Stic Turns Everyday Driving Into a New, Measurable OOH Channel
Out-of-home advertising is getting more mobile and more measurable. Stic, a platform that turns everyday driving into a brand exposure network, has raised $10 million in bridge funding as agencies and advertisers search for alternatives to crowded digital channels. By paying drivers per mile to carry brand messaging through real neighborhoods, Stic offers brands a flexible, data-driven measurable OOH layer that complements digital, social, and traditional media while creating passive income opportunities at the local level. As the platform scales across the U.S. and into Canada, the model points to a broader shift in how brands think about reach, movement, and accountability in real-world advertising.
Stic was founded in 2023. Its founder and CEO Adam Cohen sat down with StreetFight to explain in more detail how the platform works.
Your model gives drivers passive income opportunities. Have you seen specific local economic impacts?
We’ve seen strong interest from drivers looking for simple ways to earn extra income without changing their routines. As our network grows, it creates incremental earning opportunities across cities, particularly in areas with large gig‑worker populations.
How does Stic collaborate with local or regional media agencies on cross‑channel campaigns?
Agencies can integrate Stic into broader media plans the same way they would any OOH channel. It adds a real‑world, mobile layer that complements digital, social, and traditional placements, helping brands stay visible across multiple touchpoints.
What kinds of regional differences do you expect in terms of driver participation and advertiser demand?
Every market is different, and that’s part of the appeal. Advertisers naturally prioritize locations based on audience behavior, events, and local culture. Some cities may see higher demand around entertainment or sports, while others focus on daily commuter routes. Our goal is to stay flexible so campaigns feel relevant in each region.
How might Stic’s platform eventually become accessible or appealing to local SMBs, not just national brands?
Local businesses benefit from visibility just as much as national brands. We’re focused on making it easy for businesses of all sizes to run targeted, neighborhood‑level campaigns without requiring massive budgets. That accessibility opens the door for SMBs to participate in OOH in a way that hasn’t always been possible.
What does your funding news portend for the OOH industry?
Stic’s funding reflects the strength and momentum of out‑of‑home advertising at a time when brands are looking for alternatives to crowded digital channels. As consumers tune out interruptive ads, OOH continues to deliver visibility in the real world. We see a growing opportunity for more flexible, modern formats that help brands show up where people actually live, work, and move throughout their day.
Stic plans to expand across more than 30 U.S. states and into Canada. How will local markets play into that strategy?
Local markets are core to our growth. As we expand, we’re focused on building strong regional presence in major urban areas where advertisers want meaningful, on‑the‑ground exposure. This approach allows brands to connect with local audiences while also creating new income opportunities for drivers in each market.
What kinds of data or analytics does Stic provide that could help regional agencies justify spend compared to digital or social campaigns?
We focus on giving advertisers clearer visibility into how campaigns perform in the real world. As agencies look to diversify beyond digital, they want more accountability from OOH. Stic helps bridge that gap by offering modern reporting and performance insights that make outdoor advertising easier to plan and evaluate.
As it expands, how will Stic ensure local authenticity isn’t lost in a national rollout?
Local authenticity comes from the drivers and communities themselves. Even as we scale, campaigns are rooted in real neighborhoods and real movement, which helps brands feel relevant and contextual rather than generic.
What measures are in place to ensure brand safety and driver transparency at the hyperlocal level?
Brand safety is a priority. We work with a vetted driver network and actively monitor campaigns to ensure advertisers feel confident showing up in diverse communities across markets.
How does Stic’s use of mobility data translate into neighborhood‑level insights brands can act on?
Our approach helps brands understand where and when visibility matters most at a local level. That flexibility allows campaigns to adapt to real‑world conditions, whether that’s daily traffic patterns or moments when communities are most active.
How does Stic fit alongside traditional local OOH channels?
Stic is designed to complement—not replace—traditional OOH. We add movement, flexibility, and measurability to the broader OOH ecosystem, giving brands another way to reach audiences in the physical world.
With growing attention on AI and automation, how do you see human participation shaping the next phase of local advertising?
Technology can enhance efficiency, but it’s real people moving through real communities that make local advertising feel authentic. The future of OOH is about combining smart tools with human presence in the real world.
