Have you ever considered how much time you’ve spent stuck in traffic while commuting to work or on the weekends running errands? The average commuter spends around 54 hours just sitting in traffic each year, so it’s no surprise that OOH advertisements work.
Whether it’s driving from place to place, walking to a local restaurant, or enjoying a stroll through the city, OOH advertisements make an impression every time. Even in the digital age, they continue to grow, partly because they offer a level of visibility and reach that digital ads just can’t match. But there’s also the influence of certain factors that make out-of-home advertisements stand out in ways you might not expect.
1. OOH Produces a Higher ROI Than Other Forms of Advertising
What form of advertising yields the highest return on investment (ROI)? According to the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA), OOH advertising produces a higher ROI compared to radio, print, and digital display advertising—even when those channels receive more substantial funding.
That’s because OOH reaches a much broader audience with higher visibility, often in moments when people are most engaged. They’re also viewed much more favorably than digital ads, which is something we’ll go over shortly.
OOH campaigns can sometimes outperform social media ads because they have a longer-lasting impact, helping brands remain memorable long after the ad is seen. If an outdoor ad is especially creative, it can even double as a stunning backdrop for photographs that people share on social media.
2. 76% of OOH Viewers Reach for Their Smartphones to Learn More
Even in a time where everyday consumers get inundated with nonstop social media reels, targeted emails, and strikingly personalized ads, the tangible and time-tested medium of OOH advertising still commands significant attention. In fact, over 76% of people who look at an OOH advertisement reach for their smartphones right after seeing them to learn more about the product that’s being promoted.
Make no mistake—out-of-home ads outshine highly-curated digital ads because they offer a sense of authenticity and subtlety that’s largely absent in modern media, allowing them to connect with consumers in a way that doesn’t feel like a pushy, forced sales pitch.
3. OOH Ads Help Boost Digital Ad Campaigns by Over 90%
Much like your favorite food pairings, digital ads work best with physical outdoor ads.
And there’s strong evidence to support this.
A study from the OAAA found that when combining OOH with other campaigns, audience exposure to their product grew by over 90%. The analysis, conducted on over 22,000 people who had driven or ridden in a vehicle in the past week, demonstrated the remarkable reach and effectiveness of integrating OOH into multi-channel strategies.
Think of it like this: Sarah goes to work and sees a billboard for a sneaker brand on her daily commute. The ad catches her attention, but she doesn’t act on it right away. Later that evening, while scrolling Instagram, she sees a social media ad for the same sneakers pop up on her feed.
Because Sarah remembers the OOH advertisement from earlier, the Instagram ad feels familiar and trustworthy, compelling her to click on it and eventually make a purchase. The combination of the billboard and the Instagram ad worked together to influence her decision—neither might have been as effective on their own.
4. 73% of Consumers Prefer DOOH Over Other Forms of Advertising
Outdoor ads are unmissable. They can’t be swiped away or clicked out of like digital ads. But what if you could combine the creative, digital aspect of ads with OOH?
That’s where digital out-of-home advertising (DOOH) comes in.
DOOH stands out because it brings the flexibility and dynamic content of digital advertising to real-world locations. Unlike static OOH, DOOH allows for tailored, context-specific messaging, such as weather-based promotions or time-sensitive deals, which over 73% of consumers prefer. In the blink of an eye, marketers can update messaging on a digital billboard to reflect seasonal trends, time, and even traffic patterns to maximize visibility and relevance during key moments.
Back-to-school specials? Gearing up for the holiday season? These are all perfect opportunities to leverage the adaptability of digital OOH.
Consumers preferring DOOH over other forms of advertising would also explain why the ROI on OOH advertising, in general, is so high. Just take a look at the numbers the OAAA crunched during their study:
- Digital out-of-home: 73%
- Television/media: 50%
- Social media: 48%
- Online: 37%
- Audio: 32%
- Print: 31%
5. DOOH Advertising is Expected to Grow by 6.70% Into 2029
OOH advertising is here to stay. However, its digital form is gaining even more momentum. According to Statista, DOOH is projected to grow by 6.70% into 2029. As consumer preferences shift toward engaging and adaptive advertising, digital out-of-home advertising is positioned to lead the way.
What’s more? DOOH advertising is also incredibly appealing to advertisers as it offers valuable data on consumer behavior and allows for real-time updates and targeted messaging.
In fact, trends like programmatic advertising, which automates ad targeting and buying, are making DOOH even more efficient and impactful. DOOH advertising also simplifies tracking and calculating ROI for your campaign, giving you clearer insights into how your investment is actually performing.
Will My Business Benefit from an OOH Campaign?
As businesses explore ways to maximize their reach, the question often shifts to how they can successfully stand out in a crowded digital world. While things like display ads or social media ads are incredibly effective, they can easily get drowned out by the competition.
This is why OOH advertising is able to step in and fill the gaps where other ad channels fall short.
Want to get people to truly remember your ad? Wallscape advertisements—a form of OOH advertising that can creatively and awe-inspiringly take up entire building walls—can do that.
Looking to target a local audience with almost frighteningly precise accuracy? DOOH billboards can be customized in real-time to deliver location-specific messaging that speaks directly to your target audience’s needs.
Get the OOH Advertising Your Business Deserves
Thinking about launching an OOH campaign? Alluvit Media is here to assist you with everything from concept to execution in order to make sure your billboard is up and running without a hitch. Not sure about the design of your billboard? We’ve got you covered—partnering with us means access to our no-cost, in-house graphic design services to bring your vision to life.
Your brand deserves to have its voice heard. Connect with a team that specializes in out-of-home advertising nationwide. Fill out our contact form and get your message out there!