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Talon MENA’s Head of Marketing Rezarta Bytyci attended The Web Summit in Doha, below she shares her key takeaways from the event 

The Web Summit is the world’s largest technology conference, inaugurating its first Doha edition a few weeks ago. It signals a significant prioritization of the further development of digitalization, AI, and Start-Ups in the MENA region, involving several industries in the public and private sectors and the overall evolution of the market.   

The event hosted over 15,000 with attendees from 118 countries and Talon MENA was part of it. We attended a selection of great talks and panels, starting with the opening night whereby His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the State of Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs addressed the Centre Stage audience on Opening Night and announced a substantial USD 1 Billion investment fund for start-ups in Qatar inviting entrepreneurs from the region and worldwide to the country.  

Among the 148 partners exhibiting on the event floor, we connected with our industry friends at Amazon, Snapchat, Invest Qatar, Qatar Airways, and more. 

AI and Digital Policy 

AI was one of the main topics covered throughout the summit, with several panel discussions that repeatedly highlighted the importance of AI being a tool for improvement rather than replacement. Many marketers already find AI helpful as a tool for various processes, and it is imperative to include it in our lives correctly and cautiously. We attended an exciting panel on AI and digital policies in the region where they discussed that incorporating digital policies will have to be built upon culture, history and language. We couldn’t agree more with our experience of how the MENA region differentiates from other markets. 

Transparency and accountability in the development of AI are key. As Basma Ammari, Director of Public Policy at META (MENA), stated, “transparency builds trust and gives people the level of control of what they see in technology.”  

Lars Gehrmann, Chief Digital Officer at Qatar Insurance Group, was confident that “AI is here to stay” and that it solves our current problem of overworking employees. He highlights that employees are being paid to think, so they are essential to using AI. 

The Websummit had a dedicated stage, the Panda Conference, for marketing panels on the ever-evolving topic of customer data and consumer habits in MENA. 

The panel discussion about “The consumer landscape of the Middle East” with the panellists Mai Salama from Creative Industry Summit, Abeer Alessa from The Bold Group, KSA and ANNA Germanos from META laid out a good understanding of consumer behaviour in the region. Smartphone penetration in the Middle East is at 90%. However, the online experience does not take away from any physical activities; in fact, there is a “fluid experience between offline and online for consumers whereby data helps customizing content and creating immersive experiences and leading to user-generated content, too”, as Abeer explained. Abeer also encouraged the industry to invest in AI to stay ahead. 

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The revolution of AI was a consistent topic throughout the summit, whereby several industry experts mentioned its role and what it means for marketing. Concerns such as; will AI be dangerous while we rely too much on it? How can it be regulated? Can it replace human beings? 

AI will create many jobs that don’t exist yet… “it reminds me of WPP 20 years ago when we didn’t have social media managers, influencer managers, e-commerce writers or programmatic managers, … there will be different types of jobs and different types of people to manage the AI technology.” 

At Talon MENA, we are excited to see the region move towards developing data technology in the advertising space. We are interested in customizing ads and content for which many new tools are being developed. Developing infrastructure and a visionary road to digitalization of the region sounds very promising; we ensure we are a continuous part of these developments in the region and emphasize the consistent growth of OOH to keep in line with global standards. 

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Mansour Wehbe, Client Director, Talon MENA.

With technology evolving, as it always has, we’re constantly seeing new ways of how it seamlessly integrates into our physical world. This evolution of blending online and offline experiences offers an exciting opportunity to dominate through digital OOH (DOOH) strategies and experiential activities.

DOOH is facilitating an even bigger role for online to play in the offline world, embracing a future where technology enhances our lives without overshadowing the genuine essence of the tangible world. Looking ahead, we envision a future in which the online world flawlessly operates in the background, enhancing our lives with AI and AR across other physical media platforms.

In this era, brands are expected to pioneer the fusion of both worlds’ touchpoints, impeccably creating concise consumer journeys from the smallest to the biggest screen out there, elevating their targeting game and widening their creative imagination.

Brands can delve more into dynamic advertising and its advantages over traditional/static OOH. Talon’s in-house effectiveness team, sit on a wealth of data, “Talon Benchmarks”, for instance showing the impact of dynamic DOOH led strategies.

There is a +15 per cent higher brain response when viewing dynamic ads and a +48 per cent higher effectiveness versus campaigns that aren’t dynamic.

