Rocket Fuel Inc (fka FUEL)

[KingDMC]

Buyout offer for $8.30 LMAO wow...

[ThomCa-ching]

I work in tech and FUEL is the reason why ad tech companies like Adroll are reluctant to go public now. Honestly, the competition is fierce, and FUEL's offering is not that great in terms of performance. I can name several other companies that are sinking as bad. Not hating here at all, I would love to see this stock go, but I don't see it happening near term. They seriously need to cut the fat and automate more.

[KingDMC]

FUEL +5% AH see below:

Rocket Fuel Announces Efficiency Program and Preliminary First Quarter Results

Source: GlobeNewswire Inc.
Efficiency Program Projected to Reduce Costs by $30 Million Annually

Company Reports Preliminary First Quarter 2015 Results Above Guidance Ranges


Rocket Fuel (Nasdaq:FUEL), a leading programmatic media-buying platform provider that uses artificial intelligence (AI) at Big Data scale to improve marketing ROI for global agencies and enterprise marketers, today announced a series of operational efficiency initiatives that are expected to result in significant reductions in its cost structure. The initiatives span the company's operations and are part of the company's previously announced goal of achieving positive non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the full 2015 fiscal year.

"We are taking proactive steps to improve Rocket Fuel's financial model, and our team is focused and committed as we quickly implement these needed efficiency actions," said Monte Zweben, interim CEO of Rocket Fuel. "The company expects the operational efficiency program to reduce costs by approximately $30 million annually and position us to achieve our goal of positive non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for 2015."

Zweben added, "We continue to help marketers and their agencies optimize their campaigns by delivering Marketing that Learns™ -- our AI technology and Big Data architecture that continuously updates its understanding of which advertising and other marketing strategies have the most impact. Whether customers buy media from Rocket Fuel or use our technology platform, they view us as a trusted marketing partner because of how our AI continuously improves the effectiveness of their campaigns to deliver optimal business outcomes."

As part of its efficiency measures, Rocket Fuel is reducing operating expenses in most categories, including facilities leasing costs, outside services costs, and a reduction in workforce as a result of streamlining operating groups across the business. The company's engineering and R&D departments were unaffected, ensuring that the company can continue to develop and deliver its market-leading technologies.

Preliminary First Quarter 2015 Financial Results

The Company also announced preliminary results for the first quarter of 2015 as follows:

Revenue is estimated to be approximately $104.3 million, an increase of approximately 40% from the first quarter of last year.

Non-GAAP net revenue is estimated to be approximately $58.8 million, an increase of 32% from the first quarter of last year and above the Company's prior guidance range of $57 to $58 million.

Net loss is estimated to be approximately $(36.9) million.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA is estimated to be a loss of approximately $(13.6) million, significantly better than the Company's prior guidance range of a loss of $(18) to $(19) million.

"Our preliminary first quarter non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA results came in significantly ahead of our prior guidance range, reflecting the initial impact of our focus on controlling costs and optimizing our financial model," said Dave Sankaran, CFO. "With strategic efficiency programs in place, we expect to see continued improvement in our operating results in the coming quarters."

This preliminary, unaudited information is based on the Company's current estimate of results from operations for the first quarter of 2015, and remains subject to change based on the Company's and its independent auditor's customary and ongoing review of results, the subsequent occurrence or identification of events prior to closing of the review, and any further adjustments made in connection with closing and review procedures. As previously announced, the Company intends to report its final results and host a conference call to discuss its results on May 7, 2015.

[BigAlBalbosci]

yep. lots of short influence here, thus the sell off after 10% gains….

not worried tho. a year or 2 down the road, this will have market cap in the BILLIONS


Possible buyout , ….maybe…..however i don't think they would sell, unless extremely attractive.

The CEO is a innovator, and entrepreneur,

He will only be a sell out if its to propel him to bigger and greater things.

[Lombardi]

Refueled reversal?

[RickKayne]

Time to grab cojones and average down.
I'm thinking buyout or big earnings jumps 12-18 mos.
These guys are too honest and smart to fail.

[Lombardi]

How much downside is left?

I thought I was getting in at rock bottom. No way a company with this sort of plan can lay low for long.

