OBIE Awards 2021 | Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) | 24 May 2021 | Virtual

This year, we have one of our most dynamic, diverse juries in the history of the OBIEs. Creative legends, branding experts, OOH specialists, and a world-renowned “artist of the streets” join forces to judge and award the industry’s finest work.

The OBIE Awards. The oldest and most prestigious honors for creative excellence in out of home advertising design. OBIE, short for obelisk, refers to the ancient stone pillars that served as the foundation of modern advertising–where posts and pictures informed the masses in town squares across ancient Egypt, and then around the world.

For the last 79 years, the OBIEs have honored the best, most innovative, breath-taking activations in our industry. From spectacular digital screens with addressable video to inventive transit takeovers, from eye-popping billboard campaigns to state-of-the-art augmented reality and experiential programs, out of home (OOH) grows every day, in whole new ways.

Never in the OBIEs’ illustrious history have we seen a year like 2020. Creativity across the spectrum of OOH advertising rose to the challenge of a global health pandemic to inform and inspire consumers. Our industry has served as a critical and comforting outside-of-the-home touchpoint during a stay-at-home mandate.

Our beloved industry became the true heartbeat of communities, the pulse of our streets and the lifeblood of our neighborhoods. “Out” became the new “In.” OOH taught us how to stay safe, informed us of when businesses reopened, and broadcasted brave stories of hope throughout heartache. The OBIEs bring you the best designs in our industry–whether complex, layered storytelling or simple, reductionist campaigns–meant to stop time for a moment. It’s no wonder out of home remains the creatives’ favorite medium.