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Rockbridge Growth Equity has sold GSTV to MidOcean Partners.

Founded in 2006 (and originally located in Birmingham, Michigan) GSTV claims position as America’s number one video network at the pump. Rockbridge Growth Equity LLC acquited GSTV in June 2014 (you can read about that here).

Brian Hermelin, Managing Partner and co-founder of Rockbridge was quoted as saying “Through our partnership with the GSTV team, we successfully transformed the business to realize new opportunities in an evolving media landscape. Rockbridge understood that advertisers need new channels to reach today’s consumers, and GSTV has delivered a captive audience that we believe has more potential to grow. We look forward to supporting the GSTV and MidOcean teams as the Company embarks on its next chapter.”

MidOcean Partners is a premier New York-based alternative asset manager specializing in middle-market private equity, structured capital, and alternative credit investments. Since its inception in 2003, MidOcean Private Equity has targeted investments in high-quality middle-market companies in the consumer and business services sectors. MidOcean Credit Partners was launched in 2009 and currently manages a series of alternative credit strategies, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and customized separately managed accounts.

“GSTV is uniquely positioned at the intersection of retail media, digital video, and digital out-of-home – three of the fastest-growing areas in advertising today,” said Marshall Phelps, Managing Director at MidOcean. “Brands are increasingly seeking measurable, high-impact ways to engage consumers near the point of purchase, and GSTV’s national scale and ability to deliver contextually relevant content in real time delivers proven results. Our investment thesis in this space was developed in partnership with our executive advisors Jim Wilson and Eric Kozic, who bring deep expertise in digital media and marketing services to MidOcean. We’re thrilled to have Jim joining as Chairman of the Board and look forward to partnering with Sean McCaffrey and the GSTV team to support the Company’s continued expansion”.

Moelis & Company LLC and Solomon Partners served as financial advisors to GSTV and Honigman served as legal advisor to Rockbridge and GSTV. Gibson Dunn was legal advisor to MidOcean.

Sean McCaffrey, CEO of GSTV told us “Rockbridge has been a strong partner to GSTV over the years, and we are proud of the accomplishments we achieved together. We are excited for the future and working together with MidOcean and Rockbridge on new initiatives.”

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Rockbridge will retain a minority stake in GSTV.

Celebrate Earth Day with an exciting panel, ‘RVonAV Earth Day Special: Creating a Sustainable Future for the AV Industry‘ on Tuesday, April 22nd at 1:00 PM ET.

Hear from industry experts on the latest sustainability initiatives and best practices that leading AV companies are adopting, followed by an opportunity for attendees to pose questions to the panelists after the discussion.

Gain valuable perspectives from:

• Rich Ventura – Vice President, Sony Professional Display Solutions
• Keiko Yokoyama – Environmental Director, Sony Electronics
• Rob Badenoch – Partner, TAD
• Michael Rogers – Senior Sustainability Program Specialist, Crestron
• Tobi Tungl – Chief Marketing Officer, CTI

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into how the AV industry is embracing sustainability.

Registration and more information can be found here.

GoVision LLC, the premier provider of large-scale LED video displays, has announced that LED industry veteran Troy Korthour has joined the company in the new role of Senior Solutions Manager.

He brings more than 20 years of expertise in the LED display industry to the GoVision team. He will be responsible for overseeing cost estimations, managing subcontractors and guiding the pre-bid and post-bid processes for the company’s fixed installation business.

Before joining GoVision, Troy honed his skills as a sales engineer at Samsung/Prismview and as a solutions architect at Panasonic. He has a proven track record of successfully securing projects for professional sports stadiums, arenas, minor league sports venues and collegiate athletic facilities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Troy to the GoVision team as our Senior Solutions Manager,” said Matt Ritter, Sr. Vice President of Business Development with GoVision. “With over a decade of experience estimating projects in the fixed installation space, Troy has distinguished himself by consistently delivering creative, cost-effective solutions for high-profile projects across multiple markets. His ability to think outside the box, maximize budgets and provide the best options for our customers aligns perfectly with the GoVision Way. We look forward to the impact Troy will make as we continue to provide industry-leading LED solutions.”

Troy is a graduate of Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD. Outside of work, he enjoys an active lifestyle that includes working out, hunting, fishing and exploring the beautiful outdoors of South Dakota. He is also passionate about the Green Bay Packers. Above all, Troy values quality time spent with his wife, Tari, and their four children and grandchildren.

