Episodes
In this episode I sit down with Steven Posner, the CEO of Putnam Leasing Company, to dive into the intricacies of the exotic car market. Our conversation covers a wide range of topics, starting with the resilience of the exotic car market amidst volatile economic conditions. Steven shares his insights into how the demand for luxury vehicles surged unexpectedly during the recent pandemic, leading to a significant uptick in business for Putnam Leasing. What We Discuss In This Episode: As we...
Published 04/25/24
Katie Mares is an author, speaker, and consultant who empowers businesses to design experiences that resonate with female consumers. She is a bestselling author and her book, "CustomHer Experience" is a guide for businesses to close the gender gap in sales. What We Discuss In This Episode Katie shares her personal journey from a disastrous car-buying experience to becoming a leading voice in customer experience. Her encounter with six dismal dealerships sparked a quest to understand and...
Published 04/18/24
Published 04/18/24
Gabrielle (Gabi) Abinion is the General Manager at Fox Valley Volkswagen of St. Charles. With a rich family history in the automotive business, Gabi brings a unique perspective to her role, blending tradition with innovation to drive success. Her dedication to empowering her team and fostering a culture of growth has been instrumental in the dealership's continued prosperity. Buckle up for a conversation about hard work, navigating family businesses, and forging your own path in a rapidly...
Published 04/11/24
In this episode, I sit down with Steve Whitlock, the president of Innovation Financial Services, to explore the fascinating journey of automotive entrepreneurship. We dive into Steve's unique background, starting from his days as a firefighter to his eventual transition into the car business. Steve shares insights into how his diverse experiences shaped his path, showcasing the unexpected twists and turns that led him to where he is today. What We Discuss In This Episode: As we dive deeper...
Published 04/04/24
Glenn Pasch, an industry veteran with a penchant for data-driven insights and a logical approach to marketing, brings decades of expertise in digital marketing and dealership strategies. As the brains behind PCG Digital, Glenn has empowered countless dealerships to optimize their marketing efforts and unlock hidden sales potential. What We Discuss In This Episode: We kick off our conversation by dissecting the enigma of marketing attribution, unraveling why despite a substantial influx of...
Published 03/28/24
Alex Lawrence is the CEO and co-founder of Ev Auto, a pioneering dealership specializing in electric vehicles. With a background in franchising and tech, Alex brings a wealth of experience to the table, along with a passion for creating exceptional customer experiences. His dedication to honesty, integrity, and innovation has propelled Ev Auto to success in the competitive EV market. What We Discuss In This Episode: We start by tracing Alex's remarkable journey from his background in...
Published 03/21/24
Are you leaving a massive chunk of the market untapped? Welcome back to another insightful episode of the Dealer Playbook podcast. Today, we're delving deep into the world of marketing segmentation, focusing specifically on the Hispanic marketplace. Joining me today is Ally Pinon, the Digital Marketing Director for Chastang Ford, as we uncover the secrets to successfully reaching and engaging with this vibrant demographic. What We Discuss In This Episode: In this episode, Ally Pinon and I...
Published 03/14/24
When Adrian Gibbs, Marketing Director of Nimnicht Family of Dealerships, stepped into the world of automotive marketing, she brought with her the competitive edge of the plastic surgery industry and a knack for nurturing customer relationships. Our exchange is as insightful as it is humorous, revealing the unexpected connections between such diverse fields and underscoring the transformative power of innovative thinking. Adrian's journey from nannying to navigating the nonprofit sector and...
Published 03/07/24
Paul De Vries is the Founder of #DCDW, Spokesperson for Marktplaats Automotive, and Co-Owner of Carmen BDC. With an impressive track record in dealership ownership, BDC management, and online car sales, Paul is recognized as a trailblazer in the automotive space, revolutionizing marketing tactics and driving unprecedented success. What We Discuss In This Episode: 1. Unveiling New Market Opportunities: Discover Paul's unparalleled ability to spot untapped market potential and seize...
Published 02/29/24
Rand Fishkin is cofounder and CEO of  SparkToro, makers of fine audience research software, and indie game developer Snackbar Studio. He’s dedicated his professional life to helping people do better marketing through his writing, videos, speaking, and his book, Lost and Founder. What We Discuss In This Episode: Get ready to challenge everything you know about marketing attribution with Rand Fishkin, who brings his formidable expertise back to The Dealer Playbook Podcast. We're tearing apart...
Published 02/22/24
Have you ever wondered how a personal crisis might just be the catalyst for a profound transformation in how you lead your team? That's the story Scott Greenberg, author of "Stop the Shift Show," brings to our table as we unravel the potential of culture within organizations. What We Discuss In This Episode: Scott's journey from budding film student to a cancer warrior and eventually a motivational powerhouse offers a masterclass in adaptability, humor, and relationship building. Our...
Published 02/15/24
Matas Buzelis is the Head of Communications at carVertical.com Matas Buzelis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, shedding light on the intricacies of the global car market. What We Discuss In This Episode: Ever wondered about the global impact of automotive fraud? Matas sheds light on the mission of the Association of Automotive Intelligence, an initiative aimed at combating fraud and protecting consumer interests on a global scale. He explains the mission behind...
