Nick Lawson Hired as Chairman of UK’s i-media

U.K.-based i-media Tuesday named Nick Lawson chairman of the data, technology, and programmatic outdoor solutions company.

Lawson was previously global chief executive at EssenceMediacom. While there, he drove business development, marketing, and product offers across 98 offices in 45 markets. During his 34 years, he transformed Mediacom from a small, independent U.K. media agency into WPP’s largest global media agency network, handling over $32 billion in billings. 

Lawson’s appointment is effective immediately as he joins i-media at a time of rapid expansion, following Mayfair Equity Partners’ investment in 2024.

i-media CEO Jonathan Lewis said in a statement, “Nick joining is a hugely exciting moment for the business, and I am thrilled to be working with him. i-media has undergone a program of rapid transformation, and Nick’s rich experience and leadership, and his deep understanding of the industry, will fuel the next stage of our journey. As a team, we are well-positioned to take advantage of the transforming media industry by leveraging data and technology to maximize and measure returns for some of the world’s biggest brands.” 

“I’m really looking forward to working with Jonathan and the whole team. i-media is one of the U.K.’s most innovative media owners, combining unrivalled audiences with first-class digital and data capabilities,” Lawson added. “The rapidly growing opportunity in programmatic OOH (out of home) advertising is transforming media like never before, and I am delighted to join a company at the forefront of this change.” 

i-media provides advertisers with access to U.K. motorists across more than 130 roadside locations.  Reaching an average of 6.6 million weekly visitors and more than 31 million unique visitors annually, the company also developed the U.K.’s largest network of full-motion, large-format digital screens at motorway service areas, via exclusive partnerships with major operators including Moto, Welcome Break, Roadchef, and Extra.