Urbandale, IA--September 15th, 2014--Flick Fusion (www.flickfusion.com), the industry's leading video marketing provider, today introduced Timeline Marketing, a powerful tool that allows auto dealer personnel to update new and existing videos with dealership marketing messages in the form of banners and overlays. With a few simple clicks, inventory and dealership videos on both the dealer's website and on the Internet can be updated with targeted promotions of choice, such as price reductions, incentives, cash back offers and more. With Timeline Marketing, dealers gain maximum exposure for marketing messages by leveraging the power of video SEO and a large Internet distribution network.

"Timeline Marketing is the only technology that allows dealers to broadcast new promotions via their inventory and dealership videos on hundreds of websites, potentially resulting in thousands of views for every marketing message," said Brian Cox, President and CEO of Flick Fusion Video Marketing.

Timeline Marketing was a winner of the 2013 Driving Sales Innovation Cup, in conjunction with Flick Fusion's Live Video Upload feature. Timeline Marketing is a unique solution designed to enhance a dealership's marketing presence on the Internet, resulting in higher click through rates and increased leads.

Timeline Marketing offers the following benefits:

• Works better than ads on third-party sites to differentiate your dealership listings. Make your listings on Cars.com and Autotrader.com stand out and increase conversion rates with dynamic video presentations, targeted calls to action and hyperlinks to your website.
• Ultimate Flexibility. Dealers can create any message or promotion they want and change it as often as they like
• No need to re-shoot videos for every new promotion; use existing, pre-loaded videos and simply add new intros, outros and banners of choice
• Greatly expands the reach of dealer marketing messages and promotions by inserting them into your videos on the Internet, potentially generating hundreds if not thousands of views
• Eliminates video production fees from web site providers and marketing companies every time a change to a video is made

How It Works

Timeline Marketing allows personnel to quickly create banners and overlays for both new videos and existing videos on the Internet. When a dealer announces a new promotion, simply login to the Flick Fusion video marketing platform, select the type of banner, type in the promotional message, then add the banner to a "timeline" along the video. It's easy to control where and how long the banner appears in the video, and to choose or change intros and outros that brand the dealership. More than one banner can be applied to the same video.

Once the banner is created, it can be applied to all existing videos, or to select videos only. Timeline Marketing offers a variety of filters based on vehicle year, make, model, price and more. Banners can also include hyperlinks, directing the viewer to any URL location desired.

When the user hits "send," Timeline Marketing automatically updates all specified videos on the Internet; including on the dealership web site, YouTube, third-party inventory sites and more.

To see a demo of Timeline Marketing visit Booth #900 at the Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas, NV. For more information call FlickFusion at 515-333-4337.

About Flick Fusion

Flick Fusion specializes in creating, managing, and distributing dynamic and cost-effective online and mobile video products. Each video is designed to help dealerships reach and engage with customers, delivering rich content that results in increased sales and ROI. Flick Fusion produces video content for more than 3,000 dealerships and more than a dozen reseller partners. For more information, visit www.flickfusion.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Urbandale, IA--September 8th, 2014--Flick Fusion (www.flickfusion.com), the industry's leading video marketing provider, today announced the availability of VidMail, a video email marketing tool that makes it easy for auto dealer personnel to create customized videos for lead inquiries without ever having to leave their desk. Video emails are a proven way to increase open rates, click-throughs and conversions, but many dealer managers hold the perception that video emails are time-consuming and complicated. VidMail is an easy-to-use solution enabling customized video email responses to be created in minutes using existing videos.

"One of the biggest obstacles to creating video e-mails is the time it takes to shoot a personalized video for every lead or group of leads," said Brian Cox, President and CEO of FlickFusion Video Marketing. "VidMail eliminates this problem by enabling salespeople to quickly record voice overs for existing videos. Imagine the surprise and delight of a prospective customer when they see or hear a salesperson greet them by name and watch a video walk around of their vehicle of interest."

Benefits of using VidMail for email marketing include:

• Re-record the audio track of an existing video from the comfort of your desk. No more having to record video walk arounds of the same vehicle for different customers. Simply add a new personalized message.
• Increase appointment show rates by sending video confirmations via email. Create a personal connection by looking a customer in the eye and telling them you're looking forward to meeting them.

