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22 redundancies at Ooh Media in response to COVID-19

After reporting a ‘significant downturn’ to the market in June and a significant restructure, outdoor media company Ooh Media has announced 22 redundancies across its business.

The cuts come following ‘significant organisational changes’ due to the impact of COVID-19 on the business. SMI data reports the outdoor industry saw a 66% drop in spend across June.

CEO Brendon Cook, who is set to leave the business at the end of this year, said the business had done everything it could to protect its employees.

“Since March we have taken measures to preserve as many jobs as possible, but the ongoing nature of the pandemic and the uncertain timeframes around any widespread and sustained economic recovery meant we had to make this difficult decision,” he said.

“Our thoughts go to those who will lose their jobs, and we thank them for their service to the company over the years. This outcome does not reflect on their performance as individuals, which has made this even more difficult.

“We are exploring any possibilities for redeployment, and will be encouraging the employees to use our Employee Assistance Program and the outplacement support on offer.”

According to Ooh Media, it still employs more than 800 people in Australia and New Zealand.

The business has also reduced its costs across the business, including through reducing capex spending and not backfilling vacancies since March. The company also began an equity funding round in March. 

In June, the business restructured to bring youth media company Junkee under its marketing and creative team. That same month, the business reported a ‘significant downturn in revenue’, but said 85% of clients who would have cancelled in April/May had chosen to defer their spend till H2.

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