We're fast approaching the 2012 DrivingSales Executive Summit. This event is known for bringing automotive audiences the best of the best with regards to current speaking talent and topics. And this year we're planning on nailing it again - but we need your help! 

We provide an impressive line-up of industry professionals for breakout presentations covering a wide range of segments and topics. Here's a list of ideas to jumpstart some brainstorming: 

1. Conversion Optimization & Best Practices
2. Top SEO Ranking Factors for 2012
3. Advanced Google Adwords Strategies
4. Advanced Fixed Ops Marketing
5. Social Commerce
6. Online Consumer Behavior
7. Mobile Apps/Mobile Strategies
8. Non-Automotive Customer Interaction Strategies
9. Local Search Strategies
10. Google Analytics & Webmaster Tools
11. ROI & Social Analytics

So - what kind of topics would you like to see presented during the breakout presentations at this year's DrivingSales Executive Summit?

NOTE: Speaker and panel submission will open soon - get ready to submit your ideas!  

So, now that we have all submersed ourselves within the social landscape, opened up a multitude of social network accounts and shared every last innocuous detail of our daily activities - what's next? We've progressed beyond connecting with our friends, familiar connections within our industry and creating fragmented lists of people.

I believe Social Discovery is one of those "what's next" opportunities. We now have the ability to connect with a massive layer of individuals based on the expanding social graph. We're connected friends of friends, by interests and most importantly by location. 

I spent six years positioning myself within my dealership's respective markets as a "trusted car guy." Even though I wasn't necessarily selling vehicles directly, I was selling our brand and showing our salespeople how to improve their digital presence, build trust and connect with customers in new ways. Social Discovery is going to change the way these activities are accomplished. 

One of the best examples of this concept is a new app called Highlight. Very simply, Highlight is a Social Discovery app that makes it fun to discover the people around you. 

Once logged in, the app runs in the background and notifies you when you're near online friends and other connections. Once notified, it's easy to see who you're near, your mutual friends, things in common and other personal information. (And for those of you who think this is creepy and borderline stalker-type behavior, you need to take a deeper look at why you're using these type of networks. More importantly, you should brush up on your understanding of how privacy settings are managed.)

My best experience with the app was during a local 140 Conference. I was notified of several people around me who were either connected via other friends or shared similar interests. Think of it as another warm ice-breaker. ​Click images to expand.

This can be another great way for dealership staff to discover relevant connections; vendors can leverage this app to identify potential connections while at events like the DrivingSales Executive Summit. I envision this making it easier to see and connect with others this fall - look for the DrivingSales staff when you're there and connect with us.

Download the free app here. (iPhone only for now)

The point is, we need to use our networks efficiently to connect with people with similar interests and friends - which leads to trust and better relationships.  What else are you doing to maximize your Social Discovery? 

Note: Facebook is moving quickly within this space as well. Last week they announced the acquisition of Glancee, another Social Discovery app.

So, now that we have all submersed ourselves within the social landscape, opened up a multitude of social network accounts and shared every last innocuous detail of our daily activities - what's next? We've progressed beyond connecting with our friends, familiar connections within our industry and creating fragmented lists of people.

I believe Social Discovery is one of those "what's next" opportunities. We now have the ability to connect with a massive layer of individuals based on the expanding social graph. We're connected friends of friends, by interests and most importantly by location. 

I spent six years positioning myself within my dealership's respective markets as a "trusted car guy." Even though I wasn't necessarily selling vehicles directly, I was selling our brand and showing our salespeople how to improve their digital presence, build trust and connect with customers in new ways. Social Discovery is going to change the way these activities are accomplished. 

One of the best examples of this concept is a new app called Highlight. Very simply, Highlight is a Social Discovery app that makes it fun to discover the people around you. 

Once logged in, the app runs in the background and notifies you when you're near online friends and other connections. Once notified, it's easy to see who you're near, your mutual friends, things in common and other personal information. (And for those of you who think this is creepy and borderline stalker-type behavior, you need to take a deeper look at why you're using these type of networks. More importantly, you should brush up on your understanding of how privacy settings are managed.)

My best experience with the app was during a local 140 Conference. I was notified of several people around me who were either connected via other friends or shared similar interests. Think of it as another warm ice-breaker. ​Click images to expand.

This can be another great way for dealership staff to discover relevant connections; vendors can leverage this app to identify potential connections while at events like the DrivingSales Executive Summit. I envision this making it easier to see and connect with others this fall - look for the DrivingSales staff when you're there and connect with us.

