InsideAuto Podcast

Don Erwin is the Director of Digital Marketing and Communication at Mtn View Auto. He started his career in the automotive industry in late 2001. He started in sales, and quickly moved up in the dealership, establishing a centralized BDC at Mtn View with 15 agents working leads and fielding incoming sales calls for 4 rooftops. In his current position, Don is responsible for all digital marketing and customer communication training for the auto group. Don is a proud grandparent to 8 grandchildren and is looking forward to his retirement in just 3 years.

Is your dealership using data and metrics provided by third-party vendors to improve your business?

If not, your dealership is wasting valuable resources and missing out on a massive opportunity for growth. The data brought in by third-party vendors can help dealerships understand where there is room for improvement in dealership operations - from holes in the sales funnel to missed opportunities for followup and beyond. Understanding your data and being willing to make changes based on what that data shows can transform your business by helping you bring in more revenue through smart, data-backed business decisions.

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay interviews Don Erwin, Director of Digital Marketing and Communication at Mtn View Auto about how data - both first and third-party - have impacted his marketing strategy and his decision making processes. They also discuss how Don is utilizing new AI technologies like ChatGPT at his dealership and what the future holds for the automotive industry when it comes to EV adoption across the US.

Mike Dececco is the Vice President of Business Development at Fullpath. He is an entrepreneur, automotive technology veteran, and an early employee at Dealer.com, where he helped build the business into a billion-dollar company, holding management positions in sales, marketing, and business development. Mike is a strategic thinker, skilled presenter, and trusted leader with a deep knowledge of the automotive industry software on both the retail and wholesale sides of the business.

What can dealerships do to streamline their business processes? How can you provide uniform customer experiences?

To develop efficient business processes and serve customers better, dealerships need to leverage the power of technology. Automotive veteran Mike Dececco advocates finding the right mix of marketing technology tools to drive sales, improve business communication, and create a more engaging business environment for employees and customers.

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay interviews Mike Dececco, the VP of Business Development at Fullpath, about leveraging technology to streamline business processes. They also discuss common challenges dealerships face with online marketing, the need for an open API marketplace and unified data sources, and Mike's predictions for the automotive industry.

Russell Richardson is a Sales Associate at Biondi Lincoln, a family-owned car dealership serving the greater Pittsburgh area. Russell leverages social media to provide free, valuable content on Lincoln products, including vehicle purchasing and maintenance tips. His platform, RussFlipsWhips, through which he also shares funny car sales skits, has garnered millions of views across various online channels. Russell lives right outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Social media marketing has become an effective tool for dealerships to build an audience. When executed effectively, social media can help you build trust with potential customers and drive sales.

To get outstanding results from your social media marketing strategies, it is critical to create relatable and engaging content. Auto sales expert Russell Richardson leverages the power of social media to market cars by creating educational content that helps buyers make good buying decisions. He also uses humor in his videos to entertain his existing followers and build a larger audience. Content creation can help you stay in touch with your customers, gain new prospects, and drive sales.

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay sits down with Russell Richardson, a Sales Associate at Biondi Lincoln, to talk about social media marketing strategies for dealerships. They also discuss the evolution of the car industry, the main challenges with social media marketing, and Russell's thoughts on the direct sales trend.

Jordan Cox is the Digital Marketing Manager at Gates Automotive, a prominent automotive retail group located in northern Indiana. With a strong passion for innovative marketing strategies, Jordan plays a role in the company's success by overseeing various aspects of digital marketing, including social media, content creation, web design, user experience, branding, and event creation. One of his notable achievements includes creating and producing the podcast, Car Talk, presented by Gates Automotive.

In today's competitive market, developing the right marketing strategy is critical to survival. Dealerships have an uphill task ensuring that they remain top of mind for their audience to stay in business.

To beat the competition, be creative in your sales and marketing strategy. Give your customers more value by not only providing exceptional products but also building brand loyalty. Jordan Cox and his team at Gates Automotive leverage the power of podcasting to tell their story. It is essential to experiment to find out what works and does not, and make changes where necessary.

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay sits down with Jordan Cox, the Digital Marketing Manager at Gates Automotive, to talk about building brand loyalty through content. They also discuss spinning podcast content for various media, Gates Automotive's marketing strategy, and the evolution of Fullpath.

Rich McNulty is the CEO of Blue Whale EV, an advisory and service organization to the EV charging community. The company supports commercial and government clients through the entire EV charging adoption journey, from education to sales, installation, and maintenance. Rich joined the electric vehicle charging industry after years of executive leadership in electrical contracting and security companies, including McLaughlin Electric, AT&T Security, Kolb Electric, and Eastern Home Solutions.

Over the last couple of years, many manufacturers have started building electric vehicles to meet increasing demand in the market. Gas companies like Shell have commenced plans to construct charging stations in various parts of the country, which will encourage more car owners to adopt electric cars.

However, to get maximum benefits from your vehicle, there are strategies you can use to save on costs, charging time, and help protect the environment. What if there's a way to charge your EV to extend its battery life? Your EV may need less maintenance compared to gas cars, but it is critical to follow best practices when charging and engage the services of a reliable dealership to provide you with the right support.

