COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 7312

Outdoor Advertising Services

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

8companies1974–1980founding years8still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedClear Channel Communications, Inc.FoundedClear Channel Communications, Inc.
1974
FoundedAckerley Communications, Inc.FoundedAckerley Communications, Inc.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedOutdoor Systems, Inc.FoundedOutdoor Systems, Inc.
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Metromedia Company →
Active
Metromedia Company has emerged over the past decade as one of the largest private concerns in the United States, with…
Metromedia Company →
Active
Metromedia Company has emerged over the past decade as one of the largest private concerns in the United States, with…
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1974
A fast-growing, diversified media company, Clear Channel Communications, Inc., operates nearly 200 radio stations and…
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1974
A fast-growing, diversified media company, Clear Channel Communications, Inc., operates nearly 200 radio stations and…
Ackerley Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Ackerley Communications, Inc.
Ackerley Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1975
Ackerley Communications, Inc.
Outdoor Systems, Inc. →
Active · founded 1980
The largest outdoor advertiser in North America, Outdoor Systems, Inc.
Outdoor Systems, Inc. →
Active · founded 1980
The largest outdoor advertiser in North America, Outdoor Systems, Inc.
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