Out of Home for Good: Public Health Campaigns
- Apr 6
- 4 min read
At PJX Media, we believe that public health messages need to be visible in the real world.
We have proudly supported public health initiatives including increasing flu shot awareness, education on reproductive rights, and addressing the stigma related to mental health.
Since 1949, May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month. The goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health while educating the public and advocating for improved support services. By fostering understanding, we empower individuals to seek help and build a more supportive community for everyone!
Below, we’re highlighting some of our work in mental health, alongside other nonprofit initiatives dedicated to improving the health of our communities and environment.
Live Beyond Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Toxic Stress
Office of the Surgeon General (OSG)
For a statewide campaign, the OSG wanted to reach all corners of California for its Live Beyond campaign. The goal of the campaign was to increase understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), support prevention and healing strategies, and foster resilience in individuals.
Specific formats and venues were carefully chosen to reach distinct audiences including youth and young adults, parents and caregivers, and impacted communities.
The campaign received a Silver prize at the 2024 OOH Media Plan Awards. Read our Success Story to learn more about this impressive campaign.
Take Action for Mental Health
CalMHSA
If you want people to meet in the physical world, you’ve got to use a physical medium. The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) activated OOH as their visual voice to promote local events in LA County and encourage Angelenos to “Take Action" during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Their colorfully bold advertisements were found on billboards, bus shelters, and barricades - these are similar to guerrilla posters but have larger real estate for continuous messaging. Read the Campaign Highlight here.
Good Food, Good Move
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Out of home has a unique strength that other formats can’t match: it meets people exactly where they are. For the Texas HHSC campaign, “Good Food, Good Move,” the strategy was built on precision. By placing ads in grocery stores, community centers, and other spaces, the campaign delivered its message at the critical point of transaction and where healthy choices are top-of-mind.
The campaign’s goal was to show busy caretakers that healthy habits don’t have to be hard. Through easy-to-follow recipes and tips for incorporating more produce, the campaign proved that "getting moving" can fit into any schedule.
Context is crucial to the success of a campaign:
Using ZIP code targeting, the campaign was localized and reached the desired audience.
Bilingual creative in both English and Spanish ensured the message resonated across Texas’ diverse communities.
A mix of formats - freestanding banners, posters, and tangible "take-one" printed materials - kept the momentum going long after the consumer left the store.
San Diego Opioid Project
San Diego County Health And Human Services Agency
Out of home advertising includes a range of formats that allow public health agencies and nonprofits to activate short-term campaigns.
During the month of August, the SDHHSA activated a digital mobile truck in San Diego as part of the San Diego Opioid Project. Their mission is to encourage people to carry naloxone, a life-saving nasal spray that can stop a fentanyl overdose.
A digital mobile truck/billboard ran the English and Spanish language creative, reflective of the richly diverse community found throughout San Diego.
3 Simple Rules for Painting Smarter
PaintCare
You’ve finished painting your house and have a gallon of leftover paint…what do you do now? Protect the environment and reduce waste by dropping it off at a PaintCare site!
PaintCare, a nonprofit organization that represents paint manufacturers, plans and executes stewardship programs to encourage households and businesses to recycle unused or leftover paints.
For their 3 Simple Rules campaign, PaintCare activated cards within the New York subway system, ensuring that New Yorkers got the clear and simple message on their commutes. A QR code was included in the advertisements, which works for an environment (transit) that has a longer dwell time.
LOVE 5280
Keep Colorado Beautiful
Out of home can be used to remind people to take care of the outdoors.
Keep Colorado Beautiful launched an OOH campaign with a series of high-impact billboards and "spectaculars" (large-format displays).
The message was clear: recycle all you can.
But what made this campaign truly resonate wasn't just the message, it was the local "wink." By featuring the bold copy “LOVE 5280,” the creative tapped into the city’s identity.
For locals, "5280" isn't just a number; it represents the 5,280 feet that give Denver its "Mile High City" nickname. By incorporating environmental advocacy with hometown pride, the campaign easily resonated with the community.
We understand how important it is to deliver crucial messages to communities. We know every dollar invested in public health campaigns has to be used efficiently. If your agency needs expertise and empathy, PJX Media would be honored to help your cause.
