In a strategic move to elevate out-of-home (OOH) advertising in one of the nation’s most dynamic urban centers, Clear Channel Outdoor has announced a new partnership that places brands directly in front of premium business and tourism audiences across downtown Chicago. With exclusive access to the PRU electric bus fleet, advertisers now have the opportunity to dominate high-demand routes - including the iconic Michigan Avenue, The Loop, and surrounding cultural landmarks.

This partnership represents a powerful innovation in mobile OOH advertising, combining sustainability with state-of-the-art ad displays, targeting a market known for its commercial density and visual influence.

Highlights of the Partnership

Premium Access to Chicago’s Business Arteries

The four all-electric K9MD buses from BYD are a visual and environmental standout, driving along critical business and tourism routes such as:

• Michigan Avenue

• The Loop business district

• Grant Park and Millennium Park

• The Art Institute of Chicago

• Lakefront areas and transit hubs

These moving billboards reach both daytime commuters and leisure travelers, ensuring multi-demographic visibility for brands.

Downtown Reach with Limited Competition

Chicago’s downtown OOH inventory is limited, making this opportunity exclusive and strategic. Consider these insights:

• 23,793 residential population in the coverage zone

• 284,083 daytime working population (2023 Census Estimates)

• Visibility during peak drive times, lunch hours, and midday rush

This initiative gives brands a presence where static OOH options are scarce but footfall and vehicle traffic are consistently high.

Technology-Driven Brand Engagement

The BYD K9MD buses are equipped with Wi-Fi and modern transit tech, enhancing the rider and passerby experience. The digitally enhanced ad panels offer superior visibility and potential for interactive formats in future iterations.

This is not just static advertising—it’s dynamic brand storytelling in motion, amplified by the energy of one of America’s top media markets.

Statements from Clear Channel Outdoor Leaders

"This new partnership gives our advertisers additional exposure and the largest OOH display on the legendary Michigan Avenue," said Barry Butler, VP of Sales at Clear Channel Outdoor-Chicago.

"No one else can provide this option during the workweek like we can."

"These large-scale moving advertisements will be seen throughout downtown by both tourists and locals...including tens of thousands of workers," added Erin Wolff, SVP of Real Estate & Public Affairs for CCO-Midwest.

Expanding CCO’s Footprint Across the Windy City

This initiative adds to CCO’s already dominant presence in the Chicago media ecosystem:

• Exclusive media provider for O’Hare International and Midway Airports

• Sole provider for the 500 W. Madison Transit Center, Chicago's largest commuter hub

• Full coverage across Cook County and the tri-state area

Brands working with CCO gain access to the most diverse and far-reaching OOH network in the region—spanning walk, ride, drive, and fly touchpoints.

A Game-Changer for Urban Advertising

As Chicago continues to evolve as a hub of business, tourism, and media, Clear Channel Outdoor is setting a new standard for how and where brands connect with their audiences. The launch of large-scale, mobile OOH displays on electric buses not only reflects the future of sustainable marketing—it gives advertisers the power to own the streets of downtown Chicago during the most influential hours of the day.