• Access and use all your dealership inventory videos and other promotional videos, that are pre-loaded onto our video marketing platform
• Boost open and click-through rates. According to a 2013 Invodo study, video in email can boost open rates 20 percent and increase click-through rates two to three times.
• Emails with embedded videos generate 55 percent higher revenue per email and 50 percent more clicks compared to emails with no embedded video - Experian Marketing Services
• Increase conversion rates. According to Reel SEO, 60 percent of marketers confirmed that video email improves conversion rates.
• Differentiate your dealership from the competition.
• Attract and engage more customers with a multimedia showcase of your dealership
• Increase sales personnel enthusiasm for responding to customer inquiries
• Takes the same amount of time to send a video email than it does to craft a customized, written email response

VidMail makes it easy to create attention-getting, customized video email responses. When a sales person receives a lead from a prospect, all they have to do is login to the Flick Fusion marketing platform, choose a video email template, then choose up to four pre-loaded videos to include in an email response. Types of videos that are complementary include video walk arounds or test drives, dealership value proposition videos, customer testimonial videos, service department overview videos and more. Sales people can also choose to add a banner overlay that advertises current specials.

Within minutes, the prospective customer will receive an email with a picture of the sales person, a personalized greeting from the salesperson, and videos customized to their inquiry, all embedded in an attractive template.

To see a demo of VidMail and Flick Fusion's video marketing platform, visit Booth #900 at the Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition, September 23rd-25th, Las Vegas, NV.

About Flick Fusion

Flick Fusion specializes in creating, managing, and distributing dynamic and cost-effective online and mobile video products. Each video is designed to help dealerships reach and engage with customers, delivering rich content that results in increased sales and ROI. Flick Fusion produces video content for more than 3,000 dealerships and more than a dozen reseller partners. For more information, visit www.flickfusion.com.

Expanded roster of presentations selected by a dealer panel; topics range from wearable tech, social media, mobile marketing and SEO to F&I, service, location-based and website strategies, and more; breakout presenters include some of the auto industry’s most innovative dealer executives and thought leaders

Salt Lake City, UT – September 4, 2014 – DrivingSales today announced the full agenda of breakout speakers and presentations for the 2014 DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES). The presentations, selected by a panel of auto dealers from a competitive field of applicants, comprise some of the industry’s most innovative dealer executives and thought leaders. All breakout sessions offer actionable strategies designed to improve operations, effectiveness and profitability in six distinct categories: Advanced General Marketing, Dealer Operations, Mobile, Search, Website Optimization, and Social Media, and include topics ranging from wearable technology to improving dealership culture.

The DSES, which had record attendance in 2013, and has sold out every year since inception, is unique in the industry because auto dealers determine the speakers and agenda. This year’s sixth annual summit will be held Sunday, October 12^th through Tuesday, October 14^th, 2014 at the Bellagio Las Vegas.  The breakout speakers join an agenda that also includes keynotes from digital expert and best-selling author Brian Solis; SEO ‘Wizard’ Rand Fishkin; eMarketer’s lead digital auto analyst, Mike Hudson; Kellogg School of Management marketing professor Florian Zettelmeyer, and online marketing pioneer, Bryan Eisenberg.

“We are very excited to expand the range of breakout sessions at the DSES even further this year with an impressive roster of innovators and tacticians from some of the top companies and dealerships in our industry – all selected by those who understand best what it is our attendees want to know: their dealer peers,” said DrivingSales CEO and Founder, Jared Hamilton. “The diversity of topics this year is indicative of the increasing demands today’s digital/always-on universe places on the dealership - from bleeding edge topics such as wearable technology, to the latest evolution of mobile and social media, to key operational tactics from new car sales to F&I to service. Our mandate with DSES is to provide ahead-of-the-curve insights, actionable information, and profit-building practices that our attendees can take home and immediately implement in their stores. We have no doubt that this year’s agenda will achieve just that.”

2014 DrivingSales Executive Summit Breakout session speakers/presentations include:

Advanced General Marketing

• Jeremy Anspach (PureCars) ‘How to Maximize Inventory Conversion from Search to Showroom.’ Understand the crucial importance of ad relevancy, landing page relevancy, and click-through rates.
• Mario Clementoni (NADA-INT Group Moderator ) ‘Internet 20 Group “Tried and True” Digital Best Practices’
• Eric Miltsch (Z Automotive Consulting) ‘How Wearable Tech Will Change The Way Dealers Market and Connect With Their Customers.’
• Hwei-Lin Oetken (Kelley Blue Book) ‘Battle of the Sexes: Understanding the Differences Between Men and Women Car Shoppers.’
• Shaun Raines (DealerOn) and Tom White Jr (Subaru of Wichita)‘When Everyone Is Special… No One Is: Identify True and False Brand Identity and Learn How to Exceed Consumer Expectations with Modern Marketing Strategies.’
• Christian Salazar (DealerFire) ‘The Online Profitability Trifecta- Branding, Content and Website Presence: How are your customers finding your online dealership and how do they end up buying a car from you?’

