InsideAuto Podcast

In this episode of Inside Auto, host Ilana Shabtay speaks with Steve Schmith, Client Partner at Acxiom, about the gap in expectations that exists between retailers and consumers around data security and personalization and how the automotive industry can achieve both as we move into 2025.

In this episode of InsideAuto, Chris Colsant, SDR Manager at Fullpath, joins host Ilana Shabtay to discuss the importance of managing data holistically as we head into the new year. He also shares his experiences with the emergence of equity mining in the automotive industry and expresses his hopes for the future of leasing.

In this episode of InsideAuto, Colin Day, EMEA Managing Director and VP of Business Development at Oktopost, chats with host, Ilana Shabtay, about leveraging AI for more efficient marketing and sales, the value of a strong social media brand presence, and the importance of having different digital marketing strategies depending on the company or product.  

In this episode of InsideAuto, Eitan Koter, co-CEO and co-founder of Vimmi, chats with host, Ilana Shabtay, about the diverse landscape of shoppable video content, how shoppable videos are revolutionizing online purchasing and automotive sales, and how individual marketing and AI is the future of digital marketing.

In this episode of InsideAuto, Bek Abdullayev, CEO of Superdispatch, chats with host, Ilana Shabtay about transportation within the automotive ecosystem, how COVID sped up the industry's digitization, and mitigating against fraud in auto transportation.  

In this episode of InsideAuto, Faruk Heplevent, CEO at The Scope, chats with Ilana Shabtay about how CGI revolutionized the automotive photography and advertising industry, how CGI, AI, and other technologies can make it harder for creatives to enter the market, and how these technologies do in fact make for more localized marketing. 

In this episode of InsideAuto, Samantha Morrow, Marketing Director at Hello Auto Group, chats with Ilana Shabtay about the CDK outage, the major marketing changes Hello Auto has made over the past few months, understanding the demographics of each individual dealership, and leveraging AI-based marketing tools to improve results.  

Joe Barhoumi is the Internet Manager at Newbold Toyota BMW, Illinois, where he led the establishment of the Business Development Center (BDC), spearheading the vision and operational framework to enhance overall business and growth. Joe is also a strategic Digital Marketer and leads the digital marketing strategy at Newbold.   

In this conversation, Ilana Shabtay interviews Lindsey Shaker, a fourth-generation member of the Shaker Automotive Group and an expert in SEO. They discuss Lindsey's early experiences in the automotive industry, the importance of honesty and transparency in car dealerships, and the role of SEO in driving quality traffic to dealership websites.

In this celebratory mashup episode of Inside Auto Podcast, we revisit some of the key moments and discussions we have had over the last 100 episodes that clearly highlight just how quickly the automotive industry is evolving, the growing importance of data and technology in driving dealership success, and learn some of the strategies that industry leaders are using to stay ahead.

In this episode of Inside Auto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay speaks with Earl Wheless, Internet Sales Manager at Gaffney Buick GMC, to discuss the evolution of automotive marketing and operations over his 30-year career and the ways new AI technology has driven growth and success at his dealership.  

In this episode of Inside Auto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay speaks with Prasad Chavali, the founder of AxelOne DDP, a dealership data platform. They discuss the challenges of data integration in the automotive industry and the benefits dealers can unlock by aggregating and activating their data. 

In this episode of the Inside Auto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay speaks with Jacci Grillo Noto, Director of Sales Kelley Blue Book ICO & vAuto at Cox Automotive Inc., about the shifting automotive market and the challenges dealers are facing in their inventory management, and why customization, increasing efficiency, and maximizing ROI should be the central focus for dealers looking to thrive in this period of economic uncertainty.

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay chats with Dan Banister, owner of Banister Automotive, and Yaron Saghiv, CMO of UVeye. They delve into the transformative effects of AI and data analysis on automotive retail. Both guests discuss the importance of adapting to new technologies, engagement, and the overall service experience.

