oOh!media chief executive Brendon Cook is leaving the company he founded more than 30 years ago as the outdoor advertising begins its first ever search for a new boss.
Cook founded Outdoor Network Australia in 1989 and has been chief executive and managing director since, guiding the company through two ASX listings, private equity ownership and multiple acquisitions.
“I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with such a great team of people over the past 30 years,” Cook said in a statement to the stock exchange.
“To have witnessed the Company grow to the size and scale it is today is immensely satisfying and I am delighted I will continue to be part of the oOh! story to ensure it is well set up for the next stage of growth. With our integration now largely complete and a strong team in place, I believe now is the right time to make the transition.”
The board, led by chairman Tony Faure, has begun a search for a replacement for Cook. He will stay on as chief executive until a replacement is found and he will take on a non-executive consulting role to provide advice for the new boss.
“Brendon had the foresight to recognise the growth potential of digital and has been a powerful advocate for the development of new outdoor environments to capitalise on the rapid growth in media consumption habits away from home. He also led the development of new ways to measure the true value of the out of home segment,” Faure said.
“He has successfully led oOh!’s diversification strategy to build a data-centric, scalable multiformat business across billboards, retail, office buildings, street furniture, rail, universities, cafes and airports which leads the Australian and New Zealand markets. The Company is in good shape and has a strong and established management team.”
