The Outdoor Media Association (OMA) has launched a national out-of-home campaign to support The Big Issue’s 30th anniversary, rallying its member network to donate digital signage inventory to the charity’s end-of-financial-year fundraiser.
The 30 Years, Countless Stories, One Big Issue campaign runs across digital out-of-home signs nationally from 9 June to 21 June 2026, directing audiences to The Big Appeal at thebigappeal.org.au.
Twenty-eight OMA members are participating, including JCDecaux, oOh!media, QMS, Val Morgan Outdoor, and Scentre Group Brandspace.
Elizabeth McIntyre, Steven Persson
30 years on the street
Since launching in 1996, The Big Issue has supported 8,344 vendors across Australia, with $41.9 million paid directly to vendors through magazine sales. For every dollar invested in the organisation, $5.50 is returned to the community, according to the release.
OMA CEO Elizabeth McIntyre said the medium and the cause were a natural fit.
“Out of Home connects with people in shared spaces where they live, work, and commute. This includes pedestrian advertising signage in cities and community hubs, standing alongside many vendors selling The Big Issue across the country,” McIntyre said.
“We are proud to support and amplify The Big Appeal across the industry’s national network of digital advertising signs. This campaign is about making The Big Issue’s impact more visible and ensuring the people they support are seen and recognised.”
The Big Issue CEO Steven Persson said the OMA campaign would help lift the visibility of people the organisation works with.
“In our 30th year, The Big Issue wants to demonstrate the impact of a model that is more than a magazine – it is a work-led solution to homelessness and poverty,” Persson said.
“We’re asking the community to stand with us by buying the special 30th birthday edition or making a donation, helping create income, independence, and connection for people across Australia.
“We’re grateful for OMA’s support because many of the people we work with are too often unseen. This campaign is a powerful opportunity to put them, and their stories, front and centre.”
Australians can support the campaign by purchasing the special collector’s edition from a vendor during June or donating at thebigappeal.org.au.
Main image: Elizabeth McIntyre, Steven Persson