Award-winning partnership between Durham University and global marketing specialist to push boundaries of #AdTech

Transformational scheme recruits more budding tech talent from Durham University into Carbon by Clicksco 

A placement that earned a data science graduate from Worksop a national award for innovation is recruiting again, after funding was secured by Durham University and global one-to-one marketing specialist, Clicksco Group.

Talented computer and data graduates will be vying for the opportunity to contribute to developing a unique intent data management platform called Carbon DMP, which promises to revolutionise how personalised advertising content is delivered to online audiences.

Dr Alistair McLean, Chief Technology Officer for Clicksco said: “We’re really excited to offer this new, second, 27-month long KTP with Durham University. The successful candidate will work with our expert team to develop the technology in this very challenging area, in a bid to improve the quality and relevance of information shown to online consumers.

“They will be responsible for developing industry-first tools to decide if, what, when and how adverts and content are displayed so that the best long-term cost-effective strategy is chosen for each user. Through the work we do with Durham University we will continue to push the boundaries of what is currently possible and will revolutionise the advertising and publishing industry.”

The project will start in September 2019 and the role holder – called a KTP Associate – will join a pool of over 850 graduates and post graduates who are bridging the gap between academia and industry, providing a catalyst for change in their fields of interest.

Dr Jonathan Cumming is Director of the Statistics and Mathematics Consultancy Unit (SMCU) and Lecturer in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Durham University. He will supervise the project alongside Dr Ian Version, Lecturer in the Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Dr Cumming said: “We’re looking forward to growing our collaboration with Carbon DMP, expanding the KTP team, and building on the excellent work we’ve developed over the past 18 months. Developing methods for making statistically-informed decisions in a big data environment is a challenging problem which could have many useful applications.”

The KTP will extend the award-winning work modelling online behaviour and purchase intent using Clicksco’s Carbon DMP platform, which collects and analyses anonymous data from over two million new unique users per day. The first KTP project saw 22-year-old Ryan Jessop earn national recognition as a ‘future innovator’ – and he secured a permanent role at Clicksco as a data scientist.

The KTP programme, part of the Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Network, has been helping forward thinking organisations drive growth by collaborating with the UK’s world class knowledge base for over 40 years, funding almost 12,000 placements since its inception.