Advertising exchange Rubicon Project has launched a service to make it easier for publishers to deploy, configure, and optimise their own Prebid-based header bidding solutions. The Demand Manager, currently in private beta, aims to put publisher monetisation teams back in control of their programmatic business.

The solution includes universal performance analytics and configuration UIs, so publishers can monitor and optimise demand; integration with Rubicon’s marketplace across all deal types; and dedicated support from Rubicon through its hosting and updating of the Prebid code and by providing technical and yield management expertise.

“As Prebid scaled globally, it became clear that publishers had to expend significant time and resources adapting it to their needs, which is unsustainable and unnecessary,” said Tom Kershaw, chief technology officer at Rubicon Project. “With Demand Manager, we see the opportunity to combine the transparency and flexibility of open source with a turnkey service that puts control back in the publishers’ hands so they don’t have to rely on us or anyone else to run their businesses.”

Discovery Inc., Publishers Clearing House, AutoTrader, Southern Cross Austereo, and Domain are some of the names currently using Demand Manager in the private beta.