Martha Garcia-Perry is an observer of her environment. The behavior is part of one of her favorite non-automotive activities — hiking and mountain climbing — and it also sparked her interest in what has turned into a productive career in automotive logistics.
“While in college, I toured both the Chrysler Jeep Assembly Plant in Detroit and the Ford Mustang Assembly Plant in Dearborn, Mich.,” said Garcia-Perry, a 2016 Women in Remarketing honoree. “I was fascinated by all the different aspects of building a vehicle. It wasn’t just about parts and assembly lines. There were so many different parties involved from parts delivery to the final dealer delivery. I knew then that I wanted to be in automotive logistics.”
In 2001, Garcia-Perry ended up going to work with a company that moved vehicles made by Chrysler. She started her career with Insight Network Logistics, a third-party logistics company that managed Chrysler’s finished vehicle delivery network. Her first post was with the shipment management team that handled all of the exceptions and disruptions in the delivery network.
“My experience with that team allowed me to help with the redesign of our vehicle tracking system,” said Garcia-Perry, who soon moved on to the network analysis and engineering team (NAE). That group analyzed and implemented changes in Chrysler’s distribution network to optimize truck and rail routes.
“While in NAE, I was on the implementation team that launched our company’s operations in Mexico, directly responsible for the development and execution of the technology training program,” she added.
Garcia-Perry joined her current employer in April 2013 as director of account management for MetroGistics. She developed strategic initiatives to help drive value for the company’s largest clients
“I led the design and development of Metro Auto Express, our fully integrated drive-away program serving our largest clients across the U.S. I have developed processes to help drive employee engagement and our company culture because, we truly believe our employees are our greatest asset,” Garcia-Perry said.
“I enjoy the aspect of building value propositions for our clients. I find it very rewarding to work with our customers in finding solutions to meet their transportation needs,” she went on to say.
While Garcia-Perry specializes in how vehicles will move from one place to another, one of her most notable memories came at the auction — again at a place where she could observe plenty of activity.
“One of my most rewarding experiences has been at an auction. I was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to be on the podium with the auctioneer,” Garcia-Perry said. “Watching how the excitement built up once the biding process began and the interaction between the auctioneer and buyers, was fascinating. Never before had I seen so many cars sold in so little time.”
What happened at the automaker to what transpires at the auction stokes Garcia-Perry’s passion for what she now does at MetroGistics.
“I’m inspired by people who have a real passion for what they do,” she said. “From a second-generation car hauler who loves the business because of all the different types of cars new and used that he gets to drive to a sales representative who continually receives praise from new customers for her outstanding customer service skills.
“Cars will always be built; whether they are fuel, electric, or autonomous. We continue to hear about the same issues year after year, but what’s exciting and motivating is the shift in collaborative efforts between manufacturers and suppliers; auctions and consignors to find innovative ways to address the issues affecting each sector,” Garcia-Perry went on to say.
Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees.
These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association.
Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.
In less than 15 years, Angelica Jeffreys ascended from working part-time as a greeter at a large multi-franchise auto mall while still a college student to being the manager of sales and operations for what was one of the largest Honda stores in New England.
“I realized very quickly that with a little hustle and a customer-friendly approach, a career in automotive could be very rewarding — and also a lot of fun,” Jeffreys said.
“I knew as soon as I first worked inside a dealership as a greeter that there is so much opportunity within this industry,” she continued. “I absolutely love the people who work in it and the ability to make a difference in people’s lives by helping them directly or indirectly with the second largest purchase they will make.
“I truly enjoy the fast-paced, ever-changing nature of the industry along with all the risks and rewards that come with it,” Jeffreys added.
After spending time turning metal and arranging financing, Jeffreys slid over to the vendor side of the business, holding various executive roles with Autotrader and DealerRater while being responsible for driving growth through strategic alliances. She is continuing to be in that capacity now as vice president with the Equifax automotive team.
“I am most passionate about helping dealers find innovative ways to grow their businesses, especially those who are hardworking honest business people wishing to improve the car buying process for both their customers and their employees, which is the surest path to growth,” said Jeffreys, a 2016 Women in Remarketing honoree.
“Finding ways to contribute to their successes and being their advocate in order to help them overcome the stereotypes that plague our industry is what is the most satisfying to me,” she continued.
“In my experience, the best approach to problem solving is preventing the problem from happening in the first place,” Jeffreys went on to say. “If you have a keen awareness of your business, you can very often pick up early signs that something may be out of sync and deal with the potential problem by gathering information in a non-threatening way and addressing it swiftly.”
