Ocean Outdoor signs long-term billboard deal with Southampton council

Digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising operator Ocean Outdoor has secured an exclusive long-term contract with Southampton City Council, to provide the city with “enhanced digital” roadside, city centre large format advertising screens.

The London-listed firm said that under the terms of the 10-year contract opportunity, it would upgrade and develop all of the council's existing and new roadside billboards within the city centre.

It said the advertising screens would serve to grow the council's revenues, drive environmental standards through targeted public information messages, and improve the city's aesthetics.

Delivering on its objective to provide a compelling and impactful network of national urban audiences for advertisers, Ocean Outdoor said Southampton marked its expansion into its 12th UK city, as it continued to grow organically and increases its DOOH portfolio across strategic locations.

“We are delighted to be able to announce this news so soon after the company's re-admission to the London Stock Exchange,” said Ocean Outdoor chief executive officer Tim Bleakley.

“This partnership will enable Ocean to progress its ambition of developing ‘digital cities for digital citizens’, by working closely with the city council to deliver innovative and engaging digital solutions to the people of Southampton.”

Bleakley said Southampton City Council had “ambitious plans”, and the company hoped it could help it to create commercial value as well as improve engagement with residents.

“As we enter 2019, we remain confident about the increasing importance of DOOH's role across both the urban city and advertising landscapes.”