Ocean has announced its expansion into Germany with a focus on large format digital out of home (DOOH) advertising opportunities in premium city environments and high footfall destinations.

The company has appointed Christopher Samsinger as CEO of Ocean Outdoor Germany. He takes responsibility for the strategic expansion of the German business and growing DOOH’s total share of advertising revenue.

Samsinger has more than 25 years’ experience in the advertising industry. He was most recently Senior Vice President Sales at Ströer Media AG. Prior to that, he held leading positions at media agencies including Carat and MediaCom. As Managing Director of corporate trading specialist Active International, Samsinger was responsible for business in Germany.

Ocean Germany will initially focus on expanding its presence across 20 premier retail and leisure destinations which are operated by the flagship operator Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW). Ocean’s long-term partnership with URW extends back 16 years and includes the exclusive OOH advertising rights to URW assets in the UK, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Ocean Outdoor Group COO Stephen Joseph, who has been leading the expansion programme in Germany, said: “We look forward to working with our partners, brands, agencies and the wider out-of-home industry in Germany. With his many years of DOOH expertise, Christopher is exactly the right person for the job.”

Ocean Outdoor Group CEO Tim Bleakley added: “Germany is the key advertising market in Europe and has a strong and highly regarded D/OOH sector. We are looking forward to playing our small part and helping the sector to continue to thrive.”

Ocean Germany’s launch begins in partnership with URW’s destinations in Oberhausen and Hamburg. Europe’s largest retail, cultural and leisure centre, Westfield Überseequartier in Hamburg opens its doors in April. In its first year of opening, it is forecast to account for around 25 per cent of consumer retail spend in Hamburg.

Samsinger said: “Ocean’s expansion into the German market will enrich the media landscape, opening up new horizons. Our investment emphasises the attractiveness of the German market and underpins the company’s ambitions to further revolutionise premium DOOH, working in tandem with our partners.

“Ocean’s creative leadership together with its successful focus on the “Art of Outdoor” presents new opportunities for both brands and out of home audiences in city centre and high traffic locations.”

Under its “Art of Outdoor” proposition, Ocean has established DOOH as an innovative global media channel. Over the past 15 years, the company has pioneered creativity and technology through initiatives like its international Digital Creative Competition which is held annually in the UK, the Nordics and the Netherlands. Several competition winners have gone on to win awards at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

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