• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, September 6, 2011

Reflecting the broader growth trend in digital out-of-home video advertising, Akoo, which delivers music and entertainment content to interactive displays in food courts at malls and colleges around the country, is opening new national sales offices in New York City and Los Angeles.

Akoo also announced new executive appointments to beef up sales forces at the new national offices. Annie Gordon has been named vice president of sales leading the New York office, where she will work alongside sales vice president Peter Krieger. Gordon previously worked for various media companies, including Optimedia, The Bravo Group and Carat.

In L.A., Akoo has appointed Wayne Aaronson and Linda Villani as vice presidents of sales. Aaronson's previous experience includes positions at Titan Digital, Reelz Channel, TV Guide Television, Discovery Networks and ESPN. Before Akoo, Villani served as the West Coast sales director for Entertainment Weekly and ew.com.

Akoo is also building its sales force in the Midwest, with the appointment of Karen Koonce and Laurie Hartnett as sales directors working with Chicago-based Midwest Sales Vice President Scott Liss. Koonce had been vice president of national sales for the Health Club Media Network, while Hartnett held posts at EYE Corporation and JCDecaux.

The new sales hires come on the heels of a series of new appointments and expansions for Akoo.

In October 2010, Akoo named William "Billy" Campbell III (former president of Discovery Networks from 2002-2007) as its new president. Akoo's network of interactive displays has attracted a number of major advertisers, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, Starbucks, Verizon, Coca-Cola and Dell. The company recently moved into a new global headquarters, which include a full recording studio and video production facility for original content development.

Akoo now operates 161 "Akoo Pavilions" in mall food courts, which it claims reach 64 million consumers per month -- delivering music and entertainment content as well as free WiFi, Facebook and Twitter interfaces, and mobile coupons and exclusive special offers.

Consumers are exposed to content and advertising on Akoo displays at these food court "pavilions" for an average 20 minutes, according to a recent Nielsen study.