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Join us for a riveting ride to the era of the 'Google Dance' with digital veteran Melissa Cartagena. Expect to be enlightened by Melissa's candid revelations about her early career, where SEO and web ranking were quite different than they are today. She offers a unique perspective on AutoNation's low-key approach, including their commitment to being present at nearly every industry event. Melissa's rich experience across various sectors sets the stage for an engaging conversation, intricately weaving her past experiences with present strategies.

When Melissa made the leap to the auto industry in 2014, she didn't just switch jobs, she engineered a paradigm shift. This episode uncovers how she adapted her digital expertise to a completely new context and successfully onboarded a team with digital backgrounds in the automotive realm. Melissa opens up about how she mentors her team using industry events like SMX and Programmatic IO to broaden their horizon. This episode is rife with insights about the automotive industry and its relationship with digital experience. Get ready for a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion!

Melissa Cartagena is the Head of Digital Advertising at AutoNation.

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Struggling to strike a harmonious work-life balance? Ever wished you could disconnect from the whirlwind of everyday life and truly enjoy your vacations? Don't miss our chat with seasoned auto industry entrepreneur, Danny Zaslavsky. He'll be sharing personal and professional insights, giving us an intimate look into his approach towards achieving equilibrium. With his advice on disconnecting from the everyday grind and staying present in the moment, this episode will help you find that much-needed balance in your life.

Looking to transform your dealership into a dealer group? Danny will be revealing how technology can be a game-changer in this scenario. He’ll also touch on the profound impact of intention in shaping the landscape of the auto industry. From anecdotes about his personal life to inspirational thoughts about his parents' influence on his sense of purpose, this conversation with Danny is packed with wisdom, humor, and valuable lessons. If you’re seeking a fresh perspective on being mindful and intentional in both personal and professional spheres, this is a must-listen episode.

Danny Zaslavsky is the Co-Founder and Managing Parter of VINCUE and the Dealer Principal at Country Hill Motors.

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Have you ever wondered what hospitality, construction, and car sales have in common?

Join us for a dynamic chat with our guest, Evan Riley from FlickFusion. Buckle up and prepare to explore the quirky differences between Texas and Canadian grass, and get ready for a quick trip down personal grooming lane as Evan shares his hilarious NADA ear-shaving mishap.

 It's all in a day's work for Evan. We'll follow his journey from humble beginnings to landing a job at a Chevy dealership. Along the way, we'll debunk the bald sales director theory and discover how this misconception could actually be working in their favor. Plus, we'll chat about the game-changing role of ASOTU CON for auto collaborations.

From the impact of inventory videos on the car buying experience to the psychology of camera-shyness, we're tackling it all in this episode. Listen up as Evan shares a transformative story of a salesperson who dared to be different, embraced video, and skyrocketed to the top. Finally, we'll talk about the magic that happens when you're brave enough to take risks in the auto industry and the priceless lessons that come from turning blunders into triumphs. Get ready for a ride you won't forget!

Evan Riley is the Sales Director of FlickFusion.
Come meet them at ASOTU CON! Get more information by visiting https://www.asotucon.com/

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Just imagine having a dream so powerful that you'd risk everything, even mortgage your home and live on a shoestring budget to make it a reality.

This episode's guest, Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, took that bold leap and is now reaping the rewards with a waitlist for tickets nearly hitting 900,000! Tune in to hear his inspiring journey of grit, determination, and a love for Banana Ball that overcame naysayers and doubts.

But it's not all about baseball. Jesse's retail acumen shines as he shares the process of creating a memorable retail experience. Drawing inspiration from Walt Disney, he has managed to create an engaging and unique entertainment experience for all age groups.

We tackle the importance of retail, how to smoothen out friction points, and eliminate frustrations to enhance customer experience. We also explore how his innovative thinking and transformative strategies can be applied to other industries like automotive retail. Get ready to be inspired, enlightened and challenged to rethink the way you approach your business and your dreams.

Want to hear more from Jesse? He'll be live at ASOTU CON, you can see the agenda and get tickets by visiting www.asotucon.com

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Picture this: you're sipping a cup of coffee, flavored by a unique machine, while listening to engaging tunes.

That's just a small taste of what our guest, Steve Laureys, immerses himself in daily. This episode invites you on a journey through Steve's experiences in the automotive industry, complete with his attendance at countless auto conferences and a rich collection of lanyards to prove it.

Ready to learn how to gain more while spending less? We're taking a deep dive into the evolution of marketing with a specific focus on behavior analysis. We'll reveal how companies are leveraging data from various sources to create individual customer profiles, resulting in a significant enhancement in sales. Additionally, we'll shine a spotlight on the fundamental aspects of marketing for dealerships such as phone and internet services. We'll guide you on tracking success through phone calls and internet leads and discuss how the pandemic has necessitated adjustments in marketing budgets and sales follow-up processes. It's time to tune in and transform your understanding of modern marketing strategies!

