• by Tyler Loechner  @mp_tyler, August 6, 2015

Programmatic ad tech firm Rocket Fuel this week released its second-quarter 2015 earnings report, announcing that it saw $120.1 million in revenue during the quarter, up 30% compared to the same time period one year ago.

The company did report a net loss of $24.4 million on the quarter, but at press time, shares of Rocket Fuel (“FUEL”) had jumped about 8% nonetheless.

Rocket Fuel’s headcount was down from about 1,183 employees at the end of the first quarter to 1,008 by the end of the second. This was expected, however, as the company announced in April that it intended to cut its workforce by 11%.

In contrast to its decreasing headcount -- which included the departure of its CEO -- Rocket Fuel’s customer base is expanding. The company notes that it had 1,592 customers during the second quarter of 2015, up from 1,444 during the same quarter one year ago.

“The last piece to put in place is a permanent CEO and we expect resolution soon,” noted BMO Capital Markets in a note reacting to Rocket Fuel’s second-quarter earnings report. BMO Capital Markets also notes that Rocket Fuel is focused on expanding relationships with agencies. Rocket Fuel highlighted its recent IPG/Cadreon partnership as evidence of these expanding partnerships.

Additionally, Rocket Fuel has been growing its direct customer base. Client direct relationships now represent nearly a quarter (24%) of total revenue, up from about 10% during the second quarter of 2014. 

“We … made solid progress adding new agency and direct customers,” stated Monte Zweben, interim CEO of Rocket Fuel.

Rocket Fuel reported revenue from mobile, social and video of $43.4 million, an increase of 6% compared to the second quarter of 2014. 

The company estimates non-GAAP net revenue to land in the range of $68 million to $73 million during the third quarter 2015, which would be in line with the $70.9 million non-GAAP net revenue the company reported during the second quarter.