For brands, DOOH creative must be tailor-made to the format and not the other way around. Each format has distinctive characteristics, and therefore, requires specific creative ideas for smart use for ideal impact on the audience. Copy is important. 60 per cent of DOOH copy is viewed longer than traditional static copy.

For special builds and experiential activities, which can bring online strategies into the real world effectively, there is a +35 per cent higher consideration from audiences. Special built DOOH, such as 3D (anamorphic) attracts +15 per cent more attention as opposed to 2D DOOH.

As technology evolves, so are consumer expectations and attention levels. With Talon as your OOH partner, brands can harness the exciting opportunities that blending online and offline experiences offer, dominating the busy landscape through DOOH strategies and experiential activities.

This article originally appeared in Campaign Middle East, read on page 81.

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London, 22nd February, 2024: Talon, the global independent Out of Home (OOH) agency, today announces the appointment of Sue Frogley as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the business globally as it targets further growth and expansion.

Frogley is an accomplished industry leader with over 30 years’ experience growing successful global media businesses. She will join Talon from Publicis Groupe, where she was CEO of its media arm in the UK for over six years. Under her leadership, Publicis Media UK grew into a £2bn+ billings operation, thanks to several new business wins across its media agencies Zenith, Starcom and Spark Foundry. Before that, Frogley was President of Global Client Solutions at Publicis Groupe and previously spent over 13 years at Dentsu (then Aegis Media), where she held several global leadership roles, most latterly as Global President of Commercial Operations.

This appointment follows a rigorous selection process.  Frogley will report to Stewart Easterbrook, chairman and joins Talon’s global board.  Eric Newnham, who has acted as interim CEO for the past few months, will revert to the role of Founder and strategic advisor to the board.

Frogley is the latest in a series of new senior hires, signalling Talon’s commitment to ongoing strategic growth worldwide. Last year, Stewart Easterbrook joined as Chairman, the appointments of Mike Saunter as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Henry Lucas in the newly created role of Group Chief Commercial Officer soon followed.

Frogley’s appointment follows a period of significant growth for Talon, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. Since Equistone Partners Europe, one of Europe’s leading mid-market private equity investors, invested in the business in July 2022, Talon has completed the acquisition of Evolve, the fast-growing, independent specialist OOH business, and the acquisition of Novus Media Canada Corp (now Talon OOH Canada).  

In her new role, Frogley will focus on further international growth, driving Talon’s digital capabilities and awareness of OOH as an effective, creative, data-driven media channel.

Stewart Easterbrook, Chairman, said: “Sue is a formidable and dynamic leader with a wealth of experience leading global media businesses.  I am thrilled to have someone of Sue’s calibre leading our business and look forward to working with Sue, and with our teams, to drive further growth in the scale and ambition of Talon.”

Sue Frogley said: “I have long admired Talon’s proposition, ethos and trailblazing spirit to challenge perceptions and drive growth in the OOH sector. Over the past 10 years, Eric has developed a talented team that has successfully built a unique and expanding global business that holds an enviable position in the industry. I can’t wait to get started and help unlock even more growth potential and shape Talon’s next important chapter.”

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According to Statista, global Out of Home (OOH) revenue is projected to reach US$38.41bn in 2023, led by traditional OOH with a market volume of US$20.87bn in 2023. Meanwhile, in MENA, digital OOH (DOOH) is the format expected to drive growth over the next 5 years, more than doubling, from $288.28 million in 2023 to $616.27 million in 2028. This is a significant increase, bolstered by a hunger for DOOH and its capabilities in the region.   

In Talon’s Dubai office, we are dedicated to growing and nurturing the channel, providing a seamless experience for our clients. This year, we’ve been busy, showcasing our commitment to innovation, industry leadership, and global collaboration. In this blog, we are reflecting on the milestones achieved during the year and celebrating what is possible when you think outside. 

Talon’s International Summit in London

Setting the tone for the year, Managing Director, Chadi Farhat, and Client Director, Mansour Wehbe, joined the leadership teams from Talon International, Talon Ireland, Talon Germany and Talon APAC, to discuss our progress, goals and plans for the year ahead. 

We’re constantly challenging ourselves and the industry to re-invent the possibilities of what OOH can be and we’re proud to be the largest independent OOH global network, expanding our reach from Dubai through our centralised experienced team. 

World Out of Home Organization MENA Forum in Dubai

 Next, we attended and presented at the World Out of Home Organization’s MENA forum in Dubai – the first in-person regional event to take place there. Over 200 delegates attended the event, drawn from the region’s major media owners, media agencies, marketers and suppliers, all major growth drivers in their respective markets. 

