LA-based Ocean Media, a leading independent media agency, announced significant increases in billings and staffing during 2013 along with a planned expansion to New York City this summer.
Gross billings for the year grew by more than 36%, while employees increased by 15% over the previous year. The agency also reported sustained growth in billings and hiring for new positions during Q1.
According to new figures from Kantar Media, the advertising industry as a whole increased by 0.9 percent in 2013 and cable TV advertising — the segment in which Ocean Media is most active — increased by 7.3%. Through the continued delivery of positive ROI, budget increases for Ocean’s clients eclipsed both the advertising industry’s and cable TV’s average increases.
Fueling Ocean Media’s growth are new business wins and the successful scaling of campaigns for existing clients to efficiently expand their advertising reach. Of particular note: e-commerce brands are flocking to TV for its unparalleled brand building potential and many are choosing Ocean because of its long history with brands such as Priceline and eHarmony. Additionally, Ocean is seeing an influx of client dollars for digital advertising dedicated to both pre-roll and in-banner video.
Among Ocean’s new accounts over the past 12 months: Realtor.com, 1-800-Flowers, Zipcar, Fanatics.com, Allegiant Air, and AutoTrader Canada, along with Gazelle, which was announced previously. Ocean Media’s billing surge in 2013 further solidifies the agency’s position among the largest independent media planning and buying agencies west of Chicago. The firm recently expanded its Huntington Beach headquarters, complementing today’s announcement that it will open an office in New York during Q3.
“To accommodate the vigorous growth we are experiencing, we’re excited to announce we will be opening an office on Madison Avenue in New York City this summer.” said Ron Luebbert, COO, Ocean Media. “The new office will allow us to better serve our East Coast clients while at the same time give Ocean access to the vast New York advertising talent pool.”
“There’s no question that we’re continuing to see more and more e-commerce companies leveraging TV as a key driver of growth, which plays to our record as a pioneer in helping build brands in that space,” said Jay Langan, President, Ocean Media. “At the same time, we’re witnessing a big uptick in pre-roll and in-banner-video.”
“I continue to be impressed with our quality employees and accounts alike,” said Mike Robertson, Chairman and CEO, Ocean Media. “Success happens in advertising when the clients and their agency are on the same page. In Ocean Media’s case, this has been happening year-over-year with the new accounts as well as our older partners. We are very excited by the continued growth, and more importantly, client success.”
