Dear OAAA Members and Colleagues,
As we continue to monitor Coronavirus (COVID-19) developments closely, the health and well-being of our members, their staff, and our employees is of utmost importance to us. Today, we would like to share with you OAAA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
OOH Industry Impact
The fundamentals of the OOH sector are strong. We just came off our most successful year ever as an industry with record revenue growth across every one of our core formats: billboards – both static and digital, street furniture, transit, and place-based. And it looks like this trajectory will continue through the first quarter of 2020.
While it’s too early to tell exactly what the long-term impact of COVID-19 will be on ad spend in our sector, we are checking in with you, our members, and monitoring the situation on behalf of the OOH industry.
OAAA Operations
As a critical partner to your business, we know limiting any impact this health event could have on service to our members is imperative. We are focused on our preparedness efforts to maintain a safe work environment for our associates and to sustain our business operations.
To that end, we have activated an internal infectious disease control policy, consistent with local government mandates, which includes:
- OAAA staff working remotely until it is safe to resume regular office operations
- Providing information and best practices to prevent the spread of any illness
- Limiting all non-essential business travel
OAAA Member Support and Programs
OAAA is committed to keeping our operations running smoothly so we can provide our members with the best possible service. However, we understand it will be necessary to adjust procedural routines while the COVID-19 pandemic persists. OAAA will continue to provide member services and add value to your organizations in several ways:
- OAAA staff will remain available to members for consultation through regular email and phone exchange
- OAAA committees and councils will continue to meet virtually using conference calls or video meetings
- While the 2020 OOH Media Conference + Expo has been canceled, OAAA will continue to provide training and education to members (look for more on virtual meetings and education next week), including:
- A more robust webinar schedule during the next few months
- Regular communications through the bi-weekly OOH SmartBrief, OAAA Outlook newsletter, Sales Tips and Legal Reports, expanded thought leadership, and more member updates.
OBIE Awards
The OBIE Awards show will not take place on April 28 in Phoenix. However, the industry will honor this year’s winners and celebrate creative excellence with a virtual awards event later this spring. We are formulating a new approach now and will share with you our plans in the coming days.
Legal and Regulatory Updates
OAAA will continue to keep you informed about political developments, tax litigation, cannabis advertising, privacy, and more. OAAA is focused on resolving the pending constitutional challenge to billboard law in Tennessee, and legislative efforts to remedy that challenge. Tennessee’s General Assembly is in session, exploring ways to regulate billboards while avoiding future legal challenges and assuring “effective control” of signs so that Tennessee receives its full allotment of federal highway funds.
Public Service Support
OAAA has partnered with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure members have access to PSA campaign messaging in multiple OOH formats aimed at helping communities prevent the spread of COVID-19. Currently, thousands of digital OOH screens across the country are helping spread the word. To participate, download creative here.
We will continue to monitor this fluid situation and update members as necessary.
Sincerely,
Anna Bager
OAAA President & CEO
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