• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, June 1, 2009

Defying recessionary trends, the digital out-of-home video business is still hopping. Today brought more partnerships negotiated by Adcentricity, a company that aggregates DO networks to offer advertisers greater reach and ease in their DO media buys.

The new partners include TargetCast Networks, 4G Metro, WeSee Digital, and Hercules Networks -- which together boost Adcentricity's total reach to over 150,000 screens, with about 275 million audience impressions per month. That's an increase of about 20,000 screens and 75 million audience impressions.

TargetCast operates a video network reaching bar and restaurant patrons, with affiliates including Applebee's, TGI Friday's, and Chili's. In addition to entertainment and advertising, venue owners can deliver their own custom content -- for example, special promotions and menu information. 4G Metro operates a network reaching public transportation, integrated with a free WiFi network for travelers. WeSee Digital's network of screens reaches customers in hair salons, coffee shops, and various other service venues. Finally, Hercules Networks operates a network of custom-created kiosks in malls targeting cell-phone users, along with screens in Six Flags theme parks.

These are just the latest in a series of new partnerships and products announced by Adcentricity in 2009. In January the company unveiled Advenue, an online platform for planning and buying digital out-of-home video, part of its stated mission of making it easier for media buyers and planners to create and track digital out-of-home video campaigns. In April it announced a partnership with Impact Mobile, allowing advertisers to measure the ROI of their campaigns more precisely by inviting viewers to respond by sending text codes that are included in marketing messages.

Adcentricity isn't the only DO company making moves. Last week Zoom Media and Marketing announced the acquisition of the Wellness Health Education Network, a subscription-based service that operates digital signage displaying health-related content and advertising in 255 fitness clubs around the country.

In January, digital video network aggregator SeeSaw announced the addition of eight new network partners, bringing 3.5 million impressions per week, via a total of 700 venues -- followed in April by the addition of Sports Media, which operates a digital video network in sports arenas. Altogether, these new partners bring its reach to about 50 million impressions a week via 26,000 locations. Also in April, cinema ad network Screenvision said it is bringing digital video to the lobbies of affiliated theaters.