Brittany Sadlouskos, COO of DAA Media + Marketing, recently took the national stage at the 2025 OAAA OOH Marketing Conference to represent the agency’s voice in a critical conversation about national sales. Speaking to a room of industry leaders, Brittany shared what agencies like DAA look for in partners and what independent operators need to know to compete on a national scale.
The panel brought together industry leaders to explore how independent operators can better position themselves in today’s national sales environment. Brittany represented the agency perspective, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how we evaluate partners, manage RFPs, and prioritize long-term trust.
Brittany joined the conversation by drawing from DAA’s front-line experience managing national campaigns for leading brands.
Here are some of her key takeaways from that conversation, also featured in OAAA’s official panel recap.
Visibility Is Non-Negotiable
National buyers aren’t hunting for inventory—they’re selecting from what’s right in front of them. If your boards aren’t discoverable on key platforms, you’re not in the game.
“As an independent agency, we rely heavily on our buying platforms as a source of truth. If your inventory isn’t visible or discoverable in those systems, we simply can’t buy it.”
What National Buyers (Like Us) Actually Look For:
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- Inventory listed on key programmatic platforms
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- Accurate, recent visuals (no outdated photos or blocked sightlines)
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- A clear point of contact—don’t make us dig
We’ve uncovered great boards during market rides, even on Google Street View. But if there’s no clear way to identify or contact the seller, the opportunity stops there. If you want to be included in national buys, your first priority should be making your inventory accessible, up-to-date, and easy to find.
We Value Partnership Over Transactions
We don’t just look for vendors—we look for partners. That means we value two-way collaboration and proactive communication.
“We rely on sellers to be the experts on their inventory just as we are the experts on our clients. When sellers proactively support the process, it helps us deliver better outcomes.”
From initial discovery through campaign execution, we prioritize partners who show up early, stay engaged, and deliver with accuracy. The strongest relationships are built on responsiveness, expertise, and mutual respect for each other’s roles in the process.
Want to Get on Our RFP List? Start with These Three Steps:
- Be findable. Ensure your inventory is visible through key buying platforms and your contact information is easy to locate.
- Build relationships. Once we connect, stay engaged and responsive.
- Stay top of mind. Regular touchpoints like inventory updates or trend insights help keep you in the RFP rotation.
“Getting on the list isn’t just about having great inventory—it’s about being accessible, memorable, and reliable.”
Accuracy Builds Trust
We work with large volumes of data under tight timelines, so accuracy and alignment are critical.
“Following the requested spreadsheet template isn’t just a formality, it’s a workflow. When submissions aren’t aligned, it slows us down and creates risk.”
We also count on sellers to submit current, honest visuals. A photo that hides a tree blocking the board may look better, but it erodes trust. Misleading information doesn’t just affect the buy. It damages your reputation.
Set Expectations Early and Keep Communication Open
We understand that things don’t always go perfectly. But what matters most to us is how you respond when they don’t.
“Agencies are stewards of their clients’ investments. Trust is everything.”
We expect:
- Proof of Posting (POP): Within five business days for static boards and within 24 hours for digital.
- Make-goods: When issues arise, transparency and responsiveness go a long way. We’re not here to be punitive—we’re here to protect the client’s investment.
Final Thoughts
“Ultimately, success in this industry hinges on visibility, trust, and collaboration.”
At DAA, we believe the best outcomes happen when buyers and sellers align around shared values and open communication. If you’re an independent operator looking to work with national buyers, focus on being accessible, accurate, and relationship-driven. When we all bring our best to the table, we create campaigns that perform and partnerships that last.
Want more insights from the panel?
Read the full recap: Sales Tip: OAAA Independents Summit 2025 National Sales Panel Recap
Let’s Work Smarter, Together
Are you an Independent operator looking to grow your national footprint? Let’s talk. At DAA, we’re always looking to partner with sellers who are aligned, agile, and committed to delivering quality.