Winning OOH Ad Concepts

UT-OF-HOME (OOH) advertising allows for advertisers and agencies to be extremely creative. Seemingly nothing is off limits as they rely on wide-format print to captivate pedestrians and passersby with great designs that often utilize their natural surroundings. The OBIE Awards, the oldest and most prestigious honors for creative excellence in OOH advertising design, highlight the best of the best in this realm. From billboards connected by an electric spark to a giant stalk of corn emerging from a field, OOH advertising can take on many forms.

An effective campaign may utilize words, or it may rely solely on one lone symbol to honor a legendary societal figure. If you can remember a time when an advertisement in your city caused you to consider something new, buy a product, see a movie, or try a unique food, OOH advertising achieved its goal in that moment. We chose some of our favorite projects from the 100-plus 2021 OBIE finalists and award winners. 2020 was a year marked by societal trauma induced by the pandemic and social issues, with a dash of the absurd, and a strong effort to live life as normally as possible. These OBIE projects exemplify that.

In Honor of All the Brave Nurses, Now and Forever

Consumer Goods & Services
Gold Obie
Creative Agency: Alto NY
Advertiser: Montefiore-Einstein

Nitrogen’s Turning Point

Custom Installation
Bronze OBIE
Creative Agency: AKC
Marketing Advertiser: Pivot Bio

Feeding Imagination

International
Bronze OBIE
Creative Agency: Zulu Alpha Kilo
Advertiser: Campbell Canada

The Cheetle-Painted Mural

Food & Beverage
Bronze OBIE
Creative Agency: Goodby Silverstein & Partners
Advertiser: Frito Lay

George Floyd – I Can’t Breathe Mama

Nonprofits & Public Service
Gold Obie
Creative Agency: William Ransom & Clear Channel
Advertiser: NE Scuplture Co.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Nonprofits & Public Service
Gold Obie>
Creative Agency: Extra Credit Projects
Advertiser: Extra Credit Projects

ECP COVID Self-Promo

Media
Finalist
Creative Agency: Extra Credit Projects
Advertiser: Extra Credit Projects

One Team, One State

Entertainment
Finalist
Creative Agency: New Mexico United
Advertiser: New Mexico United

Inspire Imagination

Entertainment
Finalist
Creative Agency: Adams Outdoor Advertising
Advertiser: The Air Zoo

Jingle Jangle Out of Home

Custom Installation
Bronze OBIE
Creative Agency: BLT. 3D Out of Home Production Agency: Midnight Oil Agency
Advertiser: Netflix

Dumbbells

Consumer Goods & Services
Finalist
Creative Agency: Lamar Advertising Agency
Advertiser: Gold’s Gym

2.7 miles, then … LEFT!

Food & Beverage
Finalist
Creative Agency: Adams Outdoor Advertising
Advertiser: Iron Mule Restaurant and Bar

Reddit Up the Vote

Media
Gold OBIE
Creative Agency: R/GA California
Advertiser: Reddit, Inc.

Brick Phone

Custom Installation
Finalist
Creative Agency: Kinetic
Advertiser: Peacock

Birds of Prey 3D

Media
Bronze OBIE
Creative Agency: Warner Brothers
Production: Midnight Oil Agency
Advertiser: Warner Brothers

Mary Free Bed Antler Rehab

Consumer Goods & Services
Finalist
Creative Agency: Extra Credit Projects
Advertiser: Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

Corona Hard Seltzer — Bubbles

Custom Installation
Finalist
Creative Agency: Delta Media
Advertiser: Constellation Brands