Hotel technology platform OOH Connect has entered into a strategic partnership with Hotel Communication Network (HCN), a provider of in-room hotel tablets and commerce media networks across major hospitality brands.
Under the agreement, Charlotte, N.C.-based OOH Connect will serve as the exclusive partner responsible for driving both direct and programmatic advertising demand across HCN’s hotel-based commerce media network. The partnership is intended to expand revenue opportunities for Ottawa-based HCN while broadening access for brands and agencies seeking to reach travelers within hotel environments.
“We’re excited to partner with OOH Connect to expand the commercialization of our network,” Kevin Bidner, founder and CEO of HCN, said in a statement. “OOH Connect brings deep expertise in the DOOH ecosystem and strong relationships across agencies and programmatic platforms that will help unlock the full advertising potential of our hospitality commerce media network.”
“Through our partnership with HCN, we are unlocking new demand opportunities for advertisers looking to reach travelers in a premium, brand-safe environment. Our role is to bring scalable demand, programmatic access and strategic brand partnerships that maximize the value of HCN’s network,” added Hector Gonzalez, founder and CEO of OOH Connect.
HCN operates a large-scale hotel commerce media network in North America, delivering content, services and advertising through in-room tablets. Through the integration of OOH Connect’s demand infrastructure, HCN’s inventory will be made available to a wider range of brand marketers, agency trading desks and programmatic (digital out of home) DOOH buyers.
As part of the partnership, OOH Connect will lead direct brand and agency demand sales across the HCN network, while enabling programmatic DOOH activation through demand-side platforms and other programmatic channels. The collaboration is also expected to position HCN inventory within broader omnichannel DOOH campaign strategies.
HCN’s in-room tablet platform provides hotels with guest services, local recommendations and communication tools, alongside a media channel for advertisers targeting travelers in-room.