This week on Word on the Street, Andrew sits down with Chris Martinez, a 22-year automotive veteran who’s done it all — from managing at CarMax to building and selling dealership software, and now leading the charge in AI-powered follow-up. Chris shares what it was like growing dealerships from 50 to 500+ used cars a month, spotting white-space opportunities before the industry caught up, and how he’s using AI voice, SMS, and email automation to help dealers stay connected with customers long...
From MBA courses to dealership leadership, Greg Smith has built a career on analytics—then discovered the power of people. In this episode of Word on the Street, Greg shares how his “Dad in the Desk Chair” newsletter took shape, the leadership lessons that reshaped his management style, and the data-driven strategies helping dealerships grow market share, boost service retention, and create winning cultures. Whether you’re in automotive retail or just love a good leadership journey, Greg’s in...
In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with Jarrod Kilway, VP of Digital Operations at Casa Auto Group, to explore how AI is reshaping dealership operations. From training GPT agents to pull real-time insights from the DMS and CRM, to automating marketing campaigns and service outreach, Jarrod shares how dealers can use AI to cut inefficiencies, boost profitability, and deliver a better customer experience. We also dive into zero-click search, voice technology, and what the next w...
What does it take to go from rock bottom to leading innovation in the automotive industry? In this episode of Word on the Street, Andrew Street sits down with Trent Cannon to unpack his incredible journey. From losing jobs during the recession and struggling to find his footing, to breaking into car sales “out of desperation,” Trent’s story is one of resilience, mentorship, and proving people wrong. He shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the mentors who believed in him, and the...
In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with April Ancira—VP of Ancira Auto Group, community leader, and fearless trailblazer in the automotive world. April shares her unfiltered perspective on what it takes to thrive in a competitive industry, from cultivating grit on the lot to leading with authenticity and heart. She opens up about her playbook for growth, the lessons she’s learned balancing business and family, and why giving back to her community is at the center of everything...
In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with Kyle Newsom, Co-Founder of Vesperio, to dig into the real challenges and opportunities facing dealership fixed operations. From communication breakdowns to training gaps, Kyle shares why most service departments struggle with efficiency and what dealers can do to increase profitability while retaining both customers and staff. We cover: Why most service issues boil down to communicationHow dealerships can turn basic training into long-te...
🎙️ Pre-Owned, But Make It Sexy Word on the Street – Episode 29 Guest: Matthew Davis, Marketing Director at TradePending Host: Andrew Street How do you source better used cars, close more trade leads, and stay top of mind without annoying your customers? In this episode, Andrew sits down with marketing veteran Matthew Davis from TradePending to talk about all things pre-owned inventory, fixed ops growth, and modern dealership marketing. From website conversion hacks and co-op-free retention...
In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with Aaron Dobrow of Glen Polk Automotive to talk about what sets forward-thinking dealerships apart when it comes to group websites, vendor relationships, and digital strategy. From dealing with OEM requirements to building one cohesive online storefront across multiple rooftops, Aaron shares hard-earned lessons and insights into what actually works in today’s dealership marketing landscape. Whether you're part of a growing auto group or run...
Instagram Growth Hacks for Dealers with Brock Johnson In this episode of Word on the Street, Andrew sits down with Instagram growth coach and content strategist Brock Johnson to talk all things Instagram — and why dealerships need to ditch the polished, cookie-cutter drone shots and start creating authentic, organic content that actually connects. Brock shares why raw, real, and scrappy content outperforms traditional inventory ads on social, how to get your sales team comfortable on camera, ...
In this episode, we sit down with content strategist Jordan Cox to talk all things dealership video and social content. Jordan shares how dealers can create scroll-stopping content using what they already have—no big budgets or film crews required. Whether you're looking to build trust, boost engagement, or just get more eyes on your inventory, this episode breaks down exactly how to make content that converts. - How to get your team on board with content - What types of videos actually move ...
In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with David Kain, an automotive industry veteran with deep expertise in digital retailing, dealership operations, and vendor-dealer relationships. From launching Ford Direct to building Kain Automotive and pioneering Digital 20 Groups, David has been at the forefront of innovation in the car business for over two decades. We dive into the future of dealership marketing, the evolving role of digital retail, and the biggest opportunities dealers...
How do you build a dealership brand that keeps customers coming back? In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with Frank Arroyo of Southway Ford to break down the winning formula for customer loyalty, dealership culture, and engaging content that drives sales. Learn how to create meaningful customer relationships, retain top talent, and use social media to build trust and engagement. 🚀 Click here to download our free Customer Loyalty Guide and start increasing retention today! ...
Niche, Scale, and Pivot – How One Dealer Found Success by Doing Less In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with Jason March of March Motors to discuss how focusing on niche inventory, strategic scaling, and operational efficiency has fueled his dealership’s success. Learn how Jason refined his buy here, pay here model, leveraged WhatsApp for customer engagement, and built a highly efficient sales and service process. Discover how paid social and targeted automotive marketing have...
Creating engaging social media content for your dealership doesn’t have to be complicated! In this episode of Word on the Street, we chat with John Resurreccion, an expert in automotive marketing and organic content creation. His motto? "Just hit the red button!" 🚗📹 Learn how authentic video content can boost engagement, build brand trust, and drive leads. Plus, grab our free guide to create a month’s worth of social content in just 5 minutes! Click here to download. #AutomotiveMarketing #Soc...
In this episode of Word on the Street, Dealer OMG teams up with Reunion Marketing to explore how combining SEO and paid social creates powerful synergy in automotive marketing. Learn how organic search strategies align with paid social campaigns to attract and convert customers while driving a meaningful ROI. Whether you're looking to refine your dealership's digital presence or maximize your marketing spend, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you stand out in today’s com...
In this episode of Automotive Digital Marketing Unveiled: A Candid Conversation, we sit down with the Lewis Brothers from Crossroad Conversations to explore the evolution of dealership marketing. From traditional tactics like radio and billboards to cutting-edge digital strategies, we dive into the tools and insights driving success today. Learn how targeted social ads, audience segmentation, and creative storytelling are transforming the automotive landscape. Whether you're a dealer or marke...
In this special collaborative episode of Word on the Street, we team up with the Lewis Brothers from the Crossroad Conversations podcast to explore what it takes to drive culture, innovation, and success in the automotive industry. From designing employee-centric facilities to building long-term customer relationships, this episode dives into strategies for recruiting top talent, retaining employees, and standing out in a competitive market. Whether you're in the dealership world or curious a...
In this episode of Word on the Street, Andrew Street sits down with Jim Wilkinson, a sales director running a dealership that moves over 1,000 cars monthly. Jim shares his insights on building a standout dealership, from fostering team loyalty and creating exceptional customer experiences to engaging with the community and leveraging innovative management strategies. Whether you're in automotive sales or just curious about what drives success in the industry, this episode is packed with actio...
In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with Justin and Ben from Agile Creative Solutions, a boutique digital marketing agency transforming how dealerships approach branding and marketing. With decades of experience as dealership marketing directors, Justin and Ben share their expertise on building consistent messaging, leveraging digital and traditional strategies, and addressing key industry challenges like used car acquisition and staffing. Tune in for actionable insights and fr...
In this episode of Word on the Street, Dealer OMG’s Ashley Kilbarger sits down with Kaylin Holbrook, social media manager at Sam Pack Five Star Chevrolet, to explore the ins and outs of social media for car dealerships. Kaylin shares how she turned a college internship into a full-time career in social media and explains her approach to getting team buy-in, building authentic engagement, and using trends to increase visibility. She offers practical advice on crafting content that resonates wi...