | | | $ | (1,939) | | | $ | (5,749) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | |
| Financial income from cash equivalents | $ | 4,678 | | | $ | 1,932 | | | $ | 634 | |
| Interest and fees | (2,244) | | | (2,025) | | | (2,271) | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Foreign exchange income (loss) | (7,553) | | | 19,659 | | | (1,776) | |
| Discounting impact | (5,289) | | | (4,700) | | | — | |
| Interest income (expense) on provision for R&C | (258) | | | 2,258 | | | — | |
| Other financial income (expense) | (161) | | | 730 | | | 2,369 | |
| Other income (expense) | $ | 8,337 | | | $ | (71) | | | $ | 2,983 | |
| Total financial and other income (expense) | $ | (2,490) | | | $ | 17,783 | | | $ | 1,939 | |
The $(1.9)$(2.5) million financial and other incomeexpense for the period ended December 31, 20212023 was mainly driven by proceeds from disposal of non consolidated investments fully offset by the recognition of a negative impact of foreign exchange, including end of year non-cash marked to market , the accretion of earn-out liability related to Iponweb acquisition and financial expense relating to our €350€407 million available Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) up-front fees amortization and non-utilization costs, partially offset by income from cash and cash equivalent. Financial and Other income for the period ended December 31, 2021 included other income of $3.0 million, generated by the disposal of servers equipments and other financial income of $2.4 million consisting of dividends received from an investment.. At December 31, 2021,2023, our exposure to foreign currency risk was centralized at Criteo S.A. and hedged using foreign currency swaps or forward purchases or sales of foreign currencies.
The $1.9$17.8 million financial expenseand other income for the period ended December 31, 20202022 was mainly driven by the positive impact of foreign exchange derivatives entered-into to secure the cash consideration of the Iponweb acquisition. This was partially offset by the $4.7 million accretion of earn-out liability related to Iponweb acquisition. Other impacts come from the foreign exchange reevaluations net of related hedging of our operations, income from cash and cash equivalent, and the financial expense relating to the €140our €407 million drawing from May 2020 to November 2020 as part of our available Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) financing, the up-front fees amortization theand non-utilization costs, partially offset by income from cash & cash equivalent.costs. At December 31, 2020,2022, our exposure to foreign currency risk was centralized at Criteo S.A. and hedged using foreign currency swaps or forward purchases or sales of foreign currencies.
Note 22.18. Income Taxes
Breakdown of Income Taxes
The Consolidated Statements of Income line item “Provision for income taxes” can be broken down as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | | | | | |
| | (in thousands) |
| | | | | | |
| Current income tax | | $ | (34,811) | | | $ | (28,477) | | | $ | (24,078) | |
| France | | (16,549) | | | (16,379) | | | (8,410) | |
| International | | (18,262) | | | (12,098) | | | (15,668) | |
| Net change in deferred taxes | | 18,642 | | | (3,720) | | | (15,418) | |
| France | | 9,574 | | | 4,548 | | | (14,109) | |
| International | | 9,068 | | | (8,268) | | | (1,309) | |
| Provision for income tax | | $ | (16,169) | | | $ | (32,197) | | | $ | (39,496) | |
As mentioned in Note 1 (Principles and Accounting Methods), the French Research Tax Credit is not included in the line item “Provision for income taxes” but is deducted from “Research and development expenses” (see Note 18 - Allocation of Personnel Expenses) unlike the U.S. Research Tax Credit for an amount of $0.8 million, nil and $5.3 million and for the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. French business tax, CVAE, is included in the current tax balance for an amount of $2.8 million, $5.1 million and $5.5 million, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | |
| | (in thousands) |
| | | | | | |
| Current income tax expense (benefit) | | $ | 43,672 | | | $ | 27,584 | | | $ | 34,811 | |
