In a world where attention is fleeting and every second counts, creative effectiveness is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity. That’s why we’re (re)introducing Trax, Talon’s proprietary Out-of-Home (OOH) creative testing platform, built to ensure your campaigns don’t just show up—they stand out.

WHY TRAX?

Creative is one of the most powerful levers in campaign performance. Yet, our years of testing show that brand logos are only noticed 44% of the time. Trax is here to change that.

Designed specifically for OOH, Trax helps media agencies and brands optimise creative before it hits the streets—ensuring your message lands with impact.

WHAT TRAX DELIVERS

1. Real Human Attention Analysis

Trax uses advanced visual testing to understand how real people engage with your creative. It identifies what captures attention—and what doesn’t.

2. Three Core Testing Metrics

• Heat Mapping: Visualises where attention is focused.
• Gaze Sequence: Reveals the order in which elements are seen.
• Hotspots: Highlights key areas of visibility and engagement.

3. Benchmarking that Matters

Your creative is measured against a database of 700+ OOH ads, giving you clear context on how your work stacks up within your category.

4. Actionable Optimisation

Within just two working days, you’ll receive a detailed report with insights and recommendations—so you can refine your creative and maximise impact before launch.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Trax bridges the gap between creative effectiveness and media planning. It’s fast, focused, and built for results—helping you deliver campaigns that cut through the noise and connect with audiences.

To learn more about TRAX or to test your creative, get in contact with [email protected]

Summer. It’s the season when audiences break routines, spend more time outside, and engage with the world in more spontaneous, emotional, and personal ways.

And that’s exactly what makes PrOOH a perfect match for summer – built to capture those fast, fleeting micro-moments that matter. As covered in our recent piece “All Eyes on OOH”, the summer months offer OOH advertisers the perfect storm of conditions: longer evenings, bigger crowds, and people actively seeking experiences outside of the home, whether it’s attending a music festival, enjoying a beach day, or heading off on a staycation.

But while classic OOH delivers unmatched scale and impact, PrOOH is the agile extension that allows brands to show up in contextual, in-the-moment ways, owning those small but powerful micro-moments that are embedded into consumers everyday lives.

WHAT ARE SUMMER MICRO-MOMENTS?

They’re the real-life, real-time cues that shape consumer intent, and influence decision-making in seconds. Micro-moments are situational, emotional, and highly time sensitive. They’re not media moments, they’re life moments, and they happen constantly during the summer.

For example:

It’s 26˚ and Ireland’s melting – Trigger SPF, cold drinks or ice cream ads near parks, city centres and transport hubs.

Kick-offs in one hour – Serve live-betting odds at pubs or train stations.

Sudden showers in Dublin? – Flip creative to promote delivery services or rain-ready fashion near retail environments.

6am flight check-ins – Push coffee, breakfast or caffeine-boosted product ads along airport travel routes.

Post-festival recovery day – Serve ads for food delivery, wellness products near drop off points or on large-format roadside.

Unexpected beach days – Run real-time updates for sunglasses or beach snacks near convenience stores.

These aren’t the moments you can plan for six-months in advance, they’re the kind you need to react to, not wait for. That’s why PrOOH works, because it allows brands to move at the speed of the season, reacting in real-time with messaging that feels in-sync with consumers’ lives.

WHY MICRO-MOMENTS MATTER

They’re more engaging: Contextually relevant ads are significantly more effective at capturing attention. Neuroscience research shows a +32% increase in brain response when content is aligned with the moment, and +48% effectiveness compared to campaigns that don’t use contextual messaging.

They cut through the noise: With attention spans down 68% since 2012, it’s harder than ever to make an impression. Micro-moment targeting helps to combat ad fatigue. In fact, Talon benchmarks show that contextual OOH campaigns deliver +63% uplift in consideration and +57% in spontaneous ad awareness compared to broader OOH activity.

They drive action: When an ad feels immediate and relevant, it resonates. Programmatic campaigns delivered through our DSP, Optimise, show a 2x increase in purchase intent, are 15% more aligned with lifestyle relevance, and are 4x more likely to drive consideration.

COMPLIMENTS, NOT COMPROMISES

We know we say this all the time, but let’s be clear: PrOOH isn’t here to replace classic OOH, it’s the perfect partner.

Classic OOH delivers unmissable brand presence at scale. It builds fame, trust, and cultural relevance. PrOOH adds the layer of flexibility modern campaigns need, allowing teams to adapt messaging, respond to events, and target specific moments without sacrificing the creative impact of the wider campaign.

For agency teams managing integrated plans, PrOOH offers the tactical agility to complement big brand ideas. Used together, classic OOH and PrOOH unlock the full power of the channel, high-impact storytelling combined with real-time contextual relevance. That’s not a compromise; it’s a summer strategy that works harder on every level.

Summer is unpredictable, and in that unpredictability lies opportunity.

Programmatic OOH (PrOOH) is built for these kinds of everyday moments, agile, adaptable, and built for long-term impact. Paired with the scale of classic OOH, it allows brands to not only be seen, but to be relevant right now.

