I just finished the Montalcino wine tasting and tasted 20 wines and picked 6 to share in a mixed case.  The wines were from the excellent 2004 vintage as well as handpicked wines from the 2005 vintage. 

 I have include wines that can be enjoyed immediately and some to age a few years.  The wines in this mixed case will surely please you and your friends.   I was very excited to try for the first time the Querce Bettina which has a very French nose and in a blind tasting you could fool a lot of people and the wine was delicious!!!

This is a fantastic mixed case of wines.   The mixed case includes these Brunello di Montalcino wines:

• 1 – Sesti – 2005
• 3 – Talenti 2005
• 2 – Villa La Prata 2004
• 2 – La Fuga 2004
• 2 – La Fuga Reserva 2004
• 2 – Querce Bettina 2004

Total:  12 bottles

Total Cost of wine and shipping and insurance:   560 Euros to USA which is about $705 dollars.   This would make a great gift for friends as well!

This is a great opportunity to experience the best wines from my annual trip to Montalcino.   With your case, I will also include my tasting notes and recommendation for each wine.

To place your order, you can send your shipping address and Credit Card information to Tullio Scrivani :  info@osticcio.com

When you send in your order via email, please copy me at brian@pcgdigitalmarketing.com  so I can make sure all orders get processed before I leave on Monday. 

The wines are shipped and insured direct to your door.   This includes full replacement costs if any bottles are broken.

If no one is home during the day, I would use a work address.

You can also fax your Name, Shipping Address and CC information to Osticcio.com direct at:   011 -39 0577-846907.  Make sure the fax goes through.

If you send a fax, send me an email note so I can make sure it arrives.  Email is the fastest.

Please pass this offer to your wine friends…they will thank you for the consideration once they taste the wines.

Brian

Brian Pasch, CEO

PCG Digital Marketing

I have been going to Montalcino Italy for the past 15 years and last year I skipped my annual pilgramage to Tuscany but not again! 

Those of you who have been on my website or on my wine newsletter know that each year I come to Montalcino and taste over 20 top wines to create a mixed case that can be shipped direct to your home.

This year I have scheduled the wine tasting on July 9th and on the 10th I will send out a special offering to those that have interest.  I’ll send you wines I have selected and the mixed case price delivered to your door.  

This offering will allow you the opportunity to taste great wines from this famous region that you will not find at your local wine shops.

Get on The Offering List

If you want to receive the offer, please send me a direct email to:  brian@pcgdigitalmarketing.com .    There is no obligation to purchase any wines, so if you are interested, send me an email.   If you want to participate once you see the wines and shipped case price, then Osticcio wine shop in Montalcino will handle the rest.

When you place the order, you’ll email them Tulio Scrivani at Osticcio.com your  CC information and shipping address or you can call them direct while I am here.  All the years that I have created this special offer, no one has been dissappointed.  In fact each year the wines have received rave reviews.  Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to experience the BEST wines that I taste this year in Montalcino.

Darkness has a profound effect on my sleep cycle and room darkening shades at a Paris hotel made that very clear.

While I have been in Paris I have been sleeping much longer than usual.   Part of the reason is that my schedule over the past month has been very hectic and this vacation included much needed rest.  But what was surprising was that I was sleeping till 12:00 noon which is my normal 6:00 am back in New Jersey.

Today is my last day here in Paris before I head to Rome so instead of closing off the room darken shades, I left them open when I went to bed.  Miraculously, I got up around 6:00 am and was actually well rested.  The morning daybreak had brought some great light into the room but not piercing sun in my eyes.

It occurred to me that at home we don’t have room darkening shades so the darkness has a profound effect on my sleep cycle.  It may seem elementary to you but it was shocking to see just how much longer I can sleep in the darkness.

The good news is that three days of late sleeping has refreshed my body.  I went running in Luxembourg Gardens three days in a row and run about 2.6 miles a day.  Yesterday I also walked about 5 miles so my legs are really getting into shape.  Paris has been a great experience and I have found the will power to avoid eating a loaf of french bread every day.

The harder part is next: Tuscany.  The pasta….well you know.

Here  are a few quick observations about Paris:

1. Many young people are smoking significantly more than in the US.
2. The ability to find vegetarian or vegan dishes is very hard.
3. The US dollar is stronger as compared to the Euro but food is still at NYC prices.
4. The  service levels at restaurants is strained by under staffing.
5. Buses were very easy to utilize but overcrowding is a buzz kill.
6. The food was wonderful, fresh and satisfying.

So, it has been 15 years since I was in Paris and I have a greater appreciation for this fine city.  I took a jog today in the Luxembourg Gardens and it was fantastic. The city was very clean and the people very accomodating.  Bravo Paris!

Brian Pasch to lead Google Anaytics and Webmaster Tools webinar on June 22, 2010 from 10:00 – 12:00 noon.  The webinar is perfect for students of  Automotive SEO since these tools provide a weath of information to develop SEO strategies for car dealers.

About the Webinar

Google provides a number of free tools that provide a wealth of information to anyone seeking to increase traffic, leads and sales to their website. Google Webmaster Tools, Google Analytics and Google Insights for Search are three tools that are under utilized for Internet Sales Managers.

If you haven’t looked at these tools in the past six months, you will be surprised at the number of new data points that are being collected and measured from your website.

If you are serious about learning more about Search Engine Optimization (SEO), traffic generation strategies, and improving website conversion you need to understand that great data that these tools provide.