| France | | 3,755 | | | 5,665 | | | 16,549 | |
| International | | 39,917 | | | 21,919 | | | 18,262 | |
| Deferred tax expense (benefit) | | (23,588) | | | 3,602 | | | (18,642) | |
| France | | 634 | | | 5,868 | | | (9,574) | |
| International | | (24,222) | | | (2,266) | | | (9,068) | |
| Provision for income tax expense (benefit) | | $ | 20,084 | | | $ | 31,186 | | | $ | 16,169 | |
Income before taxes included income (loss) from France of $109.9$38.3 million, $114.4$(4.2) million and $122.7$109.9 million for the periods ended 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 20192021 respectively. Income (loss) before taxes from countries outside of France totaled $46.9$36.4 million, $(7.5)$46.2 million and $12.8$46.9 million for the periods ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Reconciliation between the Effective and Nominal Tax Expense
The following table shows the reconciliation between the effective and nominal tax expense at the nominal standard French rate of 28.40%25.8% (excluding additional contributions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | | | | | |
| | (in thousands) |
| | | | | | |
| Income before taxes | | $ | 153,816 | | | $ | 106,886 | | | $ | 135,465 | |
| Theoretical group tax-rates | | 28.40 | % | | 32.02 | % | | 34.43 | % |
| Nominal tax expense | | (43,684) | | | (34,225) | | | (46,641) | |
| | | | | | |
| Increase / decrease in tax expense arising from: | | | | | | |
Research tax credit (1) | | 4,830 | | | 5,298 | | | 10,851 | |
Net effect of shared-based compensation (2) | | 1,429 | | | (11,604) | | | (13,432) | |
BEAT tax effect (3) | | (6,560) | | | (18,640) | | | (15,962) | |
Other permanent differences (4) | | (6,476) | | | 8,979 | | | (7,667) | |
Non recognition of deferred tax assets related to tax losses and temporary differences (5) | | (1,666) | | | (6,026) | | | (2,713) | |
Utilization or recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses (6) | | 10,357 | | | 2,511 | | | 20,636 | |
| French CVAE included in income taxes | | (2,170) | | | (3,464) | | | (3,632) | |
Special tax deductions (7) | | 25,655 | | | 13,402 | | | 15,946 | |
| Effect of different tax rates | | (395) | | | 3,963 | | | 5,441 | |
| Other differences | | 2,511 | | | 7,609 | | | (2,323) | |
| Effective tax expense | | $ | (16,169) | | | $ | (32,197) | | | $ | (39,496) | |
| Effective tax rate | | 10.5 | % | | 30.1 | % | | 29.2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | |
| | (in thousands) |
| | | | | | |
| Income before taxes | | $ | 74,728 | | | $ | 42,061 | | | $ | 153,816 | |
| Theoretical group tax-rates | | 25.8 | % | | 25.8 | % | | 28.4 | % |
| Nominal tax expense (benefit) | | 19,295 | | | 10,860 | | | 43,684 | |
| | | | | | |
| Increase / decrease in tax expense arising from: | | | | | | |
French Research Tax Credit, Crédit d’Impôt Recherche (“CIR”) | | (2,376) | | | (2,901) | | | (4,830) | |
| Shared-based Compensation | | 8,764 | | | 2,895 | | | (1,429) | |
| BEAT tax | | — | | | — | | | 6,560 | |
| Non-tax deductible provision from loss contingency on regulatory matters (see Note 20) | | (5,546) | | | 16,971 | | | — | |
| Nondeductible Expenses | | 5,274 | | | 6,178 | | | 6,476 | |
| Non recognition of deferred tax assets | | 878 | | | 3,190 | | | 1,666 | |
| Utilization or recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses | | (1,760) | | | (1,338) | | | (10,357) | |
French CVAE (1) | | 1,593 | | | 1,635 | | | 2,170 | |
Income eligible to reduced taxation rate (2) | | (4,341) | | | (6,766) | | | (25,655) | |
| Change in Uncertain Tax Positions | | (880) | | | 412 | | | — | |
| Effect of different tax rates | | (922) | | | 201 | | | 395 | |
| Other differences | | 105 | | | (151) | | | (2,511) | |
| Effective tax expense (benefit) | | $ | 20,084 | | | $ | 31,186 | | | $ | 16,169 | |
| Effective tax rate | | 26.9 | % | | 74.1 | % | | 10.5 | % |
Increases and decreases in tax expense are presented applying the theoretical Group tax rate to the concerned tax bases. The impact resulting from the differences between local tax rates and the Group theoretical rate is shown in the “effect of different tax rates.”
