An outdoor advertising business has secured a seven-figure investment to ramp up its tech developments.
Leeds based 75Media is fast-growing roadside media operator which launched in 2020 with just two members of staff and 140 classic billboard sites. Now the company is said to be the second largest operator of large format roadside billboard sites in the country, and number six in the outdoor advertising market overall.
It saw revenues rise by 454% last year and employee headcount has more than doubled in that time, now standing at 56. It acquired London-based iQ OOH in January 2024 and, following further acquisitions, now has over 1,200 classic and digital billboard sites across the Ƶ.
The company has secured investment from NPIF II – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia Ventures as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to help cement its position as a tech-driven leader in the outdoor advertising industry.
Directors said they will use the investment to accelerate technological advancements, particularly its proprietary AI platform BOB (Billboard Optioning & Booking system) which has been designed to make outdoor advertising accessible to all.
The funding will also support international growth plans, building on its recent wins in the US, Scandinavia and the Middle East.
75Media has also made changes to its senior leadership team, with former managing director and founder Paul Inman moving into the CEO role. Joel Turner, who joined the company in 2023 as commercial director, becomes managing director and Joe Lawson, who has been sales director since the company’s launch, will move into the role of commercial director.
Mr Inman said: “This investment is a defining moment for 75Media. Mercia’s support isn’t just about capital; it’s a vote of confidence in our vision to build a tech-enabled outdoor advertising business, which still has people at its heart – both in terms of our team, and the real audiences we need to deliver for our clients.
"As an industry, we need to be pushing innovation and reaching more people, and that’s what we’re here to do - to shake things up. This partnership allows us to move forward with even greater ambition, pioneering technologies that will set new standards in the outdoor advertising space.”
Chris Borrett, investment director at Mercia Ventures, said: “75Media is one of the fastest-growing businesses in the Ƶ having built a platform that combines capital efficient asset growth with digitally enabled sales channels. Paul and the team at 75Media are ambitious, passionate, tenacious and highly experienced in the sector. They have the right creativity and drive to disrupt this industry and Mercia Ventures are excited to partner with them on this journey.”
Lizzy Upton, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank, said: “Leeds is fast becoming known for its bright talent across the tech sector and businesses like 75Media are helping to fuel this growth. Having grown its team rapidly in just five years is impressive, and establishes the business’ position as a market leader in the outdoor advertising space. This will ultimately help draw more investment to the region, which is one of the key aims of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II.”
