Access 360 Media, a national out-of-home media network for shoppers, today announced the acquisition of Arena Media Networks (AMN), the pioneering national sports and entertainment media company providing marketing access to fans across sporting and concert venues.
By acquiring AMN, Access 360 Media has created one of the leading combined networks of nearly 20,000 screens in approximately 100 locations, with the potential to reach more than 54 million viewers each month in 33 major DMAs nationwide (including all top 25 DMAs).
According to the announcement, Access 360 Media will create a seamless transition for AMN’s advertisers, sports teams and other partners by continuing to distribute across the entire network of sports and entertainment venues, while offering them the additional benefits of Access 360 Media’s full out-of-home network.
Building on last fall’s exclusive partnership with Simon Malls to program screens in shopping malls across the top 20 DMAs, Access 360 Media says its purchase of Arena Media Networks further cements the company as a leader in the digital out-of-home category, which is one of the fastest growing segments of the overall advertising business.
“By addressing the fragmentation of the industry, the combination of two established leaders in out-of-home is addressing a pain point for the advertising community and creating even more incentive for advertisers to buy digital out-of-home,” said Lon Otremba, CEO, Access 360 Media.
“We’re dedicated to this industry and excited to be expanding our core business; we will certainly continue to increase our footprint to offer advertisers further scale.”
Arena Media Networks’ will retain all employees, thus doubling the sales team of the combined companies — with Art Williams, CEO and co-founder of AMN, joining Access 360 as President and COO — and the two companies will combine into one workspace. A representative cross-section of Arena Media Networks’ venues includes Citi Field, United Center, Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium.
“We’re thrilled to be joining forces with Access 360 Media and we see this as a huge benefit to our advertising partners, sports team and venue partners, as well as our employees,” Williams said. “The combination of assets and inventory of two industry leaders and innovators will provide great benefit to advertisers seeking to engage passionate and receptive consumers across entertainment, sports and shopping destinations.”