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Ever imagined buying a car 100% online? Lucas Neiderer, the Director of Marketing for the Dolan Group, takes us on a fascinating journey through their unique remote purchase teams and buying centers where this could be your reality. Unleashing innovative marketing strategies, Lucas elaborates on his team's ability to push the boundaries, bolstered by the trust they've earned from their owners to explore fresh and exciting ideas. Prepare to be inspired by their nimble approach to marketing, which opens up new channels to challenge the status quo.

In a world where data reigns supreme, creativity still has a place, and Lucas puts this theory to the test. Discover how to leverage data-driven creativity to forge a deeper connection with your customers, creating lifestyle-inspired content that truly resonates. Lucas offers a fresh perspective on measuring campaign success and tying it back to the overall cost of car sales. To top it all off, he shares his belief that great marketing should be so seamless and authentic, it doesn't feel like traditional advertising at all. Get ready to rethink your marketing strategies with this enlightening episode!

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Could you ever imagine making a daily commute from the Poconos to New Jersey just to pursue a career in the automotive industry? That's the story of Felicia Rey, who climbed the ranks from cashier to service advisor and beyond, all in the name of her passion. This episode has us chatting with Felicia about her fascinating journey, filled with unique challenges and triumphs. She offers an insider's view on the automotive industry and takes us through her days in different roles, offering a chance to learn from her wealth of experience.

We also dive into a heartwarming discussion about professional success with Felicia. Ever imagine the thrill of winning an award? Well, Felicia gives us a firsthand account of that experience and more. She shares her novel approach to customer service, emphasizing the importance she places on building relationships with customers. We also get to explore her role as Service Manager and Owner Loyalty Manager at a Nissan store, and how she impacts her staff and customers. Plus, you don't want to miss her aspirations within the industry, including her goal to attend the NADA Academy in honor of her mentor. Get ready to be inspired by Felicia's unique perspective on the automotive industry.

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With a story that's both compelling and inspiring, we sit down with author and seasoned leader, Ed Roberts, whose journey from non-writer to author of leadership book "Mile One: An Endless Journey to Effective Leadership" is truly an interesting one.

He gives us a sneak peek into the 'Mile One' concept from his book--the idea that each new mile is a fresh opportunity on an unending journey, a strategy that helps break down big, looming goals into achievable steps.

Moving on, you'll hear Ed's riveting narrative about scaling a business from 50 to a whopping 700 cars a month. He walks us through the challenges encountered and how fostering a culture of continuous improvement played a pivotal role in that success. We also delve into deep conversations about approachability and empowerment in leadership. Listen as Ed emphasizes the importance of team members owning their mistakes and the traits that make leaders more approachable. We round off with insights from Ed's book, "Mile One", and discuss its potential impact on the world. Get ready to be inspired as we navigate this engaging conversation filled with enlightening Confucius sayings and captivating Jedi Mind Tricks that make Ed an exemplary leader.

Ed Roberts is the Chief Operations Officer of Bozard Ford Lincoln.
Learn more about "Mile One: An Endless Journey to Effective Leadership"

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Ever wondered how car dealerships make informed decisions when purchasing cars?

Join us as we chat with Chris Adams, Matrix Operations Director at Car Offer, who provides valuable insights into the fascinating world of car market analytics. Discover how Chris's team helps dealerships predict buyer preferences and stay ahead of market trends, even down to the most popular car colors!

Not only do we dive deep into car market analytics, but we also get to know Chris's background and his experiences in the automotive industry. We'll discuss the best food in Peru, the top Asian cuisine in Dallas, and how Car Offer partners with dealerships to scale up their services. If you're curious about the intricacies of the car market and love a good food chat, you won't want to miss this episode with Chris Adams from Car Offer!

Chris Adams is the Matrix Operations Director for CarOffer.

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What happens when you combine a thrilling 2000 km electric vehicle adventure with the rugged beauty of Newfoundland?


You get the captivating journey of our guest, Devin Sooley, a talented Canadian automotive marketer who recently embarked on a mini tour of Canada in a Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV. We sit down with Devin as he shares the incredible details of his three-day expedition, including how he and his team relied on EV charging points and managed to create an impressive array of content for their video series in just 72 hours.

But that's not all! We also dive into Devin's creative process and strategies behind crafting engaging automotive content that keeps followers hooked. From using polls, comments, and group chats to leveraging TikTok for growing a dealership's social media presence, Devin reveals the key to his success in managing the Norris the Mini Instagram page and why creating a character out of Norris has resonated with audiences. Don't miss this exciting and informative conversation with Devin Sooley, where you'll not only get a glimpse into the world of EV adventures, but also learn valuable insights on creating content that truly connects with your audience.

Devin Sooley is the Marketing Manager of Capital Auto Group.

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