Chicago
As the third-largest media market in the nation, Chicago is known for its architecture design, food, and cultural gems, making it a popular destination among tourists. Engage consumers with billboard and airport advertising throughout the Windy City as well as the Magnificent Mile—one of the most famous shopping areas in the world, home to stores, restaurants, and attractions.
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Source: OAAA Nielsen DMA Ranking Report, 2021
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Out-of-home impact
Clear Channel Outdoor (CCO) billboards reach 92% of adults 18+ weekly with 350MM impressions in Chicago. With over 5,600 displays covering 13 counties, our bulletins cover all major interstates as well as Chicago’s commuter rail lines, which carry more than 90K passengers daily.
Digital influence
As the dominant digital out-of-home (DOOH) provider in Chicago, we provide opportunities with more than 70 displays, reaching 28% of adults 18+ weekly with nearly 13MM impressions. Our programmatic offerings, along with our dynamic capabilities, help advertisers activate quickly and efficiently on roadside billboards and the airport.
Market in motion
Chicago is a city on the move with 79% of adult residents driving or carpooling in the past week, traveling 125+ miles. Chicagoans spent 155 hours in traffic this year, which is nearly a 50% increase from the previous year. Additionally, over 90MM domestic travelers fly through Midway International and O'Hare International airports annually.
Source: Clear Channel Outdoor approximate unit count as of 6/30/2022; Metra Ridership Report, 2021; Census Estimates, 2021; OAAA Nielsen DMA Ranking Report, 2021; Scarborough Release 2, 2021; 2022 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard, 2023; Airports Council International, 2019
DMA/Demo info
Chicago, the third-largest U.S. media market, covers all of Chicago metro and surrounding areas. The racial and ethnic population is made up of 22% Hispanic, 16% African American, and 7% Asian residents. Additionally, this market is home to more than 35 ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Chicago is more educated and higher earning than average, with a median household income of nearly $106K. The median age is around 38, with 44% of the population college educated and 63% employed. A single Chicago buy can reach multiple audiences—or just the audience you’re looking for—and generate significant impressions with long dwell times at key consumer and traveler locations.
Source: OAAA Nielsen DMA Ranking Report, 2021; Scarborough Release 1, 2021
Our coverage
We can help you reach consumers throughout Chicago via commuter rails, major interstates, and surface streets with billboards, as well as through airport advertising at Chicago’s Midway International, O'Hare International, and five private jet terminals. With a coverage that encompasses 92% of the Chicago market weekly, Clear Channel allows advertisers to reach and engage different audiences in ways that deliver impact and value in the nation’s third most populated city. Additionally, with CCO RADARView, we can help plan your campaign with optimal OOH (out-of-home) locations in Chicago to reach your desired audience.
Source: OAAA Nielsen DMA Ranking Report, 2021
Chicago Metra
With over 90K daily passengers, the Chicago Commuter Rail Metra gives advertisers a chance to simultaneously target messaging to local and regional audiences. Downtown coverage is one of the unique DOOH opportunities to target commuters and passengers at key points in their journeys through the market. Utilize full-motion, interactive, and static ads with outdoor advertising. At CCO, we help brands connect with customers by providing market coverage at additional Chicago landmarks, like the busy streets surrounding the Rock 'n' Roll McDonalds and other well-known eating establishments; Wrigley Field before, during, and after a game or event; and more.
Source: Metra Ridership Report, 2021
CCO RADAR and measurement
Make measurement a key part of your OOH advertising plan. Our proprietary CCO RADAR suite of solutions uses aggregated and/or anonymous mobile location data to help you plan, optimize, and measure your outdoor advertising campaigns. With nearly 4,500 audience profiles and insights into their daily habits, we help brands connect with consumers at the right time and the right place. RADAR unlocks the true potential of billboards, driving measurable campaign performance with actionable results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a billboard cost in an OOH campaign?
Outdoor advertising campaign costs can fluctuate depending on location, billboard size, type of display (printed or digital billboards), and length of campaign. We develop customized OOH solutions, specifically tailored to your campaign goals. To learn more about campaign pricing, we urge you to get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to walk through the ins and outs of OOH buying options with you and your teams.
How long does it take for billboards to be installed?
When you need to launch your OOH campaign quickly, we’re here to help. At CCO, we aim to launch your digital billboard campaign in two business days*. When fully approved creative is provided to our operations team on a Thursday, we have the ability to take your brand message live on our digital billboards the following Monday. Printed billboards take a bit longer to install. Our expert installers and operations team build displays that meet the most rigid engineering requirements, including maintenance in a safe, unobtrusive manner, at or above industry standards to meet strict campaign deadlines. CCO also provides reporting within days of the completion of the initial posting or any creative changes. To learn more about our reporting process, click over to Campaign Reporting.
*Applies to digital OOH inventory. Subject to approved creative delivered by 4pm on a weekday. Exceptions apply. Consult with your CCO Account Executive for details.
How do I rent a billboard in Chicago?
With CCO’s diverse portfolio of captivating and innovative billboard products, we can help you start a campaign in a single market or nationwide. By starting a campaign with us, you have access to a range of inventory in Chicago that allows your message to reach your target audience directly where they are. This inventory includes:
- Printed Bulletins
- Digital Bulletins
- Chicago Metra
- Wallscapes
We invite you to learn more about starting a campaign with us by contacting us. We’ll be in touch quickly, providing expert help and smart, customized solutions to get you started.
How can I make my ad stand out from another billboard?
CCO is an industry leader in helping advertisers create and pivot campaign messaging. We offer creative capabilities that entertain, engage, and inform target audiences. With a full-service national and regional Creative Team, we work directly with clients and agencies of all sizes to help conceptualize, design and execute innovative OOH campaigns. We’re here to help make your advertising campaign stand out with services that include
- Pre-launch speculative art
- Production support
- Advice on OOH best practices
Clear Channel OutdoorChicago
4000 S. Morgan Street, Chicago, IL 60606-2581
From helping customers grow their business to addressing issues and causes that matter most to our local communities, we put the needs of our partners at the center of everything we do. Meet some of the people who make that possible in Chicago.
To report any damages or other issues with our advertising structures, contact (773) 843-2000.
Chris Pezzello
Branch President
Eddie Bluemel
VP, Real Estate & Public Affairs
Jon Abeln
VP, Airport Development, Airports Division
Jon Sayer
SVP, National Sales, Airports Division
How can we help you?
Our local teams of sales representatives, marketers, and creatives are ready to help with market research, competitive analysis, design, ideation, and campaign planning. Just complete the form to contact us.