Ex-CDP Media chief takes up outdoor trade body role

The Outdoor Advertising Association has appointed former CDP Media managing director Alan James as its chief executive.

James joins in April, replacing OAA chairman Matthew Carrington, who is leaving to become chief executive of the Retail Motor Industry Federation.

James’s appointment coincides with wider moves to strengthen and develop the outdoor industry. Outdoor as a medium accounts for eight per cent of the UK’s total advertising spend. The industry is aiming to increase this to ten per cent over the next two years.

In an OAA restructure earlier this year, Maiden Outdoor managing director David Pugh was appointed to the new part-time role of non-executive chairman of the OAA Council. He will hold the role for a year.

The council is widening its role, engaging in joint marketing activity to promote the medium.

Of James’s appointment, Pugh says: “There was a strong field of candidates and we got it down to a shortlist of three. This is a full-time role for James and, because of our plans for developing the outdoor medium, we wanted someone from a media background.”

Pugh adds that James will be responsible for promoting outdoor advertising as an effective and accountable medium, which offers good returns on investment.