New digital signs to light up Downtown Baltimore, shining light on local artists, illuminating future opportunity
In partnership with Orange Barrel Media (OBM) and Capitol Outdoor Media, Downtown Partnership is excited to announce the launch of a digital sign network north of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. OBM’s first digital spectacular is located at 36 S. Charles, and OBM plans to complete six more by January 2024 and another by summer 2024. Capitol Outdoor Media’s first sign is located at 100 E. Pratt Street, and expects to complete two more by summer 2024.
To celebrate the initial installation, DPOB hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 100 Light Street on Tuesday with organization leadership, dignitaries, and members of the media in attendance to mark the occasion.
“Since our founding nearly 20 years ago, we have been committed to a community-oriented model of outdoor media” — Pete Scantland, CEO of OBM.
“We value our longstanding partnership with DPOB and the City of Baltimore, and we appreciate the continued collaboration and leadership from the City on this project,” said Pete Scantland, CEO of OBM. “Since our founding nearly 20 years ago, we have been committed to a community-oriented model of outdoor media. We are honored to highlight the amazing art and artists of Baltimore as part of our ongoing programming and look forward to partnering with BMoreArt, Visit Baltimore, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and dozens of other organizations on a new model for outdoor media that will benefit the entire city.”
Benefitting Artists, Small Businesses, and Adding Vitality
OBM is collaborating with BmoreArt to promote local artists and the arts community. Cara Ober, Editor at BmoreArt, shared, “We are thrilled to see vibrant images of Baltimore-based artists and culture on so many kiosks and billboards throughout the city. In many cases, we have been alerted to their presence via social media photos where audiences celebrate these images and tag us in their posts.” OBM has also partnered with the Baltimore Museum of Art to promote its exhibitions through advertising and to feature art from its exhibition program.
The digital signs will regularly exhibit new projects by local and international artists collaborating with some of Baltimore’s most recognized cultural institutions and art organizations. Additionally, the signs will feature work and programming from other Baltimore-based artists who were a part of Downtown Partnership’s ongoing Art of Baltimore digital exhibition.
The sign network also provides the Downtown neighborhood a medium to create light, vitality, and activity while providing a major platform for small businesses and community-focused organizations. Among the first to promote community content will include Visit Baltimore, Charm TV, BOOST Businesses, and The Squeegee Collaborative, as well as BmoreArt.
“In addition to being a public-facing platform to host local art, community event information, and emergency messaging, these installations will offer placemaking and branding opportunities for area businesses.” — John Hermann, COPT Defense Properties
“These digital signs will enliven the streets and neighborhoods where they are built, which will promote public safety. In addition to being a public-facing platform to host local art, community event information, and emergency messaging, these installations will offer placemaking and branding opportunities for area businesses. Building digital signs will showcase Baltimore’s charm as a thriving, economically stable and contemporary City, and the revenue generated will allow further neighborhood investment by building owners and local businesses,” stated John Hermann, Vice President of Asset Management and Leasing for COPT Defense Properties, property owner of 30 Light Street where a digital sign will be installed.
Expanded Opportunities for Baltimore
Requirements to host major sporting events outline billboard promotions, known as a “clean zone” as a component, making these installations a bridge for future hosting opportunities. All signs will have dimming sensors that adjust to the time of day to soften brightness at appropriate times and can be dimmed manually by an operator.
“They will serve as a free marketing resource for small and local businesses, a space to spotlight artists who call Charm City home, and open the door for Baltimore to host future world-class sporting events” —Shelonda Stokes, Downtown Partnership
“Our team has been shepherding this project through its many phases over the last few years and today is a milestone. These billboards will provide much more for our community than meets the eye. They will serve as a free marketing resource for small and local businesses, a space to spotlight artists who call Charm City home, and open the door for Baltimore to host future world-class sporting events,” stated Shelonda Stokes, President of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. “We’re grateful for our partners, landlords, representatives, and neighbors in the district for bringing this bright vision to life, and welcome with open arms the opportunities this project brings.”
“The signs bring a host of opportunities to Downtown,” stated John Polis, Co-owner and CFO for Capitol Outdoor. “They provide leases to property owners and add value for tenants in the buildings. They offer engaging experiences that change the way you feel about the neighborhood for the better.”
ABOUT ORANGE BARREL MEDIA
Orange Barrel Media (OBM) and sister company IKE Smart City pioneer landmark media and smart city technology to improve lives in cities. OBM has been committed to a community-oriented model of media development since its founding in 2004 and is nationally recognized by cities and real estate owners seeking to implement unique media programs that add to the character of urban places. The company’s ongoing innovations and public benefit contributions have differentiated OBM as a leader in the out-of-home industry. OBM leveraged that expertise to develop sister company, IKE Smart City, which is blazing the way in smart city initiatives with its interactive digital kiosk, IKE. OBM is currently operating iconic displays in 28 of the top markets nationwide. For more information, visit obm.com and ikesmartcity.com
ABOUT CAPITOL OUTDOOR
Capitol Outdoor is one of the largest privately owned Outdoor Advertising Companies in the US with market coverage in Washington, DC, Tysons Corner, Annapolis, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Long Island City, Cleveland, Hoboken, Weehawken, Bayonne, Gutenberg, West New York, Bergen County, Newark, New Rochelle, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Pittsburgh, San Diego, San Francisco, Detroit, West Palm Beach and New Haven. Capitol Outdoor specializes in developing outdoor advertising assets particularly walls and bulletins, digital outdoor assets and street furniture.