This is the first time that Brian has offered to conduct a webinar workshop on these very important tools.

Review The Data

The next step is to review what this data is “saying” about your website. The art of effective digital marketing is to know what the Google reporting data is telling you. During the webinar I will show you of number of strategies that can turn the data reported from these tools into actionable strategies to improve traffic to your website.

Register Before Space Fills Up

I will be doing a webinar on this topic in conjunction with www.DealerRefresh.com which was founded by Alex Snyder and Jeff Kershner. The webinar will be held on Tuesday June 22, 2010 from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon.

The cost is $25 per dealership rooftop login. This is a tremendous opportunity to unlock the mysteries of these tools and improve your digital marketing strategies.

If you are interested in attending, click on the button below:

Dealership name

Contact Name & Phone

If you Don’t have a PayPal account, you can pay with any credit card, just click on the link in the lower left corner of the payment screen after you click the button, as shown below:

Register Today

Since we expect this event to sell-out quickly, we encourage you to sign-up today. You can also send this page link to people in your 20 group and invite them to attend.

Once we receive your payment, you will be added to the list and your webinar link will be emailed 2 days before the event.

The information and training that you will obtain from this webinar will be priceless because it will show you how your website is “respected” by Google and how to create a more effective digital marketing strategy.

A variety of Shows in Atlantic City are coming this summer, including Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Alice Cooper, ABBA, Aerosmith, Celine Dion, Asleep at the Wheel and many more.

A full list of this summer’s Shows in Atlantic City can be accessed online by going to http://www.ACTickets.com

AC Tickets has become known as the most trusted source for Shows in Atlantic City, sporting events and concerts, and they offer the best possible prices on the best seats available. In fact, AC Tickets promises to beat any competitor’s advertised price, and also offers same-day delivery to customers in Atlantic City for any show, concert or sporting event.

AC Tickets is the premier provider of tickets for all Shows in Atlantic City, and has had a successful 30 year history, due to their honest approach to customer service, which means consumers will never be surprised or misled by hidden fees.

This open business policy makes AC Tickets the only logical source for all entertainment in Atlantic City.
For more information, or to purchase tickets to Shows in Atlantic City visit http://www.actickets.com

The AAN consists of a network of car inventory advertising websites that target local marketing and the unique search phrases that consumers use to research new and used cars.  The AAN will have over 300 websites to assist consumers in its network by the end of April 2010.  The sites will contain automotive buying news, tips, resources and local dealer inventory.  The AAN platform will be formerly launched at the 8^th Digital Dealer Conference in Orlando on April 20, 2010.

In addition to the network of over 300 websites dealers can leverage to advertise their cars, the AAN also includes PCG’s CarPort App™, a software application that allows cars dealers to post their cars on social media websites and popular blogs.  With CarPort App™ car dealers can leverage the search engine power of blogs to write about the cars they sell and include sample inventory in the blog post. 

Dealers who don’t want to maintain a blog can subscribe to PCG’s digital marketing package which includes content development, blogging and social media services in a turnkey package.  The AAN and CarPort App™ give dealers the opportunity to create strong local online marketing campaigns internally or in partnership with PCG Digital Marketing.

CarPort App™ is compatible with popular blogging tools that include WordPress, Blogger, TypePad, NING and Vox.  PCG Digital Marketing also enhanced CarPort App™ to display car dealer inventory on a tab on a Facebook Fan Page and well as a NING social networking website.   The software application empowers car dealers with unlimited advertising possibilities for the cars that they stock or sell.

Brian Pasch, CEO of PCG Digital Marketing, commented on the AAN;  “Car dealers are looking for incremental sales and leads to supplement their current marketing strategies.  The Automotive Advertising Network leverages the power of consumer search and social media to present more opportunities for car shoppers to see their cars.  With free blogging tools and CarPort App™ combined, car dealers can create unlimited local advertising strategies that can appear on Google Page One for popular search phrases.”

PCG Digital Marketing is offering car dealer’s special pricing for inaugural members of the AAN through June 1, 2010.   Early adopters will have strategic advantages for marketing in the local communities so according to PCG, “the early bird will get the worm”.   The AAN and CarPort App™ is being offered to car dealers for $495 a month and includes the custom setup of the dealer’s Facebook Fan Page inventory tab and training on how to create effect blog content with CarPort App™.

For more information on the Automotive Advertising Network and CarPort App™ contact PCG Digital Marketing at 732-450-8200.  Dealers can also read up on the technology at www.automotiveadvertisingnetwork.com and www.carportapp.com

Residential Home Funding Corporation’s MFC program (police mortgage) has been named the progam of choice for the police and law enforcement community.   Jeff Rosen has been endorsed by Jiles Shipp, President of N.O.B.L.E (National Organization for Black in Law Enforcement) as well as the New York and New Jersey Detective Crime Clinic Organization.  Residential Home Funding Corporation and Jeff Rosen have also been named the preferred lender by FLEOA (Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association), Hudson County Prosecutors Office, Sheriff Juan Perez of Hudson County, the North Brunswick Police Department as well as many other police and law enforcement organizations.

The Mortgages for Champions program helps police and law enforcement agents secure mortgage financing while eliminating bank fees, application and commitment fees, and underwriting and processing fees, resulting in substantial savings.

