DOOH Advertising

OAAA, FBI renew OOH partnership

Photo: Kristina Blokhin - stock.adobe.com

May 12, 2026

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The Out of Home Advertising Association of America has renewed its partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, extending a nationwide program that uses out of home media to support law enforcement and public safety efforts across the U.S.

Originally launched in 2007, the FBI's Digital Billboard Initiative has evolved from a pilot program in Philadelphia into a nationwide network spanning more than 10,000 digital screens, according to a press release.

Through OAAA and its member companies, media owners donate digital billboard space to display fugitives, missing persons alerts, and urgent public safety messages.

"Out of home is uniquely positioned to connect people with information that matters in the moments and places where it can have the greatest impact," Anna Bager, president and CEO, OAAA, said in the release. "This partnership reflects the strength of our medium at its best, leveraging presence, scale, and immediacy to support public safety. By mobilizing a nationwide network of screens, our industry is helping law enforcement generate leads, accelerate investigations, and ultimately bring cases to resolution."

Over nearly two decades, the program has contributed to resolving more than 58 cases and generated over 28,000 tips across investigations nationwide.

Notable cases reveal the impact:

Fruita, Colorado (2019): Jason Lee Robinson, known as the "Traveling Bandit," was identified and arrested after a tipster saw his image displayed on a billboard, and the FBI attributed the capture directly to billboard publicity.
Tampa, Florida (2017): Demeko Wells turned himself in one day after his image appeared on digital billboards, later confirming the exposure influenced his decision. He was charged with identity theft, access device fraud, and conspiracy.
Las Vegas, Nevada (2017): After the Route 91 Harvest Festival tragedy, digital billboards deployed across the region generated more than 4,000 tips from the public.

"The digital billboard initiative puts critical public safety information in the right place at the right time," Ben Williamson, assistant director of the FBI's Office of Public Affairs, said in the release.. "Over the years, tips received because of billboards have helped the FBI capture violent criminals, solve complex crimes, and educate the public about threats to the community. It has been one of the FBI's most successful private partnerships. We are grateful to the media owners who donate valuable digital space to help us keep Americans safe."

Recent research shows 76% of adults ages 18 to 64 report taking action after seeing a DOOH campaign, and 46 percent of adults in this age group said the format drives engagement.