Hands

About Hands

Established in 1998 by Marcelo Lenhard and headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, Hands is a technology company specializing in mobile advertising and data intelligence. Initially founded as a mobile ad network, the firm provided ad space on major mobile websites and developed technology for creating responsive mobile sites.

A significant milestone in the company's trajectory was its acquisition by Pontomobi in December 2011 for $2.22 million. Pontomobi, along with Hands as its mobile advertising unit, was later acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network in October 2015, with Hands continuing to operate as an independent brand. This series of acquisitions underscores the strategic value of Hands' capabilities within the larger digital and mobile marketing landscape. In June 2018, the company secured $3.44 million in a private equity funding round led by Confrapar.

Hands operates on a B2B model, providing services that bridge the connectivity gap between brands and consumers on mobile platforms. The company's core business involves mobile media planning based on client-defined KPIs and the production of creative campaigns tailored for mobile devices. It serves major advertisers by leveraging partnerships with carriers, manufacturers, publishers, and Wi-Fi networks to qualify audiences. Its client roster has included prominent names such as BMW, Itaú, McDonald's, Nivea, and Ford.

A key offering is its Mobile Data Management Platform (MDM), which was the first 100% mobile DMP in Brazil. This platform provides sophisticated segmentation options, including GeoBehavior, AppBehavior, and geolocation tracking, to deliver behavioral analysis of mobile users. By combining data intelligence with contextual activation, Hands facilitates mobile experiences that connect products and services to people, enabling advertisers to communicate with a multi-screen audience.