(1) Included income tax effect of the French RTC deducted from the "Research and development expenses" and U.S. Tax credits included in the line "Provision for income taxes".
(2) While in most countries share-based compensation does not give rise to any tax effect either when granted or when exercised, the U.S. and the United Kingdom generally permit tax deductions in respect of share-based compensation. The tax deduction generated in the U.S. and United Kingdom in connection with the number of options exercised during the period was offset by the share-based compensation accounting expense exclusion.
(3) Final and new proposed regulations on the Base Erosion Anti-abuse Tax (BEAT) have been issued by the United States Treasury and IRS, allowing a waiver election to permanently forgo deductions for all U.S. federal tax purposes, with the result that the foregone deductions will not be treated as a base erosion tax benefit.
(4) Mainly related to employee costs, depreciation expenses and intercompany transactions.
(5) Deferred tax assets on which a valuation allowance has been recognized over the periods mainly relate to Criteo Ltd, Criteo France, Criteo Corp., Criteo Singapore Pte. Ltd, Criteo do Brasil LTDA, Criteo Pty and Criteo Turkey.
(6) In 2021 we released the valuation allowance on share-based compensation deferred tax assets of Criteo Corp.
In 2019 recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses related to Criteo Corp., mainly generated by the BEAT waiver election implementation .
(7) (1)Special French CVAE "cotisation sur la valeur ajoutée des entreprises" - is the business value add contribution tax deductions referin France
(2) Income eligible to reduced taxation rate refers to the application of a reduced income tax rate on the majority of the technology royalties income invoiced by the Parent to its subsidiaries.
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
The following table shows the changes in the major sources of deferred tax assets and liabilities:
| | (in thousands) | (in thousands) | | Year ended December 31, 2019 | | Change recognized
in profit or loss | | Change recognized
in OCI | | Change in consolidation scope | | Other | | Currency translation adjustments | | Year ended December 31, 2020 | (in thousands) | | Year ended December 31, 2021 | | Change recognized
in profit or loss | | Change recognized
in OCI | | Purchase Price Accounting | | Other | | Currency translation adjustments | | Year ended December 31, 2022 |
| | Net deferred tax assets : | Net deferred tax assets : | |
| Net deferred tax assets : | |
| Net deferred tax assets : | |
| Net operating loss carryforwards | Net operating loss carryforwards | | $ | 26,977 | | | $ | (3,991) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,150 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 443 | | | $ | 24,579 | |
| Intangibles | | (18,040) | | | 4,646 | | | — | | | (34) | | | — | | | (527) | | | (13,955) | |
| Stock compensation | | 10,885 | | | (4,173) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 6,712 | |
| Net operating loss carryforwards | |
| Net operating loss carryforwards | | | $33,528 | | $(10,285) | | $— | | $(1,793) | | $21,450 |
| Shared-based Compensation | | Shared-based Compensation | | 6,285 | | (469) | | — | | (11) | | 5,805 |
| Bad debt allowance | Bad debt allowance | | 1,989 | | | 3,256 | | | — | | | (21) | | | — | | | (6) | | | 5,218 | | Bad debt allowance | | 5,545 | | (291) | | — | | (62) | | 5,192 |
| Personnel-related accruals | Personnel-related accruals | | 7,512 | | | (679) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 20 | | | 6,853 | | Personnel-related accruals | | 8,781 | | (225) | | — | | 7 | | — | | (144) | | 8,419 |
| Other accruals | Other accruals | | 4,117 | | | 888 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (86) | | | 4,919 | | Other accruals | | 5,720 | | (1,455) | | — | | (287) | | 3,978 |
| Projected benefit obligation | Projected benefit obligation | | 2,923 | | | 205 | | | (1,508) | | | — | | | — | | | 164 | | | 1,784 | | Projected benefit obligation | | 1,429 | | 472 | | (855) | | — | | (88) | | 958 |