In this episode of Inside Auto Podcast, host Ilana Shabtay is joined by Colin Carrasquillo, Digital Marketing Manager of the Nielsen Automotive Group. Colin artfully outlines their forward-thinking strategy for 2024, with an emphasis on cutting-edge group advertising and the sophisticated cross-pollination of CRM data to tailor the customer's journey.

In this episode of Inside Auto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay joins April Simmons, Corporate Internet and Marketing Director at Horne Automotive, to uncover the secrets behind their growth to 14 stores. Discover how integrating technology can streamline your operations, freeing up valuable time for strategic initiatives.

In this episode of Inside Auto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay sits down with Dustin Schuler, Marketing Manager at Bud Clary Auto Group, to discuss the intricacies of dealership marketing strategies. Dustin talks about going back to basics in automotive marketing, using brand campaigns as a growth strategy, and how dealers can increase their customer lifetime value.

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay sits down with Ashley Cavazos, Marketing Director at DeMontrond Auto Group, to explore invaluable strategies and perspectives for thriving in the automotive landscape. Ashley discusses equity mining, building DeMontrond Auto Group's brand image, and becoming the first Latina on the cover of the Digital Dealer magazine.

In this episode of Inside Auto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay hosts Melissa Cartagena, the Senior Director of Digital Advertising at AutoNation, to talk about the power of personalized video marketing. She discusses AutoNation's proactive stance on data privacy, the company's collaboration with Epsilon and Flashtalking, and why your marketing should prioritize people over numbers.

In this episode of Inside Auto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay sits down with Ravin's Co-founder and CEO, Eliron Ekstein, to talk about transforming auto transactions using AI. Tune in as Eliron discusses how Ravin simplifies trade assessment, Ravin's position in the industry, and its integration with Orbee.

In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay sits down with Rick Valenta, Director of Dealer Direct at Urban Science, to discuss how to leverage data and AI to drive auto sales success. Tune in as Rick discusses Urban Science's 2024 outlook, streamlining your leads with Sales Alert, and why showroom traffic is an effective lead generator.

In this episode of Inside Auto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay speaks with Sandy Zannino, Founder and CEO of IAHR, about the work she is doing to create positive change and actively impact inclusion in the automotive industry through her work with the Inclusion Council. Sandy also discusses the steps she believes the industry should take in order to break down barriers and create a more inclusive and diverse environment.

In the latest episode of InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay speaks with Venus Toro, CEO of WYN Solutions about how AI has impacted the way her company sources talent for the automotive industry and the importance of providing employees with AI training in order to prepare them for the continued advancements we expect to see in AI technology in 2024.

In the latest episode of InsideAuto, Joe Brown, CMO at Frank Lida Auto Group and Ilana Shabtay discussed the critical role of connected data in future dealership success and the importance of dealers holding their vendors to a higher standard when it comes to offering open APIs is so vital to the fight to eliminate siloed dealership data. 

In the latest episode of Inside Auto, Nick Williams, Digital Marketing Director at Banister Automotive, shares with Ilana Shabtay how he has harnessed the special culture and personas around him at his dealership and their deep community relationships to produce effective content that connects with his audience and drives them to take action.

In the latest episode of Inside Auto, Collin Davis shares with Ilana Shabtay the critical role consisten content creation plays in the current retail marketingplace, how dealerships can begin to successfully create a content strategy across multiple platforms, and the importance of connected data in building and maintaining a functioning content strategy. 

In the latest episode of Inside Auto, Tom Kline shares with Ilana Shabtay more about the specific behaviors that are being flagged as legally deceptive and the practical steps modern dealers should be taking to stay out of legal trouble - from purchasing the correct insurance policies to best practices around data protection and beyond. 

In the latest episode of InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay speaks with Josh Detzel about how he scaled his vehicle acquisition operations into a full scale Vehicle Operations Center. Josh explains how in just two months of careful planning, he successfully scaled his acquisition operation from 8 vehicles to 28 by carefully allocating resources, developing internal work processes and leveraging the power of AI. Listen in now to learn exactly how he managed to accomplish this feat and how he plans to continue scaling and spreading his methodology to other dealerships in his auto group and corner the used car market in his area.

