In honor of African American History Month, let’s take a look at some truly excellent examples of African Americans in outdoor advertising.

Leading African American Figures in Out-of-Home Advertising

Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Media type: Bulletin
• Market: Greenville, SC
• Year: 2011
• Advertiser: MLKdreamweekend.com
• Category: Non-profit
• Famous focus: Martin Luther King Jr.
• Word count: 2

Martin Luther King Jr. Brings the Nation Together

This bulletin, featured in our MLK blog last month, is notable for its ability to send an effective anti-discrimination message with an uncluttered design and minimal use of copy.

P. Diddy

• Media type: Wallscape
• Market: New York City, NY
• Year: 2012
• Advertiser: Sean Jean
• Category: Retail
• Famous focus: Sean Combs (aka P. Diddy / Sean John)
• Word count: 3

Sean John Styles on Wallscape

The fact that this wallscape is housed in one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world shows the influence of Sean John owner and business mogul, Sean Combs. There isn’t much need for words on this extra large structure. Sean’s picture is already immediately identifiable.

Gabby Douglas

• Media type: Digital Bulletin
• Market: Chesapeake, VA
• Year: 2012
• Advertiser: Promotional Ad
• Category: PSA
• Famous focus: Gabby Douglas
• Word count: 2

Gabby Douglas Digital Congratulations

Shortly after Gabby Douglas became a double gold medalist at the 2012 Olympics, Chesapeake honored the Virginia Beach native with this digital billboard. The two gold medals substituting as exclamation points are a nice touch!

Barack Obama

• Media type: Bus Shelter
• Market: Philadelphia, PA
• Year: 2008
• Advertiser: Barack Obama for President
• Category: Political
• Famous focus: Barack Obama
• Word count: 1

Barack Obama Bus Shelters of Hope

This bus shelter advertisement was used during the then Senator’s 2008 presidential campaign. The hand-drawn look of the piece worked well with Obama’s focus on middle-class voters during that time. The “Hope” advertisement went on to become one of the key defining factors in Obama’s successful presidential aspirations, with its message contributing to the 82% dominance in votes for the Democratic candidate in Philadelphia County.

Nelson Mandela

• Media type: Digital Bulletin
• Market: Los Angeles, CA
• Year: 2013
• Advertiser: None
• Category: PSA
• Famous focus: Nelson Mandela
• Word count: 18

Nelson Mandela Digital Billboard Tributes

With the passing of Nelson Mandela came statements from some of the world’s most influential figures. Digital billboards containing a rotating list of those statements were placed all over the United States. The combination of Mandela’s picture and the statements  make for a powerful  visual.

Usher & Mya

• Media type: Wild Posters
• Market: New York City, NY
• Year: 2004
• Advertiser:
• Category: Political
• Famous focus: Usher & Mya
• Word count: 5

Vote or Die Wild Posters Campaign

The Vote or Die campaign used popular celebrities on wild posters to incite young adults to vote in the 2004 presidential election. The strategy to place familiar faces and bold copy in stimulating locations through a posting style that appealed to new voters was hailed as a triumph. Over 21 million adults under the age of 30 took to the polls that year to show their support for Senator John Kerry or consequent victor President George W. Bush, making it the largest voter turnout for young people since 1972.

Beyonce

• Media type: Spectacular
• Market: Los Angeles, CA
• Year: 2013
• Advertiser: Pepsi
• Category: Beverage
• Famous focus: Beyonce Knowles
• Word count: 9

Beyonce’ Larger than Life Pepsi Campaign

Pepsi partnered with one of the most famous African American women on Earth for their “Live for Now” campaign. Dressing the pop star in bright clothing and duplicating her four times surely made a lasting impression on this spectacular display.

Celebrating History with Outdoor Advertising

African American History Month is a time when the nation commits to reflect and celebrate some of the most compelling chapters in American history. Out-of-home media has provided companies the chance to illustrate the many cases of multicultural success in creative ways.