The variety of out of home advertising media types has grown year on year, and has provided local designers with a broader canvass to produce highly visible and creative work. With the onset of international events and tougher economic conditions prevailing, local brand custodians are pushing for excellence in creative applications to ensure that their advertising is inspiring, insightful and impactful to reach the demanding customer.
Now in its fourth year, the OHMSA Awards recognises such creative excellence that is used on various out of home advertising platforms. This year the organisers have announced 10 entry categories: Best of Show (Overall winner); Billboards; Internally Illuminated Billboards; Electronic Billboards; Airport Advertising; Retail/ street furniture; Mobile Media; Ambient Media; Africa's Voice Award for the best creative advert outside of South Africa and a brand new category - The Student Award.
The Best of Show winner will receive double tickets to attend one of the major international Out of Home Advertising Award ceremonies, the OBIE Awards in the United States.
The new Student category has been added this year to entice local youth to create speculative out of home advertising for existing South African brands. "South African students who are currently enrolled in an accredited education facility and are studying advertising should step up to the plate and enter - the winner will receive R10 000 towards their future studies", says OHMSA executive director Les Holley.
Creative work which has been flighted during the period 1 October 2008 through to 18 December 2009 is eligible for entry.
"Winning an OHMSA Award is the highest honour that our local creative talent can achieve in outdoor advertising. We have immense talent in this country, now is the time to showcase it" concludes Holley.
For more information on the Awards, the categories, and online entry forms visit www.ohmsaawards.com.