So, whether you’re looking to drive footfall, boost last-minute bookings, or simply stay top-of-mind during key seasonal occasions, don’t just plan for summer, own it, moment, by micro-moment.

Reach out to our team or visit https://talonooh.com/programmatic-ooh-advertising/ to learn more about Programmatic OOH.

PUTTING DATA, INSIGHTS, AND OUTCOMES AT THE HEART OF OUT OF HOME (OOH)

In a rapidly evolving OOH landscape where attention, accountability, and effectiveness are paramount, we are (re) launching Talon’s Effectiveness Unit – placing data, insights and measurable outcomes at the heart of everything we do.

This move goes beyond a structural refresh; it’s a strategic commitment to redefining how OOH proves its value in an omnichannel world. Our aim is to foster more meaningful, data-led conversations around effectiveness.

With new and upgraded tools, a clear framework, and a sharper strategic focus, our reimagined Effectiveness Unit is built to work closely with our clients, translating data into powerful, practical outcomes.

Our ambition is to strengthen our role as a leader in effective media planning and performance.

OUR EFFECTIVENESS FRAMEWORK: FOUR PILLARS DRIVING SMARTER OUTCOMES

At the heart of our refreshed offering are four key pillars that shape our approach:

• Campaign performance: measuring real outcomes, not just reach.
• Actionable insights: delivering data that informs smarter, faster decisions.
• OOH’s role in the media ecosystem: verifying where and how OOH drives value alongside other channels.
• Thought leadership: shaping the conversation on how to use the medium most effectively.

Together, these pillars support our wider mission to make effectiveness not just a metric — but a mindset.

POWERING A SMARTER APPROACH WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND TOOLS

True effectiveness stems from a strategic combination of the right mindset, the right technology, and the right people. At Talon we’ve brought all three together to build an offering that’s not only smarter, but more collaborative, responsive, and made for real-world challenges our clients face.

Caroline, Effectiveness Director at Talon commented:

“It’s been designed to deliver best in class insights that inform smarter planning strategies encompassing everything from long-term brand tracking and creative effectiveness to bespoke studies, audience mapping, econometrics and PrOOH measurement. This framework allows us to offer a tailored, strategic approach for every brand using the OOH channel.”

INTRODUCING PULSE: REAL TIME INSIGHTS FOR SMARTER, FASTER DECISIONS

PULSE_ is our new and improved insights platform delivering data that powers smarter, faster, strategic decisions. Built on our very own OOH consumer panel, It’s agile, flexible, and made for the way brands plan today.

Have you ever found yourself wanting to know “how is my brand performing versus competitors?” or “what part of my creative is most noticeable?” or “How does my audience behave when they are out of home?”.

From consumers insights to brand tracking, our new platform delivers timely insights when they are needed. Here’s what makes PULSE_ different:

A dedicated Talon audience panel: Our respondents are recruited specifically for Talon campaigns.

Double the sample size: 500 respondents per month (increased from 250)

Faster turnaround: Get the insights you need, when you actually need them.

More control: Measure what matters most. Whether it’s messaging or how consumers navigate a category, we can deliver insights to help inform those strategic decisions.

All while still measuring:

Seasonal Insights: Christmas, Easter, Summer, Halloween, Back to School

Trending Insights: Attention metrics, Distinctive brand assets

Audience Profiles: Changing behaviours of Gen Z, Movement patterns of college students and much more..

(RE) INTRODUCING TRAX: OOH CREATIVE TESTING THAT CUTS THROUGH

Creative is one of the biggest levers in campaign effectiveness, and TRAX_ is here to make sure our client’s creative performs best. After years of creative testing at Talon, brand logos are only noticed 44% of the time by consumers.

Our proven methodology uses three key areas on OOH creative testing – heat mapping, gaze sequence, and hotspots and offers feedback on clear areas of attention and noticeability with possible improvements. With a benchmark database of over seven hundred creatives, we’re able to reliably explore how creative works, and how it can be optimised – bridging the gap between creative effectiveness and media planning.

This reset marks a step forward in how we define and deliver effectiveness in OOH. With a clear strategic framework, a renewed focus on insight-led planning, and the launch of our platform PULSE_ and creative testing tool TRAX_, we’re giving brands the tools, data, and partnership they need to make smarter decisions and see the true impact of OOH in the wider media ecosystem.

To learn more, get in contact with [email protected], or sign up to our mailing list for the upcoming (re)launch.

**Pulse powered by Lifestars is an online platform & app designed with clients in mind.  It adapts an always on approach when it comes to generating insights for clients.

We’re living in a distraction economy, where attention spans have dropped by 68% since 2012, and multi screening is now the norm. In a world of constant digital noise, attention is fleeting, and competition for it is fierce.

But while the digital world scrolls endlessly, Irish audiences are leaning into something more lasting: real-world experiences. Last year alone, Irish consumers spent €705 million on entertainment for concerts, gigs and theatre productions. The appetite for meaningful, shared connections is stronger than ever, and this summer, the stage is set for a bumper season.

At Talon, we believe Out of Home (OOH) media is perfectly positioned to meet audiences in these moments. Its strength lies in four key principles – Audience, Creative, Effective, and Sustainable – or what we call the ACES.

