Van Wagner Secures 15-Year Deal With Network Rail

Van Wagner, the outdoor advertising group, has secured the national contract for all of Network Rail’s bridges from incumbent Maiden Outdoor.

The 15-year deal represents a significant step forward for Van Wagner, which has previously focussed on premium London-based sites.

Network Rail maintains thousands of railroad bridges across the country and the partnership will allow Van Wagner to expand outside of London to focus on key regional markets such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

It is understood that Network Rail awarded the contract to Van Wager following a three-way pitch against Maiden Outdoor and JCDecaux.

Commenting on the deal, Charles Hamlin, chief executive officer of Van Wagner UK, said: “In this concession, we see the opportunity to deliver to advertisers the best, high quality, portfolio of outdoor advertising sites not only in London, but across the country.”

He added: “Our strategy of less is more and quality over quantity is the best way to meet the demands of discerning advertisers, the requirements of local planners and the requirement to improve Network Rail’s returns.”

The latest figures from the Outdoor Advertising Industry reveal an impressive performance for the sector during 2002, with revenues increasing by 1.9% year on year to £690.1 million (see Outdoor Revenue Rises By 15% During Quarter Four 2002).

Bill Wilson, operations director at the OAA, predicts that the first quarter of 2003 will also see significant year on year growth as the sector has not been hit quit as much by the big ups and downs experienced by other types of media.

Van Wagner 0207 494 6130 www.vanwagner.com

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