Law enforcement agents interested in securing a police mortgage loan can contact Jeffrey Rosen at 908-415-6050 or visit the www.mortgagesforchampions.com/law-enforcement/

Margherita pizza made with Bufala Mozzarella

While regular mozzarella is made with cow’s milk, Bufala or Buffalo, Mozzarella (not to be confused with the spiciness of buffalo wings) is made with milk from Italian water buffalo.  What’s the difference?  The taste (aka the magic).  The milk from water buffalo is creamier, and while not very good for having with a bowl of cereal, it’s perfect for making one of Italy’s most desired cheeses.  Bufala Mozzarella is so valued, the “Mozzarella di Bufala Campana” Association monitors production quality and location, making sure producers comply with the government declared DOC (Designation of Origin) status Bufala Mozzarella was given in 1993.

 That said, it’s no surprise that Pizza Napoletana and Bufala Mozzarella are a match made in heaven (or in this case, Italy).  “When you take it out of the oven,” says Mangieri “the pizza looks like it has some life.  It’s shiny and glistening.”  Bufala Mozzarella melts differently on the pizza, and in turn adds a delicious, truly Italian taste to the Pizza Napoletana experience.  There are people around the world, including a few in the US, that are trying to produce Bufala Mozzarella.  But staying true to form, Undici imports all their Bufala Mozzarella from Italy to ensure that it has the magic they’re looking for; they wouldn’t dream of using any ingredients short of magical in making their Pizza Napoletana, “The Best Pizza in New Jersey.”

The Accademia Del Vino classes will consist of dinner, lecture and wine tasting. Each class is $39.00 plus tax and 10% gratuity.  There are 8 dates lined up for the winter session:

• Lecture 15: February 15 or 16 – The Wines of Toscana 1
• Lecture 16:March 1 or 2 – The Wines of Toscana Chianti
• Lecture 17:March 15 or 16 – The Wines of Sicily
• Lecture 18: March 29 or 30 - The Wines of Sardegna
• Lecture 19:April 19 or 20 – The Wines of Piemonte
• Lecture 20:May 3 or 4 - The Wines of Campania
• Lecture 21:May 17 or 18 – The Wines of North East Italy, Three Venices
• Lecture 22:June 14 or 15 – The Wines of Puglia, Calabria, Basilicatia

Undici’s wine menu is 100% all Italian and hand selected by owner Victor Rallo.  During the course of the year, Rallo makes several trips to Italy to sample wines and bring back the finest selections to his famed NJ wine bar.  The most recent addition to Undici’s wine list is a prized red Ripasso Valpolicella.  “It has the power of Amarone and the grace of Valpolicella,” says Mr. Rallo.  “It is made from Corvina and Rondinella grapes.  These are two important varietals, very local, very Italian.  My wine is aged for at least 18 months in large oak casks, also very traditionally Italian.”

Undici’s award winning wine menu can be found online at http://www.undicirestaurant.com/menus/wine_list.php

Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket for any of the Accademia del Vino classes can do so by calling Susan at 732-842-3880.  Due to the tremendous demand for seating, reservations can not be made for groups of more than four people.  (Confirmation requires a credit card number that will be charged upon confirmation of ticket purchase.  There are no refunds, however consumers who are unable to attend the session they purchased tickets for can attend a future class).

About Undici Taverna Rustica

Undici Restaurant is an authentic Tuscan style Italian restaurant in Rumson NJ, designed with ancient stone, wood, tile and plaster.  The restaurant features Tuscan cuisine in an intimate and classic setting.  The restaurant is located on West River Road. 

 http://www.undicirestaurant.com

Preston Porter

Social Media Manager

Undici Taverna Rustica

(732) 842-3880

prestondporter@gmail.com

http://rumson.undicirestaurant.com

The Pasch Consulting Group just released their latest comprehensive Internet marketing package that includes their proven techniques to maximize a dealer’s online presence using effective Internet marketing and social media strategies. 

The PCG marketing package implements online marketing and brand messaging through social media platforms, websites, microsites, blogging, banner advertisements, pay per click advertising, video marketing and more. 

The PCG Automotive Digital Marketing package is attractively priced at $1,195 per month for a single dealership.  PCG marketing services are designed to enhance the existing digital marketing efforts within a dealership instead of hiring a full time marketing specialist.  PCG works seamlessly with traditional advertising agencies that service dealers since they do not offer offline media marketing solutions.

Dealers who seek to employ a qualified full time Internet Marketing Manager specialist can plan to spend upwards of $50,000 a year.  The PCG automotive digital marketing packages can help cut costs for dealers who can’t justify a full-time employee or who cannot find qualified automotive digital marketing professionals.  For a fraction of the price of a full time digital marketing specialist, car dealers gain the knowledge and expertise of working with PCG’s automotive marketing professionals.

According to Brian Pasch, CEO of Pasch Consulting, working with PCG specialists, dealers increase their bottom line by allowing their employees to focus on the day-to-day sales operations at the dealership.  “Critical tasks needed to maximize a dealer’s presence online are often put to side by employees who are too busy,” says Pasch.  “We can help them get a jump on the competition by performing these tasks while they focus on operations, sales, and in-house marketing.”

Brian Pasch, CEO of the Pasch Consulting Group, is a respected leader in Automotive Digital Marketing.  He is a noted speaker on the subject of Automotive SEO and digital marketing.

Brian will be one of the instructors at the 2010 Automotive Marketing Boot Camp scheduled for February 12, 2010 in Orlando.  The boot camp is scheduled conveniently one day prior to the official start of the2010 NADA convention so dealership employees can attend both events.