While the automotive world encompasses a major portion of Jeffreys’ life, it’s certainly not all of it.
Jeffreys considers Arianna Huffington to be one of her role models, stemming from how to find a balance between professional and personal successes.
In fact, even though Jeffreys’ commitments to Equifax are extensive, she recently managed to cross an item off of her bucket list.
“I have a wonderfully supportive husband who enables and encourages my newly found, late-in-life passion for performing with a local community musical theater group when my travel schedule has permitted,” said Jeffreys, who added that she had a role in the production of “Les Miserables.”
She also learned tap dancing during a 12-week span so she could handle a specific role in “Mary Poppins.”
Whether performing on stage or working with dealerships, Jeffreys urges professional who are either young or not familiar with the intricacies of the automotive space to approach it like she did — with enthusiasm and optimism.
“This business has many facets. Learn as much as you can about how consumers want to buy and service their cars and follow that path,” Jeffreys said.
“The most rewarding experiences almost always come back to an opportunity or success that I have helped to create for or with others,” she went on to say. “Seeing those whom I have mentored grow professionally, or learning of successes built upon a foundation I had a hand in building, are almost usually the most memorable.”
Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees.
These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association.
Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.
Many of us have a specific car or truck that when we see one, we get nostalgic. For Mandi Fang, that vehicle is a Chevrolet S10.
To paraphrase the Kenny Chesney song, she goes back to summers in college working at a General Motors plant in Moraine, Ohio.
“I worked on the assembly line and did everything from using a rivet gun to applying chassis paint. We built the Chevrolet S10,” said Fang, a 2016 Women in Remarketing honoree. “To this day, when I see an older S10 on the road, I find myself right back there on the line.”
But vehicles are more than just nostalgia for her. The car business quickly became a passion and a career path for Fang, who is now vice president of product management at vAuto.
“It happened almost immediately. I loved the fast pace, ever-changing technology and most of all, the people,” she said when asked when she knew the car business was something she wanted to pursue.
Since graduating from college in 1992, her work along the way has included industry players like Reynolds and Reynolds, AutoNation and more. She has been with vAuto for nearly a decade.
When asked about her most rewarding automotive experiences, Fang said: “The first came in the mid-1990s, when I earned the honor of being part of a team that helped AutoNation open its first mega-store concept. We were working in absolutely unchartered territory, and it was fascinating and inspiring to be part of a group that was determined to change the car business and the vendors who supported them.
“Another rewarding experience is simply the time I’ve spent at vAuto. If you know Dale Pollak, you know he is innovative, caring and a truly remarkable person. His determination and drive, and his desire to change the business for the better, create a very unique culture at vAuto,” she added. “Nine years ago, when I got the offer to work with Dale at vAuto, I jumped at the chance. vAuto remains a place where I learn, grow and get inspired, both by Dale and the great people who work there.”
During her career, Fang has enjoyed seeing the level of innovation that dealers have put into their respective businesses, particularly as the online environment and the need for greater transparency have taken hold.
“The car business has changed the most in the area of transparency. The rise of the Internet has been an absolute boon to consumers, who can now build most, if not all, of their deal online without ever visiting a dealership,” she said.
“This increase in transparency has also created equal parts challenge and opportunity for dealers. Just as it was in my early days with Reynolds and AutoNation, it’s fascinating to see the level of determination and innovation in dealerships to serve their customer clients to the best of their abilities,” she added.
But it’s not just cars or the car business that interests Fang. She’s a big fan of hiking, something she enjoys with her family, as well as lending a hand to her community.
“I thrive on the feeling of possibility and potential that arrives when you stand at the top of a mountain or look out over a vista. The views are simply breathtaking and inspiring. We moved to Huntsville, Ala., about a year ago and my husband and I were delighted to discover the Monte Sano State Park,” Fang said. “It’s now our family’s favorite place to go outdoors and explore new trails. We also enjoy spending time getting to know our new city, and I volunteer at a local hospice.”
Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees. These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association.
Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.
Mary Churchill looks at her more than 40 years in the industry — which began in 1975 with a job at what was then known as GMAC (now Ally) — in two pieces.
The initial portion centered on auto finance, with the latter focusing on remarketing.
“I review my career in two parts: the first half was spent as a part of teams processing the various functions of the auto finance business. During the second half in remarketing, I have been more autonomous in running an auction’s remarketing operation,” she said.
