Ooh!Media Ltd (ASX: OML) is one of Australia and New Zealand’s largest out-of-home advertising companies, operating across roadside billboards, shopping centres, airports, and public transport hubs. With a network spanning over 30,000 advertising assets, Ooh!Media offers advertisers broad audience reach and data-driven campaign solutions. Listed on the ASX since 2014, the company has evolved into a major player in outdoor media, with a focus on integrating digital technologies, programmatic sales, and diversified revenue streams across its platform.
Ooh!Media’s announcement that CEO Cathy O’Connor will exit during the second half of calendar year 2025 marks a significant leadership transition for the company. O’Connor, who joined OML in 2020 after a successful tenure at Nova Entertainment, has overseen a transformative period for the company. Under her leadership, Ooh!Media navigated the COVID-19 disruption, drove a rebound in advertising spend, and expanded its digital screen footprint across key metro and regional areas.
The timing of O’Connor’s exit comes as the company posts strong operational results, suggesting a deliberate and well-managed transition rather than a reactive leadership change. For the first quarter of CY25, total revenue rose by 13% year-on-year, while Australian media revenue outpaced broader market trends with 16% growth. These figures reflect improving advertising demand, enhanced asset utilisation, and successful commercial strategies aimed at capturing a larger share of the out-of-home market.
The company has already initiated a global search for a successor, reflecting its ambition to secure a leader capable of navigating the next phase of growth. Chair Tony Faure publicly thanked O’Connor for her contribution and highlighted the Board’s focus on maintaining business momentum during the transition. Importantly, resolutions relating to O’Connor’s performance incentive grants were withdrawn ahead of the Annual General Meeting, signalling a clean break in governance and succession planning.
While CEO transitions often create short-term uncertainty, Ooh!Media’s strong revenue trajectory and diversified platform position it well for continued resilience. Investors will likely monitor announcements relating to the new CEO appointment closely, alongside Q2 trading updates that could confirm whether the positive momentum seen in early 2025 is sustainable.
Despite sector challenges and advertising market cyclicality, Ooh!Media has demonstrated notable resilience over the past twelve months. The company’s integrated multi-format strategy, combining classic billboards with digital inventory and programmatic sales channels, provides strong foundations for sustainable revenue growth. As advertisers shift budgets towards high-reach, cost-effective outdoor platforms, Ooh!Media has successfully positioned itself as a preferred choice for brand campaigns across metro and regional Australia.
At a current share price of $1.48, Ooh!Media trades near the lower end of its 52-week range of $1.11 to $1.79. The stock’s recent weakness, driven partly by leadership transition concerns and macroeconomic advertising pressures, contrasts with the company’s improving financial performance. Its PE ratio of 21.76 remains reasonable for a company delivering double-digit revenue growth, while the dividend yield of 3.55% offers an attractive income stream relative to broader Communication Services sector peers.
Ooh!Media’s strategy of expanding its premium large-format digital footprint continues to pay dividends, supporting higher yield per site and stronger operating leverage as advertising demand recovers. In parallel, the company’s investment in audience measurement technology and data analytics improves its value proposition to media buyers seeking better attribution and campaign effectiveness metrics.
Looking forward, key investor focus areas will include the appointment and credentials of the next CEO, confirmation of revenue growth sustainability through Q2 and H1 2025, and any commentary on margin expansion opportunities. With a diversified asset base, operational momentum, and solid cash flow generation, Ooh!Media remains well placed to navigate leadership transition challenges while capitalising on favourable sector dynamics.
Chifley Tower, 2 Chifley Square,
Sydney NSW 2000
1300 854 151
© 2023 KOSEC | Kodari Securities Pty Ltd | ABN 90 147 963 755 | FSG | Terms & Conditions | Disclaimer & Legal
© 2023 KOSEC | Kodari Securities Pty Ltd
ABN 90 147 963 755
KOSEC - Kodari Securities does not provide any investment advice, nor is anything mentioned an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security or other instrument. Anything discussed is for informational purposes only and does not address the circumstances or needs of any particular individual or entity. Investing in the stock market is high risk. Under no circumstances should investments be based solely on the information provided. We do not guarantee the security or completeness of information on this website and are not held liable. Kodari Securities PTY Ltd trading as KOSEC is a corporate authorized representative (AFSL no.246638) which is regulated by the Australian securities and investment commission (ASIC).
