Short answer:
The virtual format of the two investorâconference sessions (OppenheimerâsâŻ2025 Technology, Internet & Communications Conference and Cannonball Researchâs TMT conference) is unlikely to significantly limit analyst coverage and, thanks to modern webcast platforms, can still support a fairly robust Q&A with Viantâs management. However, compared with a fully inâperson event, there are a few nuances that may affect the depth and spontaneity of the dialogue.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the factors at play, drawing directly from the information you supplied about Viantâs upcoming conference schedule.
1. What the news tells us
| Event | Date | Format | Location (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oppenheimer 28th Annual Technology, Internet & Communications Conference | AugâŻ12âŻ2025 | Virtual | â |
| Canaccord Genuityâs 45th Annual Growth Conference | AugâŻ13âŻ2025 | Inâperson | Boston, MA |
| Cannonball Research TMT Conference | AugâŻ2025 (exact date not specified) | Virtual | â |
Thus, two of the three engagements are fully virtual, while the Canaccord conference will be held in Boston, giving analysts an opportunity for faceâtoâface interaction on at least one day.
2. Analyst coverage considerations
| Factor | Virtual format impact | Inâperson (Boston) impact |
|---|---|---|
| Number of analysts attending | Virtual rooms typically have lower logistical barriers (no travel, no hotel cost). This can increase the total number of analysts who log on, especially those from smaller firms or those covering many stocks in one day. | Physical capacity (room size, travel budgets) can limit attendance, but the prestige of an inâperson event may attract a core set of analysts. |
| Geographic reach | Unlimited â analysts from any time zone can join if the webcast is scheduled appropriately. | Restricted to those able to travel to Boston (or those who can attend via a satellite feed, if provided). |
| Preparation and research depth | Analysts may still do the same preâcall homework; the virtual format does not affect that. | Same level of preparation. |
| Competing conference noise | Virtual events often run backâtoâback and may compete for attention with other webinars, potentially diluting focus. | Inâperson events are more âexclusiveâ timeâblocks, which can improve concentration. |
Bottom line: Virtual sessions generally broaden analyst participation rather than limit it.
3. Depth of Q&A â Why virtual can be both a help and a hindrance
| Aspect | Virtual environment | Inâperson environment |
|---|---|---|
| Chatâbased questions | Platforms (e.g., GoToWebinar, Zoom, ON24) allow analysts to type questions, and moderators can field many more than would be feasible in a live room. This can increase quantity of questions. | Physical handâraising limits the number of questions; moderators must be selective. |
| Followâup / backâandâforth | Realâtime typing can be slower than spoken backâandâforth, potentially reducing the fluidity of deeper probing. Some platforms allow âraise handâ and live audio, but the pacing can feel more formal. | Direct dialogue allows quick followâup, nuance, and the ability to read body language. |
| Anonymity & comfort | Analysts may feel less pressure asking probing questions from behind a screen, which can lead to tougher queries. | Some analysts may be hesitant to ask pointed questions in front of a live audience. |
| Time constraints | Virtual sessions are often tightly timed (e.g., 20â30âŻmin for Q&A) because the platform charges per minute and because many participants share the same slot. This can cap the depth of each line of questioning. | Inâperson sessions sometimes allocate longer Q&A periods, especially if the venue is set up for a âresearch day.â |
| Technical glitches | Poor audio/video connectivity can cause missed questions or interrupt followâup. However, most reputable conference providers have backup streams and chat logs. | Fewer technical interruptions, but still possible (e.g., microphone issues). |
| Recordability | Virtual Q&A is automatically recorded and transcribed, giving analysts a permanent reference and enabling them to revisit nuanced answers. | Recordings are possible but less common; analysts rely on notes. |
Overall effect: Virtual Q&A tends to increase the number of questions and can surface harder, more dataâdriven queries due to analyst comfort. However, the depth per question may be slightly shallower because of time limits and the slower backâandâforth nature of typed interaction.
4. Practical implications for Viantâs management
- Preparation for a broader audience â Expect a larger, more geographically diverse analyst pool, many of whom may focus on macroâlevel metrics (e.g., CTV inventory growth, AI model performance, margin trends).
- Clear, concise answers â Because virtual Q&A can become âquestionâfireâhose,â succinct answers that still deliver data points are essential.
- Leverage the recorded transcript â Postâevent, Viant can circulate a transcript or a Q&A summary to ensure any nuanced answers are captured and can be referenced in later earnings releases.
- Use the Boston inâperson event strategically â The Canaccord conference gives management a chance to dive deeper with a smaller group of analysts who may have followâup questions that couldnât be fully addressed virtually.
5. Bottomâline assessment
- Analyst coverage: The virtual format expands coverage rather than limiting it. More analysts can attend without travel constraints, and the recorded nature of the webcast adds an extra layer of accessibility.
- Depth of Q&A: While virtual platforms can handle a high volume of questions and sometimes elicit tougher queries, the timeâboxed nature of webinars may restrict the length of each exchange. The inâperson Boston session will therefore be the venue where the most detailed, multiâlayered dialogue is likely to occur.
Conclusion: Viantâs management should anticipate robust analyst participation across the virtual conferences, with the quality of answers being largely preserved through careful preparation and effective moderation. The presence of at least one inâperson event (the Canaccord Growth Conference) provides a safety net for deeper, nuanced discussions that might be constrained by the virtual setting. Overall, the virtual format is unlikely to materially limit coverage and, if managed well, can still facilitate substantive Q&A with analysts.