“Along with management guidance, my individual efforts and teamwork with auction personnel/Ally servicing teams determine the success or failure of the physical lane sale each week for Ally,” said Churchill, a 2016 Women in Remarketing honoree. “I also see and interact with my dealer customers face-to-face each week, learning from their perspective.”
Churchill moved into remarketing in 1998, and said she was GMAC’s first female auction remarketing representative. She currently is an auction representative for Ally at State Line Auto Auction in Waverly, N.Y. Of her 41 years at Ally, 18 have been spent in remarketing, where the company said she recently surpassed 250,000 in vehicle sales.
“The 40-plus years of my career has seen the transition of finance company repossessions sold at public sale lots to private auction sales for dealers only. That transitional process took place for GMAC in the late 80s and early 90s,” she said, when asked where her area of the car business has changed the most.
“With a burgeoning client base, the auto auction business flourished and expanded. Secondly, technology has transformed the entire used car industry from how dealers and lenders market and sell their vehicles to the variety of tools that the retail customer has to make a purchase decision,” she added.
In addition to seeing the market change throughout her career, Churchill has also been privy to strong leadership and mentorship over the years.
“I have been fortunate in my years of remarketing to learn from the knowledgeable and professional leadership in GM and Ally remarketing. Partnering with the leadership teams at different auctions has provided a varied perspective on management styles and best practices,” Churchill said.
“I was also fortunate to be mentored by an auctioneer who helped me gain confidence and savvy during my early years on the sale block. I learned the importance of being consistent and decisive which has served me well to this day. Finally, a long-retired GMAC vice president gave this advice: before you take action, always think to yourself ‘I may be right, but am I wise?’”
Off the clock, Churchill enjoys a good run, volunteering and spending time with the family.
“While not as active in competitive running as the past 30 years, I still enjoy participating in an occasional 5K race or fun run. Exercise is for life and the key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” she said.
“Six years ago, I became a regular volunteer at the local ‘community kitchen’ and more involved in my church’s fundraising and fellowship activities,” Churchill added. “I spend vacation with my family, grandchildren and friends at our family home on the coast of Maine.”
Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees.
These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association. Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.
Granted, the auction business was a “culture shock” when she first joined, said Rachel Ballard, one of this year's Women in Remarketing honorees.
But after only a week in the business, she knew it was for her and said she “can’t imagine doing anything else.”
The auction business is fast-paced, changing all the time and a great place for growth and learning, which is part of why Ballard — the national accounts manager at Capital City Auto Auction — enjoys it.
“I was working in a completely different field, for women, with all female employees, as well as doing sales and marketing and performing services on mostly female clientele,” Ballard said, describing her path to the business. “I was offered a job in the automotive industry, but declined because I enjoyed my job and the hours.
“Six months later, the opportunity presented itself again, and this time, I decided to try my hand at sales in the auction world — for male employers, with many male colleagues and the majority of male clientele. It was a culture shock to say the least,” she said.
“I have the utmost respect for my male employers and colleagues, but I’ve grown to greatly appreciate the influence of the women in this industry who offer their skill, knowledge and expertise,” Ballard said.
“I don’t think a day has gone by that hasn’t presented its own challenges and new opportunities to learn. I thoroughly enjoy the fast-paced environment I now find myself in. I can’t imagine the auto industry ever providing a mundane experience, nor can I imagine a future outside of this industry.”
Ballard said being in the car business can brought several rewarding experiences. One of those was the first time she attended an industry convention.
“It was nothing I did or can pat myself on the back for. I simply got a glimpse of what being in the auto industry is all about. We are a part of such a massive industry that effects most people in our country on a daily basis,” Ballard said.
“I’m both honored and humbled that my employers place their faith in me to represent not only their business, but their family’s legacy,” she continued. “I pray for God’s favor and I believe I’ve been blessed with that. People in our industry are so warm and giving. This industry employs people who are willing to share their knowledge and I’m grateful to learn from the best.”
One of those folks is Charlotte Pyle, a 2014 Women in Remarketing honoree, a past NAAA president and the co-owner of Capital City Auto Auction and Mountain State Auto Auction.
Ballard finds her to be among the people who inspire her.
“Charlotte is always hungry to learn more, to do more and to lend her services wherever possible. She’s a lovely example of balance and commitment. There are countless women and men in this industry who I feel have taken me under their wing and helped me grow professionally,” Ballard said.