Download the free app here. (iPhone only for now)

The point is, we need to use our networks efficiently to connect with people with similar interests and friends - which leads to trust and better relationships.  What else are you doing to maximize your Social Discovery? 

Note: Facebook is moving quickly within this space as well. Last week they announced the acquisition of Glancee, another Social Discovery app.

Doung Frisbee, head of Automotive, Global Vertical Marketing at Facebook, published a great overview of a recent research study conducted within the automotive market. He covers the importance of relationships, social connections and influence with regards to the activity between automotive brands and shoppers while providing some excellent advice on how it can improve.

Here's his original post: 

Everywhere I go, people ask me about changes in the automotive industry. Increased competition, shrinking margins, alternative fuel technologies, in-vehicle infotainment and new business models have all changed the industry dramatically over the last few years. But in every market I visit, one thing remains the same. From manufacturers to dealers, everyone echoes this sentiment: the car business is a people business.

• 55 percent of U.S. automotive Page fans own a vehicle manufactured by that brand
• Loyalty among those owners who are Page fans is 16 percentage points higher than owners who haven’t fanned (62 percent vs. 46 percent)

• 82 percent of owners who are fans of automotive Pages are very likely to recommend their vehicle to a friend vs. 69 percent of owners who are not fans
• On average, owners who are fans of their manufacturer’s U.S. Page are connected to 433 friends which is more than three times the friends of the typical Facebook user

• Leverage customer databases: Email your owners with links to your Pages and a compelling rationale for becoming fans, including owner updates, service offers and new product information.
• Run cost-per-click (CPC) Facebook advertising campaigns with creative targeted specifically to owners. 
• Sponsor Page Like stories to friends of new fans. These stories are an effective way to leverage the power of owner advocacy.  
• Use social technology such as the Like Box Social Plugin on your website to encourage customers to become fans on Facebook. 

1. Which of the following brands is your primary vehicle?
2. When you purchase your next vehicle, will you purchase the same brand you currently own?
3. How likely are you to recommend your primary vehicle’s brand to friends?
4. When do you plan to purchase your next vehicle?

Discover more great info from Facebook Studio. Keep an eye on Doug as well - he'll be the one responsible for putting out some great stuff for the automotive industry from Facebook. 

Thanks for sharing Doug - appreciated! 

Original post: Auto Marketers: Put your fans in the driver's seat.

Doung Frisbee, head of Automotive, Global Vertical Marketing at Facebook, published a great overview of a recent research study conducted within the automotive market. He covers the importance of relationships, social connections and influence with regards to the activity between automotive brands and shoppers while providing some excellent advice on how it can improve.

Here's his original post: 

Everywhere I go, people ask me about changes in the automotive industry. Increased competition, shrinking margins, alternative fuel technologies, in-vehicle infotainment and new business models have all changed the industry dramatically over the last few years. But in every market I visit, one thing remains the same. From manufacturers to dealers, everyone echoes this sentiment: the car business is a people business.

• 55 percent of U.S. automotive Page fans own a vehicle manufactured by that brand
• Loyalty among those owners who are Page fans is 16 percentage points higher than owners who haven’t fanned (62 percent vs. 46 percent)

• 82 percent of owners who are fans of automotive Pages are very likely to recommend their vehicle to a friend vs. 69 percent of owners who are not fans
• On average, owners who are fans of their manufacturer’s U.S. Page are connected to 433 friends which is more than three times the friends of the typical Facebook user

• Leverage customer databases: Email your owners with links to your Pages and a compelling rationale for becoming fans, including owner updates, service offers and new product information.
• Run cost-per-click (CPC) Facebook advertising campaigns with creative targeted specifically to owners. 
• Sponsor Page Like stories to friends of new fans. These stories are an effective way to leverage the power of owner advocacy.  
• Use social technology such as the Like Box Social Plugin on your website to encourage customers to become fans on Facebook. 

1. Which of the following brands is your primary vehicle?
2. When you purchase your next vehicle, will you purchase the same brand you currently own?
3. How likely are you to recommend your primary vehicle’s brand to friends?
4. When do you plan to purchase your next vehicle?

Discover more great info from Facebook Studio. Keep an eye on Doug as well - he'll be the one responsible for putting out some great stuff for the automotive industry from Facebook. 

Thanks for sharing Doug - appreciated! 

Original post: Auto Marketers: Put your fans in the driver's seat.

Hurry - grab your FREE copy of Guy Kawasaki's newest book: What The Plus! (Google+ for the rest of us) 

Whether you're already on Google+ or you haven't even heard of it yet, you'll want to dive into Guy's latest book - he was kind enough to share this free dowload link, but there's a limited amount available. (It worked when I used it today - the link expires April 25 if it doesn't exhaust all copies) 

Seach and social are colliding. Find out why Guy is just as exceited about Google+ as he was about Apple 25 years ago!

