Media centre

Friday 22 Jun 2007

TITAN AND NETWORK RAIL EXTEND MANAGED STATIONS CONTRACT

Region & Route:

National

Titan Outdoor, the world’s fastest growing outdoor company, and Network Rail, the owner and operator of Great Britain’s rail infrastructure, are pleased to announce a significant extension to their existing partnership for exclusive advertising rights at key rail stations across London and major UK cities. The agreement has been extended by three years to 2017, with both companies investing in new technology and new platforms for the growth and development of new opportunities in an era of fast-paced change for out-of-home advertising. Rail travel, digital adspend and outdoor advertising are forecast to increase significantly over the next five years. When combined with Network Rail’s planned multi-billion pound investment into the rail network over the next two years, this partnership with Titan will capitalise on the wealth of available opportunities in digital advertising, station sponsorship and standard product development that the rail environment has to offer. Additionally, this will include further investment from both Network Rail and Titan. The contract cover the 17 stations managed by Network Rail, which see over 800m a year. Around 50% of all rail journeys in Great Britain begin or end at these stations. The news on Network Rail reinforces Titan’s number one position in rail, with a strategic focus on a premium, national portfolio of stations delivering 86% of the UK rail audience to advertisers every day (Source: Arkenford 2006). Jon Slatkin, Chief Executive of Titan Outdoor UK, commented:“We are delighted to be part of such a crucial commercial partnership. With rail audiences expected to grow by more than 30% in the next 10 years and Network Rail’s significant plans for station re-development, the next decade will offer exciting new opportunities for advertisers to reach their end customers. At a time that most media and their audiences are increasingly fragmented, rail offers advertisers one of the few clear routes to consumers. Titan is committed to working closely with Network Rail over the next 10 years, innovating and investing in the portfolio to capitalise on the phenomenal opportunities in digital and sponsorship that the rail environment has to offer.” Ron Henderson, Group Finance Director of Network Rail, added: “Extending this contract with Titan means that Network Rail secures a further stream of revenue to fund the railway. By optimising commercial opportunities at our stations we can boost investment in our facilities – and passengers will benefit. Our partnership builds on a long-term relationship with Titan and we will work closely in the future to develop innovative advertising opportunities at our stations.” Titan and Network Rail first became partners in 1997. Key stations for the contract include: London stations such as Liverpool Street, Victoria and other major stations in Great Britain such as Manchester Piccadilly and Glasgow Central. Since 1997, Titan has established the UK’s only national, profitable digital outdoor network with its Transvision screens in key Network Rail stations across the UK. Network Rail has also allowed Titan to offer station sponsorships for the first time, for instance with the recently launched Waterloo Tunnel Wrap for Expedia. Last year, Titan ran a media first with BMW across national Network Rail stations where commuters could test drive the new car and compete against each other in a simulated national driving challenge.