Smart Media Group, the North East-based outdoor advertising, media and communications specialist, is embarking on the next phase of its growth after securing significant investment to boost its market presence and create additional employment.
The business has received a seven-figure investment for a minority share in the group led by M Core Ventures, part of M Core.
This strategic investment will empower the group, the parent company of Smart Outdoor, Smart Vision, Smart Communications, and Smart Media Buying, to accelerate its growth trajectory and expand its market presence, throughout the UK and Europe.
Smart Media Group, which currently employs 27 members of staff across its subsidiaries, is poised for substantial growth, in the North East, Scotland, and London, which will include increasing its headcount by around 15 in the next 12 months.
Smart Outdoor, the largest provider of large-format digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising screens in the North East of England, will benefit significantly from this investment.
The digital estate, which currently includes 450 screens across the UK, in locations such as Tyne Tunnel, Tyne Bridge, A19 and Murrayfield stadium, is expected to expand to 2,000 screens by the end of 2025.
The growth will also support the group’s Smart Vision subsidiary, which supplies large and small format LED screens across hospitality, sport, retail, travel and manufacturing sectors.
M Core Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of M Core, a pan European property collective with a combined portfolio worth more than £5.3billion.
Advising the shareholders of Smart Media Group was Nick Johnson, Corporate Finance Partner at Newcastle-based RG Corporate Finance. Legal advice was provided by Alex Wilby, Corporate Partner, and Ellie Bradshaw, Associate Solicitor, at Swinburne Maddison LLP.
Mark Clancey, Chief Commercial Officer of Smart Outdoor & Smart Media said, “This is a significant moment in the history of Smart Media Group. Partnering with M Core Ventures will give us the opportunity to grow and futureproof the business. It enables us to create a North East media hub, investing in local talent who will ultimately drive our business forward.”
Mark Catterall, CEO of Smart Media Group, added, “Through intelligent technological developments and the continuation of our outstanding customer services, this substantial investment will enable the Smart Media Group estate to become one of the largest in the UK. We are thrilled to be working in partnership M Core Ventures and are excited to see the impact our business growth will have upon the North East.”
Max Percy, CEO of M Core Ventures, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Mark and the team to support Smart Media Group’s growth agenda. We are excited by the scalability of the DOOH market and see considerable synergistic benefits to our partnership.”
Nick Johnson, Corporate Finance Partner at RGCF, said: “Attracting high quality investors who share Smart Media Group’s strategic vision will help deliver significant growth for this exciting North East based business. Since it was founded in 2019, it has established itself very well in the region and has steadily gained a strong foothold in other regions. It is now very well positioned to accelerate its growth in this expanding market further and we are looking forward to supporting the business on the next stage of its growth journey.”
Alex Wilby, Corporate Partner at Swinburne Maddison, commented: “It was a pleasure to support the shareholders of Smart Media Group with the recent investment. We look forward to seeing the company’s growth within the North East region and witnessing how the investment in technology will bolster other businesses in achieving their marketing and advertising objectives in key locations. We wish Mark and Max the very best of luck and look forward to working with you in the future.”