[BigAlBalbosci]

there it is:

M&G Investment Management Limited
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 5,774,276
(b) Percent of class: 13.98%
(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 0
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 4,706,020
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 5,774,276
M&G Investment Funds (1)
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 4,142,690
(b) Percent of class: 10.03%
(c) Number of shares as to which the person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 0
(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 4,142,690
(iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 0
(iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 4,142,690
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class
Not Applicable.
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
Not Applicable.
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company
Not Applicable.
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group
Not Applicable.
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group
Not Applicable.
Item 10. Certification
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

5
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Date: March 6, 2015

M&G Investment Management Limited
By:
/s/ Mark Thomas
Name: Mark Thomas
Title: Head of Notifiable Reporting
M&G Investment Funds (1)
By:
/s/ Mark Thomas
Name: Mark Thomas
Title: Head of Notifiable Reporting

[BigAlBalbosci]

STUDY HOW CAPEX WORKS AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHY FUEL IS A GREAT PICK

[BigAlBalbosci]

Rocket FUEL partners with Google, Forbes, IBM, MAstercard, Oracle, Salesforce, Twitter, Yahoo, Experian, and many ,MANY more:

Looking good.

Investors may not trust all the way yet, however penny of fortune 500 companies are partnering up with Rocket Fuel

partnerships are built on the trust of integrity between 2 entities. Rocket Fuel partnered up with many.

Rocket FUEL.

Blasting off to the moon in 2015. 20$ Should looks realistic for 2015.

[KingDMC]

Rocket Fuel Launches Partner Program with More Than 100 Partners

Source: Business Wire
Partner Program’s Gold and Silver Certification Program Includes comScore, Experian, Nielsen Catalina Solutions, and Datalogix

Rocket Fuel (NASDAQ:FUEL), a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) advertising and marketing solutions for global agencies and brands, today announced a new partner certification program that offers Rocket Fuel clients the ability to access more than 100 best-in-class technology and solution providers that span the paid and owned marketing ecosystem, including connected platforms, data for targeting and measurement, attribution technology, publishers, and exchanges serving display, video, mobile, and social media.

“Rocket Fuel’s partners are essential to our business, and core to the success of our customers’ digital marketing initiatives,” said David Skinner, Vice President of Global Partnerships at Rocket Fuel. “We see tremendous value in partnering with best-in-class companies to bring further value to our customers and provide our partners access to resources that drive optimal business outcomes. As our digital marketing hub capabilities span an AI-based media-buying engine and industry leading DMP, our program is designed to help our customers optimize their digital marketing strategies across all touch points in the customer journey.”

On the Rocket Fuel platform, customers can tap into the Rocket Fuel partner ecosystem to access integrated partner capabilities. The benefit to Rocket Fuel’s customers is a curated set of partner solutions that drive high-performance, high-return-on-ad-spend solutions. Customers can enjoy the power of Rocket Fuel’s AI to optimize their campaigns in new, partner-enabled marketing domains in paid and owned media.

Rocket Fuel has expanded the current partner program to include Gold and Silver certification levels. Partners have an opportunity to become certified based on platform usage, strategic alignment, and market presence. Industry leaders and innovative startups partner with Rocket Fuel to gain access to the company’s best technical minds for collaboration, sales support, co-marketing, and to develop joint products that deliver superior business outcomes and drive the future of digital marketing. Partners receive access to various tools and real-time APIs on Rocket Fuel’s DMP and DSP platforms to develop innovative marketing solutions with support from Rocket Fuel’s technical team.

Partnership Tiers

Gold Certification: Companies offering proprietary solutions with significant value demonstrated in Rocket Fuel campaigns, which is communicated via joint strategic marketing initiatives.

Silver Certification: Companies offering solutions that are extensively integrated throughout the Rocket Fuel platform, whose value is communicated via joint tactical marketing efforts.

Enabled Status: Companies with integrated solutions supported by Rocket Fuel and are campaign-ready.

The full list of Rocket Fuel partners is available at http://rocketfuel.com/our-partners#our-partners.

“Rocket Fuel’s partner certification program puts the power back in the hands of the advertiser which makes them an ideal marketing partner for our own customer-first approach to addressable advertising,” said Ian Wright, Vice President, Global Product Management, Experian Marketing Services. “As a gold-level partner, advertisers will be able to leverage Experian Marketing Services’ best-in-class data and linkage assets throughout the advertising ecosystem to engage their most relevant customers and prospects across the broadest array of offline and online channels.”

