The OBIE name is derived from the ancient Egyptian obelisk, a tall stone structure used to publicize laws and treaties thousands of years ago. Many historians consider the obelisk as the first true form of advertising.[1]

Eligibility

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For an advertisement to be eligible for the OBIE Awards, the advertiser (or its agency) must have made payment for the unit space directly to an out of home media company owning or operating the structure, the only exception being public service advertisements.

File:Gold OBIE Winner Samsung.jpg
2013 Gold OBIE Award Winner:Samsung

The advertisement must have been posted within the previous calendar year, i.e. for the 2014 OBIE Awards, the eligibility dates are January 1 - December 31, 2013. Identical advertisements posted during the eligible calendar year but but entered in any previous OBIE Awards cycle are not eligible.

Current Categories

  • Amusement & Entertainment
  • Automotive
  • Beverage
  • Business & Technology
  • Consumer Goods & Services
  • Food & Restaurants
  • Individual Execution: Billboard
  • Individual Execution: Street Furniture
  • International
  • Media
  • Multicultural
  • Public Service
  • Retail
  • Special FX
  • Transportation, Travel, & Tourism
  • Video & Interactive Content

Judging

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Each year, a panel of seven judges meets to judge that year's OBIE Awards. The judges are selected from the top executives at advertising agencies and OOH media companies across the country. The OBIE jury gathers to evaluate all the entries in a day-long process that eventually yields Gold OBIE winners, Silver OBIE winners, and OBIE Finalists.[2][3]

Ceremonies

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  • 2014 – Orlando, Florida
  • 2013 – Los Angeles, California
  • 2012 – Miami, Florida
  • 2011 - Miami, Florida
  • 2010 – Phoenix, Arizona
  • 2008 – Boca Raton, Florida
  • 2007 – San Diego, California
  • 2006 – Palm Springs, California
  • 2005 – Chicago, Illinois
  • 2004 – Scottsdale, Arizona
  • 2003 – Washington, DC

Hall of Fame

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The OBIE Hall of Fame Award was established in 1992 to reward brands that have exemplified long-standing excellence in using the OOH medium. The award is voted on by the OAAA membership each year. The first recipient of the OBIE Hall of Fame Award was the US Army. Past winners have also included Apple, Budweiser, Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, and MINI Cooper.[4]

References

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