• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, October 30, 2020

AI-driven product placement and influencer marketing agency BEN has agreed to acquire TubeBuddy, a browser extension that integrates with YouTube and helps creators optimize content through predictive analytics. Terms weren’t disclosed.

BEN, which is owned by Bill Gates, said that Rob Gabel, the founder and CEO of social video analytics firm Tubular Labs will join the agency as general manager of a new division anchored by TubeBuddy.

Founded in 2014 TubeBuddy is now said to work with 5 million influencers, offering tools including keyword research, thumbnail generation, A/B testing, bulk processing, and advanced analytics.

The deal complements BEN’s focus on bringing brands and influencers together by identifying, vetting, and facilitating content partnerships. With its acquisition of TubeBuddy, BEN will now extend resources directly to the creators and bring its proprietary AI and deep learning neural networks to content creators on the TubeBuddy platform.