“People from all different fields within the auto remarketing industry, who, for lack of a better description, reach across ‘party lines’ to offer guidance,” Ballard said. “I’m grateful for their knowledge, experience and leadership.”
Ballard also mentioned her mother as an inspiration.
“She is the perfect example of the Proverbs 31 woman. She managed a home, three daughters, and multiple people in our community who just needed a helping hand or a boost. She beat breast cancer at 38, all while she was the principal of a school. She kept it all together with grace and dignity. That shows me that I can do the same,” Ballard said.
Just as she has learned from her mom, Pyle and others, Ballard said the technology and innovation in today’s auto business requires industry professional to continue learning and improving. The advances in tech and information is where Ballard said she has seen the most change during her career.
“I believe that consumers have so much more information at their fingertips at any given moment than just a short time ago, that regardless of our place in the industry, we must keep ourselves informed and on the cutting edge of what technology has to offer,” she said. “Thankfully, our industry continually provides us with new ways to educate ourselves so that we can remain competent.”
Ballard also emphasizes the importance of communication, which she counts as a critical part of her approach to problem solving.
“There is always a correct and an incorrect, a wrong and a right, but simply listening to a view or opinion other than your own can lead to progress and understanding to reach the best possible outcome in any circumstance,” she said.
Lastly, when asked to share her interests when she is off the clock, Ballard said: “I enjoy time with my children and loved ones. Reading is a luxury I indulge in when at all possible. I enjoy anything outdoors as well: golfing, boating, camping, skiing, live music of most any genre and sporting events, especially when my children are playing!”
Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees.
These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association.
Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.
Some of Nancy Fitzgerald’s earliest memories upon entering the automotive industry include a Daewoo and a first job where the tasks included just about everything under the sun.
Fitzgerald — who is now as president and chief executive officer of iLendingDIRECT — began her automotive career when she and her late husband, Patrick, opened a small dealership in Denver.
“We literally began in a building that used to be a garage and still had the lingering smell of oil and fumes of gasoline, but it worked,” said Fitzgerald, a 2016 Women in Remarketing honoree. “Patrick was the manager and lead sales persons, and I did everything else. That included the marketing, accounting — and sadly even cleaning the toilets.
“It was an exciting time as we felt our way through the business, learning every step of the way,” she continued. “When I look back, I recognize that we began the dealership with the vision and dream of expanding the business into something much more than it was in the early days.”
What about the Daewoo? Well, that was the first vehicle Nancy Fitzgerald ever retailed. The turn convinced her that she wanted to pursue a long-lasting career in the automotive space.
“It was a Daewoo; yes I am admitting that,” Fitzgerald said. “I tried to convince the young man to buy anything else, but he was adamant and he said it was all he could afford. He was as happy as a clam. I was hooked. He was happy and that made me happy.
“That first sale and writing my first refinance loan got me hooked,” she continued. “This line of business was completely new to me as prior to that I worked as a news anchor and reporter. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and the service aspect of the job and it was exhilarating to capture that success.”
The exhilaration and success of retailing vehicles allowed the couple to expand and eventually form a new company, Fleet Financial, which has since been rebranded as iLendingDIRECT. The company is designed to provide low‐interest auto loans and end‐of‐lease financing programs directly to consumers, specializing in tailored solutions to customers’ unique financial situations.
“I love that we truly help people when we refinance their auto loans or get them a fleet vehicle thousands of dollars back of book,” Fitzgerald said. “We take people from double-digit to single-digit interest rates. For our customer saving $100 a month on their auto loan means food on the table at the end of the month, or catching up on their bills.
“One of my favorite stories is when we did a cash-out title loan for one couple, giving them $10,000 cash and that enabled them to adopt a baby together. That was so special. Giving a woman the news that we pulled through for her and she will soon be a mother was pretty incredible,” she went on to say.
The trajectory of the company changed dramatically when Patrick Fitzgerald was killed while riding his bicycle in 2014. Now Nancy Fitzgerald has some refined strategy when it comes time to make important decisions; a recommendations she hopes others follow.
“I always give myself the 24-hour rule. Don’t make a critical decision without really thinking it through. Don’t rush,” Fitzgerald said.
“I really do have an incredible team around me, and I rely on their expertise to help guide us. We passionately debate problems, and that is a good thing. Conflict is good,” she continued.
