TouchSource, Smartify Team Up to Monetize Wayfinding Displays
2026-08-10 · via invidis
TouchSource and Smartify Media have struck a partnership that lets TouchSource's digital wayfinding and directory displays carry programmatic advertising through Smartify's national digital-out-of-home network. For commercial property owners, this means existing directory screens in office buildings, mixed-use developments and shopping centers can start generating ad revenue without swapping out hardware.
TouchSource builds digital signage and interactive wayfinding systems aimed at commercial real estate, the kind of directory and lobby displays tenants and visitors use to find their way around a building. Smartify Media runs a programmatic DooH network focused on place-based advertising, the kind of buy-side infrastructure that lets advertisers bid for inventory across screens in physical locations.
Under the deal, qualifying TouchSource displays become available as inventory in Smartify's programmatic marketplace. According to the companies, property owners keep the displays running their primary job of wayfinding and tenant communications, while ads are layered in alongside that content to create a new revenue line.
What it means for operators
This is part of a broader pattern in the industry: turning screens that were installed for a purely functional purpose, wayfinding, queue management, directories, into ad-supported media the moment they are networked and programmatic-ready. For building owners already running TouchSource hardware, the pitch is straightforward. No new screens, no new mounts, just a software and ad-sales layer bolted onto infrastructure that is already paid for.
The announcement does not say how revenue is split between TouchSource, Smartify and the property owner, nor does it specify which TouchSource hardware models or software versions qualify for the integration. It also does not give a timeline for rollout or say how many locations are involved at launch. Advertisers get access to what the companies call "premium locations," but no details are given on audience measurement, ad formats or pricing.
For operators evaluating similar moves, the key questions will be around revenue share, content control safeguards to keep ads from clashing with wayfinding function, and whether the integration requires a hardware refresh or works purely at the software level.
The announcement in full
Reproduced from invidis for reference. Digital Signage Magazine did not write the text below.
Partnership enables wayfinding displays to generate advertising revenue through Smartify's national media network.
TouchSource and Smartify Media have partnered to connect digital wayfinding and directory displays with Smartify’s national programmatic digital-out-of-home (DooH) advertising network, allowing commercial property owners to monetize existing digital signage infrastructure.
The partnership enables qualifying TouchSource displays to participate in Smartify’s programmatic marketplace, creating new advertising inventory across office buildings, mixed-use developments, shopping centers and other commercial properties. Property owners can generate incremental revenue while continuing to use the displays for wayfinding and tenant communications.
TouchSource specializes in digital signage and interactive wayfinding for commercial real estate, while Smartify Media operates a DooH network focused on place-based advertising. By integrating the two platforms, building owners can add advertising to existing displays without replacing their digital signage infrastructure.
The companies say the partnership provides property owners with an additional revenue stream while giving advertisers access to premium locations where audiences are already engaged with digital screens.