In order to improve data infrastructure and analytics capabilities, Clearspring, provider of a top social sharing and analytics platform, acquired data science company XGraph. Clearspring has a proprietary data processing infrastructure that enables real-time processing of up to 10TB/day of data gathered together through the AddThis Platform. With XGraph’s multi-graph technology, Clearspring claims it will be the largest interest graph platform on the open web, connecting 1.2 billion users through brand affiliation, intent, social connections, etc.

“Clearspring is at the epicenter of two major shifts online—the web becoming social and personal, and advertising becoming data-driven and accountable. The common thread in both changes is data. To compete in this new world, companies will not only need the ability to access and process big data, but also have the ability to activate that data to create value for consumers, publishers and advertisers,” said Ramsey McGrory, Clearspring’s new Chief Executive.

“The combined company has the people, technology and data to enable our clients to stay at the forefront of these changes. 2012 will be a breakout year for Clearspring.”

People at XGraph have in-depth knowledge of data science in application to advertising, sociology, mathematics and computer science, which animatedly systematizes users through shared connections and interests.  XGraph will greatly help Clearspring’s efforts with publishers, advertisers and agencies by providing them with the largest multi-graph audience targeting capabilities available on the open web.  The technology will help businesses identify their audiences and other like-minded individuals, allowing them to create ads that will engage these users. Clearspring is also working on a service that will deliver unique audience insights, monetization capabilities and actionable data products.

Clearspring sure has its heart on delivering means and insights that will benefit business and marketing. When the company raises $20 million funding last May, they used it to build up a platform centered on the AddThis sharing tool, as well as develop a tool allowing publishers to analyze content sharing activity within the platform later on. Here’s an infographic they made about users’ sharing behavior in the last 5 years.

In addition, the company recently hired Yahoo veteran Ramsey McGrory to become its new chief executive in place of Hooman Radfar, whose involvement will continue as the company’s executive chair.