| Financial instruments | Financial instruments | | 443 | | | (199) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 25 | | | 269 | | Financial instruments | | (15) | | (726) | | — | | (8) | | (749) |
| Tax Credits | | Tax Credits | | 17,031 | | (11,242) | | — | | 5,789 |
| Other | Other | | 7,196 | | | 8,856 | | | — | | | 63 | | | — | | | (182) | | | 15,933 | | Other | | 3,944 | | (607) | | — | | 7 | | 85 | | (293) | | 3,136 |
| | Net deferred tax liabilities: | |
| Net deferred tax liabilities: | |
| Net deferred tax liabilities: | |
Intangibles (1) | |
Intangibles (1) | |
Intangibles (1) | | | (14,972) | | 17,996 | | — | | 1,550 | | 653 | | 117 | | 5,344 |
| | Gross Deferred Income Taxes | |
| Gross Deferred Income Taxes | |
| Gross Deferred Income Taxes | | | 67,276 | | (6,832) | | (855) | | 1,564 | | 738 | | (2,569) | | 59,322 |
| | Valuation allowance | |
| Valuation allowance | |
| Valuation allowance | Valuation allowance | | (25,289) | | | (12,529) | | | 986 | | | (1,206) | | | — | | | 305 | | | (37,733) | | | (34,994) | | 3,230 | | 513 | | (955) | | (653) | | 1,720 | | (31,139) |
| | Net Deferred Income Taxes | Net Deferred Income Taxes | | 18,713 | | | (3,720) | | | (522) | | | (48) | | | — | | | 156 | | | 14,579 | |
| Net Deferred Income Taxes | |
| Net Deferred Income Taxes | | | 32,282 | | (3,602) | | (342) | | 609 | | 85 | | (849) | | 28,183 |
| | (in thousands) | (in thousands) | | Year ended December 31, 2020 | | Change recognized
in profit or loss | | Change recognized
in OCI | | Change in consolidation scope | | Other | | Currency translation adjustments | | Year ended December 31, 2021 | (in thousands) | | Year ended December 31, 2022 | | Change recognized
in profit or loss | | Change recognized
in OCI | | Purchase Price Accounting | | Other | | Currency translation adjustments | | Year ended December 31, 2023 |
| | Net deferred tax assets : | Net deferred tax assets : | |
| Net deferred tax assets : | |
| Net deferred tax assets : | |
| Net operating loss carryforwards | Net operating loss carryforwards | | $ | 24,579 | | | $ | 7,082 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,542 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (672) | | | $ | 33,531 | |
| Intangibles | | (13,955) | | | 1,471 | | | — | | | (1,817) | | | — | | | 63 | | | (14,238) | |
| Stock compensation | | 6,712 | | | 4,727 | | | — | | | — | | | (5,177) | | | 23 | | | 6,285 | |
| Net operating loss carryforwards | |
| Net operating loss carryforwards | | | $21,450 | | $(3,420) | | $— | | $(1,038) | | $742 | | $17,734 |
| Shared-based Compensation | | Shared-based Compensation | | 5,805 | | 352 | | — | | (90) | | 6,067 |
| Bad debt allowance | Bad debt allowance | | 5,218 | | | 425 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (96) | | | 5,547 | | Bad debt allowance | | 5,192 | | 2,079 | | — | | 62 | | 56 | | 7,389 |
| Personnel-related accruals | Personnel-related accruals | | 6,853 | | | 2,093 | | | — | | | 21 | | | — | | | (183) | | | 8,784 | | Personnel-related accruals | | 8,419 | | 1,512 | | — | | 27 | | 9,958 |
| Other accruals | Other accruals | | 4,919 | | | 1,385 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (583) | | | 5,721 | | Other accruals | | 3,978 | | (476) | | — | | (156) | | 3,346 |
| Projected benefit obligation | Projected benefit obligation | | 1,784 | | | 164 | | | (398) | | | — | | | — | | | (121) | | | 1,429 | | Projected benefit obligation | | 958 | | 146 | | (75) | | — | | 36 | | 1,065 |
Intangibles (1) | | Intangibles (1) | | 5,344 | | 19,004 | | — | | (62) | | 54 | | 24,340 |
| Tax Credits | | Tax Credits | | 5,789 | | (1) | | — | | 5,788 |
| Financial instruments | Financial instruments | | 269 | | | (275) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (8) | | | (14) | | Financial instruments | | (749) | | 1,323 | | — | | 159 | | 4 | | 737 |
| Other | Other | | 15,933 | | | 605 | | | — | | | — | | | 5,177 | | | 16 | | | 21,731 | | Other | | 3,136 | | 1,846 | | — | | (198) | | 183 | | 4,967 |
| | Gross Deferred Income Taxes | |
| Gross Deferred Income Taxes | |
| Gross Deferred Income Taxes | | | 59,322 | | 22,365 | | (75) | | — | | (1,077) | | 856 | | 81,391 |
| | Valuation allowance | |
| Valuation allowance | |
