Clear Channel Seeks Wider French Market Share

Clear Channel Outdoor wants to increase its share of the French outdoor advertising market where it competes with domestic leader JCDecaux, the head of Clear Channel France told French daily Les Echos in an interview published on Thursday.

Clear Channel Outdoor notably wants to lift its share of the French street furniture market -- advertising on street props such as bus shelters or public toilets -- to 50% within 5 years from a current 32%.

JCDecaux has a 57% market share.

"We want to reach a 50-50 situation and this target is reachable within five years," Hubert Janvier said.

Clear Channel Outdoor has a 28% share of the French outdoor advertising market against 32% for JCDecaux. It generates revenue of 350 million euros in France where it employs 1,600 people.

Janvier also said Clear Channel had a "solid case" in its legal challenge against the award to JCDecaux of a 10-year self-service bicycle and street furniture contract with the City of Paris. A court hearing is slated for June 19.