Download What The Plus! by Guy Kawasaki

Hurry - grab your FREE copy of Guy Kawasaki's newest book: What The Plus! (Google+ for the rest of us) 

Whether you're already on Google+ or you haven't even heard of it yet, you'll want to dive into Guy's latest book - he was kind enough to share this free dowload link, but there's a limited amount available. (It worked when I used it today - the link expires April 25 if it doesn't exhaust all copies) 

Seach and social are colliding. Find out why Guy is just as exceited about Google+ as he was about Apple 25 years ago!

Download What The Plus! by Guy Kawasaki

You'll definitely want to tune into this exclusive interview with GM's Director of Social Media, Mary Henige.

The interview is courtesy of two highly respected marketing communications professionals Hugh Macken and Deirdre Breakenridge. Be sure to follow them on twitter & check out their blogs - top notch quality. (I had the pleasure of meeting Deidre last year at an RIT symposium where she delivered an excellent presentation) 

Here's an excerpt of Hugh's blog post: 

Henige, a 25 – year corporate communications veteran at GM and award-winning corporate communications professional, outlined the company’s approach to social media as it relates to both internal and external stakeholders. In doing so she stressed the importance of an empowering corporate culture that has provided the foundation for strong levels of internal communication. It’s that internal communication and collaboration that have been key to GM’s recent social media successes according to Henige.

“It’s not magic,” said Henige. “What we do in social media is a lot of hard work, it’s engagement, it’s building relationships and that’s something that people in corporate communications and media relations are particularly skilled at doing.”

What struck me as most interesting was the willingness and ability of Henige and her counterparts in marketing to take a collaborative approach to social media rather than one based on a turf-war mentality.

What’s even more interesting to me is the nature of that collaborative relationship. Indeed, one of the most important roles of the social media team led by Henige in relation to social media appears to be that of a trusted internal social media consulting center of excellence.  According to Henige, ”Because we serve as a resource to our internal…colleagues, our expertise is sought after all the time.”

Citing GM’s sponsorship of the South by Southwest Conference as an example, Henige stressed that the collaboration between GM corporate communications and various departments within the divisional brands like Chevrolet have been key to GM’s success.

“Increased collaboration is the way that you win…[Responsibility for social media - related initiatives] should be shared. If you really want to do [social media-related initiatives] well, you need to leverage the expertise of each team…We’ve made great progress this last year.”

Read the entire post here

The collaborative efforts Mary spoke of are a vital key to any social program - especially given the size of an organization such as GM. The layers upon layers of people offer an endless supply of internal feedback, ideas and support when the concepts are positioned correctly. If a company with 32k employees can wrap their head around this strategy, why is it so difficult for dealerships with only 50 employees? 

We often talk about the disconnect between the OEM's and the dealerships, both new and used. I hope the success GM, and other manufacturers, can use this momentum to help push the boundaries of their collaboration to the dealership levels as well.

I often wanted the ability to reach out to the OEM's for an extra boost of relationship marketing to the used car buyer as well. Shopper loyalty doesn't just apply to the new car market. Brand loyalty can be created and retained at the used car level. How many times have we seen that loyal buyer who loves his Chevy Silverado and is perfectly happy buying used? Now imagine GM connecting with that segment all the way down to the independent dealer as well. Possible win-win-win for OEM's, franchises & independents. 

Lofty goal? Sure. But someone like Mary sure seems like she could tackle that task. 

Thanks again Hugh and Deidre!

What are you thoughts about GM's efforts and your experiences at the dealership level? 

Hugh Macken's Blog: VMR Communications

Deirdre Breakenridge's Website: DeirdeBreakenridge.com

You'll definitely want to tune into this exclusive interview with GM's Director of Social Media, Mary Henige.

The interview is courtesy of two highly respected marketing communications professionals Hugh Macken and Deirdre Breakenridge. Be sure to follow them on twitter & check out their blogs - top notch quality. (I had the pleasure of meeting Deidre last year at an RIT symposium where she delivered an excellent presentation) 

Here's an excerpt of Hugh's blog post: 

Henige, a 25 – year corporate communications veteran at GM and award-winning corporate communications professional, outlined the company’s approach to social media as it relates to both internal and external stakeholders. In doing so she stressed the importance of an empowering corporate culture that has provided the foundation for strong levels of internal communication. It’s that internal communication and collaboration that have been key to GM’s recent social media successes according to Henige.