| Valuation allowance | Valuation allowance | | (37,733) | | | 965 | | | 229 | | | (746) | | | — | | | 899 | | | (36,386) | | | (31,139) | | 1,223 | | 45 | | — | | 1,077 | | (1,000) | | (29,794) |
| | Net Deferred Income Taxes | Net Deferred Income Taxes | | 14,579 | | | 18,642 | | | (169) | | | — | | | — | | | (662) | | | 32,390 | |
| Net Deferred Income Taxes | |
| Net Deferred Income Taxes | | | 28,183 | | 23,588 | | (30) | | — | | (144) | | 51,597 |
Amounts recognized in our Consolidated Financial Statements are calculated at the level of each subsidiary within our Consolidated Financial Statements. As atof December 31, 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 2019,2021, the valuation allowance against net deferred income taxes amounted to $36.4$29.8 million, $37.3$31.1 million and $25.3$35.0 million, which related mainly to Criteo Corp. ($5.7 million, $13.3$5.7 million and $12.8$5.7 million, respectively), Criteo Brazil ($2.7 million, $2.8$3.3 million and $3.2$2.7 million, respectively), Criteo Ltd ($7.610.7 million, $7.4$8.1 million and $7.5 million, respectively), Criteo China ($3.3 million, $3.3 million and $3.3$7.6 million, respectively), Criteo Singapore ($4.21.2 million, $3.3$1.5 million and $2.8$4.2 million), Criteo Pty ($2.72.9 million, $2.8$2.6 million and $2.6$2.7 million) and Criteo France ($6.25.0 million, $1.0$6.5 million and $(7.7)$6.2 million, respectively).
In accordance with ASC 740 - Income taxes, no uncertain tax positions were identified as of December 31, 2021.
The Company mainly has various net operating loss carryforwards in the U.S. and China for $5.7$34.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively,in various states, which begin to expire in 20302031 and in 2022, respectively. The Company has net operating loss carryforwards in the United Kingdom of $7.8for $37.7 million which have no expiration date. The company has $5.7 million of state R&D tax credits which can be carry-forward indefinitely.
CurrentUtilization of our net operating loss and tax assets and liabilities
The total amount of current tax assets mainly consists of prepayments of incomes taxes and credits of Criteo SA, and Criteo Brazil. The current tax liabilities mainly refercredit carryforwards in the US may be subject to annual limitations due to the corporateownership change limitations provided by the IRS Code 382 and similar state provisions. Such annual limitations could result in the expiration of the net operating loss and tax payablescredit carryforwards before their utilization.
As of Criteo Corp.December 31, 2023, we have not provided deferred taxes on unremitted earnings related to foreign subsidiaries. We intend to continue to reinvest these foreign earnings indefinitely and Criteo K.K.do not expect to incur any significant taxes related to such amounts.
Ongoing tax audits
As a multinational corporation, we are subject to regular review and audit by U.S. federal and state, and foreign tax authorities. Significant uncertainties exist with respect to the amount of our tax liabilities, including those arising from potential challenges with certain positions we have taken. Any unfavorable outcome of such a review or audit could have an adverse impact on our tax rate.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The following table summarizes the activity related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits during the years ended December 31, 2023 2022 and 2021:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | | | | |
| | (in thousands) |
| | | | | | |
| Beginning balance of unrecognized tax benefits | | $ | 13,315 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Increases (Decreases) related to current year tax positions | | $ | (1,086) | | | 13,315 | | | — | |
| Ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) | | $ | 12,229 | | | 13,315 | | | — | |
| Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits | | $ | 4,556 | | | 4,665 | | | — | |
| Ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits (including interest and penalties) | | $ | 16,785 | | | 17,980 | | | — | |
The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, including related interest and penalties, was $16.8 million as of December 31, 2023. All of the unrecognized tax benefits are considered non-current.
Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties associated with tax matters as part of the income tax provision and include accrued interest and penalties with the related income tax liability on our consolidated balance sheet.
The income taxes we pay are subject to review by taxing jurisdictions globally. Our estimate of the potential outcome of any uncertain tax position is subject to management’s assessment of relevant risks, facts, and circumstances existing at that time. We believe that our estimate has adequately provided for these matters. However, our future results may include adjustments to estimates in the period the audits are resolved, which may impact our effective tax rate.
Pillar Two
On October 8, 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) announced the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting which agreed to a two-pillar solution to address tax challenges arising from digitalization of the economy. On December 20, 2021, the OECD released Pillar Two Model Rules (“Pillar Two”) defining the global minimum tax, which calls for the taxation of a minimum rate of 15% for multinational companies with consolidated revenue above €750 million. Additional “top-up” tax will be due, either at domestic level (“Qualified Minimum Domestic Top-Up Tax”, or under Pillar Two computation. Various foreign jurisdictions have already enacted Pillar Two implementation in domestic laws and some other are in the process of doing it as from 2024. We are currently evaluating the potential impacts on future periods of Pillar Two, based on domestic implementation laws already adopted, new laws to come and local administrative guidelines to be issued.
Note 23.19. Earnings Per Share
Basic Earnings Per Share
We calculate basic earnings per share by dividing the net income for the period attributable to shareholders of the Parent by the weighted average number of shares outstanding.
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | (in thousands, except share data) |
| (in thousands, except share data) | |
| (in thousands, except share data) | |
| (in thousands, except share data) | |
| | Net income attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | Net income attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | $ | 134,456 | | | $ | 71,679 | | | $ | 90,745 | |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding (note 17) | 60,717,446 | | | 60,876,480 | | | 64,305,965 | |
| Net income attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | |
| Net income attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding (note 15) | |
| Basic earnings per share | Basic earnings per share | $ | 2.21 | | | $ | 1.18 | | | $ | 1.41 | |
Diluted Earnings Per Share
We calculate diluted earnings per share by dividing the net income attributable to shareholders of the Parent by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus any potentially dilutive shares not yet issued from share-based compensation plans (see note 20)15). There were no other potentially dilutive instruments outstanding as of December 31, 2021, 20202023, 2022 and 2019.2021. Consequently all potential dilutive effects from shares are considered.
For each period presented, a contract to issue a certain number of shares (i.e., share option, share warrant, restricted share award or BSPCE contracts) is assessed as potentially dilutive, if it is “in the money” (i.e., the exercise or settlement price is inferior to the average market price).
| | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| (in thousands, except share data) | |
| (in thousands, except share data) | |
| (in thousands, except share data) | |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | (in thousands, except share data) |
| | Net income attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | |
| Net income attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | |
| Net income attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | Net income attributable to shareholders of Criteo S.A. | $ | 134,456 | | | $ | 71,679 | | | $ | 90,745 | |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding of Criteo S.A. | Weighted average number of shares outstanding of Criteo S.A. | 60,717,446 | | | 60,876,480 | | | 64,305,965 | |
| Dilutive effect of : | Dilutive effect of : | |
| Restricted share awards | |
| Restricted share awards | |
| Restricted share awards | Restricted share awards | 3,061,807 | | | 796,609 | | | 978,521 | |
| Share options and BSPCE | Share options and BSPCE | 341,971 | | | 133,177 | | | 279,270 | |
| Share warrants | Share warrants | 110,413 | | | 12,327 | | | 34,832 | |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to determine diluted earnings per share | Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to determine diluted earnings per share | 64,231,637 | | | 61,818,593 | | | 65,598,588 | |
| Diluted earnings per share | Diluted earnings per share | $ | 2.09 | | | $ | 1.16 | | | $ | 1.38 | |
The weighted average number of securities that were anti-dilutive for diluted EPS for the periods presented but which could potentially dilute EPS in the future are as follows:
| | | Year Ended December 31, | | | | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2023 | | | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | Restricted share awards | |
| Restricted share awards | |
| Restricted share awards | Restricted share awards | | 312,413 | | | 1,726,506 | | | 1,120,439 | |
| Share options and BSPCE | Share options and BSPCE | | — | | | 70,257 | | | 142,380 | |
| Share warrants | Share warrants | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Weighted average number of anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per share | Weighted average number of anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per share | | 312,413 | | | 1,796,763 | | | 1,262,819 | |
Note 24.20. Commitments and contingencies
Purchase ObligationsContractual Commitments
AsWe have $65.0 million of non-cancelable contractual commitments as of December 31, 2021, we had $50.0 million of other non-cancellable contractual obligations,2023, which are primarily related to software licenses, maintenance and $1.8 million bandwidth for our servers.
