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