South Korea-based PulseAd, an AI-powered retail media platform, has officially entered the US market, opening its American headquarters in Seattle. The company aims to disrupt the booming $280 billion retail media sector with its AI-first, results-driven advertising technology.
Founded in March 2024, PulseAd has already helped brands achieve a 99% increase in new customer acquisition and a 1,500% sales surge during Amazon Prime Day. Now, it’s targeting a wider US audience, directly competing with legacy AdTech platforms and traditional media agencies.
A Strategic Entry into the Fastest-Growing Ad Segment
Retail media is projected to be the third wave of digital advertising, following search and social. In 2024 alone, it generated over $150 billion globally. PulseAd’s expansion into the US comes as advertisers seek better ROI, automation, and real-time optimization.
“Retail media is reshaping how brands allocate their digital ad spend,” said David Yun, CEO of PulseAd. “Our AI-native approach is engineered to deliver performance beyond what legacy platforms can achieve.”
Results That Challenge the Status Quo
PulseAd’s AI-driven campaigns have delivered impressive results for global electronics and K-beauty brands expanding into North America. The platform achieved a 99% increase in new customer acquisition, a 61% rise in repeat purchases, and a massive 1,500% boost in Prime Day sales.
Additionally, repurchase rates improved by 23%. These strong performance metrics highlight PulseAd’s ability to compete effectively with major U.S. AdTech players such as Criteo, The Trade Desk, and traditional DSPs.
Built AI-First, Not AI-Adapted
Unlike traditional agencies or retrofitted platforms, PulseAd was built from the ground up with AI at its core. “We didn’t add AI to an existing platform; we built everything AI-first, from data ingestion to campaign delivery,” explained CEO Yun, likening the approach to Tesla building EVs from scratch rather than converting gas cars.
Supporting Amazon, Meta, Google, and TikTok, PulseAd enables unified media buying and cross-platform performance comparison, an essential feature in today’s fragmented retail landscape.
Leadership Backed by Tech and Ad Expertise
PulseAd is led by a seasoned executive team with deep industry expertise. CEO David Yun previously served as APAC sales director at a Silicon Valley AdTech firm and led $1.3B in GMV at Kakao.
CTO Kyle Choi brings strong technical leadership with a focus on scalable data systems, while COO Jay Kim adds global experience from his time at Google and top advertising agencies.
Walmart, Instacart, and “Pulsy” AI Assistant
In the second half of 2025, PulseAd plans to expand its reach by integrating with Walmart Connect, Target Roundel, and Instacart Ads. Additionally, it is developing “Pulsy,” an AI assistant designed to deliver real-time campaign insights and optimization tips, making performance marketing even more streamlined and effective for retailers.
Capturing the Retail Media Shift
As advertisers shift budgets from traditional channels to retail media, PulseAd’s unified, AI-powered platform offers a compelling alternative.
“Brands now demand measurable impact, not just impressions or clicks,” Yun said. “PulseAd empowers marketers to optimize spend and prove ROI through real sales data.”
With its Seattle base, expanding integrations, and growing client base, PulseAd is poised to become a key player in the next generation of AdTech.
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