Revolving Credit Facilities, Credit Lines Facilities and Bank Overdrafts
As mentioned in Note 12, we are party to one RCF withThe following is a syndicateschedule, by years, of banks which allow us to draw up to €350.0 million ($396.4 million).
We are also party to short-term credit lines and overdraft facilities with HSBC plc, BNP Paribas and LCL. We are authorized to draw up to a maximum of €21.5 million ($24.4 million) in the aggregate under the short-term credit lines and overdraft facilities. Asnon-cancelable contractual commitments as of December 31, 2021, we had not drawn on any of these facilities. Any loans or overdraft under these short-term facilities bear interest based on the one month EURIBOR rate or three month EURIBOR rate. As these facilities are exclusively short-term credit and overdraft facilities, our banks have the ability to terminate such facilities on short notice.2023 (in millions):
| | | | | | | | |
| | (in thousands) |
| 2024 | | 53,623 | |
| 2025 | | 8,286 | |
| 2026 | | 3,097 | |
| Total | | $ | 65,006 | |
Contingencies
From time to time we may become involved in legal proceedings or be subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not presently a party to any legal proceedings that, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.
The amount of the provisions represents management’s latest estimate of the expected impact.
Legal and Regulatory Matters
As indicated in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, in November 2018,Following a complaint from Privacy International filedagainst a complaintnumber of advertising technology companies with relevantcertain data protection authorities, against Criteo and a number of other similarly situated advertising technology companies, arguing that certain of these companies' practices do not comply with the GDPR. In January 2020, CNILincluding in France, France's Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (the "CNIL") opened a formal investigation intoin January 2020 against Criteo. In June 2023, the CNIL issued its decision, which retained alleged GDPR violations but reduced the financial sanction against Criteo from the original amount of €60.0 million ($65.0 million) to €40.0 million ($43.3 million). Criteo made the required sanction payment in responsethe third quarter of 2023. The decision relates to past matters and does not include any obligation for Criteo to change its current practices. Criteo has appealed this complaint,decision before the Conseil d’Etat.
The €40.0 million ($43.3 million) penalty was applied against the previously accrued liability for loss contingency reflected in our financial statements for the period ended June 30, 2022, which is still ongoingamounted to €60.0 million ($65.0 million). Criteo issued the required sanction payment during the third quarter of 2023.
We are party to a claim (Doe v.GoodRx Holdings, Inc. et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California), alleging violations of various state and federal laws. We intend to vigorously defend our position, but we are unable to predict the potential outcome.
Non income tax risks
We have recorded a $31.9 million provision related to certain non income tax items accounted for under "ASC 450 Contingencies". These risks were identified and recognized as per CNIL’s notification to Criteo dated June 23, 2021, which notified the Companypart of the appointment ofIponweb Acquisition. We have recorded an investigator (rapporteur). Their investigation also covers another complaint against Criteo received byindemnification asset in the CNIL from European Center for Digital Rights (NOYB). There can be no assurance that actions by the Company will not be required as a result of the investigation. However, at the current phase of the investigation, due to the absence of any specific grievance or sanction and the lack of any legal grounds thereof, we consider this to be an unasserted claim for which an unfavorable outcome is only reasonably possible, and thefull amount of the potential loss cannot be reasonably estimated in accordance with "ASC 450 Contingencies”, therefore we have not accrued a loss contingency.
