MARITZ INFUSES AUTO INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT EXPERTISE INTO NEW,
DEALER-FOCUSED SOLUTIONS
Sales & Marketing Services Company Creates Maritz Dealer Solutions Group,
Acquires Digital Marketing Firm Opportunity Max
ST LOUIS (Jan. 8, 2013) Maritz, well-known for its performance improvement
programs and work with most automotive brands such as BMW, Chrysler, Ford,
GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen, is taking its expertise directly
to the dealer market. The company today announces the acquisition of
Opportunity Max and the subsequent formation of Maritz Dealer Solutions.
This dealer-focused solutions group will enable automotive dealers to
dominate the market by identifying points of competitive differentiation in
the digital space and converting leads, especially Internet leads, into
sales.
Based in Las Vegas, Opportunity Max is a digital consulting and services
firm that provides auto dealers with opportunity/lead management, event
handling, competitive intelligence, website optimization, staff development,
fixed operations management, social media strategies & implementation, and
reputation monitoring. Now, as a part of the Maritz suite of dealer
solutions, Opportunity Maxs team and services will be integrated with
Maritz automotive experts and sales and marketing solutions.
Opportunity Max has a great team and an even better track record with its
dealer clients, said Andy Sells, general manager of the Maritz Dealer
Solutions group. We are seeing 50 percent improvement in phone volume,
internet leads, showroom traffic and digital sales within six months for
dealer clients who follow Opportunity Maxs proven strategies. Were
confident that these services, combined with Maritz performance improvement
solutions, are a winning formula for dealers who want a competitive
advantage in their marketplace.
According to a recent Maritz Automotive Research Group Study, 78 percent of
people shopping for a vehicle use the internet to aid in their purchase
decision. The average shopper looks at 2.6 same-make dealer sites when
making their selection on where to purchase the car that theyve already
decided they want to purchase. In addition, other activities that consumers
typically have engaged in at the dealership are increasingly occurring via
the internet.
Internet Activities Prior to Vehicle Purchase
Visit a manufacturer site 91%
Visit a dealer site 91%
Obtain vehicle pricing information via the Internet 62%
Visit a 3rd party site 34%
Visit website to obtain necessary information 32%
Correspond with dealer or manufacturer via email prior to purchase 28%
Request a price quote for a vehicle via the internet 27%
Set up a test drive 10%
Shop for credit/financing via the internet 9%
Request a brochure 8%
Apply for credit/financing via the internet 6%
Visit a social media site 5%
Visit a manufacturers finance company site 4%
What this data tells us is that dealer relationships with customers have to
be built online because the customer is making the bulk of their decisions
about what to buy, where to buy and what to pay via the web BEFORE they set
foot in the dealership, notes Mitch Cummins, president of Opportunity Max
and senior vice president Maritz Dealer Solutions. Dealerships allow
hundreds of opportunities to slip away each year due to poor processes,
incorrect reporting, ineffective lead management, poor merchandising and
inadequate plans supporting the newer digital marketing channels. Most
dealers spend enough on marketing technology tools, but Opportunity Max
ensures dealers are optimizing all opportunities through end-to-end
organizational execution that is repeatable.
Maritz has been servicing the automotive industry for more than 40 years and
provides performance improvement, sales and marketing services to most major
automotive manufacturers. Maritz regularly delivers the following solutions
to OEMs and their dealer partners:
Incentive programs (cash, merchandise and travel)
Customer event management
Product launches
Training and performance improvement programs
Ride and Drives
Customer satisfaction research
Customer experience measurement and management
Social media monitoring and analysis
Getting customers into the dealership in this digitally-driven marketing
environment is that all-important first step. However, the most profitable
dealers maintain an ongoing relationship with customers, who continue to buy
and service their vehicles at the dealership, says Steve Sigman, senior
vice president of sales and marketing for Maritz Dealer Solutions. With
the acquisition of Opportunity Max, Maritz Dealer Solutions has both the
experience and cutting-edge solutions that no other company can deliver to
dealers. We ensure the dealership has organizational alignment to provide
the best customer service and achieve optimum dealership performance.
About Maritz
Maritz is a sales and marketing services company, which helps companies
achieve their full potential through understanding, enabling, and motivating
employees, channel partners and customers. Maritz provides marketing and
customer research; communications; incentive initiatives; rewards and
recognition programs; meeting, event & incentive travel management services;
and consumer loyalty programs. We demonstrate our commitment to human
potential by supporting educational endeavors in our community. For more
information, visit http://www.maritz.com/Contact-Us/Maritz-Services.aspx or
call 1-877-4MARITZ. Follow us on Twitter @Maritz_LLC.
About Opportunity Max
Opportunity Max is a hands-on digital consulting service. By using
cutting-edge strategies along with proven processes and innovative systems,
we have brought outstanding results to our clients throughout the years. Our
unique approach to individual business has helped us dominate target markets
by not only understanding our clients, but understanding our clients
competitors as well. From the use of our service and with the utilization of
analytics, we can reduce client expenses, accelerate sales and performance,
increase digital awareness, all while delivering net profits that exceed the
rest. For more information, visit www.oppmax.com or call 1-877-4MARITZ.
