# Ad-verification platform Pubguard appoints Andy Stevens as chairman Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2018-10-03 Category: TECHNOLOGY Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/technology Meta Title: Former SYZYGY COO appointed chairman at in-app Meta Description: Join Pubguard and Andy Stevens in the fight against fake ads and fraud in the in-app advertising industry. Discover how Pubguard's technology is URL: https://financedigest.com/ad-verification-platform-pubguard-appoints-andy-stevens-as-chairmanhtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/punguard-1736840241198-compressed.jpg) In-app ad-verification platform Pubguard has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of the former president and chief operating officer of SYZYGY as its chairman. Andy Stevens founded online media planning and buying agency Unique Digital in 2001, which he then sold to SYZYGY in 2010. Andy has a wealth of experience and has previously worked with a number of global blue chip clients, including Avis, Mazda and O2. ![Pubguard L-R Chris Damski Justin Wenczka Andy Stevens](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/punguard-1736840241198-compressed.jpg) Pubguard L-R Chris Damski Justin Wenczka Andy Stevens Following a £400,000 seed investment from Mercia Fund Managers in 2017, Pubguard has achieved positive growth and has successfully bolstered its team to support significant client wins, including some of the world’s largest publishers and app developers. Global in-app ad spend is [projected](https://www.financedigest.com/starbucks-projects-profit-growth-from-tech-stores-workers-spending.html "Starbucks projects profit growth from tech, stores, workers spending") to hit $134.36billion in 2018 which represents 21.37% of total media ad spend _,_ according to eMarketer. The biggest concern in the [market is fraud and Pubguard has developed in-app technology](https://www.financedigest.com/medical-device-technologies-market-expectations-and-growth-trends-highlighted-until-2028.html "Medical Device Technologies Market Expectations and Growth Trends Highlighted Until 2028") that can automatically identify and eliminate the billions of ‘fake ads’ that manipulate vulnerable users every year. Pubguard has built proprietary [technology](https://www.financedigest.com/adverty-wins-third-us-patent-for-brainimpression-bringing-ad-viewability-technology-to-gaming-on-mobile-tv-screens-and-the-wider-metaverse.html "Adverty wins third US patent for BrainImpression™, bringing ad viewability technology to gaming on mobile, TV screens and the wider metaverse") that automatically reviews in-app advertising to identify offensive, malicious and illegal ad content which can be blocked at its clients’ discretion. The company reviews seven billion ads per month using advanced image and code [recognition technologies](https://www.financedigest.com/adnami-to-receive-six-figure-sum-of-investment-from-danish-government-in-recognition-of-its-pioneering-technology-and-strategy.html "Adnami to receive six-figure sum of investment from Danish government in recognition of its pioneering technology and strategy") to solve problems such as fake ads, pop-ups and redirects. **Justin Wenczka, Pubguard’s co-founder and CEO, said:** [“Pubguard](https://www.financedigest.com/advertising-technology-start-up-secures-funding-from-mercia-fund-management.html) was set up by [mobile industry natives to help app](https://www.financedigest.com/the-growth-of-mobile-fintech-and-the-impact-for-mobile-app-marketers.html "The growth of mobile fintech and the impact for mobile app marketers") developers combat fake and fraudulent ads. Andy brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective, which is exactly what is needed to help [manage](https://www.financedigest.com/tmwi-appoints-matt-franceschi-as-deputy-managing-director-to-help-spearhead-the-integrated-media-agencys-ongoing-growth.html "tmwi appoints Matt Franceschi as Deputy Managing Director to help spearhead the integrated media agency’s ongoing growth") such extraordinary growth.” **Commenting on his new role, Andy Stevens said:** “With fantastic support from our investors, [Pubguard](https://www.financedigest.com/advertising-technology-start-up-secures-funding-from-mercia-fund-management.html) is on an upward trajectory. I am delighted to be joining the team and to be part of such an exciting business in such a [fast moving](https://www.financedigest.com/microsoft-unveils-ai-office-copilot-in-fast-moving-race-with-google.html "Microsoft unveils AI office copilot in fast-moving race with Google") industry. We [aim to not only help define and build](https://www.financedigest.com/metas-zuckerberg-unveils-ai-projects-aimed-at-building-metaverse-future.html "Meta’s Zuckerberg unveils AI projects aimed at building metaverse future") the sector, but to be the leaders within it.” **Chris Kilroy, [Investment Manager](https://www.financedigest.com/pragma-investments.html "Pragma Investments on Wealth Management versus Private Banking") at Mercia, said:** “We are delighted that Pubguard has brought Andy on board as chairman. Pubguard is on a mission to help app developers [across the globe eradicate malicious advertising content and I am confident that Andy will be instrumental in supporting the company as it continues](https://www.financedigest.com/adverty-partners-with-livewire-to-continue-growth-of-in-game-advertising-across-asia-pacific.html "Adverty partners with Livewire to continue growth of in-game advertising across Asia Pacific") to scale.” --- This blog is powered by Superblog. 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