Car dealers interested in strengthening their internet marketing visibility should set up an appointment to speak with Brian Pasch if they are attending the NADA Convention in Orlando in February and cannot attend the Boot Camp.  Interested dealers can contact carrie@paschconsulting.com to schedule an appointment.

To learn more about the Automotive Marketing Boot Camp prior to 2010 NADA, visit http://www.automotivemarketingbootcamp.com/instructors/

PCG will be working with this successful Monmouth County law firm to expand their visibility on the Internet.  Their team of legal professionals understand New Jersey personal injury law and are dedicated to our clients cases and fight for their compensation rights.

Whether you find yourself the victim of medical malpractice, an automobile accident, or a dangerous product defect, the New Jersey personal injury lawyers of the Shebell & Shebell law firm will help you fight against the negligent individuals and institutions that have caused your pain and suffering.

For a free initial consultation about your Personal Injury case, contact the NJ personal injury attorneys of the Shebell & Shebell law firm today at 877-209-9424.

Tom Shebell, Esq

We are so pleased to work with Tom Shebell on the website marketing project because of their wealth of experience and their long list of satisfied clients.

Tom Shebell is committed to fighting for the NJ personal injury rights of those who have suffered harm. Born and raised in the Asbury Park area, Tom spent much of his boyhood years listening to his grandfather, father, and uncle discuss legal issues, and the impact that legal decisions can have on the lives of people.

Some of Tom’s most vivid memories stem from stories told over dinner by his father, Tom Shebell, Jr., about his own experiences trying both civil and criminal cases before Monmouth County jurors. Tom knew at a young age that he would never represent big business or insurance companies. To the contrary, he always knew that he would fight tirelessly for people incapable of fighting insurance companies, their employers, and big businesses.

Tony Mangieri Comes to Undici

Special types of wood are used throughout the cooking process to make true Pizza Napoletana

Some might say that Undici Italian Restaurant in Rumson ‘wood’ go to any length to make the state’s best Napoletana Pizza.

The famed Italian pizza maker spent the better part of the last few months updating their kitchen to create an authentic, Naples style, wood fired oven.

The new oven is part of Pizza Guru’s Anthony Mangieri’s recipe for the perfect Pizza Napoletana.

Undici’s owner, Victor Rallo, envisioned making the state’s best, authentic Pizza Napoletana.  To help make that dream a reality, he hired Anthony Mangieri as his exclusive pizza consultant.

Pizza Napoletana is extremely rare in NJ, and in most states in the US.  The authentic Naples style pizza calls for a demanding recipe and difficult cooking process.   For starters, only a wood fired stove, using very particular types of wood at different phases of the cooking process can be used.

Additionally, all ingredients are imported direct from Italy, including dough made from all Italian ‘00’ flour, San Marzano tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and bufala mozzarella.  The special mozzarella is made with the milk from water buffalo raised in the marshlands of Campania and Lazio.

According to Victor Rallo, owner of Undici, the art of crafting authentic Pizza Napoletana is so delicate, he wanted the expert guidance of legendary pizza guru, Anthony Mangieri.

Mangieri is the culinary master behind New York City’s famous Una Pizza Napoletana, which closed its doors earlier this year after five phenomenal years in business and will reopen in San Francisco early next year.  He has since become world famous for his unrelenting passion for hand crafted pizza, and as one of the best pizza makers in the country.

My Experience

I took my office to taste all their pies and they are wonderful.  My favorite was the arugula and prosciutto pie and the garlic pie.

To see more photos of Anthony Mangieri in action, visit Anthony’s Flickr Photo gallery.

Come out to Undici for New Jersey’s Best Pizza.

Undici Restaurant

11 West River Road

Rumson NJ 07760

732-842-3880

http://www.undicirestaurant.com

KDS has been recognized by America’s largest retailer chain with recognition that included “Supplier of the Year”.  If you would like to learn more about their full line of services that include distribution warehousing, supply chain management, apparel warehousing, cross docking and pick and pack service, please visit: www.distributionwarehouse.org

Back Office Integration

Komar Distribution Services (KDS)  has the ability to serve business opportunities of any size.  Their deep experience in retail goods distribution and their award winning service to America’s top retailers gives our clients a distinct advantage.

KDS  back office solutions will ensure that your inventory moves promptly through the supply chain which gives your business more time to focus on sales and marketing.  KDS takes the burden of operating an International network of warehouses and managing the timely distribution iof goods through your customer channels.

Contact KDS

Komar Distribution Services
16 E. 34th Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10016
(918) 429-7779

I ordered a Rigatoni with sausage, English peas and a wonderful brown/red sauce that coated the past to perfection. 

AMA is a BYOB restaurant in Monmouth County and is worth the trip from anywhere in New Jersey to experience their culinary treats.

After dinner, I recommend that you check out the Wine Bar next door which is open only Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

This is a cool lounge and bar that is very hip and you can continue the wine experience from their affordable wine list.

Sara Karloff Murder Mystery Cruise

Join in the fun and mystery with Sara Karloff, daughter of the legendary actor Boris Karloff, as she hides from a stalker.

The adventure will set sail out of Bayonne, N.J. October 23th on a 5-night cruise to Bermuda aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s EXPLORER OF THE SEAS!

Enjoy one-of-a-kind features like an ice-skating rink, the Royal Promenade (open 24 hours) and a rock-climbing wall. Let’s not forget, there is also the Casino Royale, golf simulators, a miniature golf course, a full size basketball court, and inline skating. With all these activities available, the Spa will offer the perfect and luxurious getaway from it all. By the way, this cruise ship is so high-tech, it even features the University of Miami Ocean Lab, a state-of-the-art oceanographic and atmospheric science lab.

