The Outdoor Industry and Public Service Work

OAAA and the outdoor advertising industry has a long history of supporting charitable organizations and worthy causes. Since 1913, the outdoor advertising industry has been donating space for public service in an organized fashion, contributing more than $300 million annually to charitable organizations nationwide.

OAAA and Public Service Campaigns

The outdoor advertising industry regularly provides free advertising space for charitable causes, a practice dating back to the turn of the century. The industry donates millions each year to local and national non-profit groups that can't afford paid advertising.

Current OAAA Supported Campaigns

Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving - ( more >> )

FTC's "We Don't Serve Teens" - OAAA is supporting a poster campaign sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and The Distilled Spirits Council. ( more >> )

Children's Miracle Network - ( more >> )

Pass It On - The Foundation for a Better Life launched Phase VII of the successful Pass it On public service campaign this month. ( more >> )

Previous Campaigns

Minneapolis Digital Billboard Alert - Newly Elected US Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) comments on (emergency-messaging) billboards. ( more >> )

Report on Safe Families - Hamilton County schools could soon implement a program aimed at getting more teens to buckle up. ( more >> )

Billboards Will Help Track Down Abducted Children - Local police have a new tool to track down abducted children. ( more >> )

Hopes to find mom balloon - Group sends 35 air bags skyward, plans to put up 18 billboards to aid in search for Reiser ( more >> )

Cold case heats up: Investigators confident they’ll solve Cappel case - ( more >> )

Red Cross: Celebrating 125 Years of Service - On May 21, 1881, Clara Barton made history by successfully organzing the American Association of the Red Cross in Washington,DC. This year, the outdoor industry is proud to help ARC celebrate 125 years of serving Americans during times of war, peace and national emergencies. ( more >> )

As I See It, Billboards Help Catch Criminals - ( more >> )

Fighting Poverty: Oxfam America Campaign - Over the years, the outdoor industry has been a generous corporate citizen in helping those that are most in need in communities and nations throughout the world. In 2006, Oxfam America an aid organization dedicated to alleviating poverty, suffering and injustice (www.oxfamamerica.org), is reaching out to specific communities through out the United States to help raise awareness of its efforts. ( more >> )

Disaster Relief: Outdoor Industry Lends a Hand - The outdoor advertising industry immediately responded to the devastating Gulf hurricane by placing public service messages on behalf of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. ( more >> )

Tsunami Relief Effort - The world is responding to help victims of the recent Indian Ocean Tsunami - many of them children without the basics for survival. OAAA has been in contact with several relief organizations, offering assistance on behalf of member companies. ( more >> )

Launch of Pass It On Campaign Phase IV - The Foundation for a Better Life launched Phase IV of the successful Pass It On public service campaign this month. ( more >> )

'God Speaks" Phase II - Beginning in 1999, the American public encountered one of the most attention-grabbing ad campaigns ever presented. Starting as a handful of billboards donated by an anonymous donor, the 'God Speaks' campaign quickly mushroomed into more than 10,000 displays around the country with the help of the outdoor ad industry. Now, the anonymous sponsor of the campaign has commissioned nine new messages. ( more >> )

NAACP Unveils Outdoor Public Service Campaign - On September 20, 2004, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) unveiled a port-a-panel to mark the launch of the organization’s National Membership Recruitment Campaign. NAACP President and CEO Kweisi Mfume delivered remarks at the event as did Ken Klein, OAAA Executive Vice President, Government Relations. ( more >> )

Homeland Security: Ready.Gov - The outdoor advertising industry is a partner in a multi-media national public service campaign to help prepare Americans for possible terrorist attacks. The public service campaign suggests practical steps for preparedness, such as making an emergency supply kit, creating a family communication plan and keeping emergency numbers readily available. ( more >> )

"In God We Trust. United We Stand." - Now, with the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the outdoor industry is once again there to help ( more >> )

"Pass It On" - The third phase of the industry-sponsored public service campaign promoting worthy values such as persistence and dedication was launched in October. ( more >> )

Children's Miracle Network - OAAA has partnered with Children's Miracle Network for its 1996 National Public Service Campaign. ( more >> )

Know the Rules - Know the Rules was a national public service campaign by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). ( more >> )

Elizabeth Taylor Unveils Nationwide AIDS Awareness Billboard Campaign - Elizabeth Taylor unveiled the Outdoor Advertising Association fo America's National Public Service Campaign at teh Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. ( more >> )

Family Literacy - OAAA sponsored the Family Literacy program, supported by then First Lady Barbara Bush, as its 1989-1990 public service program. ( more >> )

Public Service Spotlight

Immediate Response - Digital Billboards Activated Minutes After Bridge Collapse Minneapolis, MN--On August 1, a bridge on a major freeway to downtown Minneapolis collapsed at 6:19 PM. "We have dedicated our digital network to Minnesota Department of Transportation to communicate traffic and safety information. We were live with an emergency message within 15 minutes of the bridge collapse," said Lee Ann Muller of Clear Channel Outdoor-Minneapolis. The image shown here was the initial alert posted on digital billboards.
Public Service Spotlight
Legislative Victories in Delaware and Tennessee; -
New Jersey Phases Out Gross Receipts Tax on Billboards;

Dover, DE—By overwhelming majorities, lawmakers in Delaware approved legislation to allow digital billboards.

Final legislative action occurred on July 1 in the state Senate, which voted 19-2 (absent) in favor of the measure. Now the bill goes to the governor.

Most states allow changeable message technologies. This year, Arkansas, Indiana, and Tennessee have approved new laws or regulations to allow digital billboards.

In Delaware, the legislation provides for a static display time of 10 seconds.

Nashville, TN—The outdoor advertising industry in Tennessee achieved another legislative victory. On June 13, Governor Phil Bredesen (D) signed legislation that allows repair and maintenance of nonconforming billboards.

Longstanding state criteria on nonconforming maintenance had been rescinded under pressure from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Lawmakers acted quickly to replace the old regulations with a new statute. In addition, permit fees were increased for the first time since 1983.

Trenton, NJ—The gross receipts tax on billboard advertising in New Jersey is gone.

The hastily passed 6% tax took effect July 1, 2003, as the state battled a budget shortfall. A task force appointed by then-Governor James McGreevey (D) recommended that the billboard tax should be permanent.

However, lawmakers decided to phase out the tax in three years. Therefore, the tax “sunsetted” in the end of June, 2007 (the end of the state’s fiscal year).

“In the end, reason prevailed,” said Don Avjean of CBS Outdoor.

A united outdoor industry fought the gross receipts tax.

Coeur d’Alene, ID—On June 27, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter (R) welcomed digital billboards in Idaho to the AMBER Alert network in that state.

Leaders of the outdoor industry attended a press conference with the governor and state safety officials to celebrate the addition of digital billboards to the network. Digital billboards are part of the AMBER Alert network throughout the country, to help locate abducted children.

“The governor recognizes that the merger of billboards with modern technology has tremendous potential to serve the public good,” said Scott Butterfield, regional manager for Lamar Advertising Company-Boise.

Milwaukee, WI—Police are using billboards throughout the country to help find fugitives. A recent success occurred in Milwaukee, where a suspect featured on a “wanted” billboard was apprehended.

“We’re refitting the sign right now with a new photo so we can catch another one,” said Kurt Weis, general manager of Lamar Advertising Company-Milwaukee on June 25.

The Milwaukee Police Department said: “We did receive tips which helped in the apprehension. We appreciate the extra pressure on the bad guys when they know their photo is up there big as life.”