Ocean Outdoor retains £25m BFI IMAX contract
Ocean Outdoor set to retain £25 million advertising contract for the iconic BFI IMAX in London
Ocean Outdoor, a leading operator of premium digital out of home (DOOH®) advertising in the UK, the Netherlands, the Nordics and Germany, is pleased to announce that it has been named the preferred bidder for the advertising contract for the iconic BFI IMAX in London, subject to contract.
As the incumbent, Ocean has held the rights to sell the unique outdoor advertising landmark for more than 10 years. Following a highly competitive pitch process, the company’s contract is set to be renewed for another five years with a lifetime value of £25 million.
The unrivalled BFI IMAX is Europe’s largest OOH canvas, combining 1,734m² of creative space with the latest technology in LED lighting to deliver unique, high impact advertising experiences. Measuring 120 x 15 metres, the irreplicable advertising wrap dominates the roundabout next to Waterloo railway station.
Ocean first won the BFI IMAX advertising contract in April 2006. Global brands such as Apple, Universal Pictures, Netflix, LMVH, Mercedes, Tiffany, Hugo Boss and HSBC have occupied the famous advertising banner under Ocean’s tenure.
With a clear vision for the future, Ocean Labs and Ocean Studio will roll a new suite of creative initiatives including 3D visual experiences, animated holographics and projection mapping and mobile augmented reality, allowing advertisers to make use of the “virtual” skyline above the physical IMAX with richer and more immersive content.
Lisa Rowe, BFI director of strategic projects, said:
“The BFI are delighted to name Ocean Outdoor as our Preferred Bidder and look forward to continuing with our partnership for the next five years, subject to contract. The BFI IMAX advertising wrap is a critical revenue stream that supports delivery of the BFI’s UK wide cultural activities and Ocean’s proposal provides the BFI with surety of significant income over the length of the contract.
“In what was a highly competitive pitch process, Ocean demonstrated a clear, ambitious vision for one of the world’s best known and highly demanded advertising assets. We are genuinely excited to work with Ocean in delivering on that vision which will support the continued success of the BFI IMAX.”
Ocean CEO, Tim Bleakley, said:
“To have retained such a highly contested long-term contract is a significant win for the Ocean Group and a testament to the UK management team. The BFI IMAX is one of the most recognised OOH landmarks in the world. We look forward to continuing to work with the BFI to deliver on its objectives for the next five years.”
Ocean COO, Stephen Joseph, said:
“We are delighted to have been selected, once again, as media partner for the BFI IMAX. The BFI IMAX has been a key asset for many years and we have ambitious new plans for the future.
“We would also like to thank the team at the BFI IMAX for their continued belief in Ocean. Our goal is to establish a market leading presence in the virtual and online worlds, giving the super-premium location and advertisers an enhanced audience reach.”
In the interview below, CEO Tim Bleakley outlines the Group’s business and how the Group used the lockdown period to promote small businesses and other worthy causes.