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay is joined by Rich McNulty, the CEO of Blue Whale EV, to talk about electrical charging solutions for electric vehicles. Rich shares tips for efficiently charging electric cars, the benefits of charging with solar energy, and the future of the EV industry.

Micah Birkholz is the Director of Sales at VistaDash, a marketing intelligence tool that enables dealerships to track the success of their online campaigns. With over 20 years of experience in sales, strategic marketing, and performance management, Micah is an accomplished business growth expert who helps dealers and agency partners optimize their teams and technology. He is also an engaging public speaker and presenter, having delivered presentations at several notable events, including Digital Dealer, UAAMG, AAAS, Modern Retail Conference, DMSC, and IDS.

In the automotive industry, technological advancements play a significant role. They drive innovation, influence consumer preferences, and help improve service delivery. In addition, technology has improved the growth of digital retailing among dealerships.

So how can players within the automotive space leverage technology to provide better services to clients? What strategies can dealerships implement to optimize their costs? In his 20-year stint in sales and marketing, Micah Birkholz learned the importance of analyzing data to provide insights into a business before launching a campaign.

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay sits down with Micah Birkholz, the Director of Sales at VistaDash, to talk about technological advancements in the automotive space. They also discuss Micah's experience working in the vendor side of automotive, the effects of technology and AI on the industry, and how the recession drove Micah to social media marketing. Stay tuned.

Adam Dennis is the Founder and Principal of SurgeMetrix, a company that has provided software and service solutions to automotive dealers for over 20 years. He helps dealers build fast, bilingual, Google-optimized websites that drive car shoppers into a dealership's sales funnel. Adam entered the automotive space in 2000 when he founded a SaaS company that offered website, inventory, and lead tracking solutions to automotive dealers across the US. He is also an expert panelist at Dealer Marketing.

How well do you know your target market? What strategies do you use to market to potential customers effectively?

According to automotive industry veteran Adam Dennis, having appropriate data about your dealership's audience is crucial. He advises dealers to identify their target market and focus on creating customer-centric products that meet buyers' needs. In addition, your marketing message should resonate with ideal customers. When you understand consumer preferences, you can leverage that to meet their expectations

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay interviews Adam Dennis, Founder and Principal of SurgeMetrix, about the dynamics of cultural-based marketing. They also discuss the benefits of building mobile-responsive websites and leveraging AI to create audience-specific organic content.

Eric Barbosa is the Vice President of Variable Operations at Cavender Automotive Group, a family-owned dealership selling Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Land Rover, and Toyota brands. He is a multi-talented, top-tier dealership business leader known for having a strong ability to drive sales with experience in finance, budget management, and customer service. Eric is also valued for having accomplished volume and profit records in selling new and pre-owned cars. Before Cavender, Eric was the Managing Partner at Henson Brand.

As digital marketing continues to evolve, dealerships are struggling to establish an engaging brand. Consequently, loyalty has decreased. How can you create a unique brand that stands out from competitors?

According to Eric Barbosa, your company's culture influences your brand. To boost loyalty, you must encourage your team to focus on strategies that drive additional traffic and convert leads to returning customers. What works for other dealerships may not work for you, so understanding your customers' needs and preferences is imperative.

Eric Barbosa, the Vice President of Variable Operations at Cavender Automotive Group, joins Ilana Shabtay in this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast to talk about brand loyalty in the automotive space. They also discuss Cavender's electric vehicle strategy, the operational differences between small and large dealerships, and the benefits of pre-ordering EVs.

Josselyn Boudett is the Founder and CEO of STELLA Automotive AI, an AI-powered voice assistant that handles inbound calls, answers questions, and books appointments for businesses. As a serial entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in AI, Josselyn has led and advised technology companies that have helped large enterprises deploy AI. She has also worked in commercial real estate, FinTech, retail, and other verticals to help companies predict and adapt to dynamic market events.

To build a successful dealership, you need to identify, understand, and engage with your customers. Although chatbots are popular with many dealerships, their potential to satisfy customer needs is limited. How can you embrace progressive technology to provide exceptional customer experiences?

The automotive industry is overlooking 30% of phone calls, and the average consumer wait time is five minutes. AI can improve service delivery and drive sales by automating repetitive tasks and streamlining workflows. By implementing AI in your dealership, you can provide personalized service that resolves customer concerns instantly.

Josselyn Boudett, the Founder and CEO of STELLA Automotive AI, joins Ilana Shabtay in this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast to talk about AI's adoption in the automotive space. They also discuss the benefits of ChatGPT and how STELLA Automotive AI supports dealerships.

Ben Hadley is the Founder and CEO of Auto Genius, a community of high-growth automotive marketing professionals. He has played a critical role in helping thousands of dealerships maximize their sales efforts by optimizing marketing channels and in-store sales processes. Ben's specialties include sales, digital retail, marketing, product and business development, and organizational leadership.

When innovating or creating a new product, it's essential to research and understand your target audience's needs. This helps you develop precise business ideas and prevent losses from your products failing in the market.

The team at Auto Genius leverages its community of progressive dealers to build new products for its market. Through partnerships, the company can also create quality products and reach a wider audience.

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay is joined by Ben Hadley, the Founder and CEO of Auto Genius, to talk about fostering a community to create exceptional products. They also talk about the future of digital retailing, the difference between market-product and product-market fit, and the integration of other industries with the automotive space.