In this blog, we’ll take you through each of the ACES and show you how your media plan can deliver this summer.

AUDIENCE

As Irish consumers gear up for a busy summer, OOH media is uniquely placed to put your brand into everyday lives, reaching target audiences at key locations and moments. According to our latest insights 59% of people plan to use public transport this summer, while 29% intend to visit local markets. Cultural experiences remain high on the agenda too, with 21% planning to attend Electric Picnic and 14% heading to Forbidden Fruit. These audiences are active, mobile, and highly engaged – and they’re spending more time outdoors than ever.

With advanced tools like our programmatic DSP, Optimise, brands can now target specific audience groups. From Gen Z and trendsetters to time-poor inspiration seekers, OOH formats are analysed with the best ones chosen. And thanks to real-time triggers like weather, UV index or pollen count, creative can adapt in real-time to tap into these micro moments, delivering contextual messages that capture attention and boost neuro response by up to 32%.

CREATIVE

Now more than ever OOH isn’t just a canvas – it’s a stage. And with the right creative strategy, your brand can be the headline act.

According to the “Redefining human engagement” study by Neuroscience, OOH offers a uniquely powerful creative playground, one that doesn’t just capture attention, but earns it. When done right, standout creative can deliver a 35% lift in purchase consideration, increase consumer action by 17%, and drive 56% higher ad recall than standard OOH. Add a social mechanic and memory encoding increase by 5x, proof that great ideas don’t just land, they stick.

This summer, brands have the opportunity to break out of billboards, dominate spaces and turn OOH into an immersive storytelling platform. From bold murals that transform everyday walls into works of art, to special builds that help make the moment extra special, to real-world experiences that put your brand directly into the hands of your audience. In a season full of chances to show up, creativity is what elevates your message from simply being seen, to being shared.

EFFECTIVE

Deliver a standout performance.

OOH has long been trusted for its power to build brand fame and awareness, but today, it’s doing far more. As the media landscape evolves, OOH is increasingly delivering bottom-funnel impact, driving action and conversions once reserved for online performance channels.

In fact, Talon’s own brand uplift study shows that 56% of people feel OOH brings brands to life, while 59% say they find OOH ads appealing, and 53% say they reach them in the right mindset. OOH also has the highest reach among 16–34-year-olds, outperforming every other media channel. And the benefits don’t stop there. According to Peter Field’s analysis of the IPA databank, allocating just 15% of your budget to OOH not only drives business results, but it also supercharges the performance of your wider media mix: improving search effectiveness by 54%, social by 20%, TV by 17%, and press by 7%.

SUSTAINABLE

Sustainability is no longer a side act. With Coldplay in 2024, making global headlines with its Music of the Spheres sustainability report, while artists like Metallica and Billie Eilish are also following suit pushing for greener tours and concerts.  The message is loud and clear: sustainability matters, and it’s not going away.

Irish consumers are increasingly factoring environmental impact into their decisions. According to recent data, 43% are making more considered purchases to reduce overall consumption, and 68% say they would pay at least 20% more for products deemed sustainable. That sentiment extends to media. As a channel that lives in the public space, OOH carries a unique responsibility to contribute positively to communities and environments. It’s also smart investment, according to Outsmart and KPMG, per emission, OOH emits les carbon than all other media measured, accounting for just 3.3% of total UK advertising power consumption, and under 3.5% of the total ad carbon footprint.

From reaching high-impact audiences with precision via programmatic tools like Optimise, to crafting creative that puts your brand in the spotlight, OOH offers brands the chance to truly headline this season. It’s a channel that not only drives effective results across the full funnel but allows you to invest responsibly in media that gives back to communities and environments.

This summer, if your goal is to deliver meaningful outcomes – from awareness to action – OOH has earned its place at the heart of your media plan. Play your winning hand with OOH and take your brand centre stage.

**Research was conducted by Talon and Spark Market Research, if you have any further questions please reach out to a member of the Talon team.

2024 was a stellar performance for OOH, with the full year OOH expenditure closing out at +18%. Each quarter outperformed the last, with Q4 OOH expenditure closing at 16% higher than Q4 in 2023.  The steady growth throughout the year demonstrates a surge in OOH, blending innovation with real world audience experiences delivering effectiveness to advertisers and brands.

OOH Expenditure Year-over-Year Spend.

The retail category continues to lead the charge when it comes to investment in OOH. With pricing wars between main multiples accounting for 30% of total grocery retailer spend.

DOOH is experiencing significant growth, doubling its share since 2019. This steady increase is driven by media owner investment in new inventory, as well as technical advancements allowing for increased optimisation and flexibility.

Classic OOH vs DOOH Spend

Classic OOH remains a powerhouse, proving that a multi-format, multi-environment strategy is key to success. By combining the high-impact reach of classic OOH with the dynamic, data-driven capabilities of DOOH, advertisers can maximise effectiveness and drive stronger RoI.

CATEGORY DEEP DIVE

The retail category continues to lead the way in OOH expenditure investment, a trend that was particularly evident in 2024. The pricing war among major grocery retailers drove significant activity, accounting for 30% of total grocery retailer spend.

