I invite you to take a moment to imagine the future of our industry. As we consider the power and privilege of communicating in the public domain, we must recognise our many responsibilities. At JCDecaux, our strategy isn't just about growth and innovation; it's a firm commitment to shaping a better future for our industry. We're not just chasing opportunities; we're creating them.

While digital transformation has profoundly revolutionised the media landscape, technology alone isn't the answer.

Our focus is on enhancing real-world engagement, using programmatic advertising to allow advertisers to achieve greater contextual relevance, and groundbreaking 3D initiatives to engage and inspire audiences. As we all look to Generative AI, we must weigh up the opportunities AND the risks to ensure we navigate them responsibly.

We’ve listened to our clients, taking pride in the strength of our market-leading digital asset portfolio, strategically positioned across roadside, rail, and airport environments. Our commitment to excellence drives us to continually invest in high-quality digitisation. By leveraging the best locations and advancing digital innovation, we aim to enhance engagement and provide unparalleled value to advertisers, while also delivering public utility to the communities we reach.

We know this strategy works. Brands that feature across our high-quality network not only build brand fame and trust among consumers, but they also instil a sense of pride among people. In an article for Mi3, Leigh Barnes, Chief Customer Officer at Intrepid, said: “We are on top of Young & Jackson as a billboard and all our staff got their photo out the front of the pub under it. That pride is real.”

Despite the digital acceleration, we remain devoted to mainstay solutions like Transit and Street Furniture, recognising their enduring relevance in building brands in today's fragmented digital world. And given sustainable, future cities depend on robust transport infrastructure, delivering advertising revenue that subsidises this connection between communities, helps ensure accessibility for all.

Sustainability isn’t just a buzz-word, it’s the right thing to do.

It’s woven into our strategy as well as the business decisions we are making across the board, with ambitious targets to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and our new collaboration with Scope3 to facilitate crucial new environmental impact metrics into Out-of-Home planning.

Our aim is to empower media buyers to make more sustainable choices in the media landscape - we are doing this because it’s the right thing to do - and now we look forward to seeing this shape and guide investment decisions.

But our commitment to change also goes beyond the surface. We've invested in streamlining processes, empowering our team, ensuring improved turnaround times and better audience-qualified planning responses for advertisers. We're dedicated to simplifying the industry and driving industry standardisation for our clients, and we ask others to play their part in this necessary progress.

Our resolve to pave the way also extends to integrating our industry audience measurement system, MOVE 2 this year.

This new currency promises to step-change transparency and measurement accuracy. With a team of data analysts and strategy specialists poised to fuel our sales approach with comprehensive audience insights, we're excited to be ushering in a new era of accountability in the market.

And then there's our people.

The heart of JCDecaux - the driving force behind every success story we've had. We're proud of our inclusive, safe, and healthy workplace, and we're dedicated to creating an environment where talent thrives. That's why our vision is to break away from traditional career pathways and empower our team to influence the media world in new and innovative ways.

Our goal isn't just to meet the new business community standards; it's to surpass them, setting new benchmarks for ethical, effective, and impactful advertising.

When it comes to diversity, we recognise things are moving in the right direction but there is more to be done. Media has an incredible opportunity to ensure the messages and stories we convey accurately reflect the diverse and vibrant communities across Australia, fostering inclusivity and connection for all. After a challenging year for our First Nations people in 2023, we’re committed to progressing our RAP this year, and using our channel to foster deeper understanding and advancing reconciliation.

Creating the future of Out-of-Home media.

As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, JCDecaux looks to the future with renewed vigour and determination. It's a declaration of our commitment to continue to create the future of Out-of-Home media, pioneer new possibilities, and leave a legacy.

So please join us, the future is calling!