Phil Hall joins from MediaCom UK as co-managing director in a move which also heralds senior internal appointments

Ocean has introduced a new leadership structure to manage its UK business as the Group expands into continental Europe.

The changes support a new Ocean Group structure, with the UK division led by the appointment of new co-managing directors.

Ocean has hired Phil Hall, chief commercial strategy officer of Mediacom, who joins as co-managing director UK. Hall will work alongside newly promoted co-MD Steve George who is currently chief development officer. They will take joint responsibility for the UK business.

Hall, who departs UK’s leading media agency MediaCom after an 18 year stint, will oversee Ocean’s UK commercial operations. Steve George takes responsibility for the franchise and development functions in the UK. The MDs will lead the UK operating group, reporting to Ocean’s Group unit.

Ocean CEO Tim Bleakley said the new leadership team allowed Ocean COO and CFO Stephen Joseph and CMO Richard Malton to assume Group wide roles as the company assimilates its recent Dutch acquisitions and steps up its international growth ambitions.

Bleakley said: “It’s been a pivotal few months in which management has overseen both our launch as a public company and three strategic acquisitions. Our entry into the mainland Europe market is testament to the strength of the Ocean brand and the growing international demand for Ocean’s unique DOOH formula.

“However, UK growth remains a key part of our plans and Phil brings a wealth of experience and insight that will help us and the industry evolve at what is an exciting stage for the digital out-of-home medium. His media pedigree and standing alongside Steve George’s proven entrepreneurial talent is an exciting leadership axis.”

Hall said: “I’ve had a fantastic time at MediaCom, working alongside some brilliant colleagues to build a world-class business. My roles have been varied and fulfilling and I’ll miss the work and the people. I’ve always considered digital out-of-home to be a medium of huge interest and benefit to clients, with even greater potential, particularly with the rapid advancements in technology. I’ve long admired the product and especially the team at Ocean and the chance to play a significant part in their continued growth is an opportunity I can’t resist. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and to help Ocean build on their impressive success to date.”

Joining Hall and George on the UK operations group board will be chief revenue officers James Harrison and Nick Shaw; Catherine Morgan, director of Ocean’s rapidly expanding creative technology and innovation division Ocean Labs; Joseph Arshed, who becomes chief asset and contracts officer; Marc Keenan MD Ocean Scotland; newly promoted head of UK finance Kapil Kansara; Angela Green, head of commercial systems; head of UK marketing and events Helen Haines; and technical operations director John Kilfeather.

David Tait, head of Ocean’s award-winning design team will head up the newly formed Ocean Studios.

Further investment in the UK business sees Andrew Gibson leading the trading and investment team and the expansion of the Brand Partnerships division headed by Chris Standish with increased resource in content and client partnerships. Regional sales director Keith Crisp will raise activity levels across Birmingham, Manchester and agency business outside of London; and agency sales director Danielle Finch assumes wider responsibilities for portfolio management of key property partners, initially working with the BFI and Westfield. Tom Ballantine becomes head of development and site acquisitions.

Phil Hall joins Ocean Outdoor

Phil Hall joins Ocean Outdoor

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