News

Smart Media Group, a leading Digital Out of Home (DOOH) media owner, is making a game-changing commitment to sustainability—partnering with Green Acres Future, a North East-based environmental organisation, to accelerate our journey to net zero.

This partnership will deliver real, measurable impact across the region, aligning
cutting-edge digital advertising with a future-proofed sustainability strategy. Smart
Media Group is already leading the charge, running 100% on renewable energy and
actively reshaping its supply chain to reduce carbon emissions further.

Driving the Future of Sustainable DOOH Out of Home (OOH) advertising is already the most sustainable ad format, accounting for just 3.3% of advertising power consumption and less than 3.5% of the industry’s carbon footprint. Compared to other media types, OOH produces the lowest carbon emissions per impression, making it a crucial part of a greener advertising ecosystem.

Smart Media Group is taking this further by bringing more of its supply chain inhouse - a move that will cut reliance on third-party suppliers, drive efficiency,
and reduce emissions at every stage of operations. This is possible because OOH
media owners have end-to-end control over their infrastructure, unlike many other
media formats.

What’s Next? Carbon Transparency & Offsetting

Smart Media Group is also developing a groundbreaking initiative to track and display carbon impact data on advertising campaigns, giving brands unmatched
transparency on their environmental footprint. In addition, we are working towards
offering carbon offsetting options, ensuring that clients can actively contribute to
sustainability efforts alongside their advertising investments.

“Our industry is already one of the most sustainable, but we know we can do more,” said Mark Catterall, CEO at Smart Media Group. “By partnering with Green Acres Future, we’re not just reducing our own impact—we’re enabling brands to make more informed, sustainable choices while reaching their audiences in powerful, high-impact ways.”

As part of the partnership, members of the Smart Media Group team recently spent time at the Green Acres Future site in Stannington, Northumberland. During the visit, Mark Catterall, Mark Clancy, Tom Aveyard and Rosie Adams learned more about the
innovative rewilding and carbon offsetting work taking place on-site. The team also got hands-on by planting trees and meeting the newest additions to the flock —underscoring the company’s commitment to engaging directly with the sustainability projects it supports.

A Commitment to Local Impact

Unlike generic carbon offsetting schemes, this partnership ensures that real benefits
are delivered locally. Green Acres Future is deeply embedded in the North East,
meaning businesses advertising with Smart Media Group will directly support local
sustainability projects that drive tangible, positive change in our communities.

With over 90% of the UK OOH sector’s electricity now coming from renewable
sources and a 46% increase in the use of recyclable materials, the industry is evolving fast—and Smart Media Group is at the forefront of that transformation.
This is more than a commitment—it’s a call to action. We invite brands, partners, and the wider industry to join us in reshaping the future of responsible advertising.