OFT Approves Clear Channel’s Acquisition Of Score Outdoor

Clear Channel’s acquisition of Score Outdoor from Scottish Radio Holdings has been approved by the Office Of Fair Trading allowing the creation of a third national force in the billboard advertising market.

American-owned Clear Channel plans to merge Score Outdoor with its own poster contractor, More O’Ferrall and the new combined company will launch a series of national and regional campaigns later this year. Jonathan Lewis, managing director of More O’Ferrall, said: “We now have a business that has the most consistent group of assets in the market. This deal is a key step in fulfilling our commitment to building the best billboard business in the UK.”

Over the next few months More O’Ferrall is planning to enhance its offering with an extensive rebuilding and upgrading programme designed to make its portfolio more accessible to advertisers.

Earlier this year the IPA’s outdoor division welcomed the Clear Channel’s acquisition of Score Outdoor, saying 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, warned Clear Channel UK not to ignore the needs of advertisers requiring only local or regional coverage” (see IPA Outdoor Welcomes Clear Channel UK Acquisition).

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

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