Out-of-the-Box Out of Home

With the rapid pace of change in today’s world, those in the visual communications industry need to innovate to stay ahead – and out-of-home (OOH) advertisers are no exception. 

A decade or so ago, it seemed as though electronic digital screens were poised to dominate the landscape across cities and along highways – at the expense of the more traditional printed format. While digital signs are more prevalent in 2019, wide-format printing still makes up the bulk of signage and OOH advertising displays. 

To grab a piece of consumers’ fragmented focus in a cluttered digital environment, creativity seems to be the name of the game. Advertisers seek to create eye-catching, social-media-worthy, out-of-the-box ads to draw attention to their brands. OOH remains an effective means of communication, and the amount of money spent on OOH ads ($8 billion in 2018) has increased annually for at least the last decade, according to the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA). Despite smartphones constantly vying for our attention, it’s impossible to miss captivating billboards on freeways, bus wraps on busy streets, and wallcoverings on once blank spaces. 

The OAAA’s OBIE Awards recognize exceptional OOH advertising design; 74 winners were selected for the 77th annual awards. We chose a smattering of our favorite honorees to feature here. We hope these shining examples of imagination inspire you to amp up the creativity in your shop.  

A Bow to Bowie
Media: Gold OBIE
Creative Agency: Spotify
Advertiser: Spotify

The Doctor Is In
Custom Installation: Bronze OBIE 
Creative Agency: Outfront Studios
Advertiser: MD Now

He’s a Mean One
Contextual: Gold OBIE 
Creative Agency: Kinetic Worldwide
Advertiser: Universal Pictures

Plant Based
Food and Beverage: Bronze OBIE 
Custom Installation: Finalist
Creative Agency: NPRP Media, Humanaut, and Exverus
Advertiser: Suja Juice

Weed Week
Integrated Multimedia: Platinum OBIE
Media: Silver OBIE
Creative Agency: Viceland
Advertiser: Viceland

The New Jordan
Retail: Bronze OBIE
Consumer Goods and Services: Finalist 
Creative Agency: Billups
Advertiser: Billups

Earn Your Corn
Custom Installation:  Finalist 
Creative Agency: Hart
Advertiser: Ohio Farm Bureau

Off the Chain
Consumer Goods and Services: Finalist 
Custom Installation: Finalist
Creative Agency: Adams Outdoor Advertising
Advertiser: Whack’em and Stack’em

The Puck Stops Here
Custom Installation: Finalist 
Creative Agency: Kre8 Media Outdoor
Advertiser: Vegas Golden Knights

Beer Me
Food and Beverage: Finalist 
Creative Agency: Lamar Advertising Company
Advertiser: Flying Heart Brewing and Pub

Over the Moon
Transportation, Travel, and Tourism: Bronze OBIE
Creative Agency: Outfront Studios
Advertiser: Florida’s Space Coast

Shredding Vermont
Transportation, Travel, and Tourism: Finalist 
Creative Agency: Driven Studio
Advertiser: Cabot Creamery 

Vote or Bus(t)
Experiential: Silver OBIE
Creative Agency: Betches Media 
Advertiser: Betches Media with New Balance Women

Stuck in the ‘80s
Contextual OOH: Finalist 
Creative Agency: Hub San Francisco
Advertiser: Hub San Francisco

The Dead Take Over NYC
Experiential: Bronze OBIE 
Creative Agency: AMC
Advertiser: AMC

Don’t Miss the View
Experiential: Finalist 
Creative Agency: Colle McVoy
Advertiser: Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board

Into the Void
Custom Installation: Finalist 
Creative Agency: Liberty Science Center
Advertiser: Liberty Science Center

No Kids Allowed
Nonprofits and Public Service: Finalist 
Creative Agency: Duncan Channon
Advertiser: California Tobacco Control Program