Cathy O’Connor to step down as Ooh Media CEO as company eyes next growth phase

Ooh Media has announced managing director and chief executive officer Cathy O’Connor will step down in the second half of the year after more than four years in the role.

O’Connor, who joined the outdoor ad business in 2020, during the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, has led the company through a period of significant change, overseeing a disciplined commercial reset, major contract wins and laying the foundations for digital and retail media growth.

The company said the decision was made jointly, with the board and O’Connor agreeing the time is right for new leadership to deliver the next phase of multi-year strategy and execution.

The announcement follows a strong performance for Ooh, with the company reporting 13% total revenue growth in Q1 and a 16% lift in Australian media revenue, in line with the Outdoor Media Association benchmark. The company expects similar results for Q2, buoyed by new assets coming online from major contract wins secured in 2023 and 2024.

Ooh chair Tony Faure thanked O’Connor for her leadership during a “transformative period” for the business. “Cathy has been instrumental in leading oOh! through its most successful period of major contract wins, while setting the platform for ongoing digital evolution,” he said. “We are delighted she will remain with the Company until the second half of CY25 to facilitate an orderly transition.”

O’Connor said leading Ooh has been one of the most rewarding periods of her career.

“I am proud of the team’s achievements, including the unrivalled success in attracting new asset contracts and delivering industry-leading margins in an inflationary environment. The Company now has real momentum and the right strategy in place for the future.”

Ooh has commenced a search process with a global executive search firm to identify its next managing director and CEO. In the meantime, O’Connor will remain in her role to ensure a smooth handover.