FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2009

Arbitron: Los Angeles Believes Digital Billboards Help Community

Los Angeles, CA ­ A new study from the media research firm Arbitron shows Los Angeles County residents believe digital billboards can be of service to their community, are attractive, and make their commute more interesting. The study comes as the future of digital billboards in Los Angeles is being debated by city officials.

“This study shows the people of Los Angeles County recognize the benefit of this new technology,” said Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) Chief Marketing Officer Stephen Freitas. “From community service to helping small business, digital billboards are valuable and accepted.”

The poll showed 73 percent of Los Angeles County residents felt digital billboards can be of service to the community by providing important and timely emergency information such as AMBER Alerts. The poll also found 47 percent viewed digital billboards as attractive (with 20% being neutral to their appearance) while 42 percent said the signs make their commute more interesting (with 18 percent feeling neutral).

Arbitron also examined the controversy surrounding a proposed ban on digital billboards and found Los Angeles County residents are not aware and are indifferent to such an effort. Just 22 percent of Los Angeles County residents are aware of any political or legal issues related to roadside billboards, and just 6 percent rated the issue as important or very important to their daily lives.

“This proves the current effort to ban digital billboards and harm the outdoor advertising industry is the work of a very small but vocal minority,” said OAAA’s Freitas. “The billboard debate is not ‘top of mind’ with most people in Los Angeles County.”

For the complete study and to set up interviews with the researchers, contact Jeff Golimowski, OAAA Communications Director, at (202) 833-5566 or by email at jgolimowski@oaaa.org.

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