Dentsu Aegis Network Enhances US Out-of-Home Offering with Acquisition of C2C Outdoor

C2C Outdoor Will Become Part of Posterscope US, Michael Palatnek Succeeds Helma Larkin as CEO

NEW YORK – Dentsu Aegis Network today announces the acquisition of C2C Outdoor, a leading boutique out-of-homeagency. C2C Outdoor will be powered by Posterscope US, the group’s out-of-home specialist agency, and will transition to operating as Posterscope over the next few months.

With digital and data transforming the content, reach and impact possible for brands through out-of-home media, the addition of C2C Outdoor complements Posterscope’s acquisition in May of Liveposter, a leading company specialising in dynamic, targeted creative campaigns for digital out-of-home. As part of Posterscope, Liveposter and now C2C Outdoor, further extend the agency’s ability to innovate and leverage the full potential of out-of-home to drive clients’ businesses in the digital economy.

C2C Outdoor offers a full suite of services including strategy and planning, buying and reporting, in addition to creative and production services to help brands connect with consumers outside of the home. Founded in 2007 with a focus on meeting the needs of marketers in the apparel, cable/broadcast and technology industries, C2C Outdoor has offices in New York City and Los Angeles, where its team services clients including Tiffany & Co, Comedy Central, Grubhub including the Seamless brand,as well as Michael Kors. The agency was named one of Forbes’ Most Promising Companies in America in 2014 and was listed as #14 on Crain’s New York’s Fastest Growing Companies list in 2012.

Following the acquisition, C2C Outdoor’s CEO Michael Palatnek will succeed Helma Larkin as CEO, Posterscope US, as part of a planned transition. Palatnek will oversee the combined business and report into Dentsu Aegis Network US CEO, Rob Horler. Co-Founder of C2C Outdoor, Dave Stutz, will move on to other ventures. Under Larkin’s leadership, Posterscope has delivered significant growth in the US, built a bench of top industry talent, and built a platform for innovation responsible for many firsts in the OOH market, including the first real-time buying private marketplace, the first vehicle recognition campaign and the launch of the Liveposter Dynamic Digital offering.

“The out-of-home industry is experiencing rapid change and is ripe for transformation in the digital economy,” said Rob Horler, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network US. “The Posterscope US operation has grown tremendously in the past two years, and with the addition of C2C Outdoor, is well-equipped to help clients navigate the changes and opportunities across all aspects of out-of-home.”

“I’m so pleased to be handing over the reins to an industry veteran like Michael, who is a proven leader on the buy and sell side,” said outgoing Posterscope US CEO Helma Larkin. “His ability to operate nimbly and focus exclusively on delivering the highest level of client service will be a game changer as Posterscope moves into its next stage of growth in the US.”

“Posterscope is a proven leader and innovator in Out-of-Home and I couldn’t be happier to be joining at such a critical point in its evolution,” said Michael Palatnek, incoming CEO, Posterscope US. “Combining the strong dynamic creative capabilities of C2C Outdoor and the powerful research and insights tools at Posterscope, together we’ve created an undeniably compelling new proposition to help our clients fully leverage out-of-home opportunities.”

According to Carat’s latest Ad Spend forecasts, the out-of-home advertising market in the US is expected to grow +4% to $7.9 billion in 2016, of which digital OOH will account for 44% of total OOH spending.

‑ ENDS ‑

Belle Lenz
Regional Communications Director, Americas
Dentsu Aegis Network
T: +1 646-742-5029
E: belle.lenz@dentsuaegis.com

Notes to Editors:

About Dentsu Aegis Network

Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of ten global network brands - Carat, Dentsu, Dentsu media, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, Merkle, MKTG, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands. Dentsu Aegis Network is Innovating the Way Brands Are Built for its clients through its best-in-class expertise and capabilities in media, digital and creative communications services. Offering a distinctive and innovative range of products and services, Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 145 countries worldwide with around 35,000 dedicated specialists. 

About Posterscope

Posterscope is a full service out-of-home communications specialist with 700 people in 48 offices across 27 countries. US offices include New York, Los Angeles and Detroit. Posterscope is at the vanguard of cutting edge developments in OOH such as digital, programmatic, and OOH interactivity. Clients include: General Motors, MasterCard, Disney, The Home Depot, Red Bull, adidas among others.

About C2C Outdoor

C2C Outdoor is an out-of-home (OOH) agency providing clients with a single source for strategy, negotiation and activation of their OOH campaigns. The agency represents clients across the fashion, apparel, technology, TV, liquor and education sectors, including Tiffany & Co, Comedy Central, Grubhub, including the Seamless brand, and Michael Kors. Headquartered in New York with offices in Los Angeles, C2C Outdoor is a privately held company that was founded in 2007.