Beyond Grocery, the Retail General category saw a huge surge, with an 89% increase in spend versus 2023. This growth reinforces the evolving retail landscape. Brands are recognising that consumers are spending time outdoors and within retail spaces, prompting increased investment. Notably, Brown Thomas (+210%) and Kildare Village (+18%) both boosted their OOH presence.

Another standout trend was DIY and home projects which surged in 2024. With that, brands stepped up to the trend and looked to inspire shoppers. IKEA led the retail mid-category, investing over €2.3M, proving that brands are aligning with changing consumer behaviours.

Household, TV & Online Services

In the wake of the cost-of-living crisis, consumers are remaining value-conscious, actively researching and seeking the best deals. This shift is reflected in the Household, TV & Online Services category, which saw a 27% increase in OOH expenditure versus 2023. Brands are responding to this demand, with major players such as Vodafone (+165%), Virgin Media (+13%), Disney+ (15%), and Sky (60%) all increasing their spend. Each one promoting their mobile, TV, and broadband offerings to capture the attention of savvy consumers.

Food

The food category secured third place among the top five OOH categories, accounting for 12% of total spend. This growth was fuelled by key mid-categories, including Confectionary & Snacks (+15%), Dairy Products & Substitutes (+35%), and Prepared & Convenience Foods (+39%). This surge reflects shifting consumer habits, with busy lifestyles driving demand for on-the-go options that fit seamlessly into their weekly routines. As convenience remains a top priority, brands are leveraging OOH to stay front of mind when shoppers are making quick, on-the-go purchasing decisions.

OOH EXPENDITURE BY FORMAT

OOH expenditure increases were evident across all environments most notably digital, ambient and transport.

Digital investment grew by 25% in 2024. Driven by significant investment in new formats by media partners and an increased appetite for programmatic DOOH and contextual opportunities.

The ambient category grew by 197%. An enormous growth driven by appetite for advertisers to explore non-traditional spaces, and tune into creativity throughout their OOH activity.

Transport also grew by 19%. As traffic increases in our cities, more commuters are opting for public transport, pushing 2024 figures to new highs.

2024 was a milestone year for OOH, marking another outstanding period of growth and innovation. Brands continue to embrace OOH as a key pillar of their 360-strategies, leveraging its unmatched reach, creative flexibility, and real-time targeting to connect with audiences in impactful ways.

Looking ahead, the Irish OOH market remains strong, with continued investment set to drive momentum for 2025. This sustained growth reinforces OOH’s position as a powerful channel.

The lines between Retail Media and Retail OOH are continuing to blur. According to IAB EU, Retail Media advertising spend in Europe is set to hit 31Bn by 2028, with a 22% growth in 2023 alone – far outpacing the total ad market’s 6% rise. While Retail Media has always played a role in shopper marketing, its influence is accelerating as customer data increases and retailers carve out their media solutions for the market.

As this growth continues, OOH is emerging as the perfect partner – extending reach beyond in-store, reinforcing messaging in the physical world, and ensuring brands don’t lose shoppers at the last hurdle.

What’s fuelling the Retail Media conversation?

With 85% of all US retail sales still happening in store, Retail Media has become a critical way for brands to reach consumers at the right moment. Its ability to leverage first-party data from loyalty programmes like Clubcard’s allows advertisers to target shoppers with precision and measure campaign impact through closed loop reporting.

Secondly, Retail Media stands out for its effectiveness. With 61% of 16-34’s saying they’re more likely to spend more in-store than online, it’s clear how impactful this channel can be. Consumers are most receptive to advertising when they’re actively making a purchase decision, and Global’s Work.Shop.Play study found that 59% of shoppers are likely to buy after seeing OOH within 30 minutes of entering a store.

Thirdly, it’s hard to ignore this channel, given its current growth path. According to Group M Media Outlook study it accounted for 14% of global advertising spend and has doubled its share since 2018. It is also seen to be the 3^rd fastest growing channel globally and has been forecasted to exceed TV by 2028.

But retail media trends are now spilling into OOH, proving the importance of the retail environment as a whole. If a connected media plan is the goal, we can do better at aligning OOH and Retail Media.

The Purchasing Journey

The buzzwords dominating retail in 2025? Full Funnel, Omnichannel, Upper Funnel, Lower Funnel, Connected Media Plan.

A successful shopper marketing strategy isn’t about a single moment – it’s about multiple touchpoints with omnichannel approaches proven to drive better results. As highlighted in our Navigating the New Retail Experience piece, the consumer path to purchase is more complex than ever, with retail environments evolving from simple shopping destinations into multi-purpose hubs for experiences and activities.

In this landscape OOH acts as a perfect amplifier priming shoppers and building mental availability before they even enter the store. The focus should be on a Home to Store strategy – ensuring a unified message.

Priming Consumer: Out of Store

As a proven priming tool, OOH keeps brands top of mind in moments that truly matter. With 68% of consumers recalling OOH ads while they are out and about. Our DOOH Effectiveness research shows that consumers are out of home more, engaging in a variety of activities. Not only that, but they are doing these activities more frequently, with 39% driving their car daily, 33% visiting a shopping mall 1-3 times a week, and 34% going to retail stores on the high street 1-3 times a month. This highlights the importance of an omnichannel strategy, with OOH formats strategically placed along high-traffic routes, brands can drive that awareness as decisions are starting to be made. The impact of this priming step clear, with OOH exposure attributed to 54% of in-store visits – proving that driving early awareness in the journey plays a crucial role in converting shoppers at the final moment.

