JULY 3, 2008
A Look Behind the Numbers
“More than one-half of the average marketer’s budget is now spent online,” according to a press release from lead generation company Clash-Media. The firm conducted its “Online Lead Generation (B2C) Report 2008″ in May with E-consultancy.
But the press release may be a misreading of the report. According to respondents, […]

When you send out direct marketing materials, be they postcards, letters or emails, how personal are they? You’ve certainly abandoned the “Hello Valued Customer” greeting for a first name… but is that where it stops? Are you using past purchase history, geographic information, age and income levels and such to create truly personal messages and […]

I consistently see marketers in all industries trying too hit marketing home runs. They’re swinging for the fences with every television campaign, direct mail piece and online promotion. And just as often, they’re putting all their financial energy into each swing, ensuring that they’re only going to get one shot. And their intentions are good… […]

Published: May 30 2008 by iMediaConnection

In a tight economy, it takes ingenuity to capture the attention of in-market shoppers. See what tools the automotive industry uses to generate consumer interest and increase conversions.
As you would expect, today’s biggest trends in the automotive industry all revolve around e-commerce. As more consumers head online to research and […]

Published May, 2008 by Digital Dealer Magazine
You have heard a lot of rumors circulating about a recession in the United States. Whether it is true or not is a moot point. When I sat down to ponder this question I was hit with the concept that you should always be operating your dealerships as if […]

In our increasingly flat world, where the international marketplace is the only marketplace, it’s becoming harder and harder to define exactly what “American Made” means. And nowhere is the issue more confusing than in the automotive business. Is a Ford made in Mexico an American car? How about a Toyota that’s manufactured in America?
Difficult questions, […]

It’s been said, “the devil is in the details.” Which means, of course, that the difference between success and failure is often something small and seemingly insignificant. This is absolutely true when considering the effectiveness of your dealership’s marketing. Try experimenting with the following little details and you may realize some huge gains in your […]

Published: June 05, 2008, iMedia Connection
With consumers tightening their purse strings, it’s more important than ever for marketers to reach out to potential customers with relevant offers they can’t refuse.
Debate continues in the media as to the fate of the U.S. economy: Are we in a recession, or merely flirting with one?
For brand marketers, it […]

From eMarketer, May 27, 2008
An old digital format still has plenty of life left
Compared with today’s virtual worlds, e-mail is solidly Web 1.0—an almost archaic communication channel.Yet e-mail works, and marketers and advertisers keep putting it to new uses. Moreover, consumers—whose opinions are the ones that matter—genuinely like e-mail. Nearly three-quarters of adult e-mail users […]

from drivingsales.com, posted 6/3/08
Now for the weekly check list.  ISMs need to be completelting these items on a weekly basis and reporting to their management on their progress of each of these items.  Following this task list regularly will greatly increase your success: 
Weekly Check List
Date _______
1. __ Visit dealership website. Call toll free and other phone numbers to ensure they’re […]

There are no more late adopters  
For years, we’ve heard the excuses. At first it was, “most of my audience would rather shop on the lot,” and then it was, “Some my audience still doesn’t have internet access,” a short time later we heard, “There are still some people out there who don’t use the web […]