Dealer Operations

• Les Abrams (NADA) ‘Financial Statement Validation of your Digital Marketing Efforts: This session will showcase Newly Released NADA Digital Marketing Insights that make a financial difference.’
• Andy Guelcher and Megan Barto (Ciocca Honda & Ciocca Hyundai, Lebanon, PA) ‘Dealership Culture and it’s Effects on Long-Term Sustained Profitability.’
• Bobbie Herron (Garber Automotive) and Bryan Armstrong (VW Southtowne) ‘To BDC or Not to BDC – A Case Study Comparison.’ A deep dive into effective management styles, processes and structure options for your store.
• Cameron Darby (DealerSocket) ‘Dealer Operations on CRM Integration and Rollout’
• David Kain (Kain Automotive) ‘The Activity Habit and Why Having It Ensures Remarkable Internet Success.’ In this session you will understand what elements each team member can focus to drive remarkable customer connections.
• Elise Kephart (Phone Ninjas) ‘Embedding Social Media into your Sales Process: Tips from a Veteran to Help Your Team Succeed.’
• David Spisak (ReverseRisk) ‘Understanding The Power and Danger of Data in Your Dealership.’ How to manage, control, clean and secure your DMS data.
• Jerry Thibeau (Phone Ninjas) ‘The Phone is Your Future!’ A deep dive into the problems and the solutions needed to boost profits over the phone.
• Greg Wells (AllCall Automotive Contact Centers) ‘The Three Channels of a Profitable Service BDC.’ An in depth study of the inbound, outbound and marketing channels that work together to create immediate profit.

Mobile

• Ben Anderson (AutoMotion Dealer App) ‘The Showrooming Customer – Mobile Strategies to Combat the Effects of Showrooming at Your Dealership.’
• Adam Flegge (Contact At Once!) ‘Modern Dialogue: An Inside Look at Dealership Texting Strategies.’
• Jeff Kershner (DealerRefresh) ‘Using Tablets to Increase Customer Confidence.’
• Mike Martinez (DMEautomotive) ‘Smartphones Are Changing The Purchase Game: How to immediately put mobile at the top of your digital strategy.’

Search

• Luis Bonilla (DrivingSales) ‘The Emergence of Semantic Search and Its Impact On Dealers.’
• Allyn Hane (Launch Digital) ‘Blurring the Lines Between Social and SEO.’
• Tim McLain (Netsertive) ‘Success Stories in Search Remarketing & Advanced Mobile Search for Progressive Dealers.’
• Brian Pasch (PCG Consulting) ‘Web Presence Management: The Future of SEO.’ De-compartmentalize your digital marketing strategy to create a comprehensive online message via search, social, and video.
• Jason Stum (LaFontaine Automotive Group) ‘Blog To The Future.’ Take advantage of your website to differentiate yourselves from the competition.’

Website Optimization

• Joe Chura (Dealer Inspire/Launch Digital Marketing) ‘5 Website Optimization Steps to Supercharge Your Marketing and Blow Past Your Competition.’
• John Quade (Cobalt) 'Website Content that Connects with Shoppers.’ Discover how to design your digital look and feel to drive engagement.
• Paul Wagner (CloudEngage) ‘Location Is Everything. So Why Doesn’t Your Website Know This?’ Learn how your website can use a viewer’s location to dynamically change messaging and targeting.

Social Media

• Blake Powell (Chevyland) ‘Facebook Is Not Dead: How I Learned To Stop Posting CRAP and Embrace the Share’
• JD Rucker (Dealer Authority) 'Going Small: How to Make Hyper-Targeting Your Social Media Secret Weapon Using Data and Messaging to Achieve Success'
• Aaron Wirtz (Subaru of Wichita) 'From Shame to Fame: A Viral Phenomenon Examined.’ Learn first hand how Subaru of Wichita transformed a potential PR nightmare into a viral marketing win.

For the full DrivingSales Executive Summit agenda and more information on speakers and presentations go to http://drivingsalesexecutivesummit.com/agenda/breakout-speakers/

For more information about the DrivingSales Executive Summit and to register before the event sells out, go to www.drivingsalesexecutivesummit.com or contact dses@drivingsales.com.  Stay tuned for DSES news as it develops on www.twitter.com/drivingsales and on facebook.com/drivingsales. Participate in the conversation using #DSES as preparations continue throughout the year.

Check out today's blog on DrivingSales at:  http://www.drivingsales.com/blogs/DSNews/2014/09/04/announcing-dses-2014-breakout-speakers

About The DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES)

The DrivingSales Executive Summit is where the most progressive dealers gather to collaborate and learn forward-thinking trends in automotive operations. DSES features world-renowned experts on marketing, technology and retail operations from inside and outside the industry who provide the most valuable and actionable insights for today’s dealership professionals. The DSES agenda is dealer-driven, ensuring the content is 100 percent focused on the needs of progressive dealers.  Only the top 10 percent of speaking applications selected by DrivingSales members make it on the agenda.