Published 02/07/24
Dave Spannhake is the Founder and CEO of Reunion Marketing, one of the fastest growing marketing companies in the country that specializes in using data and consumer behavior to create highly effective marketing strategies. What We Discuss In This Episode: Dave sheds light on the challenges businesses face when Google, once a reliable partner, undergoes drastic changes in its support system and ad platform. The discussion revolves around the impact of Google's recent decisions, including...
Published 02/01/24
Subi Ghosh is the Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Marketing at Stream Companies. What We Discuss In This Episode: We delve into the importance of first-party data and how it can be leveraged to create personalized marketing experiences. Subi emphasizes the need for dealerships to have a plan for post-cookie tracking and retargeting, as cookie deprecation is already happening. She also highlights the value of clean and accurate customer data and the role of AI in...
Published 01/25/24
Subi Ghosh is the Executive Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Marketing at Stream Companies. What We Discuss In This Episode: We delve into the importance of first-party data and how it can be leveraged to create personalized marketing experiences. Subi emphasizes the need for dealerships to have a plan for post-cookie tracking and retargeting, as cookie deprecation is already happening. She also highlights the value of clean and accurate customer data and the role of AI in...
Published 01/25/24
In this power-packed episode, I sit down with the brilliant mind behind Automotive Wealth, Rob Bacharach. Rob is the president and founder of Automotive Wealth, a seasoned financial planner specializing in empowering automotive professionals to secure their financial future. With a wealth of experience in the industry, Rob brings a unique perspective and a passion for helping individuals navigate the complexities of financial planning. What We Discuss In This Episode: Join me as we dive deep...
Published 01/18/24
Ever wondered how the digital revolution has transformed the car buying process? Join us as we sit down with Kirk Preiser, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at LeadVantage. Formerly the Director of Retail Buying Experience at Audi of America, Kirk shares an insider's look at how the industry is syncing the online and in-store experience. Together, we dissect the omni-channel approach, and debate the ways in which the pandemic and the chip shortage have reshaped the landscape....
Published 01/11/24
Gary Graves co-founded InteractiveTel, now TotalCX, in 2008 and presently serves as CEO. Previously, he served as the company's first Chief Technology Officer. He developed the communications platform on which the company's proprietary products are based and has been instrumental in the company's dynamic growth trajectory.  What We Discuss In This Episode: Data-Driven Insights: The common issues observed through data analysis including abandoned calls and excessively long call times and...
Published 01/04/24
It all began with automotive inventory management software. I never imagined I'd end up in the automotive industry. Back in the day, my childhood buddy Dan Collingridge and I had this grand plan of starting a record label and radio station dedicated to alternative rock music, the dream we called 1500 am THE PITT. I went to school to chase my sound engineering certificate, and Dan pursued his master’s degree in computer science. We were on the brink of making THE PITT a reality! Life had...
Published 12/28/23
Ever get caught in the hustle, only to realize Christmas is knocking on the door? Yeah, I've been there, too, and what a year. I recently took to LinkedIn and Facebook to satisfy my curiosity about people's thoughts and predictions about what's coming in 2024 for us in the retail automotive realm. I will be straight up with you.—it's a fascinating mix of outlooks. There are some doom and gloom thoughts, and there are then some positive thoughts. What caught my attention, though, was the...
Published 12/21/23
Kelly Stumpe, also known as The Car Mom, is a social media influencer, car enthusiast, and advocate for local independent dealerships. She has over 473,000 followers on Instagram and is known for her engaging and informative content about cars from a mom's perspective. What We Discuss In This Episode: The Birth of The Car Mom Brand: Uncover the origins of The Car Mom and how Kelly seamlessly merged her passion for cars with the demands of motherhood. Learn how a simple idea blossomed into a...
Published 12/14/23
Erin Richmond is the Chief Revenue Officer of sMedia, a digital advertising and marketing agency in the automotive industry. With years of experience in the industry, Erin has worked her way up from a customer success manager to overseeing the agency's customer-facing teams.  With a knack for connecting the dots and driving results, Erin joins us today to share the keys to unlocking efficiency in your dealership's marketing strategy. What We Discuss In This Episode: Decoding the Marketing...
Published 12/07/23
Ashley Cavasos is the Marketing Director at Demontrond Auto Group in Houston. What We Discuss In This Episode: As the marketing director for Demontrond Auto Group in Houston, her journey from a temporary receptionist to a marketing powerhouse is a testament to the upward mobility available in the auto industry.  With an innate understanding of the dynamic interplay between marketing and operations, Ashley shares her journey, insights, and strategies that can reshape the way you approach...
Published 11/30/23
Mike Draper, the former SWAT police officer and Air Force vet is making waves as a viral content creator and social strategy expert. His MBA mind, coupled with experience in real estate and mortgages, has enabled him to decode the secrets of social media success. Building a social channel with over 1.3 million organic followers, Mike’s unique approach proves that growing on Social Media is not a matter of luck but a result of strategic thinking. Mike shares his journey from the military to...
Published 11/23/23