‘Successful brands allocated 13% of media budgets to OOH’

WARC Data analysis of OOH shows that successful brands allocate 13% of their media budgets to OOH advertising, while the channel’s share of global display adspend has remained stable over the last decade. In its Global Ad Trends report, based on media channel data gathered in 96 countries and detailed findings from 12 key ad markets, WARC Data states that that the heaviest OOH spenders were government and non-profit campaigns, which committed an average of 26% of total budgeted spend.

Alcoholic drinks brands (16% of budget) and retail brands (14%) were also among the core investors. Data show that the cost per thousand (CPM) for billboards is routinely below the all media average, which helps explain why successful campaigns within the low (up to $500k) and medium ($500k to $10m) budget bands are the ones that allocate the highest proportions towards OOH.

The latest verified data show that OOH adspend amounted to $31bn in 2016, a 5.8% share of the global total. Preliminary estimates for 2017 put spend at roughly the same level. Excluding search, classified, and other spend, OOH accounts for 8% of the global display ad market.

Digital is growing rapidly in the sector. Data show that digital’s share of total global out of home advertising spend reached 34.8% in 2017. By 2021, digital’s share is expected to rise to 45%. Explaining the figures, WARC’s Data Editor, James McDonald said, “Out of home is an industry staple, attracting a consistent share of successful brands’ budgets over the long-term. The channel delivers affordable reach with CPM routinely below the all media average.

“Out of home is well-placed for future advancement with rising digital penetration delivering flexible creative informed by rich audience data.” However, his analysis found that brands must tread carefully in integrating such new technologies for marketing purposes. A recent WARC and Toluna survey in the UK found that 65.8% of shoppers are open to the application of facial recognition in store for products and services, but the majority (65.2%) do not find the idea of its application for personalised messages appealing.

“New tech, such as facial recognition, is being tailored to improve shopper experience, but advertisers need to heed consumer concerns”, McDonald warned.