To protect the quality of the event, seating is limited and always held at a 5-diamond venue.  DSES has sold out every year. For those interested in attending, securing seating as early as possible is recommended. For more information, visit DSES.com

About DrivingSales

DrivingSales is a professional network serving the auto industry with dealer-driven news and information, online training, and performance data, all to enable dealers to make critical business decisions at their dealerships.  DrivingSales’ mission is to connect progressive dealership professionals to the people and information they need to maximize their success.  Founded by a third-generation car dealer, and opened up to the industry in 2008, today DrivingSales has registered users in over 50% of new car dealerships in the US and is active in several other countries around the globe.  To learn more about the DrivingSales community, training or performance analytics visit DrivingSales.com, DrivingSalesUniversity.com and DrivingSalesData.com

DrivingSales Executive Summit Media Relations:
Melanie Webber
melanie(at)mwebbcom(dot)com
mWEBB Communications
424.603.4340

Crystal Hartwell
crystal(at)mwebbcom(dot)com
mWEBB Communications
714.987.1016

ALBANY, N.Y. – August 25th, 2014 – Auto/Mate Dealership Systems announced today that it will be hosting its first annual User Summit for auto dealer clients on Friday, September 19th in Albany, NY. More than sixty dealers and managers from dealerships around the country are scheduled to attend, where they will learn the newest features of Auto/Mate's dealership management system (DMS) along with best practices associated with implementing the latest technologies into dealership processes.

"Our clients consistently tell us about the cost savings and increased efficiencies achieved with Auto/Mate, so we thought it would be a great idea to host a summit where they can share tips and network with peers," said Mike Esposito, President and CEO of Auto/Mate Dealership Systems. "Additionally we look forward to sharing our DMS's newest features in a format that's interactive, so we can see reactions and hear constructive feedback."

Auto/Mate's User Summit is geared toward dealership executives and managers who are looking to improve efficiencies and processes with their DMS, as well as those who use the system daily to manage, track and optimize department profitability. Highlights of the User Summit include the following:

• Introduction: Vision & where Auto/Mate is going (8:30 a.m.)

• New Feature Announcements: Desking, Dispatch, Open/Mate, Data Security & more (9:00 a.m.)

• Rockin' 101: High-level feature overview of all modules in Auto/Mate's Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) dealership management system (11:00 a.m.)

• Break Out Sessions featuring Auto/Mate's advanced tech support "Go Team," and a "Town Hall" format where users can ask questions and discuss ideas in an open forum (1:00 p.m.)

The Auto/Mate User Summit is scheduled for Friday, September 19th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Albany, NY. Sponsors include 700 Credit, DealerSocket, Total Customer Connect, MOC1, OneView, Great America, Inland Associates, TimeHighway and Route One. For more information on the User Summit and/or sponsorship information, contact Auto/Mate at 518-371–4331.

About Auto/Mate

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems is a leading provider of dealership management system (DMS) software to retail automotive dealerships, typically saving dealers thousands of dollars per month from their current provider. Our Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) is a user-friendly, feature-rich DMS in use by more than 1,100 auto dealers nationwide. Auto/Mate received the "Highest Rated DMS for Customer Satisfaction” in 2012 and 2013 in the annual Driving Sales Dealer Satisfaction Awards.

This is a testament to the more than 900 years of Auto/Mate employees' combined experience working in franchised auto dealerships, the foundation of its “Designed By Car People For Car People^TM” slogan. Auto/Mate is committed to winning their customers' business each and every month, which is why they require no long-term contracts, free software upgrades for life and free training for life. For more information visit www.automate.com, follow them on Twitter @AutoMateDMS and subscribe to their blog at http://blog.automate.com.

Urbandale, IA--August 25th, 2014--Flick Fusion, the industry's leading video marketing provider, announced today that Tim James, Vice President of Sales with Flick Fusion, will present "Video Marketing Tips, Trends & Practical Uses" at the upcoming Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas, NV. Auto dealer sales and Internet marketing staff are encouraged to attend and will learn multiple strategies that can be used to design an effective video marketing plan that will increase traffic, conversion and sales.

"Dealers can get overwhelmed when creating a video marketing strategy, so I always recommend a walk, don't run, approach at first," said James. "It's important to realize that one size does not fit all and how essential it is to keep your video marketing strategy aligned with your store's current processes."

In his presentation, James will review the current trends in video marketing, what type of videos are best for engaging and influencing in-market automotive shoppers throughout the entire buying cycle, and provide some practical direction on producing video content that will generate maximum ROI. James will also share how to create a plan to fit your processes and how to generate the critical "buy in" from dealership management.

James's presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23rd at 9:00 a.m. in the Mirage Hotel & Casino. For more information, call Flick Fusion at 515-333-4337, schedule an appointment online, or visit Booth #900 at the Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas, NV.

