Clear Channel Outdoor Expands Anti-Trafficking Billboard Campaign Nationwide
2026-08-04 · via Digital Signage Today
Clear Channel Outdoor has expanded a public-awareness billboard campaign about human trafficking to 25 U.S. markets, running it on both digital and printed out-of-home displays through the end of July, according to a company press release.
The "Can You See Me?" campaign was developed with A21, an international anti-trafficking organization, and Compass Connections, which operates the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Union Pacific Railroad is also named as a partner. The campaign originally launched in June to coincide with the World Cup before expanding to the wider nationwide run described in the release.
For operators of digital out-of-home networks, the campaign is a reminder of how billboard inventory gets used for cause-based and public-service messaging alongside commercial advertising. Clear Channel Outdoor says it has run anti-trafficking messaging on its boards since 2012, so this is a continuation of an existing program rather than a new initiative from scratch. What is new, according to the release, is the direct partnership with Compass Connections, which the release calls the first collaboration between Clear Channel Outdoor and that organization. A21 has a longer history working with the company on similar messaging.
The release does not break down how the 25 markets were selected, what share of the placements were digital boards versus static print, or how many total impressions or displays were involved. Those are the kinds of numbers a media buyer or network operator would normally want before judging the scale of the effort, and the announcement does not provide them. It also does not specify a media value or in-kind donation figure, which companies running public-service campaigns on digital billboards often disclose to quantify their contribution.
Scott Wells, CEO of Clear Channel Outdoor, is quoted in the release saying the company is "deeply committed" to the campaign and framing it as part of a longer-running effort to use its billboard network to raise awareness and support survivors. That is a characterization from the company, not an independently verified figure on outcomes such as hotline calls generated or public engagement measured against the campaign.
For digital signage and DOOH operators, the news is less about a product launch and more about how outdoor networks continue to be positioned as a vehicle for nonprofit and public-service partnerships. Multi-market PSA campaigns like this one are a recurring use case for programmatic and directly sold DOOH inventory, and they can factor into how ad-supported networks talk about their community impact when courting advertisers or municipal partners.
The announcement in full
Reproduced from Digital Signage Today for reference. Digital Signage Magazine did not write the text below.
Clear Channel Outdoor, A21, Compass Connections and Union Pacific Railroad teamed up on the "Can You See Me?" billboard campaign to educate the public on the realities of human trafficking and the available resources.
Initially launched in June to coincide with the World Cup, the nationwide campaign has been displayed on billboards across 25 U.S. markets and ran through the end of July, according to a press release.
The collaboration marks the first campaign between Clear Channel Outdoor, a digital out-of-home ad platform, and Compass Connections, the operator of the National Human Trafficking Hotline. A21 is an international leader in the fight against human trafficking
"Human trafficking requires increased public awareness to inspire meaningful action and support victims, which is why we are deeply committed to this campaign and the partnerships that bring real-world attention to this critical issue," Scott Wells, CEO of Clear Channel Outdoor, said in the release. "Since 2012, we've used our printed and digital billboards to reach targeted audiences and drive large-scale awareness about human trafficking. We are honored to be entrusted with expanding this campaign nationwide and to collaborate with our partners, ensuring A21 and Compass Connections can continue their vital work helping survivors reclaim their freedom and reunite with their families."
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