The Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) is proud to announce its annual awards program, recognizing marketing excellence through the innovative fusion of creative design, strategic location, data-driven insights, and contextual relevance in out-of-home (OOH) advertising. These awards elevate the OOH industry by honoring groundbreaking campaigns that showcase the best in creativity, media planning, and local impact.
Since their inception in 1942, the OBIE Awards have set the gold standard for creative excellence in OOH advertising. Named after the “obelisk,” an ancient Egyptian stone pillar regarded as a foundation of modern advertising, the OBIE Awards celebrate innovation and artistry in the OOH space. Over the past 82 years, they have honored the most imaginative and visually stunning activations, from digital screens with addressable video to immersive experiential programs and state-of-the-art augmented reality campaigns.
The OBIE Awards recognize a wide range of achievements in OOH advertising through specialty, industry, craft, and format categories.
Specialty categories include campaigns that demonstrate groundbreaking techniques and unique approaches. These include visually striking 3D anamorphic digital designs that create the illusion of depth, buzzworthy campaigns that drive viral attention and online engagement, and contextual strategies where geographic or location-based elements enhance creative execution. Custom installations featuring specially fabricated props or embellishments, experiential campaigns that offer immersive real-world interactions, and holographic or projection-based media showcasing innovative visual effects are also celebrated. Integrated multi-media campaigns blending OOH with other media channels, international campaigns executed outside the United States, and local campaigns tailored to specific geographic audiences round out this diverse category.
Industry categories recognize excellence across sectors such as automotive, consumer products and goods, consumer services, direct-to-consumer brands, fashion and luxury goods, film and media, healthcare, live entertainment and events, public service and nonprofits, retail, and transportation, travel, and tourism. Each campaign reflects how OOH advertising effectively engages audiences within these industries.
Craft categories honor exceptional expertise in disciplines such as compelling copywriting that brings a brand’s story to life, digital design integrating innovative production techniques like filmmaking and animation, creative and inspiring illustrations, and original photography with impressive composition and scale.
Format categories celebrate innovation in the use of various OOH formats. These include billboards like bulletins, wallscapes, and spectaculars; street furniture such as bus shelters and kiosks; transit advertising on vehicles, airports, and rail stations; and place-based OOH within arenas, cinemas, or shopping malls. Combined multi-OOH formats and large-scale murals are also recognized for their artistic and impactful contributions.
The OBIE Awards highlight OOH advertising’s unique ability to stop time for a moment and captivate audiences with layered storytelling or minimalist campaigns. From breathtaking billboards to transformative public art, these campaigns showcase why OOH remains a favorite medium for creative professionals worldwide.
Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your most impactful work. Submit your entries before the December 31, 2024 deadline and join the legacy of OOH excellence celebrated by the OBIE Awards.