About Flick Fusion

Flick Fusion specializes in creating, managing, and distributing dynamic and cost-effective online and mobile video products. Each video is designed to help dealerships reach and engage with customers, delivering rich content that results in increased sales and ROI. Flick Fusion produces video content for more than 3,000 dealerships and more than a dozen reseller partners. For more information, visit www.flickfusion.com

Award recognizes the most innovative auto dealership strategies of 2014; finalists are Cathy Nesbit and Alyssa Safty, Harry Robinson Buick GMC; Bryan Armstrong, VW SouthTowne; Shelly Hebert, Glenmore Audi; Erich Gail, Cardinale Automotive Group; Robert Karbaum, Weins Canada Inc. / Don Valley North Toyota

Salt Lake City, Utah – August 25, 2014 – DrivingSales announced that five auto dealer professionals have been selected as finalists for the 2014 DrivingSales Dealer Best Idea Award, which recognizes the most innovative auto dealership strategies of 2014. The finalists will compete onstage for the award, as well as for $10,000 in cash and prizes, at the 2014 DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES), held Sunday, October 12^th through Tuesday, October 14^th, 2014 at the Bellagio Las Vegas.  This year’s award is sponsored by Cobalt.

The DSES, which had record attendance in 2013 and has sold out every year since inception, is unique in the industry because auto dealers determine the speakers and agenda, as well as the finalists and winners of the Dealer Best Idea Contest.

“Wow! What a terrific group of ‘Best Ideas’ our dealer panel has to pick from this year – and what do they all have in common? Results, results, results!” said DrivingSales Founder and CEO Jared Hamilton. “These are ‘Best Ideas’ that our dealer attendees can take home and implement almost immediately – each is creative, innovative, results-driven -- and shows that there is fantastic thinking on the ground in our dealerships.  From three whip-smart video marketing ideas, to an automated loyalty exchange program, to a primer for monetizing digital assets, our dealer attendees will head to their dealerships with a great new ‘ideas portfolio’ – while our dealer judges are going to have a challenge to pick the best of the best of these ideas.”

The 2014 DrivingSales Dealer Best Idea Award finalists, selected by a dealer panel, will present their strategies at the DrivingSales Executive Summit on Sunday, October 12th. The dealer panel will determine the winner and runners-up.

The 2014 DrivingSales Dealer Best Idea Award finalists are:

• “Free Gas Friday” - Cathy Nesbit and Alyssa Safty, Director of Social Media/Comm. Involvement and Internet Manager, Harry Robinson Buick GMC
•  “Monetize your Digital Assets” - Bryan Armstrong, Internet Manager, VW SouthTowne
•  “#MyRideYYC” - Shelly Hebert, Business Development/Marketing Manager, Glenmore Audi  
•  “Vehicle Xchange Program: Loyalty-Driven Sales Velocity; in-Store and vBDC” - Erich Gail, COO, Cardinale Automotive Group
• “YouTube Postal Service “ - Robert Karbaum, E-Commerce Manager, Weins Canada Inc. / Don Valley North Toyota

The Dealer Best Idea Award competition is part of an exciting 2014 DSES line-up that includes 30 breakout sessions, as well as keynotes from digital expert and author Brian Solis; SEO ‘Wizard’ Rand Fishkin; eMarketer’s Lead Digital Auto Analyst, Mike Hudson; Kellogg School of Management Marketing Professor Florian Zettelmeyer, and Managing Partner of Eisenberg Holdings Bryan Eisenberg– all of who will provide actionable tactics for issues critical to dealerships.

For more information about the DrivingSales Executive Summit and to register before the event sells out, go to http://drivingsalesexecutivesummit.com or contact dses@drivingsales.com.  Stay tuned for DSES news as it develops on www.twitter.com/drivingsales and on facebook.com/drivingsales. Participate in the conversation using #DSES as preparations continue throughout the year.

Check out today's blog on DrivingSales at:  http://www.drivingsales.com/blogs/DrivingSales/2014/08/21/announcing-finalists-dses-dealer-best-idea-content

About The DrivingSales Executive Summit (DSES)

The DrivingSales Executive Summit is where the most progressive dealers gather to collaborate and learn forward-thinking trends in automotive operations. DSES features world-renowned experts on marketing, technology and retail operations from inside and outside the industry who provide the most valuable and actionable insights for today’s dealership professionals. The DSES agenda is dealer-driven, ensuring the content is 100 percent focused on the needs of progressive dealers.  Only the top 10 percent of speaking applications selected by DrivingSales members make it on the agenda.

