OUTFRONT's Nick Brien Named OAAA Board Chairman, Succeeding Scott Wells

The Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) has named Nick Brien, Chief Executive Officer of OUTFRONT, as Chairman of its Board of Directors, according to an announcement published by DailyDOOH. He succeeds Scott Wells, former CEO of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, and will serve the remainder of Wells' term through May 2027.

Anna Bager, President and CEO of OAAA, said: "Nick brings a unique perspective to this role, with deep experience across every corner of the advertising industry and a clear understanding of the opportunity ahead for out of home." She also thanked Wells for "his leadership, partnership and dedication to OAAA," crediting him with helping guide "our organization through a period of meaningful growth and progress."

A Four-Decade Industry Veteran Steps In

According to the announcement, Brien currently serves on OAAA's Executive Committee and brings more than four decades of leadership experience across advertising, media, technology and marketing. Before leading OUTFRONT, he held CEO positions at Dentsu, McCann Worldgroup, IPG Mediabrands and Amobee.

Wells has chaired OAAA's Board since March 2023 and has been a Board member since 2015. During his chairmanship, OAAA says it strengthened industry advocacy, expanded engagement with advertisers and agencies, and advanced initiatives supporting the growth and modernization of the medium.

What Brien Says About the Role

Brien said he was honored to take on the role at "a defining moment for our industry." "In a fragmented media world, the value of out of home has never been clearer," he said. "It delivers the scale and innovation marketers expect with the trust and real-world presence consumers value." He outlined priorities of strengthening trust in the medium, accelerating digital transformation, and expanding measurement that gives marketers confidence in their investments.

OAAA's Board draws leaders from across the OOH ecosystem and provides strategic oversight on government affairs, research and measurement, industry standards, and brand and agency engagement.

Why It Matters For Small Businesses

OOH advertising reaches consumers in the physical world — on screens and panels placed in public spaces near shops, clinics and restaurants. Trade associations like OAAA shape the standards, measurement practices and policy environment that determine how accessible and accountable this channel becomes for businesses of every size.

A chairman with Brien's background across creative, media and technology signals that the industry's trade group is prioritizing modernization and measurement. For a small business owner weighing whether to add a screen-based promotion, clearer standards and better measurement make it easier to compare out of home against other ad options and judge whether the investment pays off.