This mystery cruise is full of surprises, masterminded and hosted by Chief Inspector Dwight Kemper. You might be a victim, you might be a suspect, you might have to … find out for yourself!

See the flyer below for more details or call Chris Costello at Excel Travel (818)  842-9604, or email her at chrisco815@aol.com.

Hurry to make sure you don’t get left behind!

Mystery Cruise Details

Here is the official event flyer that has some additional details:

Brian Pasch has been asked to be a guest speaker at the 7th Digital Dealer Conference to be held on November 1-3 in Nashville TN.  According to the Conference website, Brian is one of the top 5 returning speakers as rated by attendee scores from the last Digital Dealer Conference which was held in Las Vegas.

To register for the conference, visit the official website at: http://www.digitaldealerconference.com

This year Brian Pasch will be presenting a seminar entitled “Move Ahead of your Competitors with Content Based SEO Strategies”

Here is the outline of the seminar from the conference website.

By leveraging free and low-cost web publishing platforms, dealers can target any search phrases with effective content-based SEO strategies for Google page one dominance

Are you tired of your competitors ranking ahead of you in Google search results? Are your competitors surrounding you for key search phrases targeting your franchise brand, specific models and service/parts searches in your state? 

Brian Pasch will show attendees how to harness the marketing power of content-based SEO strategies. Learn how to create web articles that target any search phrase in you want high visibility in Google search. 

This session will give hands on examples during the seminar on how to utilize free and low-cost web publishing platforms the leverage your franchise news, special events and sales promotions to increase traffic to your web site. Write your way to better rankings, with more monthly unique visitors to increase your first party leads.  

The attraction of content based SEO strategies are that they deliver traffic and leads like an annuity. Unlike pay-per-click advertising, which stops when funding stops, content-based SEO techniques work day after day for your dealership once the content is published on the Internet. 

With dealerships watching their expenses and trying to do more with less advertising dollars, content SEO techniques will help you move ahead and stay ahead of your competition. While your competitors are asleep about this important marketing technique you should be burning the midnight oil. 

This seminar and handbook will give you the playbook and confidence to return to your dealership and make a difference immediately.

Brian Pasch, president of the Pasch Consulting Group is an 18-year veteran of the direct marketing industry. His company’s web sites are on Google page one nationally for search terms that include “Automotive SEO Consulting” and “Automotive SEO”.

Witnessing the redistribution of media budgets to Internet advertising in 2006, Pasch created an Internet marketing consulting practice. The Pasch Consulting Group has clients in a number of diverse industries and professions; automotive dealers, entertainment, financial services, manufacturing, medical, food service, real estate and consumer goods. Pasch is an avid writer on search engine optimization (SEO) and digital marketing strategies.
 

The CARS funding passed by a 60-37 vote but it had to overcome many attempts to kill the measure by adding amendments to the bill.

New Jersey consumers are encouraged to get out of shop for a new car as soon as possible. Dealers  in the Garden State have been blessed with heavy floor traffic and interest in the CARS program but the money will not last forever.

New Jersey Cash For Clunkers Checklist

New Jersey consumers are reminded to prepare for the CARS program requirements BEFORE going to a local car dealer.  Here are some steps that can save you time and aggravation.

1. Download the New Jersey Cash For Clunkers Checklist
2. Using this checklist, go to www.cars.gov and qualify your clunker.
3. Understand that if you don’t qualify, your local dealer cannot change the rules.
4. Review all factory rebates that may be added to your CARS credit. Check our list
5. Negoitate your best deal and keep in mind that you may not be able to drive away with your new car untill all your paperwork is approved by the government.

New Jersey Cash For Clunkers Dealers

New Jersey residents who would like a local dealer to contact them about their Cash for Clunkers reade-in should request a call by going to: www.cashforclunkersfacts.com and completing the dealer contact form.  A participating CARS dealer in New Jersey will contact you and help you with your questions and new car purchase.

Senate Coverage of CARS Vote on C-SPAN

Senator Richard Shelby says the Cash for Clunkers program is a “clunker”. He claims that many clunkers that were traded in would have been traded in normally without any stimulus needed.		Senator Johnny Isakson is an advocate for a Home Buyer Tax Credit plan to help stimulate the housing and real estate industry. Refers to Cash for Clunkers as a successful program and wants a similar plan for housing.
Senator Debbie Stabenow encouraged the Senate to continue the stimulus bill saying it is a tangible program that consumers can see and feel. She calls the bill a winner. She also asks that no ammendments be adopted which would derail the bill since House is out of session.		Senator Carl Levin urged the Senate not to add any ammendments to the House Bill which would put the death spike in the heart of the Cash for Clunkers Bill. He pointed out that many good amendements would have to be considered when the Senate returns in September.
Senator Jon Kyl wanted to introduce an amendment that would put the CARS program on hold to review spending and make sure deals that were submitted get paid. If the amendment was approved the CARS funding bill would be killed.		Senator Judd Greg claims that his amendment would make sure that the $2 billion in CARS funding debt is not passed to our children. If the Gregg amendment was approved the CARS $2 billion funding bill would have been killed for immediate future.
Senator Tom Coburn’s amendment proposed to give the clunkers to the poor and not to crush them. If his amendment was approved it would have killed the Cash for Clunkers spending bill since the amendment would require a House vote.		Senator David Vitter proposed an amendment on the TARP program which has nothing to do with the CARS program but any new amendments introduced today would kill the Cash for Clunkers funding measure.

