Doug Mcnamee
Australian-owned digital out-of-home (DOOH) and electric vehicle charging network, JOLT, will acquire part of Volta Media network from Shell, marking its expansion into the US market.
The company currently has operations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK, with the acquisition expanding its footprint by adding thousands of locations across the US, including up to 34 states and 64 designated marketing areas (DMAs) across Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas–Fort Worth.
The deal extends JOLT’s model of combining DOOH display with EV charging, to allow brands to reach consumers at key, high-traffic moments in their daily journeys.
JOLT’s approach includes a data-led advertiser proposition, offering advanced targeting, audience measurement and performance insights to improve precision and relevant engagement across its network.
JOLT recently launched an update to its Spark Intelligence platform, offering advertisers an opportunity to use artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise digital out- of-home campaigns in real time, at scale.
That scale includes its global portfolio across retail, automotive, finance, technology, and quick-service restaurants and global brands such as McDonald’s, Amazon, Toyota, Target and American Express among its advertiser partners.
Doug McNamee, JOLT CEO, said the expansion marks a new chapter for the company, strengthening its EV charging and media platform proposition with Volta Media.
“Our expansion into the US marks an exciting new chapter for JOLT and is a continuation of our growth story of an Australian owned company with global ambitions,” said McNamee.
“The Volta Media Network and JOLT share the same DNA - combining EV charging with a powerful media platform - making this acquisition a natural fit. Securing a significant US footprint represents a major milestone and a longstanding strategic priority for JOLT, strengthening our ability to serve drivers, advertisers, and partners while delivering on our growth ambitions.
“These assets sit squarely in JOLT’s sweet spot: combining EV charging with digital media, and with thousands of additional chargers and screens across the US – the biggest out-of-home market in the world - we bring a compelling global proposition to advertisers.
“JOLT’s acquisition ensures The Volta Media Network continues to thrive, giving drivers, advertisers, and landlords' confidence in its future at a time when its continuation had previously been uncertain.”
JOLT’s expansion demonstrates the increasing partnership between mobility infrastructure and digital media.
Last year the network reported a 92% growth and expanded into the New Zealand, Candian and UK markets.
JOLT will continue to expand its presence across other key US markets in 2026.
The agreement, whose commercial terms haven't been released, is expected to close January 1.
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