“It’s not magic,” said Henige. “What we do in social media is a lot of hard work, it’s engagement, it’s building relationships and that’s something that people in corporate communications and media relations are particularly skilled at doing.”

What struck me as most interesting was the willingness and ability of Henige and her counterparts in marketing to take a collaborative approach to social media rather than one based on a turf-war mentality.

What’s even more interesting to me is the nature of that collaborative relationship. Indeed, one of the most important roles of the social media team led by Henige in relation to social media appears to be that of a trusted internal social media consulting center of excellence.  According to Henige, ”Because we serve as a resource to our internal…colleagues, our expertise is sought after all the time.”

Citing GM’s sponsorship of the South by Southwest Conference as an example, Henige stressed that the collaboration between GM corporate communications and various departments within the divisional brands like Chevrolet have been key to GM’s success.

“Increased collaboration is the way that you win…[Responsibility for social media - related initiatives] should be shared. If you really want to do [social media-related initiatives] well, you need to leverage the expertise of each team…We’ve made great progress this last year.”

Read the entire post here

The collaborative efforts Mary spoke of are a vital key to any social program - especially given the size of an organization such as GM. The layers upon layers of people offer an endless supply of internal feedback, ideas and support when the concepts are positioned correctly. If a company with 32k employees can wrap their head around this strategy, why is it so difficult for dealerships with only 50 employees? 

We often talk about the disconnect between the OEM's and the dealerships, both new and used. I hope the success GM, and other manufacturers, can use this momentum to help push the boundaries of their collaboration to the dealership levels as well.

I often wanted the ability to reach out to the OEM's for an extra boost of relationship marketing to the used car buyer as well. Shopper loyalty doesn't just apply to the new car market. Brand loyalty can be created and retained at the used car level. How many times have we seen that loyal buyer who loves his Chevy Silverado and is perfectly happy buying used? Now imagine GM connecting with that segment all the way down to the independent dealer as well. Possible win-win-win for OEM's, franchises & independents. 

Lofty goal? Sure. But someone like Mary sure seems like she could tackle that task. 

Thanks again Hugh and Deidre!

What are you thoughts about GM's efforts and your experiences at the dealership level? 

Hugh Macken's Blog: VMR Communications

Deirdre Breakenridge's Website: DeirdeBreakenridge.com

DM: Smart Web Concepts learned about the open enrollment in October of 2011 and we submitted our application in November 2011 for the Facebook PDC.The Facebook "PDC" Preferred Developer Consultant Program is designed to have a selected group of outside companies improve the Facebook experience through apps, page enhancements, and tools.

DM: SWC's goal for being included in the program is to assist the automotive industry with their presence on Facebook - everything from driving traffic, improving brand recognition and raising the bar for social consumer experiences. Being selected as a Preferred Developer Consultant puts us in close contact with what's going on within Facebook, which allows us to be more proactive when changes happen. The new Facebook pages are a perfect example. We've known these updates were coming and were able to respond to the strategies much earlier than others.

DM: SWC has been building and managing Facebook pages for the last couple of years and has held a good standing with Facebook in regards to their guidelines. We have also been keeping up to date on Facebook's open graph as well. The data we have access to is enabling us to remain two steps ahead of even some of the largest automotive vendors.

DM: The biggest trend I see with apps for Facebook is that it will continue to offer dealers the ability to mirror more of the features of their current site. A dealer must have the ability to have their current inventory, specials and even allow visitors to schedule service. We see more leads coming from within Facebook and we want to be a leader in delivering these solutions. One also has to wonder when Facebook page content will be indexed by search engines (most likely Bing) as that would change the website game! Whatever these changes may be, SWC will be prepared.

DM: Smart Web Concepts was selected to the PDC based on a couple of great new products we'll be launching soon - stay tuned. Our current goal in the social media space is to match the dealers' owner base to a social media profile, which help demonstrate true ROI to the dealer and even deeper customer information.

DM: The benefit to working with SWC will come in the form of the thorough understanding of Facebook's policies and platforms and that we will be recommended by Facebook as a PDC to the automotive industry. A key factor in today's social game is the speed at which strategies can be harnessed and converted into productive, revenue-generating products for the community - and we'll have this competitive advantage now.

Dan, thanks for sharing more information about this new program and what it means to the dealer community. Best of luck to you and Smart Web Concepts - please keep us posted with more news and the new products - we'll be watching for more great things to come.

Have breaking news to share with the DrivingSales community? Contact me eric@drivingsales.com - @emiltsch on twitter.