Michael Higgins named head of college poster site start-up

Michael Higgins, one of the outdoor advertising industry’s most enduring figures, has re-emerged as head of a new poster company selling ad sites at universities.

Higgins, who has worked in various positions in outdoor advertising, most recently as chief executive of US outdoor start-up Van Wagner, has been appointed a director of Unimedia and will head the sales operation.

The company – part of Outdoor Advantage – has sites at 70 universities. The back-lit, scrolling A4 units are located in shopping and bar areas.

Higgins says: “There are all sorts of advertisers looking to attract students: film, music, newspapers and banks. We are hoping the specialists will tag ads on our sites on to broadcast campaigns.”

Higgins stepped down as chief executive of Van Wagner in February after the US company reportedly halted plans for a major UK expansion. It later appointed CIA new business director Kevin Shute to the same position. Prior to his brief spell at Van Wagner, Higgins was development director at the More Group and sales director at Mills & Allen.