On the first day, Managing Partner, Adrian Skelton, hosted the panel “Qatar 2022 – How the World Cup Impacts a Country,” – reflecting on the results that the World Cup delivered and how OOH in Qatar was as good as any other World Cup event. “Quality, innovation and possibilities in Qatar are huge, and the standards of OOH quality is there.”  

Client Director, Mansour Wehbe, also participated in the panel “View from the OOH Buyer Side: Challenges & Opportunities,” highlighting that opportunities in OOH in the region lie in DOOH, considering that digital screens bring higher revenue due to higher inventory.  

For the second day, Group Chief Strategy Director Sophie Pinto Del Rio, and Managing Director Chadi Farhat, shared their expertise on “The Evolution and Impact of Data-driven Strategies in OOH.” During this keynote, Sophie and Chadi shared Talon Benchmark data showing that clients who used intelligent audience data see positive outcomes.  

The data shows that deploying intelligent data through technology are:  

It was a fantastic opportunity to focus on the possibilities and appetite for the region comprehensively with our industry colleagues. 

Campaign Middle East’s Agency Guide

Following the successful MENA forum, we proudly unveiled our feature in Campaign Middle East’s agency guide. The guide offers the industry a 360-degree view of the OOH industry in MENA. We’re proud to be the only independent OOH industry featured, sharing our expertise and thoughts on effective OOH. 

Read the guide here.

Talon Turns 10  

Back in 2013, Talon was founded in the UK with a plan to revolutionise the world of OOH advertising. In 10 years, the business has grown substantially – securing our spot as a leader in OOH planning, creativity, effectiveness and technology. The business now spans over seven territories, including Talon MENA which was launched in 2022. 

We’re proud to be part of a business built on being the changemakers, the trailblazers, the provocateurs and the pioneers. Find out more about our decade in OOH.

Talon MENA – Members of IAB MENA

Proud members of IAB MENA since 2022, this year saw us actively participating in the development of the first DOOH whitepaper for the region. Contributing our expertise, knowledge and dedication to adding value to the market, “This State of DOOH in MENA,” highlights the key areas of DOOH that advertisers, measurement companies and media owners need to be aware of. 

The whitepaper is available for download here.   

Alongside this , Business Development Director, Rezarta Bytyci, also took part in a podcast with a panel of fellow experts from Amazon Ads, Publicis Media and Google to highlight the value proposition of DOOH from the buy-side & sell-side. The podcast covered topics such as the available formats, the benefits of cross channel planning and integrating with other channels, the measurement opportunity and some of the challenges and opportunities in growing DOOH in MENA.  

Listen to the podcast here.  

Talon x American University in Dubai (AUD)  

As the changemakers, the trailblazers, the provocateurs and the pioneers; nurturing young talent with aspirations of joining the industry is extremely important. 

This year, we visited AUD to deliver a lecture to marketing students, preparing them for OOH – OOH’s evolution and future. It was a very enlightening session, in which our team showcased the capabilities and sophistication of the OOH and how data and technology are fueling the efficiencies and effectiveness of this medium.  

Campaign Middle East’s OOH Guide  

For the latest OOH guide, our Client Director in MENA, Mansour Wehbe, provided an overview of global trends of OOH and DOOH with valuable insights through our experience of advising and servicing global campaigns for our MENA region clients.  

As the only independent OOH agency featured, Mansour shared his extensive knowledge of the trends that will drive OOH’s global evolution.  Read the issue here.

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Rounding off the year, we attended the World Travel Market (WTM) event in London in association with Saudi Tourism Authority. For 42 years, WTM has been the most influential 3 days in the travel industry, providing a fantastic location for travel and tourism teams from around the globe to meet and build relationships. It was great to network, listen to some fantastic speakers and catch up with our own clients! 

Thinking Outside in 2024  

2023 has been another fantastic year of establishing ourselves as the independent OOH specialist agency of choice in MENA, taking MENA campaigns global.  In 2024, we look forward to continuing to grow and nurture the OOH channel, reimagining the industry to deliver greater value for our clients whilst inspiring people and caring for our planet – it all begins with thinking outside.   

We’d like to thank our clients, agencies and partners for their support, and we wish you all a happy and healthy New Year.  

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The last year has been a strong period for Out of Home (OOH), and as we look to 2024, the sector shows promise for continued growth and transformation. This dynamic industry has consistently evolved, given back and provided advertisers with exceptional creativity, data-driven strategies, and technology-driven outcomes.