Persuade Consumer: Near Store

As consumers approach the point of purchase, OOH becomes a powerful last-minute touchpoint. 71% of shoppers notice ads right outside retail locations, and at least 48% of Irish consumers engage with retail formats, with main shoppers 12 times more likely than the average adult to take an action as a result of seeing a retail DOOH ad and 33% more likely to purchase a product. This proves that near-store OOH plays a crucial role in reinforcing brand messaging and nudging consumers toward action.

But not all retail environments are the same. Shopping habits, peak times, and consumer behaviours vary, meaning brands need to adapt their retail media strategies accordingly. With 45% of consumer’s daily trips dedicated to shopping and errands, 63% writing a list before they head in-store, and 56% opting for own-brand products – brands must work harder to stand out in those final moments.  

This is where creativity and smart targeting come into play. Audience first planning will help you get ahead in the retail environment. Dynamic and Programmatic OOH allow brands to adapt messaging in real-time ensuring relevance at every moment. Whether leveraging first-party data for tailored audience targeting through our in-house DSP Optimise, or responding to time of day, weather, location triggers with dynamic you can ensure the right message, reaches the right people, at the perfect time – proving OOH’s impact beyond upper levels of the brand funnel.

Convince Consumer: In-Store

Once consumers step inside the store, the final opportunity to influence begins. With 75% of consumers engaging with retail media and 42% saying these ads directly impact their purchase decisions – the chance to convert intent into action is now.

Shoppers are visiting grocery stores frequently, with 21% making supermarket trips 4-6 times a week, and 37% stopping by convenience stores 1-3 times weekly. Shopping habits also vary by demographic – 65+ consumers are 57% more likely to do their main shop during the day, while 25-34’s are 54 times more likely than the average adult to do their main shop in the evening, likely after work. Understanding these behaviours is key to ensuring brand messaging lands at the right moment and doesn’t miss the final hurdle.

Retail Media screens and in-store OOH formats, provide the last opportunity to influence decisions, keeping brands top of mind as consumers navigate the aisles. Whether through clever dynamic copy on Tesco Digiscreens or activating at end of aisle with high-impact creative, Retail Media & OOH ensures brands remain visible, relevant and persuasive right at the point of purchase.

At Talon, we understand the evolving retail landscape and how to pair it with shopper behaviour to create the most effective media mix. Brands that get ahead now will be best positioned to reap the benefits. But success in this space isn’t just about in-store presence – it’s about connecting with consumers across multiple touchpoints along their shopper journey.

By working in tandem, Retail Media and OOH ensure a seamless, full-funnel strategy that primes awareness, persuades consideration, and drives conversion.

Reach out to a member of your Talon planning team to learn more.

At a time where trust is in short supply, and rising concerns about brand safety online, brands are in a constant battle for authenticity. Trust is now at the top of every marketer’s agenda – while only 34% of consumers say they trust the brands they use, 81% consider trust a key factor in their purchase decisions. This presents a major opportunity for brands looking to bridge the divide – and this is where Out of Home (OOH) comes into its own.

Placed in the real world – OOH is uniquely positioned, it can’t be turned off, ignored or blocked – instead OOH can dominate public spaces in a brand-safe, high reach way. At a time when trust is more important than ever, OOH delivers the visibility and authenticity brands can rely on.

HERE’S WHY OOH WINS ON TRUST…

Trust in the Public Space

Operating in the public sphere, OOH has an inherent responsibility to be a platform for good, with 1 in 4 consumers recognising it as a medium that reflects progressive and social values. OOH has never been a more exciting space for advertisers. It has consistently proven to be a stable and trusted channel for authentic brand communication. OOH has earned its longstanding reputation for building trust with consumers, offering a genuine, real-world presence that strengthens brand credibility. According to “The Moment for Trust” study by Clear Channel and JCDecaux, 1 in 3 (31%) of consumers say they trust OOH advertising, with 49% going so far as saying OOH is more trustworthy than social media.

A Proven, Positive Medium

A recent study by Kantar has shown a significant shift towards in-person ad experiences, with both OOH and DOOH ranking among the top 5 consumer preferences. There’s a 90% correlation between the channels that capture consumer attention, and those in which they prefer seeing advertising. This suggests that consumers actively prefer in-person ad experiences.

Advertising campaigns are seven times more impactful among receptive audiences, which underscores how important consumer perceptions of media channels are to their effectiveness. Trust plays a key role in this, with DOOH standing out as the most innovative and trusted channel among both consumers and marketers.

Resonating with the Next Generation

Trust is a key factor in how Gen Z engages with advertising, and OOH stands out as a medium they believe in. According to JCDecaux UK, 84% of Gen Z’s pay attention to OOH, reinforcing its strong presence in their daily lives. While social media remains the most consumed medium for 16-34’s, OOH comes in second – offering brands a powerful way to connect with this audience. Nielsen reports that 59% of Gen Z trusts OOH , making it one of the most credible channels for reaching this audience.