In the latest episode of InsideAuto Podcast, Anthony Cameron, Operations Director at Diehl Automotive Group speaks to Ilana Shabtay about the steps his automotive group has taken to try to mitigate the impact of rising interest rates on their business and his predictions for how interest rates will behave over the next few quarters. Listen in now to learn more about the light at the end of the tunnel!

In this episode of InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay speaks with Jan Hansen, SVP Growth at FINN, to discuss the company's car subscription model, the impressive success they have seen in the German market, and their plans to break into the US market over the next year. The pair discuss how the millennial market has embraced the subscription model and  how FINN is helping to simplify and take the work out of owning a personal vehicle in the current economic climate.

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. In this episode… 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.  In this episode… 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.  In this episode… 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 this episode… 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. In this episode… 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 this episode… 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. In this episode… 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. In this episode… 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. In this episode… 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. In this episode… 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.

John Woodman is the Vice President of Business Development at AutoService AI, a company that boosts sales and service teams' productivity with AI. The company's product, Allio, is a virtual customer assistant that uses cognitive conversational AI to answer phones, talk to customers, and set service appointments. Before joining AutoService AI, John was the Internet Director at Cutter Automotive Galleries. In this episode… Service delivery is an excellent tool for driving repeat sales in the automotive industry. Happy customers are the key to business growth, and long-term retention promotes company-wide success. However, customer lifetime value can be difficult to achieve for dealers that focus solely on selling cars. With technology innovations and increased competition in the industry, providing excellent service can not only give dealerships a more competitive edge but also drive sales and profits. John Woodman, the Vice President of Business Development at AutoService AI, joins Ilana Shabtay in this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast to talk about the value of service delivery in the automotive space. They discuss how AutoService AI's product supports service delivery in dealerships, John's transition from the retail to the vendor side of automotive, and how to assess customer service success.

Alan Krutsch is the Director of Marketing and Industry Relations at Fuse Autotech, a financial management system that consolidates online and in-store technologies for a seamless customer experience. Alan specializes in branding and identity, campaign strategy, creative services management, sales training, and process and change management. Before Fuse, he was the Director of Marketing at Apple Autos and Walser Automotive Group. In this episode… Recently, Tesla has lowered the price of electric vehicles (EVs), causing interest in dealership EVs to decline by 44%. So what does this entail for dealerships, and what should you consider before transitioning to electric cars? Besides cost, there are many factors to consider when selling electric vehicles. Alan Krutsch advises dealerships to start planning ahead for future transitions. This includes setting up charging infrastructure, finding inventory, and getting qualified to be an EV dealer.  Alan Krutsch, Director of Marketing and Industry Relations at Fuse Autotech, joins Ilana Shabtay in this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast to talk about the mass adoption of electric vehicles. They also discuss  Tesla's recent price drop for electric cars, factors influencing the adoption of EVs, and the change in demand for Fuse Autotech's products.

Melissa Cartagena is the Senior Director and Head of Digital Advertising at AutoNation, one of America's largest and most recognized automotive retailers. She is a seasoned digital technology marketing professional, growth marketer, and growth hacker. Melissa has over 19 years of experience managing large-scale programs in paid search, content marketing, display advertising, SEO, paid social media, email, and reputation management.  In this episode… Recent changes in the economy have had a significant impact on demand for cars. According to a study conducted by Google, vehicle demands declined for a short time but soon increased due to rising interest rates and inflation.  So how does this affect inventory levels, and what should dealerships expect in the future?  In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay interviews Melissa Cartagena, the Senior Director and Head of Digital Advertising at AutoNation, about the challenges dealerships have been facing. They discuss inventory shortages in the automotive space, the use of video marketing, and why car owners have been buying out their car leases.