To protect the quality of the event, seating is limited and always held at a 5-diamond venue.  DSES has sold out every year. For those interested in attending, securing seating as early as possible is recommended.  For more information, visit DSES.com

About DrivingSales

DrivingSales is a professional network serving the auto industry with dealer-driven news and information, online training, and performance data, all to enable dealers to make critical business decisions at their dealerships.  DrivingSales’ mission is to connect progressive dealership professionals to the people and information they need to maximize their success.  Founded by a third-generation car dealer, and opened up to the industry in 2008, today DrivingSales has registered users in over 50% of new car dealerships in the US and is active in several other countries around the globe.  To learn more about the DrivingSales community, training or performance analytics visit DrivingSales.com, DrivingSalesUniversity.com and DrivingSalesData.com

DrivingSales Executive Summit Media Relations:
Melanie Webber
melanie(at)mwebbcom(dot)com
mWEBB Communications
424.603.4340

Crystal Hartwell
crystal(at)mwebbcom(dot)com
mWEBB Communications
714.987.1016

Study of 307 dealerships nationwide shows that for every 1,000 app users, a dealership receives, on average, $144,000 in incremental service revenue

Daytona Beach, FL – August 19, 2014 –DMEautomotive (DMEa) today released new research proving that mobile app users become more frequent visitors to a dealership’s service department after they download the app. The study looked at 307 dealerships nationwide that offer a dealership-branded mobile app and compared the 6-month service visit frequency of consumers after installing the app, versus prior to downloading.

According to the research, after downloading a dealership’s mobile app, users’

• 6 month service visits increased by 25% after download of the app
• service visit frequency grew 3.7 times faster than non-app users

“These are remarkable findings,” said Marcie Hopey, Director of Strategy for DMEautomotive. “While most dealers may think a branded mobile app is a ‘nice to have,’ this proves that not only do apps engage customers in unprecedented ways, they also deliver significant incremental service revenue.”

DMEautomotive estimates an annual lift of $144,000 in incremental service revenue for every 1,000 app users.

“This is striking evidence that a dealer-branded mobile app designed to keep customers engaged drives real service revenue,” said Mike Walther, president and CEO of DMEautomotive. “Combined with our previous research showing that a customer with a dealership-branded mobile app is 73% more likely to buy a vehicle from that dealer than a customer without one, and app users spend 7% more on their vehicle purchase than non-app users, it’s clear that apps have a profound and positive revenue lift on both the service lane and in the showroom.”

The DMEautomotive research studied over 2.2 million consumer records between the months of 04/2013 and 06/2014. The study covered a mix of 307 dealerships, representing multiple brands, store sizes, and regions, all of which offer Driver Connect, DMEautomotive’s dealership-branded mobile app, to their customers.

For further details on mobile app users vehicle purchasing behavior, click here.

About DMEautomotive

DMEautomotive (DMEa) is the industry leader in science-based, results-driven automotive marketing, and provides turnkey marketing to the largest and most innovative automotive organizations, from automobile dealerships to many of the largest aftermarket companies in the U.S. DMEa's uniquely panoramic view of the complete automotive sales and service market, combined with its cutting-edge, science-based marketing programs, increases customer yield, conversion and retention. 

DMEa does not take marketing performance on faith, and each product and service is measured by a simple, precise scientific approach: Is it true? Prove it. Will it work? Test it. Does it generate results? Show it! Supported by DMEa’s proprietary, cloud-based Red Rocket Technology Platform, the DMEa product suite includes science-based, data driven, multi-channel customer acquisition and retention marketing programs; best-in-class campaign reporting; data management and analytics; auto-focused Customer Interaction Center solutions, and complete on-site mail and email fulfillment services. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, DMEa also has major operations in Jacksonville, Florida. 

Contact: 

Media Relations 
Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 6034340, melanie@mwebbcom.com 

Cassandra Cavanah, MWEBB Communications, (818) 397-4630, cassandra@mwebbcom.com

ALBANY, N.Y. – August 11th, 2014 – Auto/Mate Dealership Systems (http://www.automate.com) is celebrating its fortieth anniversary as a leader in dealership management system (DMS) technology. Auto/Mate was originally developed as an F&I system and was introduced to auto dealerships by Wang Laboratories in 1974. Over the past forty years Auto/Mate has evolved into one of the industry's premier DMS solutions and has twice been voted the "highest rated" DMS in the Driving Sales Dealer Satisfaction Awards.

"Many auto dealers don't realize that Auto/Mate was an established technology solution long before any other DMS provider; even ADP and Reynolds were just service bureaus at that time," said Mike Esposito, President and CEO of Auto/Mate Dealership Systems.

In the 1960s IBM was one of the only companies that sold computers, but the computers were large mainframes that filled an entire room and were not practical solutions for small businesses. In the early 1970s Wang Laboratories, Digital Equipment and Data General introduced "mini computers" about the size of a table, and began to market them to businesses. Wang was the leader in word processing computers and wanted to expand into different markets. Wang identified the dealership market as ripe for computerization and introduced the first in-house F&I system that did all the financial calculations and printed all the forms. Wang called their in-house F&I system Auto/Mate. What soon followed was the addition of an integrated accounting module that allowed the deals to be electronically sent to accounting and booked. This was something completely unheard of at that time. At one point in the 1970’s, of all the dealerships that had a computer system in house, 70% of them had Wang computers running Auto/Mate. In fact one of the colloquialisms in the dealership market at that time, when working a deal, was to “Wang-it”!

