IPA Outdoor Welcomes Clear Channel UK Acquisition

Clear Channel UK’s recent acquisition of Score Outdoor (see Score Outdoor Sale To Create Third Force In Market) will benefit advertisers by creating more competition within the outdoor sector, according to IPA Outdoor (IPAO).

The acquisition, which will see the creation of a third national force in billboard advertising to rival JCDecaux and Maiden, has been welcomed by the IPA’s outdoor division, which says that a new player in the 48/96-sheet market will provide advertisers with a greater level of choice and flexibility.

However, IPA Outdoor committee chairman, Carole Kerman, has warned Clear Channel UK not to ignore the needs of advertisers requiring only local or regional coverage, saying “a reasonable pool or regional availability should be maintained.”

She added: “Flexibility and sensible pricing are both characteristics that underpin the strength of the outdoor medium. Understandably then, advertisers might be concerned over what effect sales consolidation will have on these characteristics. IPAO believes a third national large format player should, in theory, increase competition and we look forward to future trading.”

Clear Channel UK has acquired Score Outdoor for a minimum of £33.5m payable on completion of the transaction, which is still subject to approval form the Office of Fair Trading.

IPA: 020 7235 7020 www.ipa.co.uk

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