Here are Billboard Insider’s top 5 out of home news stories of 2016.

Digital Billboard Hacking.  In May 2016 a hacker uploaded faked pornographic images onto some Durden Outdoor digital billboards.     Hacking digital billboards was Insider’s most popular post during 2016 as well as the #1 searched term on the Billboard Insider website.  You can see what you’re up against by watching the youtube video on the right.  If you aren’t spending a portion of each week thinking about how to keep your passwords secure and your digital signs safe you are hopelessly naive.

T-Rex continued to sue.  And got sued.  Patent troll T-Rex continued to sue outdoor sign manufacturers and out of home companies which use a computer to send advertising to signs.    Prismview joined Formetco, Watchfire and Daktronics in settling with T-Rex to protect clients from litigation.  Broadsign, called the bully’s bluff and countersued T-Rex.  Expect a trial during 2017.  See Trex ligation update November 2016 and Broadsign Fights T-Rex.

Clear Channel Outdoor sheds assets and people.  Clear Channel Outdoor shrank during 2016 by selling outdoor plants in Australia, Rockford IL, Columbus OH, Reno NV, Seattle/Tacoma WA, Des Moines IA and Witchita KS.   An Indianapolis for Atlanta swap to Fairway was approved by the US Department of Justice in December 2016.  Clear Channel Outdoor shed people as well including: Craig Gangi (General Counsel), Julio Manso (EVP Human Resources)  Toby Sturek (Regional President Chicago/Minneapolis/Milwaukee/Clear Channel Airports), Matthew Dearden (President – Europe), Patrick Ugeux (Chief Transformation Officer Europe) and Josh Kruter (SVP – digital products).

Revenue is on everyone’s mind.  Out of home revenue grew faster than the economy but everyone is thinking about how to boost sales.  Outfront is seeking new revenue via digital billboards, upselling with beacons and a revised sales compensation structure.  Fairway is pushing yield.  Clear Channel Outdoor is pushing Radar.  Three of Billboard Insider’s fifteen most popular stories during 2016 discussed out of home sales.  See Out of Home Cold Calling, 7 rules for selling out of home and what it takes to be a good outdoor sales rep.

On Thursday Insider will make five predictions for 2017.

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