Client Spotlight: Ralston Outdoor Advertising  

Ralston Outdoor Advertising is a growing outdoor advertising company with prime digital and static billboard displays in Northeast Texas. Founded in 1976 by Industry-veteran, Doug Ralston, Ralston is the largest independent OOH company in Dallas, Texas.   

Under the management and control of the 2nd generation, Ben Ralston, Ralston utilized financing by Stark Capital Solutions to strategically acquire McMillin Advertising, which expanded its dominant footprint into Tyler, TX. 

Post-acquisition, Ralston hired Stark Capital to advantageously sell off certain assets in Louisiana that came with the McMillin acquisition and were of little interest to Ralston’s Texas-based company. Stark Capital was able to negotiate favorable terms on the sale, which ultimately drove down Ralston’s effective purchase price multiple on the initial acquisition by 35%.       

Below are samples of the high-profile billboard locations associated with this transaction. 

PROJECT DETAILS: 

• Stark Capital provided 100% acquisition financing through a permanent Sr. Debt facility.  

• Ralston hired Stark Capital to strategically spin off certain assets in Louisiana that did not meet the long-term vision of Ralston.  
• From start to finish, Stark Capital completed both transactions in under 125 days.  

“When the opportunity to purchase McMillin Outdoor came about, I already knew that I was going to engage Stark Capital to assist with the financing. It was great working with both Chris Stark and Craig Berry in that we got straight into how to structure the deal and I didn’t have to educate either of them on the OOH industry. After the deal was closed it was a great bonus to get both of them down to Tyler to ride the inventory and spend an evening at the Katy Trail Ice House!” 

-Ben Ralston, Owner – Ralston Outdoor Advertising 

“Ralston is an ideal example of how Stark Capital can assist growing Billboard companies through a variety of complex transactions. Ralston understands the need for a reliable OOH financing partner who can bring additional services to the table in support of the company’s long-term vision. We cannot be happier to have assisted Ralston with their next phase of growth.” 

-Craig Berry, Vice-President – Stark Capital