Steve O’Connor appointed CEO of merged JC Decaux and APN Outdoor business
JC Decaux has announced its Australian CEO, Steve O’Connor, will assume leadership of the merged JC Decaux and APN Outdoor businesses in the region.
The news comes just hours after APN CEO James Warburton announced he would be stepping down from the company following the completion of JC Decaux’s acquisition.
O’Connor will lead the merged businesses
The acquisition of APN Outdoor and O’Connor’s appointment will be effective from October 31.
Steve O’Connor, CEO of JC Decaux Australia said: “I am excited to be assuming the expanded role of CEO at a time when the out-of-home industry is experiencing rapid change and growth. The combination of our two businesses will result in increased investment in product innovation and technology, enabling us to further roll out our digitisation strategy more widely.
“I am also looking forward to working with the extremely talented group of individuals from APN Outdoor and welcoming them into the JC Decaux family. As the world’s largest out-of-home advertising company, JC Decaux brings the scale, digital expertise and data capability to best understand our audience; ultimately enabling us to provide more effective and innovative solutions for advertisers which will lead to growth in out-of-home market share.”
Jean-François Decaux, co-chief executive officer of JCDecaux, said: “With more than 28 years’ experience in the out-of-home industry, 14 of which he has spent as CEO of JC Decaux’s Australian operations, Steve is perfectly placed to lead the combined businesses. He has been instrumental in building our presence here into the street furniture market leader it is today.
“JC Decaux has a long and rich history in the Australian market, ever since it entered after winning contracts to supply a number of Sydney Councils architecturally designed street furniture in preparation for the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. APN Outdoor’s existing network comprising billboard, transit and airport advertising will complement and enhance our existing footprint of premium assets as we look to further expand our digital footprint across the region. I would also like to thank APN Outdoor CEO, James Warburton, for his valuable contribution and commitment to this transaction and for leading the APN team.”