"We are proud to partner with Rocket Fuel with a shared commitment to independent verification of campaign ad delivery,” said Jodi McDermott, Group Vice President at comScore. “Using comScore validated Campaign Essentials™, our combined efforts offer Rocket Fuel customers a leading methodology for identifying and avoiding low quality inventory, ensuring that their ads are served in brand safe environments. Our collaboration also allows brand advertisers to accurately verify target audience reach by integrating vCE® with Rocket Fuel’s Audience Guarantee solution, which is designed to ensure marketers only pay for impressions delivered to their intended target.”

“We are aligned with Rocket Fuel in improving audience targeting and delivering measurable sales results for digital campaigns,” said Chris Scoggins, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital Services, Datalogix. “Datalogix’ offline purchasing data and Rocket Fuel’s Big Data and AI-based media buying platform are a winning combination for advertisers and publishers who want to increase the effectiveness and measurement of their advertising.”

“We’re proud to collaborate with Rocket Fuel to optimize ad performance and maximize ROI for brands,” said Jay Stockwell, Chief Revenue Officer, Nielsen Catalina Solutions. “The ability to dynamically adapt in-flight ads - leveraging the combined force of Rocket Fuel’s optimization platform powered by actual retail sales datasets from Nielsen Catalina Solutions - offers significant performance advantages to advertisers."

[BigAlBalbosci]

Yes sir. FUEL has doubled employees since last year. And dropped big cash on frontend.
All good. Revenues keep rising.

R&D frontend will be rewarded HUGE on backend

Artificial intelligence aspects can not be fathomed by many.

Get ready

FUEL

[ybnormal]

That's why I sold my puts and am holding my shares

[BigAlBalbosci]

Bottom consolidation above 10$ looks promising. Last call for under 10$ TODAY, imo

[BigAlBalbosci]

12.50$ By Spring? I think FUEL might start growing big time!

[BigAlBalbosci]

http://seekingalpha.com/article/2958636-buying-rocket-fuel-finally-makes-sense

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucerogers/2015/02/04/rocket-fuel-brings-artificial

[ybnormal]

Seems like the bottom is in...or at least not far below. Sold my hedge puts today....wrote some calls against my position.

[ybnormal]

Good fins is what they need now. All else is noise IMO

[BigAlBalbosci]

FUEL headed back to 10$? Getting closer.

[BigAlBalbosci]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucerogers/2015/02/04/rocket-fuel-brings-artificial-intelligence-to-marketing-effectiveness/

[BigAlBalbosci]

If insider sells cease, and FUEL see's another SC13G with a reputable group. I will look for entry.

Decent bids yesterday. Many want to see a reversal. Does the company?

[BigAlBalbosci]

John’s team at Yahoo! started the process of finding companies with technology to acquire that could do just that, only to find they didn’t exist. Even the small innovative, startup companies they were considering acquiring were principally building technology to deliver campaigns, not to deliver them intelligently and drive business outcomes. The existing companies they did find tended to have 1) An over reliance on human manual work to execute campaigns and 2) A myopic maniacal focus on one dimension for driving performance, choosing contextual targeting, behavioral targeting, or geographically targeting rather than using all available data in combination, analyzed and and acted upon (via machine learning and predictive science) in real time.

FUEL's CEO is a rocket scientist that went TechnoAdvertising like no one has ever seen.

The concept is relatively new. Most can not fathom technologically advanced advertising as more then a pop up on your web browser.

FUEL is all about deriving the dynamic results to reinforce the capabilities and need for the software. The client list is verifiable evidence of the results it can perform.

The tip of the iceberg has been revealed,

But AI has a long time coming.

[BigAlBalbosci]

Investments on Artificial Intelligence Software is long term

Bets on the bounce off bottom are short term

FUEL is poised to see some action from both, imo

Full Year Revenue Grew 70%, While Revenue From Mobile, Social and Video Grew 201%

CEO Worked at NASA , IBM, SALEFORCE and more.

John is not your average entrepreneur. He’s not even your average computer science Ph.D. John recognized from an early age that his facility for math and logic-based problem solving set him apart. “I can remember that even by age four I had a sense of how technology could influence and even possibly change the world. When my father passed away at an early age when I was still very young , I somehow believed that, if technology at the time had been more advanced, it could have saved my father’s life,” says John.

His journey from precocious child to CEO starts where all good rocket scientists begin, at NASA. During the time when he was earning his Ph.D from Stanford, John began working at NASA in their AI branch, where he worked on autonomous systems for spacecraft. His team were developing systems that would allow smart robots like Mars rovers to autonomously react to their environment. He would later bring that experience and knowledge to bear at Rocket Fuel and apply the same techniques to the marketing sphere.