As a non-disruptive and passively consumed medium, OOH offers a welcome relief from screens while maintaining its reputation as a trusted space for brands. Constantly on the move, Gen Z is 16 times more likely than the average adult to have seen OOH in the past week. They’re engagement goes beyond viewing – this audience is also 25 times more likely to have interacted directly with a brands page as a result of seeing an OOH ad, and 19 times more likely to have shared content about a brand/downloaded an app.

A Foundation for Cross-Channel Trust

OOH doesn’t just build trust in isolation – as a passively consumed channel, we know that OOH primes all other channels, increasing brand trust more than any other media (+7%). Its public and tangible nature makes brand messaging feel more authentic and trustworthy.

For example, when a café ad is seen on OOH, and then again on social media, consumers are more likely to act. This repeated exposure across both channels creates a stronger, more trustworthy connection and reinforces the message in the consumers mind, increasing the likelihood of engagement. According to IPA Databank, Peter Field and Rapport, when used alongside other media channels, OOH amplifies their effectiveness – boosting the impact of Search (54%), Social (20%), TV (17%), Radio (17%), and Press (7%).

In today’s world, trust is in short supply. Whilst other media channels have their role in the overall media mix, OOH stands out as a medium you simply can’t fake. Operating in the public sphere – where messages can’t be turned off, ignored, or blocked.

The facts speak for themselves:

• Consumers are looking for authenticity – 34% trust the brand they use, while 81% consider trust to be a key factor in their purchase decisions. (Clear Channel & JCDecaux UK)
• OOH & DOOH ranking among the top 5 consumer preferences – with a 90% correlation between the channels that claim capture consumer attention, and those that they prefer. (Kantar)
• Gen Z trusts OOH advertising – with 84% saying they notice OOH, and 59% saying they trust it. (JCDecaux & Nielsen)
• When used alongside other media channels, OOH amplifies effectiveness – increasing the impact of Search (54%), Social (20%), TV (17%), Radio (17%), and Press (7%). (IPA Databank, Peter Field & Rapport)

Reach out to a member of your Talon planning team to learn more.

Reflecting on 2024, OOH experienced remarkable growth with many of the trends we anticipated coming to fruition.

Looking ahead to 2025, advancements in the channel have firmly positioned OOH as a strategic powerhouse for brands, capable of addressing multiple objectives across both the upper and lower levels of the marketing funnel.

1. The rise of Retail Media

According to Group M, Retail Media accounted for 17.5% of global advertising spend, having doubled its share since 2018. It is the third-fastest growing channel and is expected to surpass TV by 2028. As the lines between retail media and retail OOH continue to blur, alignment between the two has never been more important. According to our own consumer behaviour research conducted in December, 89% of consumers continue to spend in brick-and-mortar locations where retail OOH and retail media formats are front and centre. As supermarkets continue to build their own internal media teams, we anticipate a growing interest from advertisers seeking opportunities in this space.

This shift highlights the critical role OOH plays in the shopper marketing strategy. By combining the targeting capabilities of retail media with the precision of retail OOH, we can help brands reach consumers at key moments in their shopper journey – from priming to persuade to convince, OOH can drive measurable results across both upper and lower funnel objectives.

2. OOH and Experiential will converge

2025 is shaping up to be a year where creativity in Out of Home (OOH) advertising takes centre stage. Advertisers are moving beyond the ordinary, embracing simplicity with bold, imaginative creative solutions. OOH allows you to use the public space as a canvas, and studies show that this approach enhances a brands legitimacy in the eyes of its audience. A Talon UK study shows, 40% of people say they trust brands with this format of advertising, showing OOH’s strength in building brand trust compared to other media channels.

Brand-building is an important strategy to continue pursuing, and non-traditional locations are stepping into the spotlight offering new opportunities for advertisers to break the mould and connect with audiences via experiences. But Creativity isn’t just about being different – it’s about being effective. In 2025 expect to see more campaigns that harness the power of impactful design and innovative placements to drive results and connect with audiences like never before.

3. Continuous measurement of Attention Metrics

In 2025, OOH effectiveness will be increasingly driven by a growing focus on attention metrics. Kantar’s recent Media Reactions is a key example of how attention is coming to the forefront of conversations around media effectiveness, citing a 90% correlation between channels that claim capture their attention and those that they prefer, with global consumers placing OOH and DOOH in their top three attention grabbing channels, and top five preferred channels. Further studies on advancements in measuring “attentive reach” are also enabling advertisers to better understand how audiences engage with campaigns. Findings from our DOOH Effectiveness study show that nearly 70% of respondents pay attention to DOOH ads, with over 40% likely to engage across a diverse range of DOOH ads and formats. Looking ahead to next year, with a new best in class OOH measurement system imminent, the industry is preparing for even more robust ways to demonstrate OOH’s accountability and measurement.

With all media channels now referring to attention as the “new metric”, by comparison, OOH has been researching and quantifying this concept for some time and will continue to – cementing its role as a vital channel in the omnichannel media mix and achieving measurable and impactful results.

