2011: Moderate growth for outdoor ad industry

Net revenues are looking up for the outdoor ad industry. A moderate 3.4% growth was recently reported for 2011; this statistic is up 17 million from 2010, from $477m to $494m.

This is the 8th consecutive quarter of growth for an industry that experienced a rocky period over “offensive” ads a couple of years ago. The new self-regulation review policy has helped in the effort to prevent ads of an overtly sexual nature from going public.

Richard Herring, CEO of APN Outdoor and chairman of the OMA, said, “The outcome of the [2011] inquiry was very clear. The proportion of ads deemed unsuitable was outrageously small. But it was a reminder to advertisers to remain vigilant and understand the public sentiment.”