Note 25. Related Parties
provision as the Company is indemnified against certain tax liabilities under the purchase agreement for the Iponweb Acquisition. The Executive Officersindemnification asset is recorded as part of December 31, 2021 were:"Other non current assets" on the consolidated statement of financial position.
•Megan Clarken - Chief Executive Officer
•Sarah Glickman - Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
•Ryan Damon - Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Total compensation for the Executive Officers, including social contributions, is summarized in the following table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| | | | | |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | |
Short-term benefits (1) | $ | (2,988) | | | $ | (3,380) | | | $ | (3,830) | |
Long-term benefits (2) | — | | | (23) | | | (44) | |
| Shared-based compensation | (6,718) | | | (2,103) | | | (4,605) | |
| Total | $ | (9,706) | | | $ | (5,506) | | | $ | (8,479) | |
(1) wages, bonuses and other compensations
(2) pension defined benefit plan
For the year ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were no material related party transactions.
Note 26.21. Breakdown of Revenue and Non-Current Assets by Geographical Areas
The Company operates in the following 3three geographical markets:
• Americas: North and South America;
• EMEA: Europe, Middle-East and Africa; and
• Asia-Pacific.
The following tables disclose our consolidated revenue for each geographical area for each of the reported periods. Revenue by geographical area is based mainly on the location of advertisers’ campaigns.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Americas | | EMEA | | Asia-Pacific | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2019 | $ | 952,154 | | | $ | 806,197 | | | $ | 503,165 | | | $ | 2,261,516 | |
| December 31, 2020 | 894,854 | | | 749,672 | | | 428,091 | | | 2,072,617 | |
| December 31, 2021 | $ | 916,825 | | | $ | 844,312 | | | $ | 493,098 | | | $ | 2,254,235 | |
Revenue generated in France amounted to $151.6 million, $132.7 million and $144.3 million for the periods ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Revenue generated in other significant countries where we operate is presented in the following table:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | |
| Americas | | | | | |
| United States | $ | 815,797 | | | $ | 815,476 | | | $ | 861,099 | |
| EMEA | | | | | |
| Germany | 217,965 | | | 184,183 | | | 200,025 | |
| United Kingdom | 87,421 | | | 93,319 | | | 88,928 | |
| Asia-Pacific | | | | | |
| Japan | $ | 309,378 | | | $ | 301,183 | | | $ | 342,298 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | |
| Americas | $ | 887,247 | | | $ | 891,267 | | | $ | 916,825 | |
| of which United States | 803,288 | | | 798,391 | | | 815,797 | |
| | | | | |
| EMEA | 672,610 | | | 706,861 | | | 844,312 | |
| of which France | 100,277 | | | 111,368 | | | 151,611 | |
| of which Germany | 200,145 | | | 196,373 | | | 217,965 | |
| | | | | |
| Asia-Pacific | 389,588 | | | 418,875 | | | 493,098 | |
| of which Japan | 216,991 | | | 253,996 | | | 309,378 | |
Other Information
For each reported period, non-current assets (corresponding to the net book value of tangible and intangible assets) are presented in the table below. The geographical information results from the locations of legal entities.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Of which | | | | | | Of which | | |
| Holding | | Americas | | United States | | EMEA | | Asia-Pacific | | Japan | | Singapore | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2020 | $ | 135,516 | | | $ | 93,389 | | | $ | 93,030 | | | $ | 8,746 | | | $ | 31,598 | | | $ | 20,532 | | | $ | 7,003 | | | $ | 269,249 | |
| December 31, 2021 | $ | 97,627 | | | $ | 84,954 | | | $ | 83,843 | | | $ | 6,036 | | | $ | 33,971 | | | $ | 14,159 | | | $ | 15,650 | | | $ | 222,588 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Americas | | | | EMEA | | Asia-Pacific | | | | | Total |
| (in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | | $ | 92,952 | | | | | $ | 193,007 | | | $ | 21,231 | | | | | | $ | 307,190 | |
| December 31, 2023 | | | $ | 89,355 | | | | | $ | 202,969 | | | $ | 15,058 | | | | | | $ | 307,382 | |
Note 27.22. Subsequent Events
There are no significant events that require adjustments or disclosureBeginning in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
