European video ad tech provider Videoplaza announced this morning that it has launched Aunia, a private, invite-only video ad marketplace for Spain's largest broadcasters. Videoplaza Founder and CEO Sorosh Tavakoli told me yesterday that Spain's challenging economic environment and the broadcasters' desire to tap into programmatic revenue motivated the initiative.

The initial 2 broadcasters, which comprise 4 channels, have each committed to provide 40 million monthly video impressions to create sufficient scale in Aunia from the start. Other broadcasters are anticipated to join shortly. Sorosh said Aunia won't have a sales team per se, but rather a team of evangelists who work with the buy side to explain Aunia's benefits and who work with the broadcasters to ensure proper integrations.

Advertisers already on board include Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Pernod Ricard, Peugeot and Red Bull.