HAMBURG, Germany — An important milestone in the development of the digital out-of-home industry has been set by the founding of the Out-of-home Video Advertising Bureau (OVAB) European chapter in Nov. 2008 — the first European-centric representative of the interests of providers and suppliers of audio visual media at the point of sale and point of decision.
The stated goal of the association is to showcase the technological, commercial and creative potential of the out-of-home segment and to establish uniform industry standards while strengthening the European-centric dialogue between manufacturers, service providers and the advertising industry. By actively exchanging ideas and experiences, the partnership between OVAB Europe and OVAB USA greatly contributes to this endeavor.
By working together, the growth market of the digital out-of-home segment shall be better positioned in the future within the discussion of marketing and distribution solutions. This will also promote exchanges of information regarding the attributes of various European markets. Here the primary focus is to determine the benefit and potential of a distribution channel for the digital out-of-home industry as part of integrated multi-channel strategies.
OVAB Europe has enlisted the following companies as founding members of the bureau:
Neo Advertising Invidis Consulting ECE Flatmedia IBM Deutschland PHILIPS NEC Display SolutionsMinicom Advanced Systems Ltd.
The Board of OVAB Europe consists of Dirk Hülsermann (chairman), Ronni Guggenheim (vice chairman) and Richard Malley (treasurer).
Hülsermann worked in several management functions within multinational companies such as Kyocera and Mitsui Europe, among others. He established himself as an expert in the advertising and media industry. Against this backdrop, the internationally active media company Neo Advertising was able to acquire him in 2008 as director of business development. In his capacity there, Hülsermann is pushing the growth of the Swiss Neo Media Group and focusing the company in its quest to become the leading provider in the digital signage segment.