The Outdoor Media Association (OMA) has launched its national out-of-home (OOH) campaign for National Missing Persons Week (NMPW) for the 38,000 people who go missing each year, of which 19,000 are young people between 14- 17 years.
The campaign was launched at the Gabba in Brisbane across both traditional and digital billboards. The OMA has donated more than 2,000 signs nationwide in an attempt to provide awareness to the issue.
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Charmaine Moldrich, CEO, OMA says, “We are proud of this partnership, and while ours is only a small gesture, by broadcasting critical information about missing loved ones, we are able to raise awareness with one simple goal in mind – to help bring them home.
“Often people are cynical about the role advertising plays in society, but campaigns like NMPW show the power of advertising to do good. It raises awareness, it educates, it gives a voice to those who do not always get heard. We are committed to using the strength of OOH to spark a conversation that drives action, because if people see something, they are likely to say something”
Marina Simoncini, national coordinator missing persons and exploited child, Australian Federal Police says, “The more people that see the faces of those missing, the more chance we have of finding them and re-uniting them with their families and friends. Police would be unable to receive this critical information or solve cases without the support and targeted Out of Home advertising provided by the OMA.”
This year’s campaign focuses on the number of young people who are reported missing each year. Research reveals that three out of five missing persons’ cases relate to a child or person under 18 years of age. This is the ninth year the OMA has supported with campaign in NSW and the third year partnering with the Australian Federal Police.
In 2017 OMA members have donated $944,000 in advertising space and production costs Australia-wide. Participating OMA members including Adshel, APN Outdoor, Bishopp Outdoor Advertising, Cactus Imaging, goa, JCDecaux, oOh! Media, QMS Media, Tayco Outdoor Advertising, Tonic Health Media and TorchMedia.
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