Abode Residential Media appoints Iain Chapman as Managing Director to lead next phase of growth
Former Ocean Outdoor founding director and Group Sales Director joins Abode as the residential DOOH business accelerates its UK expansion and looks towards Northern Europe.
London, UK, Thursday 15 October — Abode Residential Media has appointed Iain Chapman as Managing Director, as the business enters the next phase of its growth strategy and the expansion of its residential Digital Out of Home (DOOH) network.
Chapman has been involved with Abode since its launch, initially investing in the business two years ago and subsequently advising the board. His move into the Managing Director role comes as Abode approaches the end of its first full year of trading, having gained significant traction in the UK market with a proposition focused on reaching highly desirable audiences within premium residential environments.
The next stage of Abode’s strategy will focus on rapidly expanding its UK footprint, strengthening relationships with property owners, advertisers and agencies, and exploring opportunities for expansion into Northern European markets.
A Fiat campaign on an Abode screen in a London residential lobbyThirty years in Out of Home
Chapman brings more than 30 years’ experience in the Out of Home and Digital Out of Home advertising industry.
JCDecaux and Van WagnerHe began his career at JCDecaux before joining US billboard and digital media business Van Wagner, where he was part of the management team prior to the sale of its UK operation to Clear Channel in May 2006.
Founding director, Ocean OutdoorIn September 2006, Chapman became one of the founding directors of Ocean Outdoor, playing a central role in the development of the Ocean brand and many of the company’s early strategic contract wins.
Building Ocean’s sales operationOver the following 12 years, he built and led Ocean’s sales operation, growing the team to approximately 40 people and overseeing a sustained period of revenue growth, profitability and market share gains. During that period, Ocean and its teams received numerous sales and marketing industry awards and accreditations.
Acquisitions, ownership and Piccadilly LightsAs a member of Ocean’s senior management team, Chapman was also involved in multiple strategic acquisitions and helped build the company into one of the most recognised businesses in the DOOH sector, with a reputation for innovation and the adoption of new digital technologies. During his tenure, the business passed through a series of private equity-backed ownership transactions involving Smedvig Capital, LDC and Searchlight Capital, growing from an early-stage independent OOH operator into a business ultimately valued at approximately £200 million. Chapman also oversaw Ocean’s brand and media agency trading relationships and was a key member of the team that secured the contract to operate and transform one of the world’s most iconic advertising locations, Piccadilly Lights.
“Many of the same ingredients”
Commenting on his appointment, Iain Chapman, Managing Director of Abode Residential Media, said:
“I have been involved with Abode as an investor and board adviser for a long period, so I’m incredibly excited to now join the business full time and help take both the company and the brand to the next level.
“The experience, ambition and quality of the team and shareholder base made the decision an easy one for me. DOOH is in incredibly strong health in the UK and internationally, and the continued growth of programmatic DOOH is particularly exciting.
“Residential media represents a compelling new environment for advertisers. We have an opportunity to work closely with our property partners to build a significant, high-quality network, while helping brands and agencies deliver relevant campaigns to valuable audiences within their own residential environment.
“Having spent much of my career helping to build Ocean, I’m immensely proud of what we created there. I now see many of the same ingredients at Abode: a differentiated proposition, an ambitious team and a significant opportunity to build something genuinely important within the DOOH market.”
British Airways on Abode totems at the entrance to a London residential developmentBrian Cahalane and Craig Cohen, Co-Founders of Abode Residential Media, said:
“We are delighted that Iain has decided to join Abode full time.
“He has been a valued investor and member of the board throughout our launch phase and has already played an important role in helping us refine our go-to-market strategy and commercial proposition.
“Iain’s calibre, industry experience, relationships and track record of building successful OOH businesses are exactly what Abode needs as we enter our next phase of growth. His appointment is a significant milestone for the business and we’re extremely excited about what we can build together.”
About Abode Residential Media
Abode Residential Media is building a premium Digital Out of Home network within residential environments.
Working in partnership with leading owners and operators of residential property, Abode installs and operates digital media screens within high-quality residential developments, creating a new communication channel for residents and a distinctive advertising environment for brands.
The network enables advertisers to reach valuable audiences within the residential environment, complementing established OOH locations across city centre, transport and retail environments and the wider public realm.
Visit abode-media.com