Kate Lumsden is the Director of Marketing at Walser Automotive Group. She has over 13 years of experience using brand management, data-driven marketing strategies, creative direction, and design to drive measurable brand equity and customer loyalty through both digital and traditional mediums. Before joining Walser, Kate was a Marketing Manager and Graphic Designer at Morrie's Automotive Group. Ashley Cavazos is the Director of Digital Performance at Walser Automotive Group. She has a long history in the automotive industry, having started as a temporary receptionist in a Texas Ford dealership. Ashley was a recipient of the 2022 Automotive News 40 Under 40 award. Before joining Walser in 2019, Ashley was the Marketing Communications Manager at Morrie's Automotive Group. In this episode… Conferences provide great opportunities for industry experts to meet and connect. Attendees can assess their competitors, learn business trends, build relationships, and identify future growth opportunities. Events in the automotive space allow dealers and vendors to share their expertise and knowledge to help move the industry forward. Kate Lumsden and Ashley Cavazos attended this year's NADA conference to connect with vendors, acquire new digital marketing strategies, and initiate future collaborations. So how can you evaluate and acquire business partnerships? In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay interviews Kate Lumsden and Ashley Cavazos from Walser Automotive Group about their strategies for assessing business partnerships. They also discuss the future of the automotive space and how the commission-based pay structure affects salespeople.

Colby Joyner is the Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Cavender Auto Group, a family-owned dealership. Before joining Cavender Auto, Colby was the Vice President of Sales at Konect.ai and an Air Traffic Controller in the US Air Force. He was also nominated for Automotive News 40 Under 40. Colby's goal is to bring efficient processes into the automotive space and increase businesses' technology use. In this episode… Best marketing practices for dealerships are constantly evolving, and it's difficult to stay abreast of the changes, especially when assuming a new role. What steps can you take to improve operations and provide better customer service? According to Colby Joyner, it's essential to review the current processes and procedures before making any drastic changes. Test and learn new strategies to identify what works and what doesn't. The decisions you make should align with the organization's goals. Colby also emphasizes assessing available resources to establish the right processes for running the company. Colby Joyner, the Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Cavender Auto Group, joins Ilana Shabtay in this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast to talk about streamlining marketing in the automotive space. Colby also shares his goal for attending the NADA conference, strategies for assuming a new role, and his experience working at Bravo Auto Group and Cavender Auto Group.

Vasilios Lambos is the Co-founder and CMO of CognitionDigital.io, a company that provides tools and products to help businesses build campaigns on Amazon advertising. CognitionDigital.io is an Amazon Ads Verified Partner serving advertisers in the retail, automotive, healthcare, and other industries. Vasilios' experience in the automotive space includes serving as the Senior Digital Marketing Specialist at Hendrick Automotive Group and an Associate at Red Ventures' automotive department. In this episode… What are the best online marketing strategies for dealers? How can you use e-commerce to scale your business? The Amazon Ads platform provides great opportunities for dealers to reach new audiences, measure success, and scale their businesses. With the right advertising strategy, dealers can leverage Amazon to target a diverse customer base and maximize sales. In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay interviews Vasilios Lambos, the Co-founder and CMO of CognitionDigital.io, about providing Amazon advertising services to dealers. They also discuss the benefits of collaborations in the automotive space and how Vasilios educates businesses about Amazon Ads.

Matt Lasher is the Director of Marketing at West Herr Automotive Group, the largest automotive group in New York with 39 locations. In his role, he manages and facilitates marketing efforts for the group. With over 14 years of marketing experience, Matt is also the President of Streamline Auto Solutions, an easy-to-use software solution that helps dealers make more deals by optimizing inventory and vehicle selection based on consumer affordability. In this episode… First party data is an effective way to collect information about your customers. With the right strategy, you can leverage this data to provide your customers top-notch and prompt services.  However, it's critical to safeguard customer data. WIth increased incidences of security breaches, dealerships have to maximize their resources to protect this valuable asset. In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay is joined by Matt Lasher, the Director of Marketing at West Herr Automotive Group, to talk about this year's NADA conference. They also discuss the value of data strategy and security and what Matt loved about this year's event.