4. Big screens and first-party data will drive Programmatic OOH

The continued expansion of programmatic capabilities in OOH is reshaping how advertisers engage with audiences. With some large-format digital screens now becoming programmatically enabled, advertisers have an opportunity to integrate their online and offline strategies seamlessly – bridging the gap between the digital and physical world.

This evolution has fuelled growing appetite across categories, driving innovation and precision in campaign execution. In 2025, we anticipate advertisers leaning further into programmatic OOH, using the likes of first-party data to deliver contextually relevant, impactful messages in real-time. It’s a space where creativity and technology converge. Our Optimise programmatic solution offers sophisticated targeting and precision at scale, providing access to premium inventory in real-time trading opportunities. By leveraging advanced technology and automation, we deliver scalable, flexible, and highly measurable OOH campaigns for maximum impact and efficiency. It’s never been a better time to THINK OUTSIDE.

5. OOH solidifies itself as a critical power play in multichannel strategies

In a world grappling with ad blockers, privacy concerns, Google adopting a more updated approach to user tracking and privacy and increasingly fragmented audiences, OOH is solidifying its place as a critical power play in 2025. With its unique ability of being an unskippable medium, OOH offers unmatched visibility across multiple touchpoints. This highlights OOH’s value as a cornerstone of multichannel strategies.

A recent study by WARC and JCDecaux revealed that OOH significantly amplifies the performance of other media channels, enhancing search by 54%, social by 20%, TV and Radio by 17%, and press by 7%. As the ultimate digital primer, OOH pairs seamlessly with mobile, delivering an 11% boost in memory encoding and a 13% increase in emotional impact. With brands increasingly seeking unified messaging and amplified presence, we expect to see more campaigns in 2025 leveraging OOH and DOOH within 360 strategies to drive cohesive and impactful results.

6. Data-driven strategies will become the standard

As consumer behaviour evolves rapidly, often influenced by external factors, data-driven strategies have become essential. We predict this trend to continue to evolve over 2025, driven by various economic and social factors all set to influence consumer behaviour in some form. At Talon, our audience remains at the heart of every strategy we create. Through bespoke consumer behaviour research, conducted alongside our partners at Spark Market Research, we gain deep insights into evolving trends and preferences, feeding them directly into our campaign planning. Utilising our mapping system, Talon Zone, we can develop highly tailored strategies that truly connect with audiences. This data-led approach ensures campaigns are relevant, impactful, and adaptive to real-life factors.

7. Repurposing and education will fuel Sustainability

In recent years, we’ve seen a significant shift across all sectors towards sustainability. Consumers are becoming more environmentally aware, and as such it’s our role to ensure we are all playing a part for our planet. Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword. In 2024 the OOH industry has made some positive strides in this space from using fully recyclable paper for large and small formats, while 90% of OOH formats are using renewable energy to charge sites.  In addition, a powering down initiative was introduced whereby we worked collaboratively with our media owner partners to encourage powering down at off peak times, an initiative adapted by a majority.

Looking ahead for 2025, the OOH sector has a pivotal role to play in spreading the message of sustainability and driving public awareness. At Talon, sustainability is a top priority, and as members of AdNet Zero, we are actively contributing to a key working group.  We predict that in the coming year many advertisers will increasingly focus on repurposing their OOH campaigns to align with sustainability goals. With many brands already showcasing this shift, as they incorporate reusable elements from their campaigns for future use, setting the stage for a growing trend in eco-conscious advertising.

As we look ahead to 2025, we remain optimistic about the continued growth across the broader media landscape, particularly in OOH. OOH is expected to maintain its strong trajectory, outpacing the wider market. With the launch of the new industry research on the horizon, we believe it will further solidify OOH’s role in the media ecosystem and attract new advertisers to the channel. This optimistic outlook sets the stage for a dynamic year ahead, where retail media, creative solutions, effectiveness, multichannel integration, data-driven strategies, programmatic and sustainability will shape the year ahead.

Building on our earlier pieces discussing “What is Programmatic OOH?” and “Why Programmatic OOH this Christmas?”, we turn our focus to 2025 and explore the trends we expect to shape this space in Ireland. Programmatic OOH (PrOOH) continues to push the boundaries of OOH, evolving PrOOH from a tactical add-on to a strategic cornerstone for advertisers. Here are our four trends to watch out for in 2025…

1. Big Screens as a growth driver

Programmatic OOH (PrOOH) will continue its rapid growth in 2025, with big screens emerging as a key growth driver. With 9 large-scale digital screens now available to buy programmatically in Ireland and more on the horizon – spend in this space has seen an impressive YoY growth. Our OPTIMISE_ programmatic solution offers sophisticated targeting and precision at scale, providing access to premium inventory in real-time trading opportunities. By leveraging advanced technology and automation, we deliver scalable, flexible, and highly measurable OOH campaigns for maximum impact and efficiency. It’s never been a better time to THINK OUTSIDE.

2. Brands will lean further into 1st party data

In 2025, we believe brands will lean further into 1^st party data. The availability of rich audience data has empowered brands to go beyond demographic targeting. In Ireland, advertisers are recognising the value of leveraging their own customer data – from app downloads to footfall metrics – to create more relevant and engaging messaging.