From NASA, he went to Lockheed’s Missiles and Space division. Due to budget cuts for defense spending, Lockheed created a group that used their guidance technology and other AI systems for commercial means and John was a part of that group. He says, “Instead of targeting missiles to blow things up, I was trying to target coupons across America.” Building on those experiences, he continued to focus on making artificial intelligence-based decisioning platforms and found himself working on similar projects at IBM IBM -1.23%, Epiphany, Salesforce.com and then on to Yahoo!, working on developing digital advertising solutions at massive scale.

Going forward John says, “I really do want to fully solve marketing problems quantitatively to the extent that they are solvable, which is I think very significant.” He continues by saying, “In a smart company — where marketing is not just the province of some mystical shaman that goes off and spends money on TV spots — marketing is more accountable, more measurable, and marketers are more serious about driving a company’s performance forward,” says John.

With some $1.2 trillion in marketing spend worldwide, there’s a lot of work yet to do for George John and Rocket Fuel.

also,

On November 24, 2014, Manu Thapar joined Rocket Fuel Inc. (the "Company") as Senior Vice President of Research and Development. This newly created position will oversee all of the Company's engineering and technology teams. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Thapar served in various technology leadership roles, including positions at Angie's List, Wal-Mart.com, MySpace and Yahoo!.



FUEL : Perhaps they can create some artificial intelligence software to weigh the possibility of PPS recovery.

[ybnormal]

Doubtful with ever declining revenue and ever widening losses. Maybe a short biased hedge fund

[BigAlBalbosci]

S13G sometime soon?Tech Hedges headed this way?

[UserAlias1]

FUEL down BIG today.

[ybnormal]

Well...at least my puts are looking good

[KingDMC]

Would have been a nice flip from 10.50 to 12.00

[AnG5640]

Wowza!!

[KingDMC]

33% drop wow. Will make for a good entry on a bounce play.

[KingDMC]

Looks like terrible earnings. I'll be looking for entry here. Good company played many trades here last earnings.

[ybnormal]

Last guidance was soft and a pretty wide range....so it shouldn't be too hard to hit the mark. This could go either direction by a few bucks though

[Jakeyoo]

Any thoughts about the earning report?

[RickKayne]

While common sense would say programmed algorithmic traders have their settings to properly identify the sector they are buying or shorting... I'm starting to think otherwise, the trading has correlated very closely to mix sized e&p companies I follow. With a ticker like FUEL there is bound to be some confusion. I've even seen some tweets that I think we're purposely placed by the unscrupulous to confuse the machines. Lol.
Kind of ironic that this is an artificial intelligence focused marketing company..

[RickKayne]

[ybnormal]

Dumplestilstilskin is on his way...if not tomorrow, sometime this week. Stamp it!

[ybnormal]

I'd wait till tomorrow. Tuesday, 12/9 is the effective date for the prospectus to sell 3.7 million shares. There isn't sufficient buying interest to support the SP. I expect the price to tank once the selling begins, and that would be the buying opportunity IMO

[RickKayne]

Price is much lower now than during this interview.
I may keep accumulating.
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/rocket-fuel-using-ai-to-make-digital-ads-better-pFHwbuOBT6iKh5IcHF27TA.html

[RickKayne]

Bio

http://robotics.stanford.edu/~gjohn/

[RickKayne]

[ybnormal]

If you own shares here he won't be your favorite in a few days when 3.5 million more shares hit the float...selling into the bid

[RickKayne]

A real life Sheldon Cooper.

[RickKayne]

George J. Is my new favorite CEO.

[KingDMC]

Squeeze em hard!

[KingDMC]

Flipped pre market. Will play the up and down swings today..

[KingDMC]

Yea the old gap n trap is for sure premarket. May sell for the quick gain and buy back on a fill. See you bright n early Tomm.

[ybnormal]

GLTY then. I think we see a gap and trap tomorrow...

[KingDMC]

Maybe I'll flip them tomorrow morning then. I'll play it by ear.

[ybnormal]

I'd wait to load until the stock from the M&A gets into the float to load...IMO the big short positions won't get covered till then...

[ybnormal]

I don't believe we'll see a squeeze here. The run up AH is just the nervous shorts covering IMO. This company is still bleeding money..