David Wilson, CEO of the Preston Automotive group in Maryland  told PCG that the Preston Autoplex outside of Baltimore had completed over  60 car and truck sales. Classic Chevrolet in the Dallas Fort Worth area has 30 deals done according to General Manager, Hagen Durant.  John Cleaves, GM at Midway Chevrolet in Phoenix said that his Chevy dealership  has been flooded with car buyers and that over 20 deals were completed.

Conservative reports say that 18,000 dealers will register for the NHTSA CARS program.  If 50% of the dealers were very cautious and waited to do CARS transaction until the official starting date of July 27th, that leaves 9,000 dealers that have been making deals for at least for one week.

To create our projections, we also had to figure in the Hyundai franchises that started selling CARS deals on July 1st.  When you consider these numbers you can see how the $1 billion in funding could be exhausted in the first 30 days of the official start.

Close to 250,000 cars could be processed under the Cash for Clunkers bill without additional funding.  If 9,000 car dealers have completed 15 deals by today (9,000 x 15 = 135,00 cars) the money for the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) will be gone in a few weeks. 

Our prediction earlier this month  that the CARS funding will run out by Labor Day weekend is looking very solid.  Dealers are writing into our Cash for Clunkers blog (www.cashforclunkersfacts.com)  with feedback that confirms this prediction.  Each registered dealership could easily have 10 sales in the wings.  If that is true, funding could run out by August 10th.

The NHTSA should pick up the phone and call President Obama as soon as the data from CARS sales can be analyzed; the NHTSA will be the first to know the true numbers.  Someone has ask Congress to start the process  of requesting additional funding.  If the program will only get the initial $1 billion allocated, then all the hard work the NHTSA did to get the program started will come to a quick stop.

The NHTSA has indicated that they will be posting the remaining funds for the program on the official website for the CARS program (www.cars.gov).  The countdown clock has yet to be posted but we predict that dealers will have to stop taking deals when the funds get near zero due to processing delays.

Congress will have to act quickly to allocate additional funding before the program comes to a screeching halt.  If that is the case, consumers hope that Congress will amend the language of the bill according to the Cash for Clunkers petition located at:  www.nocashforclunkers.com .  The petition has over 3,000 signatures and will be sent to sponsors of the original legislation next week.

Chrysler’s timing couldn’t be better.  The American auto maker is the first US manufacturer to rival Hyundai’s Royal Flush.  Early in July, Hyundai was the first to disclose their Cash for Clunkers sale strategy, announcing that they would accept qualifying clunker trade-ins and issue rebates for clunkers turned in as early as July 1^st. .

The ‘Chrysler Double Cash for Your Old Car’ will offer consumers additional incentives that can be combined with the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) credit.  For some consumers this can equal up to $9,000 off the MSRP for new cars that qualify for the NHTSA CARS program.  The program will start on July 23^rd. 

Consumers Who Were Locked Out Now Have Options

The program also gives hope to consumers who don’t qualify for the NHTSA CARS program.  With the Chrysler incentives, consumers can realize savings equivalent to consumers who can get government credits under the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS).  In effect, Chrysler has created a universal Cash for Clunkers program for all Americans without all the paperwork.

Under the Double Your Cash program, Chrysler dealers will offer up to $4,500 Consumer Cash or 0% financing for 72 months through GMAC Financial Services on most 2009 model vehicles.  For example, qualifying consumers can get $9,250  in credits to purchase a 2008 PT Cruiser by combining a CARS credit of $3,500 and with Chrysler incentives.  If their clunker doesn’t qualify for CARS credit, they can still get $5,750 off the MSRP of a PT Cruiser.

Cash for Clunkers Website

 This information and more details about Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge specific incentives by model, you can view the summary incentives chart on:  http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/car-dealers/incentives/chrysler

Chrysler car shoppers who do not have a qualifying CARS clunker to trade in are still eligible for consumer cash and bonus cash.  Consumers can learn more about the Cash for Clunkers program and request a call from a participating local dealer by visiting http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/

The CARS program is a great opportunity for car dealers to deliver great customer service and great prices on new car sales.  By combining factory rebates with the government CARS credits, dealers can help consumers get into a new car at prices never thought possible.

The webinar is designed to help dealers communicate the program rules accurately to consumers.  The webinar is also design to help dealers focus their advertising dollars in the most effective places.  You can register for the webinar online by clicking here.

This is what Dealers Edge put together for the email blast to their members.

Cash for Clunkers Marketing Webinar

The gun will sound on July 24 and it will be off to the races.  “Cash for Clunkers” is promising to bring more excitement and customers into your showroom than you have seen for a long, long time.  Those that focus on just the “qualified” clunker owners are making a big mistake as many more customers, ready-to-buy, will be in search of a deal.  Many “not qualifed” shoppers will be primed to accept a good used car deal or may just be moved by existing factory incentives!

Handle the customers properly and you will build your brand integrity in your local community.

Dealers Edge has waited till just after the “Rules” are released to make sure you can take advantage of every opportunity while still complying with complicated government regs.  Brian Pasch (of the DealersEdge Digital Marketing Guide WebCast Series) has put together a comprehensive marketing plan using digital as well as traditional marketing techniques to help you get more customers into your showroom.