Hannah Sharma has joined Exertis as the company’s AV sales director in the UK.

She joins with more than a decade of experience at each level of the supply chain from manufacturer, distributor and integrator, with hands-on knowledge across sales, marketing, operations and management operations.

Jamie Brothwell, managing director, Exertis Business, said “I am delighted to welcome Hannah to the Exertis family at such an exciting time in our journey. During the past 6 months we have redefined our focus within our 5 specialisms: AV, components, mobile, print and IT solutions. Hannah joins Exertis as director of sales for AV bringing a wealth of experience which will be integral to our future plans and demonstrates our commitment to growth.”

Sharma’s role will focus on cultivating relationships with vendors, collaborating with internal teams to develop strategies for boosting sales and expanding market reach, as well as implementing data-driven approaches to analyse market trends and optimising sales strategies.

Vector Media, one of the trailblazers in out-of-home media and experiential marketing, has appointed Jack Randall as (wait for it, wait for it) Executive Vice President of Brand Partnerships and Experiential.

“We’re excited to welcome Jack to the team. His leadership and deep industry knowledge will be instrumental in driving growth and strengthening our partnerships,” said Bennett Fogel, President of Sales and Marketing at Vector Media.

With over 20 years of experience in media sales, business development, and brand strategy, Jack brings a wealth of expertise and a proven ability to drive growth and innovation.

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OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE: OUT), one of the largest out-of-home (OOH) media companies in the U.S., is running multiple campaigns in April in honor of Earth Month.

Through a partnership with The Farmlink Project and a purpose-driven content series (MOMENTS by OUTFRONT), the campaigns aim to inspire environmental awareness and resourcefulness throughout the month, including Earth Day next week on Tuesday April 22.

Moments by OUTFRONT, OUTFRONT’s content and publisher platform, celebrates Earth Month with curated content on OUTFRONT’s transit media, reaching millions of commuters daily. ‘Moments in Life’ in collaboration with PureWow, highlights a DIY bird feeder for kids, encouraging commuters young and old to take a simple and fun step toward a more sustainable future.

OUTFRONT has again teamed up with The Farmlink Project, the fastest-growing solution in the charitable food space, on a nationwide OOH campaign to encourage people to take action in the fight against food insecurity. The creative is running now through April 30 on digital billboards across the country, with the message: “Feed people, not landfills. $1 delivers 17 lbs of food.”

Kate Nelson, Head of Brand at The Farmlink Project said “OUTFRONT’s partnership has been critical in amplifying our mission to spark conversations about food waste and food access nationwide. Currently, about one-third of the food grown in the U.S. ends up in landfills, making it one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases. Earth Month is the perfect time to join forces and amplify our mission – to connect farms’ surplus with food banks, feeding people instead of landfills.”

The Earth Month campaign follows OUTFRONT and Farmlink’s Thanksgiving partnership to encourage donations to provide food to families in need with digital billboards featuring a similar message. OUTFRONT and Farmlink have been partners since 2021.

KEVANI, Inc. a leading innovator in out of home media development, this week announced the launch of Nexus, a new-to-market full motion digital display in Los Angeles’ South Bay region. As the largest digital advertising platform in the area, Nexus offers brands an unparalleled opportunity to engage with a thriving, diverse community on the global stage.

Kevin Bartanian, CEO of KEVANI told us “As Los Angeles continues to evolve, we remain committed to securing and enhancing the most compelling advertising opportunities in key growth areas. The ‘Nexus’ prime location and cutting-edge creative capabilities make it a powerful platform for brands looking to make a lasting impact in one of LA’s most dynamic locales.”

Prominently positioned on the facade of Apollo, a newly developed luxury residential complex featuring 300 resort-style apartments, this high impact display is located near major tech, automotive, and aerospace hubs, including SpaceX, the Tesla Design Center, and Ring. Nexus presents brands with an opportunity to connect with a global audience, as the city prepares to host the world’s biggest sporting events over the next several years.

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Crystal Display Systems Limited (CDS) has quietly announced that it has acquired Displaylite Limited, a company renowned for its innovation and 25-year legacy in display and touchscreen technologies.

