Manchester City Council (MCC) has reappointed Ocean Outdoor to deliver its large format Out of Home (OOH) advertising contract, following a competitive market-wide tender.
Ocean, which has held the contract since 2010, will continue its partnership with the Council for a further 10 years starting in October 2025, with an option to extend for an additional five years.
The agreement supports Manchester’s ambition to be a world-class city at the forefront of Digital Out of Home (DOOH) innovation and technology. Under the new contract, Ocean will modernise the city’s entire large format advertising estate, including the conversion of traditional backlit sites into state-of-the-art digital screens.
The portfolio includes 16 existing landmark locations, such as Two Towers Manchester, the Digi-Bridge on Mancunian Way, and Princess Road, with a proposed new site on City Link Walk to capture footfall towards the Etihad Stadium. The network will continue to deliver a blend of commercial, council, and public service messaging.
Phil Hall, CEO of Ocean Outdoor UK, said:
“Ocean has proudly supported Manchester for 15 years, and this renewed partnership marks an exciting opportunity for growth and reinvestment back into the city.
Our continued collaboration with Manchester City Council will enable us to deliver enhanced commercial value while directly supporting public services and community initiatives.”
As part of its commitment, Ocean has pledged to maximise the social, environmental, and economic benefits of the contract for local residents. The company will work closely with MCC to ensure investment and initiatives deliver meaningful outcomes for communities.
“Our partnership with MCC is underpinned by a strong social enterprise programme,” Hall added. “This includes supporting education and career pathways through initiatives such as the Ocean Academy and INTO University, contributing to Manchester’s 2038 net zero goals, and delivering grassroots support for the neighbourhoods we serve.”
Ocean’s wider Manchester portfolio spans over 100 large and small format screens and banners across key retail, business, and leisure destinations — including Spinningfields, St John’s, Manchester Arndale, and Printworks, which features Europe’s largest digital ceiling.