By extending digital strategies into PrOOH, brands can not only deliver more contextually tailored campaigns but also expand their reach and build strong consumer trust. OOH has long been regarded as one of the most credible advertising channels, largely because its messages are displayed prominently in the public sphere for all to see. In an era where trust is under increasing scrutiny, leveraging PrOOH’s reliability ensures brands not only capture attention but also reinforce reliability.

3. Programmatic as a core component of media strategies

In 2025, Irish advertisers will increasingly integrate PrOOH into their overarching media strategies. This shift is fuelled in part by research highlighting the effectiveness of Out-of-Home (OOH) and digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) when combined with other media channels. Studies such as Kantar’s Media Reactions show that OOH and DOOH consistently perform well among global consumers, ranking within the top three most preferred advertising channels.

While the ideal mix of media channels depends on the campaign objectives, PrOOH frequently works alongside other programmatic channels like online video, display, mobile, connected TV (CTV), and audio. Media planners are increasingly blending traditional OOH with PrOOH and digital channels, creating fully integrated campaigns – bridging the gap between online and offline strategies. With in-person experiences more vital than ever, this integration allows brands to connect meaningfully with consumers in their everyday environments – driving engagement and reinforcing messages across multiple touchpoints.

4. Creating micro moments to deliver bottom funnel metrics

With PrOOH advertisers can now target audiences with greater precision, analysing their behaviours. This contextual and real-time bidding enables brands to create impactful micro-moments by leveraging dynamic triggers such as time of day, weather, or location. By tailoring creative messaging to these real-world contexts, PrOOH has pushed OOH further down the purchasing funnel, effectively driving those critical bottom funnel metrics like conversions and sales.  

Programmatic OOH (PrOOH) is set to transform media strategies in 2025, evolving from a strategic add-on to a critical component of overarching media strategies. It’s flexibility, real-time capabilities, and ability to use audience data have driven its rapid growth. By combining with other programmatic and digital channels, PrOOH enables more precise targeting and impactful results across the entire brand funnel – cementing its role in future-forward advertising strategies.

Tis the season to put programmatic OOH (PrOOH) to work for your brand.

Following on from our first programmatic piece, we discussed what programmatic OOH (PrOOH) is, the opportunities it unlocks for advertisers, and when is the right time to use it. This piece we’re turning our focus to the Winter months and why programmatic OOH is effective this Christmas.

With a renewed appreciation for the outdoors, people’s perception of outdoor spaces has shifted, leading many to actively seek out activities OUTSIDE of the home. The outdoors has become a favoured destination for socialising, even as winter settles in.

We know from previous consumer behaviour research that 81% of respondents claim Christmas if their favourite holiday – with this in mind what can programmatic OOH (PrOOH) do for your seasonal campaigns.

Well, not to mention the fact that Irish weather is the perfect trigger for PrOOH – where else can you experience all four seasons in one day? Triggered content can help brands break through the noise, just as everyone is competing for attention. Let’s dive into these in more detail:

1. Increased foot traffic

There’s no surprise that when Q4 comes along, people tend to spend more time in retail environments whether it’s the high street or different shopping malls, it all leads to an increase in foot traffic. With October and November accounting for the bulk of Christmas gift buying and Thursdays to Saturdays the preferred time to do shopping. PrOOH allows us to deliver targeted impressions to your core shopper group.

2. Higher levels of engagement

We know that during the festive season, time spent Christmas shopping varies based on demographic. With over ½ of 16-24’s spending an entire day doing their Christmas shopping. Not to mention, that consumers perception of retail hotspots has fundamentally changed, evolving beyond just a shopping destination into a hub for eating out (52%), entertainment (37%) and meeting friends (24%). This leads to higher engagement rates, with consumers having more time to stop and look at ads that are relevant to them.

3. Seasonal advertising opportunities

Q4 is when it all happens. Starting with Black Friday, advertisers have a unique opportunity to highlight everything from special offers and gift ideas to real-time stock updates. PrOOH can help brands quickly and easily target their ads to the right audience, at the right moment, with the right message – whether its weather-triggered, location based or tied to other data points this flexibility allows brands to convey whatever the message and maximise RoI throughout the winter months, right up to January sales.

4. Improved targeting & measurement

We’ve already spoken about real-time triggers, however, one of the main benefits of PrOOH is the ability to target specific audiences based on their behaviours. This can be especially useful during the winter season when brands are all competing for the attention of Christmas shoppers. For instance, a supermarket brand can use programmatic OOH to target individuals who have recently visited a competitor’s store, enticing them to switch for their Christmas shop.

In summary, programmatic OOH (PrOOH) offers brands unique ways to make their Christmas campaigns more dynamic, targeted and timely – especially during the high traffic winter season. While classic OOH remains optimal for brand awareness and recall, integrating PrOOH as part of a wider campaign adds the flexibility to reach a desired audience with data-driven, real-time messaging.

Talon’s DSP Optimise, can help you deliver on bottom-funnel metrics and truly connect with your audience this season. Why wait? Reach out to us today.