Chris Bartram, CEO and Managing Director of CDS, was quoted as saying “We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter. By combining Displaylite’s assets and expertise with CDS’s strong infrastructure, we anticipate a powerful synergy that will set new benchmarks in the industry. More than just a business decision, it’s about carrying forward a legacy and building upon it.”

The announcement states that this strategic acquisition marks a new chapter for both companies and signals a bold step forward for Crystal Display Systems as they continue to strengthen their market position and broaden their technology portfolio.

No news on what happens to the DisplayLite brand or indeed employees but a note on DisplayLite’s web page says “Displaylite is proud to announce we have joined the Crystal Display Systems team and if you would like to see our new, unique and wider product range please go to www.crystal-display.com” which makes you think the brand will soon be gone.

The Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) has announced the 2025 Future Leaders Program delegates, 10 talented emerging professionals who will have an unparalleled opportunity to advance their careers in the OOH industry.

Now in its second year, this program is a key initiative of OAAA’s OOH UNITED committee, dedicated to championing diversity and fostering the growth of the next generation of out of home professionals.

Future Leaders delegates will receive a sponsored trip to the 2025 OOH Media Conference in Boston, where they will connect with industry leaders, participate in mentorship sessions, and gain exclusive access to critical networking opportunities. As part of the program, delegates will also engage in OAAA’s new partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America— an initiative designed to create a robust mentoring ecosystem within the OOH industry that nurtures emerging talent, fosters meaningful connections, and offers OAAA members opportunities to give back while developing leadership skills.

This year’s delegates are:

• Bianca Abney – Clear Channel Outdoor
• Jake Beaven-Parshall – OUTFRONT Media
• Claudia Cavazos – iKahan Media
• Alexis Caban – OUTFRONT Media
• Daniel Petersen – Clear Channel Outdoor
• Staci Schofield – Lamar Advertising Company
• Jane Silverstein – Billups
• Kate Weatherly – Adams Outdoor Advertising
• Lauren Wilcox – dentsu
• Whitney Williams – Outdoor Advertising Association of South Carolina

Thanks to the support of sponsors; Publicis, OUTFRONT Media, Clear Channel Outdoor, Horizon Media, iKahan Media, Pearl Media, Pivot Media, Vector Media, Brooklyn Outdoor, SOMOS, DELTA Media, AllUnite and Liquid Outdoor, this program will continue to provide invaluable opportunities to shape the next generation of OOH leaders.

Through this partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Future Leaders Program will not only provide critical career opportunities but also help foster long-lasting mentorship connections, ensuring that tomorrow’s OOH leaders are empowered and ready to drive the industry forward.

“As we continue to look for ways to drive our industry forward, the Future Leaders program is a shining example of the type of initiatives we’re championing to future-proof OOH,” said Anna Bager, President & CEO of OAAA. “Created to foster fresh perspectives and more diversity in the industry, we want to look for more ways to empower OOH’s next generation of talent – those who will play a pivotal role in fueling future growth, innovation, and creativity for our medium.”

All delegates will engage in diverse sessions, activities, and networking events designed to broaden their understanding of the OOH industry while developing their professional skills. OOH UNITED Co-Chairs Marc Fenty, SVP Director of OOH at Horizon Media and Candice Simons, President + CEO of Brooklyn Outdoor, serving as co-hosts to facilitate an immersive experience.

Beyond the conference these delegates will serve as ambassadors of OOH UNITED throughout the year, actively shaping and contributing to the group’s activities and initiatives.

VIOOH, the leading premium global digital out of home supply-side platform, has announced a new UK-wide programmatic partnership with Zoom Media UK, a digital media owner renowned for owning and operating digital advertising within gyms and health clubs across the UK, the US and Canada.

Zoom Media UK offers brands the opportunity to connect with diverse, active audiences with expertise built over 20 years in the fitness and media industries combined. This partnership, initially only available in the UK, gives advertisers access to 750 strategically-placed, HD digital 6-sheet screens, generating around 900 million monthly impressions.

“Our latest media owner partnership, Zoom Media UK, is another brilliant opportunity unlocking benefits for brands across precise targeting, high visitor frequency and strong dwell times throughout UK gyms. VIOOH’s real-time trading across programmatic DOOH comes into its own in these specialist environments, delivering consistent media value and growth for both international and local-market advertisers,” said Gavin Wilson, Global Chief Commercial Officer at VIOOH.

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