He will share that plan on July 28 in a Live WebCast at 1:00 PM EST.  Please join us and make sure that your current marketing plans are in compliance with NHTSA rules and standards.

Dealers are also reminded that if they plan to use the NHTSA green CARS logo in the marketing plans, they must get prior approval by the NHTSA.  By submitting your materials now, you can get them approved in time to be first to market with compliant messaging.

You will learn how to develop a digital market plan to capitalize on the Cash for Clunkers program and the consumer interest it will generate.  Specifically:

• How to make sure your website takes full advantage of organic search in your trading area with a full page of “Cash for Clunker” text including a clear call to contact your dealership.
• How to use this text-optimized landing page for Google Adwords- Pay-For-Click
• How to develop your online and offline marketing graphics and mailers for maximum impact that comply with the NHTSA
• How some are using a merge of dealership customer lists and external data sources to identify prospects or customers who might qualify for a CARS credit
• How to decide whether or not to employ outside data to identify “predicted” Cash for Clunkers candidates
• How to develop a digital organic marketing strategy, including blogs and press releases to drive more Cash for Clunker prospects to your website
• How to develop a cross selling strategy that emphasizes automaker rebates or sales of used vehicles to customers who do not qualify
• How to maximize the sales related to this program in your dealership – both to those who qualify and to those who do not qualify under Cash for Clunkers guidelines.

Join us on July 28th and you will walk away with a marketing template that is sure to bring more customers through your showroom than through your competitors.  This program has only a small window of opportunity – there is no time to sit back and see how things work out.  The winners over the next couple of months will be the dealers who were proactive in seeking out this business.

Members Only Registration Details:

This 90+ minute WebCast presentation will cost you only $198!  Non-Members Pay $298 and You Save $100 because you are a Network Member!

This session will be recorded and a download of the entire program made available to every attendee at no additional charge -So you can review the marketing suggestions and share it with fellow dealership managers and marketing planners.

You will receive immediate confirmation that your registration order has been received and then within 5 days of the WebCast, specific connection details.

To register right now, online, just click here or call 800-321-5312.  If you care calling from outside the U.S. and Canada, call 609-879-4456 and ask for Member Services.

The DealersEdge Satisfaction Guarantee

All DealersEdge Webinars come with a full money-back guarantee.  If you are dissatisfied for any reason, you only need to tell us and we will issue a prompt and full refund.  We realize that purchasing a program online and in advance carries some risk.  It might not be exactly what you thought it was or what you actually need.  Not to worry – just let us know and you get all your money back.  Your total satisfaction is our utmost concern.

But we are certain that you will be more than satisfied with this presentation.  Based on Brian’s performance on four previous WebCast this year and the many positive reviews, we just know you will be fully and happily satisfied.

The government program is their own version of Cash for Cars but the key is to make sure your “clunker” qualifies.  If you qualify there is a small window of opportunity to buy a new car at significant savings.

Cash for Cars

For example, a 2009 Kia Spectra that has an starting MSRP of $13,550 can be reduce 59% if a consumer qualifies for the CARS $4,500 rebate since Kia is also also offering a $3,500 rebate. That’s a total of $8,000 bringing the car price down to $5,550. Every car that a Kia dealer sells at this price is a public relations bonanza.

Another example is a 2009 Hyundai Accent which has a started MSRP of $13,818.00. Consumer who purchase this car in July get a $1,500 factory rebate and if their clunker qualifies for a $4,500 credit that gives them a total of $6,000 toward a new Accent. This would reduce the cost of the MSRP by 43.4% which is like getting the car for half price.

On the domestic front, Ford car shoppers can get similar savings when they purchase a Ford Focus Coupe in July. With a $2,500 factory rebate and a $4,500 CARS credit consumers can deduct $7,000 off the price of a 2009 Ford Focus Coupe SE. This brings down the starting MSRP of $16,875 over 41% to $9,875. That’s a great story to tell and Ford dealers are ready to take advantage of this limited time program.

Without additional funding I predict the CARS program will run out of money by Labor Day weekend so consumers are encouraged to start shopping on Friday 24, 2009 and not delay their purchases until September or October.

From what I gather from locals, the Hilton Colon Hotel in Guayaquil Ecuador, a popular destination for business and vacation travelers, is known for having the greatest selection of restaurants and specialty gourmet food provisions all under one roof.  The hotels multiple options for dining makes it Guayaquil’s most talked about hotel for a good night out with friends. 

American tourists and business travelers will easily know why I think that the Hilton Colon is THE place to stay in Guayquil. Convenience and variety are trademarks of the Hilton Colon which boasts six fine restaurants, upscale shopping, travel agencies, jewelry stores and even a bank.  It’s nice to be able to do all these things in the safety and comfort of the hotel.

Discriminating travelers heading to Ecuador will be rewarded with a wide selection of dining choices:  

• Terrua Wine Lounge - a fine wine bar serving a artisanal cheeses, meats and regional tapas dishes.
• Sal & Pimenta - A gourmet deli that offers fresh sandwiches, cakes, and wood fired brick oven pizza.
• Kioto – Guayaquil’s hip sushi bar serving fresh dishes and inspired cuisine
• Portofino – Guayaquil top destination for inspired International cuisine.
• Vereda Tropical Grill – A popular destination for mouth watering Argentina steaks and fresh seafood.  

New since my last trip, the Hilton Colon Hotel has recently added a full service spa and a state of the art work out facility.  Guests can now enjoy unmatched indulgence with the Hilton Colon’s exotic array of spa treatments.  The new fitness center features the latest technology in cardio equipment as well as a wide choice of nautilus and free weight equipment. 

