Exterion boosts creative team in challenge to agencies

Outdoor media specialist Exterion Media has hired its first creative solutions director, with Richard Simkins – head of innovation at Talon – taking up the role.
Simkins will be responsible for ensuring the company is at the forefront of the industry through delivering innovative creative work with its partners, including TfL and multiple franchises.
At Talon, Simkins built a new innovations team and led creative out of home solutions, interactive digital OOH campaigns and experiential activity for the company.
Alongside his team’s commercial success, he played a key role in developing award-winning campaigns, such as Pepsi Max’s Unbelievable Bus Shelter and the Oreo Eclipse campaigns. Prior to Talon, Simkins was hyperspace business director at Posterscope, developing creative advertising solutions for the company’s innovations and technology division.
Last month, the firm launched Exterion Live, a division which will provide end-to-end management of data-driven experiential campaigns across transport, retail, urban, sports and entertainment venues.
Exterion Media managing director Dave King said: “With the digitisation of our business model accelerating, and the recent launch of Exterion Live, it’s now time to put a focus on building our reputation in the market for creativity. With his deep knowledge and extensive experience, Richard is just the person for the job. He will be instrumental in leading through creativity, innovation and delivering on our big ambitions.”
Simkins added: “Having worked closely with Exterion for a number of years, I know that they have lot of talented people and a huge amount of creative potential. More broadly, there is a big appetite for ramping up creativity across the industry, and I know Exterion is incredibly well placed to deliver on this. I can’t wait to get started. ”
Simkins will report directly into King, and will join the company at the end of the year.