It’s not surprising that consumers prefer in-person media channels for advertising over online platforms, with OOH and digital OOH (DOOH) ranking among the top five channels. No longer just a medium that drives primarily top-of-the-funnel outcomes, OOH is successfully driving bottom-end metrics too.

Overall, global OOH revenue is projected to reach US$38.41bn in 2023, with DOOH projected to reach US$17.54bn. By the end of 2024, global OOH is predicted to reach US$45bn. DOOH is set to see further significant growth and is predicted to grow 17% – driven by further media owner investment and increased investment in programmatic OOH (prOOH).

Curious about the future of OOH? In this blog, we’re diving deep into the upcoming trends and insights shaping the landscape for 2024:

  1. The Positive Impact of OOH 
  1. Data-Driven Outcomes 
  1. A Drive Towards Attention 
  1. Creativity and Technology Unite 
  1. The Brand Fame Comeback 
  1. Standardisation of Programmatic OOH 
  1. Retail Media & DOOH drives Path to Purchase 
  1. Enhancing OOH with AI 

The Positive Impact of OOH 

OOH will continue to come together as a collective to showcase the sustainable and giving nature of the channel.  

A recent study by PwC, commissioned by Outsmart, found that in the UK 46p in every £1 that is spent in OOH goes back into the community. The industry will focus on the positive impact of spending in OOH towards public infrastructure and communities whilst working to reduce OOH’s impact on the environment.

Another study (Outsmart, Legacy Media – out soon) has shown that when compared to TV, Press and Online, OOH has the strongest ESG credentials – ranking highest for Environment and Community.

Data-Driven Outcomes 

The death of the cookie is stated to finally happen in 2024, meaning the era of highly targeted ads will end and advertisers will need to seek new ways to drive brand objectives.

OOH continues to impact across the whole funnel. In 2024, we will see a further drive towards performance and bottom-funnel metrics with brands using first and third-party data to create audience-first OOH campaigns.

We will see even more brands gravitate to utilising OOH for data-driven outcomes. Programmatic OOH impacts metrics across the entire brand funnel amongst optimised audiences. The strongest impacts are seen in bottom funnel metrics – preference and purchase.

A Drive Towards Attention

Understanding attention in advertising will become even more important. Attention in OOH is not a new metric and is imbedded within the methodology of Route. However, understanding how attention is given to inform effectiveness is what should be looked at; not only understanding where someone has looked and for how long, but correlating that with the impact – good or bad – to showcase the influence attention metrics can have on brand performance.  

Kantar’s recent Media Reactions is a key example of how attention is coming to the forefront of conversations surrounding media effectiveness, citing a 90% correlation between channels that consumers claim capture their attention and those that they prefer.

51% of marketers claim their marketing budget decisions are influenced by attention, but Kantar’s report shows a clear divergence between what marketers think delivers consumer attention, versus what consumers think captures their attention. There is a 90% correlation between channels that consumers claim capture their attention, and those in which they prefer seeing advertising.

Creativity and Technology Unite 

Over the past year, we have seen significant developments in creative DOOH, from AR and VR to 3D and AI. In 2024, brands will begin to realise the possibilities and potential of these developments even further to engage audiences, build brand share and deliver significant ROI. 

Looking back at our 4th Space Research, as well as Ocean’s “Neuroscience: Redefining Human Engagement” and “Digital OOH: The Vital Ingredient,” creative digital OOH executions are proven to supercharge impact and deliver significant increases in attention, purchase consideration and memory encoding: 

The Brand Fame Comeback 

OOH is well known for its ability to provide broad reach and deliver brand fame, in 2024 we’ll see advertisers revisit the channel’s number one strength. With a 98% UK population reach, OOH is, of course, powerful at driving reach. However, it is also incredibly powerful at driving brand fame (+23%) and brand trust (+8%).  

The likes of PepsiCo, McDonald’s and HSBC lean into OOH’s strengths to build their brands and we’ll see more and more brands follow suit, using it to build awareness and impact. 

Continued Growth of Programmatic OOH 

2024 will see Programmatic OOH (PrOOH) technology continue to develop, and we’ll see a drive towards the standardisation of PrOOH alongside more OOH media owners trading through programmatic.  

Programmatic OOH spend is predicted to grow over the next 18 months by a third on average (VIOOH State of the Nation). The move towards ever more digital and data-driven outcomes through programmatic will continue to increase, with consumers demanding more dynamic video content to connect OOH to their other digital media channels alongside a growing demand for greater online-to-offline opportunities.  

