Contracts & Investments

‘Business consolidation augurs well for OOH’

OOH leaders observed at the Karnataka Talks OOH conference held in Bengaluru that consolidation of OOH business will usher in improved across-the-board industry compliance, increase media rates and boost client confidence in the medium

Published

February 16, 2018

M4G Bureau

In a discussion on whether consolidation of business can be the real growth catalyst for Karnataka OOH market, held during the course of the Karnataka Talks OOH conference recently organised in Bengaluru, the panel of speakers comprising Pawan Bansal COO, Jagran Engage, P B Abdul Rahman, MD, Diamond, Lekshuman Annamalai, Partner, Coral Media, Arjun P G, Business Head, Media 360 Degree and Dharanikota Rajesh Kumar, Director, Srishti Outreach observed that consolidation would indeed usher in improved across-the-board industry compliance, increase media rates and boost client confidence in the medium. The session was moderated by Abhijit Sengupta, CEO, OAP India.

Speaking in favour of business consolidation across markets, Pawan cited that consolidation of media sites under the jurisdiction of South Delhi Municipal Corporation has had a positive cascading effect on media rates in that market. He added that corporations need to realign the outdoor policies in a manner that facilitates value addition to OOH media, and that the norms governing permission for OOH media acquisition need to be streamlined.

Talking about the Karnataka situation, Rahman said the market is extremely fragmented and that has impeded the efforts to improve overall compliance to standard OOH norms in the region.

Lekshuman pointed out that while consolidation of media ownership is not easy, the lease model helps the industry to consolidate the media offerings to advertisers and agencies. It is for want of consolidation that media rates in Rest of Karnataka remain on the low side.

Arjun pointed out that the smaller media owners are now opting for the lease model, which in turn is leading to consolidation of media. Media 360 Degree has consolidated media of close to 35 vendors in Bengaluru and so they “speak one language, one voice and offer same rates. Agencies get the same level of business and service. Consolidation will benefit both media owners and agencies alike.”

In a similar vein, Rajesh said that consolidation generates confidence in brands as it becomes easy for them to interact with OOH firms. Moreover it facilitates better media monitoring and reporting systems.