Columbus Airport Awards Departure Media Airport Advertising Contract

June 7, 2022

Press Release
From: Sonya Overton, Director of Marketing & Air Service Development
Submitted On: 07 June 2022

COLUMBUS, GA., June 7, 2022—The Columbus Airport (CSG) awarded Departure Media, Inc. (DMI), a 100% woman owned business and the largest prime ACDBE advertising concessionaire in the country their advertising program. This is the second airport that DMI has added in the last two months.

“We’re thrilled to be selected as Columbus Airport’s first advertising concessionaire,” said Leslie Bensen, Departure Media founder and CEO. “CSG’s recent renovations and addition of service provided by American Airlines are positive changes and timely for the launch of an exciting, new terminal advertising program. DMI will offer static and digital advertising opportunities to companies interested in reaching this highly sophisticated and sought-after target audience.”

Columbus Airport is owned and operated by the Columbus Airport Commission and is the fourth largest airport in the state of Georgia. Last fall, the airport unveiled a completely renovated, twostory terminal—the result of a multi-year, $20.8 million improvement program that upgraded the facilities inside and out. The renovations helped Columbus Airport recruit a second commercial carrier, American Airlines, which began offering nonstop service to and from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in October. The airport expects the additional service to increase traffic from 100,000 annual passengers to 150,000–175,000 by 2023.

Airport Director Amber Clark said of the new partnership, “Departure Media’s track record of developing and expanding airport advertising programs throughout the country gave us the confidence to embark on this new program. Our vision as the hometown airport is to provide large airport services and amenities with a personal touch, and this is one more way we are achieving that.”

Departure Media develops, creates and implements targeted advertising campaigns that generate multiple messaging opportunities for advertisers in airports. Airports benefit from enhanced terminal aesthetics, an improved passenger experience and revenue generation.

Advertisers benefit from an advertising channel that is uniquely positioned to reach local, national, and international audiences who have adequate time to absorb their message.

Departure Media

Departure Media, Inc., was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Charleston, S.C. The company is 100 percent woman-owned and serves airports in: Clearwater, Fla.; Gainesville, Fla.; Albany, Ga.; Augusta, Ga.; Columbus, Ga., Cincinnati/Northern Ky.; Dayton, Ohio; Beaufort, S.C.; Hilton Head, S.C.; Norfolk, Va.; and Richmond, Va. For more information, visit www.Departure-Media.com.

Media Contact
Sonya Overton
Columbus Airport
706-330-8246 Office