News

Global, the Media & Entertainment Group, has won the advertising contract for Network Rail’s roadside outdoor estate, a vast portfolio including advertising sites in high-profile city locations, following a competitive pitch.

Network Rail’s estate is the biggest roadside contract in the UK, with Global awarded exclusive rights to manage the advertising for over 1,400 sites, ranging from hugely popular classic formats through to digital billboards across cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Leeds, with a further investment for more than 100 new state-of-the-art digital screens on premium sites in city centres, set to be rolled out over the coming months. 

Hamish Kiernan, Commercial Director at Network Rail Property, added: “We’re pleased to continue our relationship with Global for a further seven years. We’re looking forward to seeing the ambitious investment plans come to fruition, creating some of the most premium and iconic digital screens across the country. Any advertising revenue generated across our portfolio is invested back into the railway, which means this partnership will not only deliver engaging content to millions but will also benefit our customers through rail reinvestment.” 

Chris Forrester, Director of Commercial for Outdoor at Global, said: “We’re delighted to have won the contract and look forward to working with Network Rail for another seven years. We have exciting investment plans, including creating incredible new digital screens across the country, which will join the fantastic portfolio of sites like the brand new Landmark at London Bridge and the striking Westway Tower near Paddington. Global is home to the most premium outdoor advertising estate in the UK and we’re proud to be UK’s biggest and brightest media partner operating across Outdoor, Audio and Digital.”

All digital roadside screens on the Network Rail estate are available to advertisers via DAX, Global’s digital ad exchange, a pioneering platform in programmatic outdoor advertising.  

Global is one of the largest outdoor media owners in UK with over 250,000 sites. Its extensive portfolio reaches 95% of the UK population and includes 12 major airports, the London Underground, large and small format roadside posters, and 98% of the UK’s bus fleet. 

Global recently announced a 10-year partnership with BT to upgrade the nation’s payphones and roll out more digital hubs for local communities.