Advertisers will continue to adopt PrOOH as part of their omnichannel digital strategies, alongside many new brands entering the market as barriers to entry are removed. 

Retail Media & DOOH drives Path to Purchase

The role of OOH within the Retail Media ecosystem will continue to gain momentum and DOOH, will become a pivotal player in every shopper marketing strategy.  

Leveraging first and third-party data, DOOH ensures your message reaches the right audience at precisely the right moment, from the outset of their journey to the final in-store purchase. It’s the missing link that seamlessly connects the worlds of home and store, providing brands with a unique opportunity to engage with consumers on an entirely new level.  

The integration of DOOH with retail media networks will enable marketers to supercharge their shopper marketing – with advanced measurement and attribution solutions linking OOH ad exposure to critical business outcomes. 

Enhancing OOH with AI

As the drive towards AI integration within businesses continues, OOH agencies and media owners will continue to integrate AI to improve efficiency, creativity and copy to create even more effective OOH campaigns.  

Watch this space_ 

Lucy Baumgartner’s Talon Story: Leadership and Innovation

Outside thinking – it runs in the Talon family. We pride ourselves on being a company built on people with big ideas. People who constantly challenge themselves and the industry to re-imagine and re-invent the possibilities of what Out of Home can be. ​

In this series, we’ll be getting to know more about the people of Talon, their roles, advice and what they get up to outside of OOH. This week, we sat down with Lucy Baumgartner, our Senior Effectiveness Executive and also the recipient of the OMA’s Rising Star Award.

Explain your role? 

My main role is to provide campaign measurement solutions for our clients. I manage the measurement fieldwork with our research partners, and then create reports and run debriefs with clients, giving insight into how their campaign performed and future recommendations.   

What does a typical day at work look like for you? 

I usually get into the office early to beat the busy commute and check in on where our measurement studies are tracking. If studies have completed and we have received client data I will create reports, and if not I work on wider projects to inform industry questions. You’ll usually find me buried in our benchmark database and admiring my excel formulas.  

What do you enjoy most about working in OOH? 

I think generally it’s a very exciting channel. I love constantly pointing out our campaigns when I’m out and about (to the annoyance of my friends!) We’re also a very sociable bunch so the lunch time drinks are usually the highlight of the day. 

Most memorable moment or achievement from your time in the industry? 

Definitely winning the OMA’s Rising Star award and celebrating with all my colleagues and friends! 

Any tips or advice for someone interested in joining the industry or pursuing a similar career path? 

Don’t get too wrapped up in what you think you should do in your career. I studied history at university and absolutely hated numbers and presenting at school. Now analysing numbers and trends and presenting back to the company and clients is the largest part of my job and I thoroughly enjoy it.  

What do you get up to outside of work? 

At the moment, my favourite thing to do is look after my new niece. But when I’m released from babysitting duties I enjoy exercising and getting out of the city for walks.  

If you could quickly and easily learn any new skill, what would it be? 

Definitely learn a language, probably Italian so I could travel the country and eat my bodyweight in pasta and tiramisu.  

Share a memorable adventure or travel experience you’ve had during your free time. How did it impact your personal growth or perspective?   

I met my partner in Thailand at an elephant sanctuary after he offered me a banana – no pun intended.  

Caroline Decourcy’s Insights: A Deep Dive Inside Talon

Outside thinking – it runs in the Talon family. We pride ourselves on being a company built on people with big ideas. People who constantly challenge themselves and the industry to re-imagine and re-invent the possibilities of what Out of Home can be. ​

In this series, we’ll be getting to know more about the people of Talon, their roles, advice and what they get up to outside of OOH. This week, we sat down with Caroline Decourcy, our Insights Director, at Talon in Ireland.

Explain your role? 

I am the Insights Director for Talon in Ireland, responsible for all elements of research and insights for our market. I support our planning teams through insight rationale and justification for using OOH across all objectives, categories, and briefs. I work alongside our planning teams on new client business, pitches and OOH market updates at certain times of the year too – a varied role! I am the Talon rep for JNOR, our long-standing OOH Measurement system, a topic I am very passionate about! I am also lucky enough to work with the wider measurement team in London too.

What does a typical day at work look like for you? 

I usually start my day with my calendar, checking what’s ahead in terms of meetings and tasks due that day and week, then work through my emails and start working through my list. None of this is remotely possible without a large coffee from Butlers and a chat with everyone!