The Hilton Colon’s Atrium Bar will reopen after a major renovation which is a popular lobby destination where upscale locals and hotel guests mingle.  The Atrium bar is the place to be for local star gazing and VIP guests from around the world.

The hotel is located just 5 minutes from the Guayaquil airport (GYE).  For additional information or to make a reservation, visit their website at: http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/GYEHIHF-Hilton-Col …

Mr. Pasch is scheduled to speak on Monday April 20^th at 5:15 pm and will be reviewing effective Internet marketing strategies and automotive SEO techniques to increase dealer visibility on Google, Yahoo and MSN.

Celebrating its 6^th year, the conference has been growing in popularity due to its focus on cutting edge digital strategies to help car dealers become more effective and profitable in challenging markets. This year, hundreds of dealers from across the country are sending representatives to learn from the industry experts assembled for this exciting four day event.

Mr. Pasch will be encouraging seminar attendees to consider the many roles and personalities needed to compete on the Internet.  Brian Pasch has identified 10 distinct roles that automotive organizations will need to integrate into their Internet sales team. 

“The most valuable Internet Sales managers will be schizophrenic.” jokes Pasch, “The breadth of skills and personalities that are needed for car dealers to compete on the Internet are very diverse. I’ll be identifying ten important personalities that will give car dealers a competitive edge on the Internet.”

Automotive professionals who have not yet registered for the conference can obtain information on registration costs and conference agenda by visiting:  http://www.digitaldealerconference.com .   Automotive professionals can also call Richard Holley at 770-475-9870 for event registration information.

Conference attendees who would like to schedule a free personal consultation with Brian Pasch to discuss their Internet marketing needs, can make an appointment by calling 732-450-8200.  Appointments can be  made after business hours by sending  the Pasch Consulting Group an email at; info@paschconsulting.com.  Mr. Pasch will be available for appointment on Monday and Tuesday, April 20^th and 21^st.

If you are interested in reading more about the services the Pasch Consulting Group offers, you can visit their website and also subscribe to their Automotive SEO blog.

First of all the name of these websites, when they appear on a page of search results for your business name, is enough to unnerve you let alone  When your business name and RipOffReport.com is in the title a Google search result page it immediately implies that you have done something wrong.  When these complaint posts are resolved to the satisfaction of the consumer you will find that the post still stays up.  You might infer that the end game of these websites it to have something “bad” on every business name to drive traffic to their advertising campaigns.

Second, these websites make their living off of being sensational and controversial so doesn’t expect any common courtesy or concern how a post is negatively affecting your business.  The owners of these websites get daily threats and letters from lawyers but most are ignored.  This can be incredibly frustrating especially when businesses could be losing hundreds or thousands of dollars a week. 

Is there any protection from your competitors who decide to make false reports?  Not really.  If someone wants to attack there are numerous ways to defame another company anonymously.  So what is a company to do when the Internet has created a soapbox for anyone to instant create a global message? 

Companies need to have a strategy that includes but offensive and defense measures to control what consumers are writing about them on the Internet.  The companies that are hurt the most be sites like:

•  www.ripoffreport.com
•  www.complaintsboard.com
•  www.pissedconsumer.com

are businesses that implemented a proactive Internet Reputation Management strategy in place that ensured that there were ample positive reviews on the Internet to create a balanced view of their companies and its products or services.

The defensive elements of an Internet Reputation Management would start with ensuring that your business listing is correct in all the top consumer review websites.  Once this task has been completed, an email needs to be drafted that would simplify the task of your customers posting reviews on these sites. 

The customer participation email would have a few versions since there are a dozen places that you will eventually want to have your reviews posted. You would not want to have only one version that shows links to 10 different review websites; it would overwhelm your customers.  I would recommend that you don’t put more than 3 choices in a customer email.

Since there are about a dozen websites that should be considered for your IRM platform, your first email could link to the highest value review sites like Google Maps, Yahoo Local and Yelp.  Once these websites had ample reviews posted, you could send a second version of the email to target sites like InsiderPages, CitySearch and JudysBook.  The goal will be to have at least six positive reviews on the most popular public portals in your industry.

Do your research since every industry has specific high value web review properties.  For car dealers that website is www.dealerrater.com.  For restaurants they have a few high value sites like www.opentable.com and www.chowhound.com.  So, in addition to the well known review websites don’t overlook industry specific websites.

Keep in mind that only REAL customers should be posting.  Often computer IP addresses are checked when a review is posted so 10 reviews from the same IP address would most likely raise a flag and the posts removed. 

Fake reviews are often easy to spot.  Encourage your customers to be specific in their reviews and write about whom they dealt with in your company and what was their specific interaction with your business. In your email, ask them to close the review with their full name and the State/City they live in.  By adding a name the post has an extra degree of credibility rather than a review being signed as “J. Smith”.

The offensive elements on an Internet Reputation Management (IRM) campaign will be proprietary to the firm that you hire to assist you with your specific problem.  However, in effect, an Internet Reputation Management consultant will often employ highly focused SEO strategies and content publishing platforms to push these negative reviews off of page one.

If your business has not carefully review what has been written about your business on the Internet, take the time to assign that task immediately.  Then formulate a company IRM policy that addresses any immediate needs and protects your business from future attacks. Ignorance in this area of Internet Marketing can be costly.