Tom Gregg is the Founder and CEO of Vehicle Acquisition Network (VAN), a proprietary software that helps dealers acquire private party vehicles by connecting them directly to private sellers. Tom's automotive experience began as a porter and evolved through several manager and director roles at dealerships in the Midwest. His entrepreneurial spirit soon outgrew his dealership journey and he began focusing on software development for the automotive industry. Tom brings confidence and mentorship to his team and always strives for the perfect balance of team culture, smart software development, and constant learning. In this episode… As the automotive space evolves, dealerships are seeking easy ways to acquire inventory. Private-party vehicles are an affordable option for dealers to source new cars. So what do you need to know about this acquisition strategy?  Private vehicle acquisitions provide great opportunities for dealers to find high-value cars with large profit margins and fast returns. They are also a great way for dealers to connect with potential customers. According to Tom Gregg, buying cars directly from car owners increases a dealer's competitive advantage and boosts brand loyalty. In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay interviews Tom Gregg, the Founder and CEO of Vehicle Acquisition Network, about private vehicle acquisition strategies. They also discuss VAN's partnership with vAuto and Tom's predictions for the automotive space in 2023.

Dave Warren is the Owner and Managing Partner at Dave Warren Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in New York. He has 30 years of experience in the retail automotive space specializing in advertising, budgeting, inventory management, leadership, and marketing. Dave is also the Owner of Argo of Westfield, which offers ATVs, XTVs, and UTVs, Bintelli of Westfield, selling street legal electric vehicles, and Krown of Westfield, providing vehicle rust protection services.  In this episode… What can car dealerships expect from the market in 2023? How can you adapt to changing market conditions? The used car market has experienced many changes over the last couple of years. There has been an increase in competition, a shortage of inventory, and changing consumer preferences. To stay ahead of the curve and drive sales, it's essential that dealerships implement more efficient marketing strategies, remain agile, and provide valuable customer experiences.  In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay is joined by Dave Warren, the Owner and Managing Partner at Dave Warren Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, to talk about how he adapts his dealership to the fluctuating market. They also discuss future projections for the used car market and how to get salespeople more engaged in driving used car sales.

Daniel Govaer, General Manager at Mercedes-Benz of Easton, is a seasoned manager in the auto retail space. Before joining Mercedes-Benz of Easton, he worked for Bernie Moreno Companies, McGrath Acura of Downtown Chicago, and Libertyville Toyota to name a few.  In this episode… Do you invest in your employees' mental well-being? What can you do to promote better work relationships between employees and management? Mental health is crucial when running a business. To support his company, Daniel Govaer encourages his team at Mercedes-Benz of Easton to take advantage of professional help from BetterHelp, covered by his company. This has led to better relationships, a stronger company culture, and improved work performance.  Daniel Govaer, General Manager at Mercedes-Benz of Easton, joins Ilana Shabtay in this episode of the InsideAuto podcast, to talk about the benefits of investing in your employees' mental health. They also discuss top marketing strategies for 2023 and the future of the automotive industry.

Michael Cirillo is the Co-founder and CEO of FlexDealer, a company that helps retail auto dealers turn traffic into revenue with strategies and technologies that lead to car purchases. He has many years of experience in the retail automotive industry and is the author of Don't Wait, DOMINATE!. Michael is also a speaker and the host of The Dealer Playbook podcast. In this episode… What drives success in the automotive space? How can dealerships engage with customers more effectively?  According to Michael Cirillo, you should focus on your people and processes to build a successful dealership. It's critical to set well-defined expectations with your team to ensure they understand their roles. Michael advises dealerships to stay up to date with trends in the automotive industry, establish an optimal strategy, and understand their customers' buying habits.  In this episode of the InsideAuto Podcast, Ilana Shabtay is joined by Michael Cirillo, the Co-founder and CEO of FlexDealer, to discuss tips for driving success in the automotive space. They also talk about future challenges in the automotive industry, best practices for providing customer service in dealerships, and why dealerships should focus on processes.