GSP to blitz large-format print for 'biggest outdoor contract'

GSP Print will keep its new multimillion-dollar large-format digital presses running hot after parent APN Outdoor secured "Australia's largest" out-of-home contract.

APN Outdoor told ProPrint it had beaten rivals Ooh Media, Moove Media, Bus Advertising Media and S&J Media to once again win the NSW State Transit Authority contract for advertising on its fleet of 2,000 buses.

The five-year contract follows similar APN Outdoor deals with the South Australian and Brisbane City Council bus fleets.

GSP general manager Peter Piccione said the company had the skill and machinery to handle all the three accounts.

He said the jobs were technically identical, but sometimes demanded advertisements of different dimensions as buses varied from state to state.

GSP's other challenges are to work around obstructions such as door handles and safety messages and have the flexibility to wrap an entire bus or just a section, said Piccione.

He said the recent purchase of an Inca Onset S20 and Uvistar 5032 from Fujifilm had given GSP excellent short-run capability, while its existing Thieme screen press and HP Turbojet meant it could also handle long-run campaigns.

GSP's standard turnaround time is five working days, although turnarounds vary depending on the length of the campaign and the number of advertisements required, said Piccione.

APN Outdoor has held the NSW contract since 1987, but said it planned to roll out "innovative new formats". The company would not reveal the contract value.