Articles for Advertising & Marketing Features

Excelling in Today’s Digital World

Thursday, February 23, 2012
This year’s Digital Marketing Awards are all about how dealers are creatively using digital marketing to get an edge and stand out from competitors online.

Dealers Get Creative with Event Marketing

Thursday, February 16, 2012
From beach parties and singing contests to celebrities and exotic animals, anything goes when it comes to event marketing. Here's a look at three dealers who not only achieved good results with their events but also had a lot of fun in the process.

Where and How Independent Dealers are Spending Their Marketing Dollars

Monday, September 19, 2011
Author Jennifer Murphy speaks to six successful dealers of varying sizes across the county about the combination of old- and new-school tactics that keep their ad budgets low and cars moving off the lot.

The Three Phases of Dealership Digital Marketing

Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Proper implementation of digital marketing in a dealership is a three-phase process. David Pritchard, director of marketing and public relations for Gentilini Motors, walks dealers through the basics of understanding consumer behavior, developing a digital marketing strategy and building an online presence

Why Dealers Invest in Digital Marketing

Friday, July 15, 2011
Dealers and managers share their insight on several different types of digital marketing along with why digital marketing is important, reasonable expectations for digital marketing, and time and money investments.

Dealers See Star Power

Monday, May 16, 2011
Author Jennifer Murphy discusses the influence of online reviews and presents tips from four companies focused on helping dealers with online reputation management.

Rebranding and Repositioning

Thursday, November 12, 2009
Jennifer Murphy - For most, rebranding or repositioning a business is a choice. Today for some dealers, there isn’t much of a choice involved in their rebranding and repositioning efforts. With the bankruptcies of two domestic automakers, well over 2,000 franchise signs had to be taken down.

The How and How Much of Online Advertising

Monday, November 02, 2009
Kimberly Long - Several years ago, any dealership that had an online strategy was looked upon as forward-thinking and cutting-edge. Today, however, the Internet has become an advertising staple for almost all dealers. Indeed, most in the industry now believe online advertising is an absolute necessity for success.

If You Can't Track It...

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Harlene Doane - The current trend in advertising isn’t about where you spend your ad dollars as much as it is about how you spend your money. According to NCM Twenty Group data, as of June 2008, advertising expenditures are not rising.

Driving Home Your Dealership Message: Building A Brand Stretches Ad Budget

Thursday, October 25, 2007
John Carroll - Dealers can build some branding equity into every call to action. For Mudd, that’s a jingle or tag phrase with consistent graphics. “That’s your brand, which you use with a buy-now message. You have to sell cars or you don’t have a brand.

When Ad Campaigns Go Wildly Wrong: Retaining Your Reputation And Customers In The Aftermath

Wednesday, October 24, 2007
John Carroll - To make sure you’re completely protected, said Chumney, make sure you have the right legal disclaimers on every piece. Mistakes happen, but because it’s a flub instead of a scam, neither the dealer nor the agency has to pay off...

Online Ad Disclosures: Online Advertising Guidelines

Thursday, June 28, 2007
Jennifer Murphy - As most dealers know, when you make particular claims (what the FTC refers to as “trigger terms” or “trigger claims”) in advertisements of any kind, disclosures are required ...

The Truth Of Advertising Compliance

Saturday, April 07, 2007
Jennifer Murphy - When creating your next ad campaign, consider the average consumer’s intelligence – better yet, consider the dumbest consumer’s intelligence to avoid the wrath of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) advertising ...

The Big Picture Of Event Sales

Saturday, August 26, 2006
Harlene Doane - Inviting an outside company to your place of business to assist you with a sales event can be risky business if you don’t do your ...

Marketing Campaigns

Friday, August 25, 2006
Another successful incentive includes a three-day, 300-mile money back guarantee, with no questions asked on returned vehicles.

Do You Have A Plan?

Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Imagine you are the new General Manager of your dealership. You have the best cars in town, the lot is filled to capacity and your prices are unbeatable! Your sales people are thoroughly trained and your showroom is immaculate. The service staff is top notch and your dealership is located on prime real estate with sunny skies for miles ...

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