“At the end of the day, it is a decision that will affect us all so we need to see it from every angle,” Fitzgerald went on to say. “And once we come to the path we need to take, we all have buy-in. It may not be the solution we would have chosen if left in a vacuum alone, but it’s the right decision for the company.”
Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees.
These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association.
Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.
The other day, I saw an interview between “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert and Nick Offerman (who will always be “Ron Swanson” in my mind).
They talked glowingly about the term “gumption,” even invoking a tale of self-starter Teddy Roosevelt, the former U.S. president who arguably was the embodiment of a can-do, take-charge attitude.
If you go to Dictionary.com and look up the term — which is in the title of a 2015 Offerman book — you’ll see such descriptions as “initiative,” “courage,” “resourcefulness,” “guts” and “common sense.”
After writing about half the stories in this issue’s special section and editing the other half that my colleague Nick Zulovich wrote, “gumption” may be the most accurate way to describe the common thread among this year’s Women in Remarketing.
These leaders are courageous folks. Their stories about resourcefulness in business decision-making, taking initiative and having the guts to not just overcome obstacles, but thrive because of them.
If you ever need a swift kick of motivation, consider just a few quotes from this year’s honorees:
- “More often than not, you will find these problems are truly opportunities to improve. So evaluate, make the best possible decision you can with the information present, never look back with regret, then move on to the next problem to tackle.”
- “My advice for those interested in the auto industry is to work hard every day and learn as much as possible to understand the work flow between people, businesses, departments, and automobiles.”
- “Problem-solving for me is tearing the problem apart, looking at each step, and then putting it back together again with specific goals, actions, results, and accountability.”
- “When I do something, I do it 100 percent. I may not win every time, but it will never be because I didn’t give it my all.”
- “Never stop learning and growing within your field; continue to push yourself out of your comfort zone.”
- “Be confident. Walking into a full conference room or meeting hall with people you don’t know can be intimidating. Don’t be afraid to walk up to someone, offer a strong handshake and introduce yourself.”
- “After a challenging experience selling a vehicle on my own, I knew that a path to entrepreneurship — and specifically one in the automotive industry — was cemented.”
- “It was a great deal of work, but ultimately very worthwhile.”
And there’s many more inspiring stories of gumption within our April 15 Women in Remarketing issue..
President Roosevelt’s self-starting fortitude may be thought of as a lost art in this country, but it’s alive and well among these business leaders.
Congratulations to all of this year’s Women in Remarketing. It’s an honor for me to include your stories in our publication.
In what we’re proud to call an annual tradition, Auto Remarketing publishes a special issue to recognize the leading women of the remarketing and used-car business: our Women in Remarketing issue.
Each of the leaders honored in our Women in Remarketing program takes on different responsibilities within the industry, and the companies they represent encompass a diverse cross-section of the used-car market. Each has a unique and inspiring story to tell, both within and beyond the business world.
We would like to thank everyone who sent in Women in Remarketing nominations this year. While there are many more women worthy of recognition, we could not spotlight all the nominees, as we are only able to recognize a select few each year.
But stay tuned to Auto Remarketing e-newsletters, as we will conduct another call for nominations early next year.
Below are this year's honorees, in alphabetical order by last name:
- Rachel Ballard, Capital City Auto Auction
- Mary Churchill, Ally Auto Remarketing
- Mandi Fang, vAuto
- Nancy Fitzgerald, iLendingDIRECT
- Martha Garcia-Perry, MetroGistics
- Kay Hudson, CARS Recon, Inc.
- Susan Hughes, Black Book
- Angelica Jeffreys, Equifax Automotive Services
- Rhea Kuntz, United Road Services
- Amy Mills, Cox Automotive
- Susan Moritz, NextGear Capital
- Leslie Ruhe, U.S. Bank
- Katie Rushing, Southeastern Auto Auction of Savannah
- Debbie Stokes, PAR North America
- Connie Suozzo, RMS Automotive
- Leslie Vander Baan, DRIVIN
- Alexi Venneri, Digital Air Strike
- Sheryl Watson, ADESA Canada
- Kathy Williamson, Auction Edge
- Melinda Zabritski, Experian Automotive
Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about these outstanding industry leaders.
The 2016 Women in Remarketing class will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association.
Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.
Of the more than 1,400 companies in the Atlanta area that applied to be included in the 2016 Top Workplaces honors given by The Atlanta Journal Constitution along with the 150 that were recognized, five winners are familiar names in the automotive space.
