Mid-market advisory firm Clearwater International has advised Signature Outdoor on its sale to LDC-backed Ocean Outdoor, a provider of external digital advertising sites.
The value of the deal has not been disclosed.
Established in 2003, Signature is the market leader in Premium Large Format outdoor media in Birmingham and the West Midlands, operating some of the region’s most iconic advertising destinations. The company has recently moved offices to accommodate for the anticipated future growth of their premium digital portfolio.
Headquartered in London and founded in 2005, Ocean is a boutique media company specialising in large-format digital billboards, iconic landmark and premium banner locations. It operates 28 sites across the UK, including the Hammersmith flyover in London, Eat Street at Westfield Shopping Centre and London’s IMAX cinema.
Signature's co-founders, Gerry Bew and Steve George, will join the executive team, led by CEO Tim Bleakley.
A team at Clearwater International led by partner Paul Newell, assistant director Rob Burden and manager James Clifford, advised Signature’s shareholders on the deal.
Newell says: "This is a strategic move for Ocean as the businesses are highly complementary. This acquisition will enable Signature to further strengthen its market leading position in Birmingham and gives Ocean a significant presence in this key geography. Birmingham is one of the UK's leading cities with a number of exciting growth opportunities in the digital outdoor advertising space. We're confident that Signature will continue to prosper within the Ocean group."
Bew says: “Joining forces with Ocean will significantly enhance our proposition to the market, help improve our digital technology and reach out to a much wider client base. Our market leading position in Birmingham and strong pipeline of opportunities puts us in good stead to create a world-class network in the industry.”
