Simon Launches Retail Media Network Across 200+ Malls
2026-08-31 · via invidis
Simon, the US shopping mall operator, has launched Simon Media Network, a retail media network combining its existing digital signage advertising business with first-party consumer data and online channels. The move matters to anyone running screens in retail environments because it signals another major landlord moving from selling raw screen inventory to selling data-backed, measurable advertising.
The network covers more than 200 Simon shopping, dining and entertainment destinations. Simon tells Adweek its properties draw billions of visits globally each year and generate more than US$100 billion in commerce annually across its portfolio.
Simon already runs thousands of digital screens across its properties along with experiential and branded activations for retailers and marketers. What Simon Media Network adds, according to the company, is data, targeting and measurement layered on top of that existing physical footprint.
What advertisers get
Under the new network, advertisers can run campaigns across in-mall digital displays, experiential activations, ShopSimon.com, the Simon+ loyalty program, Simon-owned social and digital channels, and media outside Simon's own platforms. Simon says campaigns can be targeted nationally, regionally, by market, or down to individual properties.
Simon says its first-party consumer intelligence allows advertisers to measure visits, transactions and engagement, giving what the company calls closed-loop attribution meant to show whether an ad actually drove a visit or purchase.
"What makes Simon Media Network attractive is our ability to bring together brands, consumers and experiences in places where real life happens," said Lee Sterling, Chief Marketing Officer at Simon.
Where this sits in the market
Simon joins a growing list of physical retail and property owners building media networks that pair screens with loyalty and transaction data, following the path set by grocery and big-box retailers in the US. For mall-based retail media, the value proposition is combining foot traffic across a large multi-tenant portfolio with a single loyalty program, ShopSimon.com, that can tie ad exposure to purchase behavior across many different brands under one roof.
The announcement does not detail the screen count, screen types, or media player and CMS infrastructure behind the network, nor does it name programmatic partners, self-serve buying tools, or third-party measurement providers. It also does not say how existing landlord advertising deals or in-mall retailer signage arrangements will be affected, or whether Simon plans to open the network to programmatic demand-side platforms. Those are the practical details operators and media buyers will want before judging how the network compares to established retail media offerings from grocery chains and other mall operators already selling data-backed screen inventory.
The announcement in full
Reproduced from invidis for reference. Digital Signage Magazine did not write the text below.
The US shopping center operator is combining digital displays, consumer data and online channels in a commerce media network spanning more than 200 destinations.
Mall operator Simon has launched Simon Media Network, bringing together advertising across its shopping centers with first-party consumer data and digital channels to help brands target and measure campaigns across physical and online environments.
The network spans over 200 Simon shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations. According to Adweek, Simon says its properties receive billions of visits globally each year, with over US$100 billion in commerce generated across its portfolio annually.
The launch builds on an existing advertising business that includes thousands of digital screens across Simon properties, along with branded experiential campaigns for retailers and marketers.
What changes with Simon Media Network is the addition of data, targeting and measurement around that physical advertising footprint.
Advertisers can run campaigns across digital displays inside Simon properties, experiential activations, ShopSimon.com, the Simon+ loyalty program and Simon-owned social and digital channels, as well as media outside Simon’s own platforms. Campaigns can be targeted nationally, regionally, by market or to individual properties.
Simon says its first-party consumer intelligence lets advertisers measure metrics including visits, transactions, and engagement, providing closed-loop attribution intended to show whether advertising exposure led to consumer action.
“What makes Simon Media Network attractive is our ability to bring together brands, consumers and experiences in places where real life happens,” said Lee Sterling, Chief Marketing Officer at Simon. “Simon Media Network gives marketers an opportunity to reach those audiences.”