Cathy O’Connor resigns from oOH!media

oOh!media has announced that Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Cathy O’Connor will step down in the second half of CY25 after more than four years leading the Company.
O’Connor and the Board have agreed that, following the company's performance improvement, the time is right for new leadership to deliver the next multi-year phase of strategy execution and growth for the company.

oOh!’s improved 2H24 performance accelerated in Q1 CY25, with total revenue growth of 13% and growth in Australian media revenue of 16%, in line with the Outdoor Media Association (OMA). Q2 performance is expected to be similar to Q1, with improved share outcomes reflecting effective action to drive revenue growth. Continuing market share improvement is expected for the remainder of CY25 as new assets from contracts announced in 2023 and 2024 come online.

O’Connor says, “Leading oOh! for the past four years has been one of the most rewarding periods of my career, and I am incredibly proud of the team’s achievements, including the unrivalled success in attracting new asset contracts which underpin our future growth and the industry-leading margins we delivered in an inflationary environment. The Company now has real momentum and a depth and breadth of new talent to chart the course for continued growth. Having discussed with the Board the next multi-year phase of execution ahead of oOh!, we have agreed that the Company is now ready for new leadership”.

“oOh! has developed one of the strongest teams in Australian media, including a leadership group that is among the industry’s most experienced. I thank the team for their commitment and hard work. I strongly believe in the future growth and growing prominence of the Out of Home industry and that oOh! has the right strategy to lead this evolution and generate long-term value for our customers, our people and our shareholders, and I remain absolutely focused on the execution of oOh!’s strategy,” she added.

 “After more than four years leading oOh!, and with the business performing strongly in CY25, O’Connor has decided, and the Board has agreed, that the time is right for new leadership to deliver the Company’s next multi-year phase of strategy execution and growth,” says oOh! Chair, Tony Faure.

“Cathy joined oOh! as CEO in the middle of the COVID pandemic and has been instrumental in leading the business through a period of significant change. She led oOh! through its most successful period of major contract wins while implementing a disciplined commercial mindset and setting the platform for oOh!’s ongoing digital evolution.

“The Board remains highly confident in the Company’s strategy, focused on energising oOh!’s sales and go-to-market approach, unlocking the full potential of our market-leading network of 35,000 assets, and positioning the business to lead in the retail media segment,” continues Faure. 

The Board has commenced a process with a leading global executive search firm to appoint a new Managing Director and CEO. Faure and Philippa Kelly, Chair of the Talent & Culture Committee, are overseeing the search.
 
“The Board thanks Cathy for her leadership of oOh! through a transformative period. We are delighted that she will remain with the Company until the second half of CY25 to facilitate an orderly transition,” Faure concludes.