FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2005

OAAA Releases OBIE Contenders for 2005 Awards - Winners Will Be Announced May 24 in Chicago

Washington, D.C. - The Outdoor Advertising Association of America is pleased to announce the 2005 OBIE Awards contenders. This year, 39 agencies will vie for Best of Show honors.

The OBIE Awards recognize creative excellence in outdoor advertising and is the oldest and one of the most prestigious awards in the advertising world.

Among the contenders are many perennial OBIE Awards favorites. Last year’s Best of Show winner, Crispin Porter + Bogusky is again in the running, as well as Leo Burnett, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, TAXI, Lowe, Peterson Milla Hooks, and Ogilvy & Mather.

This year, the OBIE Awards continued its outreach to advertising agencies by creating a new Call for Entry designed for creative directors, as well as a new OBIE logo, and two new product categories, Digital Display Media and Spanish Language. Over 70% of entries for the 2005 OBIE Awards came from agencies. “We are delighted with the response from the agency community. This year's competition has attracted far more agency submissions and the quality of their work is outstanding," stated Stephen Freitas, chief marketing officer of OAAA.

The 2005 OBIE Awards winners will be announced on Tuesday, May 24, during a gala reception at the 2005 OAAA National Conference & Trade Show in Chicago, IL. Members of the press interested in attending the event should contact Meredith Moller at 202-833-5566.

The OAAA is the largest trade association representing the outdoor advertising industry. It is dedicated to leading and uniting a responsible outdoor advertising industry that is committed to serving the needs of consumers, advertisers and the public. The OAAA’s nearly 1,100 member companies generate more than $5.5 billion annually in ad revenues, representing more than 90% of industry income, and donate space to charitable organizations in excess of $350 million each year.

OAAA (Outdoor Advertising Assoc. of America)
1850 M Street, NW Suite 1040
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: 202-833-5566
E-Mail: mmoller@oaaa.org
Website URL: www.oaaa.org