By Ken Klein OAAA Executive Vice President, Government Affairs
A United States Senator from Colorado recently toured the OUTFRONT Media plant in Denver, learning about technology and jobs. This type of political education benefits the entire industry, far beyond Colorado.
As a regulated industry, we know the importance of government to our business, and we thank our colleagues coast to coast who make our case to elected officials and staff.
These examples showcase our political outreach across the political spectrum and across the country:
Reaching Out to Newcomers
In Ohio, Richard Peterson (Porter Advertising), freshman Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH), and Debbie Thompson (Cleveland Outdoor Advertising) discussed local OOH businesses. Balderson was assigned to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Using OOH Inventory
When House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) won the 2019 Bryce Harlow Award, digital bus shelters in Washington, DC, congratulated the congressman near Capitol Hill.
Photo: Bus shelter in Washington, DC
Keep At It, Over Time
Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) visited the Lamar plant in Kansas City in 2011. Now Graves is the top Republican on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Photo: Bob Fessler, Lamar, (left) with Rep. Graves
Plant Tours
In August, Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) toured the OUTFRONT Media plant in Denver with OAAA Legislative Chairman Steve Richards of Mile High Outdoor and Matt Ragonese of OUTFRONT.
Photo (L to R): Sen. Gardner; Ragonese; Richards
Never Too Early
OAAA introduced summer intern Nick Levi to Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL). Levi chatted with the Congressman about what he’s learning about OOH.
Photo (L to R): Levi with Rep. Davis
Campaign as Customer
Rep. David Scott (D-GA) won a seat in Congress using billboards in metro Atlanta. Joe Garner of Clear Channel Outdoor recently met with him and baseball legend Hank Aaron.
Photo (L to R): Aaron; Garner; Rep. Scott
Get Out of DC
Judy and Chris Zukin, Meadow Outdoor Advertising, have strong connections to Casper, WY, home of Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY). Barrasso is chairman of the Environment & Public Works Committee.
Photo (L to R): Judy Zukin; Sen. Barrasso; Chris Zukin
Friendships
Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker and Drew Katz (Interstate Outdoor Advertising) are close friends. Booker is a United States Senator from New Jersey.
Photo (L to R): Sen. Booker; Katz
Common Interests
OAAA Board member John Barrett (Barrett Outdoor Communications) shared his craft brew with beer fan Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR). DeFazio is chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
Photo (L to R): Barrett with Rep. DeFazio
Community Involvement
Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) sponsored Marco Rubio’s football team when young Rubio lived in Las Vegas. Rubio is now the senior senator from Florida.
Photo: Sen. Rubio holding a photo of himself as a child in his YESCO football jersey.
State Federal Tie-In
When Steve Cohen was in the Tennessee Legislature, Martin Daniel lived in his district. Now Cohen (D-TN) is in Congress and Daniel of Elevation Outdoor Advertising is in the Tennessee Legislature.
Photo (L to R): Daniel with Cohen
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