Local Legacy, Proven Performance & the Human Factor (w/ Patrick Downes)

Update: 2025-09-08

Description

In this episode of In Search Of…, Dan Barker is joined by Zach Billings (Co-Founder, Wikimotive) and Patrick Downes of Ruge's Automotive Group to uncover how a family-owned dealership competes — and thrives — in today's mega-group marketplace.From reputation management (1,500+ reviews at 4.9 stars!) to smart use of third-party automotive sites, SEO vs. SEM strategy, and where AI in automotive marketing actually helps, Patrick shares a playbook that's just as relevant for metro dealers as it is for small-town rooftops.

What you'll learn:

How a lean two-person marketing team drives outsized results
Why dealership customer experience is a competitive advantage
The role of reputation management for dealerships in sales growth
Post-COVID consumer behavior and third-party marketplace value
What vendors + agencies can do better for dealership leadership teams

Whether you're looking to refine your dealership marketing strategy, sell more cars, or build a reputation that compounds, this episode delivers actionable takeaways.And if you're looking to sell more cars, visit Wikimotive for more insights into SEO, SEM, and Social Advertising, and a better understanding of the white glove services that we offer.

linkedin.com/in/daniel-r-barker/
linkedin.com/in/zachbillings/
linkedin.com/in/patrickdownes