When Wang Laboratories closed its doors in 1992, the lead developer of the Auto/Mate F&I system acquired the rights to the technology and started Auto/Mate Dealership Systems. Shortly after, Esposito started with Auto/Mate as a sales representative, was soon promoted to Vice President of Sales & Marketing, and became the President and CEO in 2005 when the company was sold to a private investor.

Under Esposito's guidance, Auto/Mate's software development team has evolved the system into a cutting-edge, full-featured DMS solution currently in use by more than 1,100 auto dealerships nationwide. Today Auto/Mate's DMS is user friendly and the company is known for having the best customer support and the highest level of customer satisfaction in the industry. Auto/Mate's policy of hiring employees who have experience working in car dealerships ensures that the developers and support staff know exactly what auto dealer employees are dealing with on a daily basis.

"We're really proud that Auto/Mate's product and the company has been around this long, and we will continue to focus on doing one thing: being the top DMS for customer satisfaction in the industry," said Esposito.

About Auto/Mate

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems is a leading provider of dealership management system (DMS) software to retail automotive dealerships, typically saving dealers thousands of dollars per month from their current provider. Our Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) is a user-friendly, feature-rich DMS in use by more than 1,100 auto dealers nationwide. Auto/Mate received the "Highest Rated DMS for Customer Satisfaction” in 2012 and 2013 in the annual Driving Sales Dealer Satisfaction Awards.

This is a testament to the more than 900 years of Auto/Mate employees' combined experience working in franchised auto dealerships, the foundation of its “Designed By Car People For Car People^TM” slogan. Auto/Mate is committed to winning their customers' business each and every month, which is why they require no long-term contracts, free software upgrades for life and free training for life. For more information visit automate.com, follow them on Twitter @AutoMateDMS and subscribe to their blog at http://blog.automate.com

Sale of California dealership group to the 3^rd largest auto group in the state reinforces buy/sell market strength in California and nationally; consolidation continues - the big are getting bigger

Irvine, CA, August 4, 2014 – Kerrigan Advisors, a leading national dealership buy/sell advisory firm, advised Irvine, California-based Fladeboe Automotive Group in its successful sale to The Conant Auto Retail Group (The CAR Group). The transaction is the largest to date for The CAR Group.  It was completed on August 4, 2014. Terms were not disclosed.

The CAR Group will be acquiring all of Fladeboe Automotive Group’s franchises, including Honda, Volkswagen and Buick/GMC.  Ray Fladeboe, the late founder of the group, pioneered the single location auto center concept in Southern California when he created the Irvine Auto Center with a mission to make it easier for customers to shop for cars.  Today the Fladeboe Automotive Group, under the leadership of Denice Fladeboe Mock, is one of the top selling dealership groups in the center.  

“We have a long history in Orange County and are proud to have served so many Southern California consumers and employees over the years.  We are very pleased that our buyer also has dealership roots here and are confident that the CAR Group will continue our tradition of customer service,” said Denice Fladeboe Mock, Dealer Principal of Fladeboe Automotive Group.  “In today’s active buy/sell market, we appreciated having the experience and insight of Kerrigan Advisors who ensured that we not only found the best possible buyer, but also shepherded us through a smooth and mutually beneficial transaction.  I can’t say enough about Erin Kerrigan’s professionalism, hard work, transaction support, and ability to manage the sale process.”

The CAR Group is the 23^rd largest automotive group in the country* with approximately $1 billion in annual revenue. The group owns 11 dealerships in California and Florida, including the largest Honda dealership in the country, Norm Reeves Honda Superstore located in Cerritos, California. 

“Orange County is one of the largest automotive markets in the US and we are excited to further expand our footprint in the region.  The acquisition of the Fladeboe Automotive Group is our largest transaction to date,” said Dave Conant, founder and owner of The Conant Auto Retail Group.  “We thank Kerrigan Advisors for helping to facilitate this multi-dealership transaction.”   

The transaction is the first for the recently launched Kerrigan Advisors.  Led by Managing Director Erin Kerrigan, a recognized industry expert on dealership buy/sells, valuation, and real estate, the Kerrigan Advisors team has been involved in transactions totaling over $2 billion dollars in automotive, private equity and investment banking.

“We are proud to have advised Denice and her family in the sale of their dealerships,” said Kerrigan.  “The completion of this large deal offers further evidence of the strength of the dealership buy/sell market, particularly in major US metros and for top franchises like Honda.”

