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Australia: Outdoor advertising deals to gets greenlight

By  |  August 23, 2018

Australia’s outdoor advertising market is set for a dramatic shake-up with mergers between the big four players cleared by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Thursday, August 23.

French company JCDecaux has been seeking clearance to buy billboard company APN Outdoor, while ASX-listed oOh! media has also asked for permission to buy Adshel.

Both deals are expected to be cleared when the (ACCC) hands down its decisions on Thursday.

ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said there were several submissions to the regulator about the tie-up with concerns about anti-competitive outcomes, such as bundling up categories, from rival companies and other advertising businesses.

“While there will be less competition, it won’t be substantially less in ways that would make it hard for others to get into the market,” Mr Sims said, noting the transactions would still result in two major players in billboards and outdoor furniture.

Full Content: The Sydney Morning Herald, ACCC

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