In this episode of [radically candid], host Ava Hinds sits down with Aqua Bailey, Operational Support Lead at [cognition], to pull back the curtain on how data actually moves from a dealership’s sales floor to a high-performing digital campaign.

Who's This Conversation For?

This conversation is for anyone looking to understand the technical back end of attribution. If you’ve ever wondered how to prove an ad actually sold a car, or what exactly happens inside a Data Clean Room, this episode is for you.

What You'll Learn By Listening

1) Why Lower Numbers Can Mean Better Data Aqua explains the critical role of de-duplication. In the DSP, numbers might look inflated because one person saw multiple ads. By using Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC), Aqua’s team identifies the unique individual behind the clicks.

• The Payoff: You get a true metric of reach and a realistic ROI, rather than vanity metrics that count the same person five times.

2) Understanding Data Clean Rooms (DCR) Data privacy is non-negotiable, but data access is essential. Aqua breaks down the DCR as a secure, private filing cabinet that stores inventory, impressions, and sales data while protecting PII (Personally Identifiable Information).

• 💡 Key Technical Takeaway: [cognition] leverages a 95-day backfill window, a massive advantage over other platforms for tracking long-term trends and maintaining client trust.

3) How to Track Sales Without Sharing Sensitive Data For clients hesitant to share first-party sales data due to privacy concerns, Aqua introduces the Polk/DMV integration.

• By pulling registered buyer data directly from the DMV, [cognition] can aggregate matchbacks to prove campaign effectiveness without the dealer ever having to export a customer list.

4) Turning Past Data into Future Audiences Data isn't just for reporting, it’s for targeting. Aqua discusses how segments, built from either first-party sales data or previous conversion events, are pushed back into the DSP to create high-intent audiences.

• The Strategy: If you have over 2,500 impressions, you can turn that data into a retargeting powerhouse to reach the people who almost bought.

Connect with Aqua Bailey on LinkedIn here!