Mark DeMoss: The Man Behind the Billboard

CBN.com GOD SPEAKS ON BILLBOARDS

In 1998, an anonymous family wanted to sponsor an ad campaign that would promote God in a positive light. This family of donors approached a public relations firm and built a campaign around the Ten Commandments. The ads were black with white text and started in 1999 with 18 simple ads on 9 billboards in Florida sayings signed by “God.” The billboards attracted attention and soon local and national news began reporting on these mysterious billboards. The coverage got the attention of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA). They wanted to make be involved with the billboards and make it a public service campaign. Basically, if a paying client were not using a billboard, then the OAAA would put up a GodSpeaks billboard in its place until the space was rented. The nine billboards mushroomed into over 10,000 across the nation in 42 states.

Two years ago, this same anonymous donor approached Mark to see if he would be interested in a second GodSpeaks campaign. “The donor behind the GodSpeaks campaign simply wants to invite people to focus on God and chose billboards as a way to connect with people in their daily lives,” says Mark. “I can’t take the credit for this idea personally.” For the past five years, members of the OAAA continue to post GodSpeaks billboards whenever and wherever they had space available. Some of the newer signs include current events like, “As my apprentice, you’re never fired;” “One nation under me;” “The real Supreme Court meets up here;” etc.

Mark says local churches, individuals and ministries can call their local billboard company and ask them to put up a GodSpeaks billboard on an empty one as part of a public service campaign. He says that billboard companies are getting the most positive response from this effort.

For more information, please visit www.GodSpeaks.com.