Kerrigan Advisors monitors conditions in the buy/sell market and publishes an in-depth analysis each quarter in The Kerrigan Quarterly Blue Sky Report.  The report includes Kerrigan Advisor’s signature blue sky charts, multiples and analysis for each franchise in the luxury and non-luxury segments.  The multiples are based on Kerrigan Advisors’ view of franchise values in the current buy/sell market and can be applied to adjusted pre-tax dealership earnings to estimate blue sky value. To download the latest report, click here.

About Kerrigan Advisors

Kerrigan Advisors is a national dealership buy/sell advisory firm focused on providing a high level of client service for dealership sellers. Led by a team of veteran advisors who have represented transactions totaling over $2 billion dollars in automotive, private equity and investment banking, Kerrigan Advisors customizes each sale process to maximize the seller’s transaction proceeds. With the most comprehensive buyer database in the industry, Kerrigan Advisors has the industry context and expertise to match each seller with the right buyer.

Each quarter, Kerrigan Advisors publishes The Kerrigan Quarterly Blue Sky Report, which is the auto industry's most comprehensive and authoritative quarterly report and analysis of dealership buy/sell activity and franchise values.  Kerrigan Advisors’ Managing Director Erin Kerrigan, who authors the report, is a recognized industry expert on dealership valuation, real estate and buy/sells, and is a frequent speaker at leading auto retail events and conferences, including NADA, JD Power Automotive Roundtable, AICPA, NADC and Driving Sales’ President’s Club. She has also been a keynote speaker for events hosted by American Honda Motor Company, Audi of America, US Trust, Ohio Automobile Dealer Association, and SunTrust Bank and has led webinars for NADA and Automotive News.  Her expertise is also featured in a monthly column for Dealer Magazine. 

Kerrigan Advisors Media Contact:

Melanie Webber (melanie@mwebbcom.com), mWEBB Communications, 424.603.4340

For Immediate Release

For more information, contact:

Holly Forsberg                                                          Mike Esposito         

Carter West Public Relations                                  Auto/Mate Dealership Systems

602-680-8960                                                          518-371–4331

holly.forsberg@yahoo.com                                      mesposito@automate.com

Auto/Mate's Director of Human Resources, Dave Druzynski, to Present at MTADA 100th Anniversary Convention

ALBANY, N.Y. – August 4th, 2014 – Auto/Mate Dealership Systems (http://www.automate.com) today announced that Dave Druzynski, Director of Human Resources at Auto/Mate, will present "How to Avoid the Costs of a Bad Hire" at the upcoming 2014 Montana Auto Dealers Association (MTADA) 100th Anniversary Convention in Helena, Montana. Druzynski's presentation is designed to help dealers understand the true costs associated with poor hiring decisions, and to create a hiring process to aid dealers in hiring the right person for every position, every time.

"I've interviewed literally hundreds of former dealership employees, so I am very familiar with the hiring practices and common mistakes made by many dealers," said Druzynski. "Hiring the wrong person can be an expensive mistake, with costs far beyond the 'obvious' ones associated with lost pay, COBRA, unemployment insurance and more. In my session I will go over all these 'hidden' costs that can add up literally into the tens of thousands of dollars."

Druzynski will also present the following to the MTADA's dealer audience:

1) The most common mistakes made by dealers during the interviewing process

2) The "hidden costs" of a bad hire; i.e. lost vehicle sales, future referrals lost from loyal customers, lost team productivity because of bad morale, and more.

3) Interviewing techniques that will identify red flags and ensure that a candidate's resume accurately reflects their experience and achievements

4) How to assess skills and personality to ensure that a candidate is a good match for the job description.

5) How to properly check references.

Druzynski has earned the prestigious distinction as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and is a member of the senior management team at Auto/Mate Dealership Systems. He provides strategic human resources planning in the areas of talent management, employee engagement, leadership development, benefits and compensation and legal and regulatory compliance.

Druzynski is scheduled to present at the MTADA's Annual Convention at the Great Northern Best Western in Helena, Montana on Tuesday, August 12th at 9 a.m. MST. For more information, visit http://mtada.com/convention.aspx

About Auto/Mate

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems is a leading provider of dealership management system (DMS) software to retail automotive dealerships. Its Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) is a user-friendly, feature-rich DMS in use by more than 1,000 auto dealers nationwide. Auto/Mate received the “Highest Rated DMS of 2012" and the "Highest Rated DMS of 2013" awards in the annual Driving Sales Dealer Satisfaction Awards.

Auto/Mate’s employees have more than 850 years of combined experience working in auto dealerships – the foundation of its “Designed By Car People For Car People^TM” slogan. For more information visit our website, follow us on Twitter @AutoMateDMS and subscribe to our blog at http://blog.automate.com