What do you enjoy most about working in OOH? 

I’ve worked in OOH for over 20 years (eek!) and one of the things I love most is the evolution of the industry, that no day is ever the same. I love OOH for its creative capabilities, and watching how we, as a team, bring ideas to life on street. Seeing clients share our work is a great feeling.  I love meeting the people who in OOH (and other media). We get to deal with so many different media partners and companies, so there’s many opportunities to meet interesting people along the way too.

Most memorable moment or achievement from your time in the industry? 

I’d have to say that award wins are a key highlight for me.  I think they showcase, not just the brilliant work we do as a company but, the calibre of our people and ideas. 

Any tips or advice for someone interested in joining the industry or pursuing a similar career path? 

OOH, while one of the oldest mediums around is definitely one of the most dynamic and fast-changing, presenting opportunities for newcomers to the field with a chance to progress, grow and – more importantly – learn. With developments in technology and data, there are so many areas of the business to choose from. There has never been a better time to join the OOH Industry!

What do you get up to outside of work? 

I love spending time outdoors and am lucky enough to live by the sea so love getting out for walks on the marina with my family. I love eating out and reading books and spending time with friends. I recently re-joined the local tennis club so working on brushing up on my skills!

If you could quickly and easily learn any new skill, what would it be? 

I’d love to be fluent in Spanish so using Duolingo to learn what I can! I’d also love to learn to play the piano.

Share a memorable adventure or travel experience you’ve had during your free time. How did it impact your personal growth or perspective?   

Going slightly off-piste I know, but my daughter was born in 2014 at 26 weeks while we were on holidays in the Algarve.  We lived in Portugal for just over 2 months until she was well enough to be transferred to Dublin. A life changing experience obviously but taught me strength, resilience and to never give up on anything you set your heart on. Not to mention learning all the medical jargon in Portuguese!  I always wanted to live abroad for a period, but in future I’ll be careful what I wish for! 😊 But an amazing outcome – so worth the fight!

Stewart Easterbrook Appointed Chairman of Talon for Global Growth

Talon, the independent global Out of Home (OOH) media agency, has appointed Stewart Easterbrook as its new Chairman. Easterbrook brings extensive experience in media strategy and will lead Talon’s board in driving international growth and technological development.

Easterbrook’s appointment comes on the heels of a successful period for Talon, highlighted by the recent acquisition of Evolve, a rapidly growing independent specialist OOH business, and the acquisition of Novus Media Canada Corp, bolstering its growth in this market and giving global access to its best-in-class buying, planning, creativity and industry-leading technology platforms. As Talon celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, the company has expanded its reach with new office openings in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, as well as securing new investment from Equistone Partners Europe, providing capital to continue its global expansion and technical innovation.

Easterbrook is a seasoned advisor to multiple omnichannel companies in media, data analytics and technology. Since 2014 he has worked with MiQ the leading global analytics technology and programmatic media specialist. Serving as Chairman for seven years before transitioning to an advisory role in 2022, he played a key role for MiQ, successfully attracting significant private equity investments.

In addition to his role at Talon, Easterbrook serves as Chairman of Medialab Group, an award-winning agency specialising in data, digital and media planning. He is also a board member of Instrumental, the world’s leading online music talent discovery and management business, and a member of the management team that launched Content Inc., a specialist content marketing company.

Prior to this Easterbrook spent 17 years at Publicis Groupe in various senior management roles, including a five-year term as CEO of Starcom MediaVest Group UK. He later assumed the role of Executive Director of Digital Development, overseeing growth and innovation across SMG’s key European markets.

Barry Cupples, Group CEO:Talon, said: “Stewart is an extremely impressive business leader, with decades of experience guiding global media companies through expansion and transformational change. We are very proud to have him join the team at Talon at such a pivotal time, following the recent acquisitions and Talon’s commitment to both building upon this success and advancing our technological capabilities for the future. Stewart will play a vital role as we continue Talon’s ambitious growth plans.

Stewart Easterbook, Chairman:Talon, said: “Talon is an incredible business that is reshaping the OOH industry – in a short span of 10 years it has achieved great heights in terms of funding, global expansion as well as technological advancement, which is evident in its collaborations with iconic brands and media businesses. I am thrilled to be on the board and working with an exceptional team to spearhead Talon’s ongoing development and growth, positioning the company at the forefront of driving the OOH industry forward.”