The rundown of companies receiving the honor on Monday included:
— CarMax and its auto finance division CarMax Auto Finance
— Equifax
— LeasePlan USA
— Lendmark Financial Services
— Navy Federal Credit Union
The Top Workplaces lists are based solely on the results of an employee feedback survey administered by WorkplaceDynamics, a leading research firm that specializes in organizational health and workplace improvement. Several aspects of workplace culture were measured, including alignment, execution, and connection.
“The Top Workplaces award is not a popularity contest. And oftentimes, people assume it’s all about fancy perks and benefits,” said Doug Claffey, chief executive officer of WorkplaceDynamics. “But to be a Top Workplace, organizations must meet our strict standards for organizational health. And who better to ask about work life than the people who live the culture every day — the employees.
“Time and time again, our research has proven that what’s most important to them is a strong belief in where the organization is headed, how it’s going to get there, and the feeling that everyone is in it together.” Claffey continued. “Without this sense of connection, an organization doesn’t have a shot at being named a Top Workplace.”
When learning about being included on the list that’s available here, CarMax leadership cheered the development.
“Being named one of Atlanta’s Top Workplaces is a wonderful achievement for CarMax and CarMax Auto Finance,” said Jon Daniels, senior vice president of operations at CarMax Auto Finance. “This award is a credit to the thousands of associates that together have built a culture of integrity, teamwork and transparency we believe is second to none.”
CarMax has nine stores in Georgia, and the Atlanta metro area is home to seven of them as well as to CarMax Auto Finance, which has been in operation since 1993. CarMax has more than 1,650 associates working in the Atlanta area, including 655 that are located at CAF.
“Behind every CarMax stress-free customer experience is a dedicated, hard-working team of associates,” said Kevin Cox, regional vice president and general manager of the Atlanta region for CarMax. “We place a strong focus on providing developmental opportunities for everyone in the company, and on taking care of our associates by offering a healthy work-life balance and excellent benefits.”
CarMax continues to grow and plans to open between 13 and 16 stores each year for the next two years. The company is currently hiring for more than 1,600 positions across the country including 64 positions in Atlanta store locations and 36 positions at CarMax Auto Finance.
Interested candidates can visit jobs.carmax.com to learn more and apply.
Five different nameplates took honors as Nielsen announced the winners of its 10th Annual Automotive Advertising Awards, celebrating the most effective automotive ads that aired during 2015.
Crowned as Automotive Ad of the Year was Dodge’s “Wisdom” spot, which featured an emotional montage of interviews with centenarians describing what they have learned in life juxtaposed with images of a Dodge Challenger and the tag line “You learn a lot in 100 years.” The ad was created in celebration of the brand's 100th anniversary.
In addition to the overall Automotive Ad of the Year, Nielsen awarded campaign category winners — all celebrating excellence in effective creative across the automotive industry. Winners were announced during the opening press breakfast of the 2016 New York International Auto Show and included:
— Automotive Ad of the Year: Dodge for its “Wisdom” ad
— Sales Event of the Year: Toyota for its Annual Clearance Event “Piggy Bank”
— Spanish TV Advertiser of the Year: Nissan
— Luxury Campaign of the Year: Mercedes-Benz Motors for its “Fable” ad
— Excellence in Digital Advertising: Subaru Motors for its “In the Dog House” ad
“Great advertising is all about a developing an engaging storyline and executing that in a way that connects and resonates emotionally with the consumer in a creative, memorable, and distinctive way," said Mark Sneathen, managing director of Nielsen Automotive.
“Understanding how ad campaigns are resonating with the consumer directly is imperative to reaching them, regardless of the platform that the ad is delivered on,” Sneathen continued.
Nielsen went on to mention these awards are unique since the panelists respond based on what they watched in a natural environment (as opposed to a clinical research environment). The firm said the results reflect real-life reaction to and memory of television commercials.
Nielsen issues surveys for all national commercials within its covered dayparts and networks.
“Receiving this award is one most meaningful honors we can get as it reinforces that the risks Dodge took to deliver the unexpected were successful — in this case featuring centenarians in a video for cars that appeal to a much younger audience,”FCA chief marketing officer Olivier Francois said.
“It’s all about telling a compelling, engaging and effective story, in a way that is true to the Dodge brand attitude, and connecting with consumers on an emotional level,” Francois continued.
“We're honored to receive this award because Nielsen is a trusted source in measuring ad effectiveness directly from the consumer’s perspective,” Francois went on to say about the spot that can be viewed in the window at the top of this page.
