The Commerce Commission has published a statement of preliminary issues relating to an application received from iSite Limited seeking clearance to acquire up to 100 per cent of the billboard assets of O.T.W Advertising Limited (OTW).

Both iSite and OTW supply out of home advertising services that include outdoor billboards, the advertising space on buses, and the signage at airports.  

The statement of preliminary issues outlines the key competition issues that the Commission currently considers will be important in deciding whether or not to grant clearance. The Commission's statement of preliminary issues and the public version of the application are on the Commission's website at: www.comcom.govt.nz/clearances-register/

The Commission invites submissions from parties who consider that they have information relevant to the Commission's consideration of this matter. Submissions can be sent to registrar@comcom.govt.nz with the reference iSite/OTW in the subject line of your email or to PO Box 2351, Wellington 6140 by 4pm on Friday 9 September 2011.

Background

iSite is a subsidiary of Infratil Limited, a publicly listed company based in Wellington.   iSite provides outdoor and 'out of home' (OOH) advertising services.   OOH advertising includes outdoor billboards, the advertising space on buses, and the signage at airports.  

OTW is a private company that also supplies OOH advertising services.   OTW only provides OOH services via billboards which are located throughout New Zealand.