VinSolutions Company News

VinSolutions™ announces acquisition of Haystak Digital Marketing

Tue, 07 May 2013 19:07:00 GMT

Digital Marketing leader’s products and services will integrate with VinSolutions web products to help dealers maximize the value of their advertising spend.

VinSolutions has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Haystak Digital Marketing, the marketplace leader of digital marketing products and services for the automotive industry.

Haystak will operate under its own brand and continue to provide digital products and services direct to dealers nationwide. In addition, Haystak’s digital marketing toolset will be integrated with VinSolutions CRM and website products to help dealers increase consumer traffic to VinSolutions customer websites.

“VinSolutions acquisition of Haystak now makes it possible for dealers to better utilize every marketing dollar spent by virtue of VinLens live website activity tracking and full CRM integration.” stated Brian Skutta, Vice President and General Manager, VinSolutions.

Skutta continued, “Search engine marketing and other digital marketing products offered by Haystak can serve as a strategic marketing component and effective complement to core online advertising on KBB.com and AutoTrader.com when optimized and integrated well into an overall marketing plan. The AutoTrader Group of businesses will explore ways to include Haystak’s capabilities as a part of their customer offerings, both as a stand–alone solution and as part of an integrated suite of product solutions.”

“The strength and capabilities of VinSolutions and the AutoTrader Group of companies will empower us to faster realize our vision of providing better products and services to a rapidly changing market.” said Duncan Scarry, CEO and founder of Haystak Digital Marketing.

Headquartered in Ft Myers, Florida, Haystak’s products and services are used by hundreds of automobile dealerships in North America.

http://bit.ly/12e5pDe

VinWorx: Networking and Advanced Certification Summit for VinSolutions' Users

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:08:13 GMT

This is a friendly reminder that Early-Bird Registration rates end at midnight on Friday, March 15th, for the VinWorx User Summit.

This must-attend training event will kick-off the 'Class of 2013' with improved curriculum and even more access to our home office VinPro Performance Management teams. Don't get left behind - take advantage of our 'cheep' $399 rates today!

For more information and to register: http://www.vinsolutions.com/vinworx/

But you must hurry. Tickets are selling out fast and you only have a few days left to register at this rate:

When: April 15th - 17th, 2013

Where: Kansas City, MO - right in VinSolutions' back yard!

What: VinWorx is a networking and advanced certification summit for MotoSnap users. A hands-on workshop held under the VinUniversity umbrella, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in specialized sessions; training on new and existing integrated product solutions.

For more information and to register: http://www.vinsolutions.com/vinworx/

Save time and money through FastTrax MotoSnapCertification.

Benefit from the 1:1 consultation and the expert attention you will receive from Jim Nelson, Sr. Director of Performance Management, and his management staff.

Benefit from the REAL value of peer-to-peer collaboration,including exclusive workshops led by select VinSolutions' Dealer Advisory Board super-user members!

For more information and to register: http://www.vinsolutions.com/vinworx/

Local dealership with no need for a hotel stay? Contact us for a 'NOHOTEL' discount!
DAB or PC dealership? Contact us for your 'VINDAB' discount!

Any questions, feel free to contact: gina.reuscher@vinsolutions.com

We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Your dedicated VinCare Team

VinSolutions Hires Jennifer Granson Lee As Dealer Products Leader

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:23:17 GMT

Industry veteran combines technical skill, automotive passion to enhance dealer products, satisfaction
VinSolutions® announces Jennifer Granson Lee has joined the company as senior director of product to help drive the development and integration of dealership solutions and increase client satisfaction.

“This is an exceptional day for VinSolutions and our dealers,” says Brian Skutta, vice president and general manager for VinSolutions. “Jennifer brings a unique perspective and vision to our product team. She understands the needs of dealers and has the experience to shape practical, user-focused software solutions that help dealers attract, serve and retain their customers in a more effective and efficient manner.”

In her new role, Lee will work directly with dealers and VinSolutions product development teams to integrate and streamline existing dealership solutions, including the seamless integration of data and technology from AutoTrader Group and its companies. In addition, Lee will lead new product development efforts to meet the challenges dealers face in a rapidly evolving retail marketplace.

“I’m very enthusiastic to be part of the VinSolutions team,” says Lee, who’s worked the past 15 years in a variety of positions for automotive technology companies. “Everyone here shares my passion for providing dealers simple-to-use products that address key challenges and help them better satisfy and serve their customers. Our business plan blends this passion with an array of product initiatives that will make a difference for dealers.”

Prior to joining VinSolutions, Lee served in dealer product development and leadership roles with DealerTrack, JM Family Enterprises and Reynolds and Reynolds. Her automotive career followed four years of service in the United States Air Force.

Editor’s Note: Lee will join the VinSolutions team at the upcoming National Automobile Dealers Association convention (Feb. 8-11, 2013) in Orlando (Booth #828).

VinSolutions Enhanced Mobile CRM Keeps Auto Dealers Connected to Customers

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:25:09 GMT

The VinMobileTM 2.0 App is now available to VinSolutions’ automotive CRM dealer customers on the Apple iTunes® Store for the iPhone® and iPad® devices.

Overland Park, KS – January 14, 2013- VinSolutions has announced the launch of VinMobileTM 2.0, a new mobile CRM application. The (iOS) app is now available for free download to VinSolutions’ CRM customers for iPhone® and iPad® devices from the Apple iTunes® Store.

“We understand the importance for dealers to be able to communicate directly, quickly and simply in order to stay connected and to retain customers,” said Brian Skutta, Vice President and General Manager of VinSolutions. “VinMobile 2.0 provides this with greater convenience for our CRM customers. As we continue to evolve in the mobile and tablet space, VinSolutions looks forward to serving our partners with products and services that grow with them.”

Establishing themselves as the benchmark in fully integrated CRM solutions in the automotive market, VinSolutions has expanded its best-in-class system to allow dealer agents complete access to their dealership from anywhere and at any time with Mobile CRM.

Top features include:

- Get quick overviews of leads, activities and appointments with sales and manager views.
- Easily add, edit and search customer information, inventory and appointments.
- Reactivate leads marked lost or bad.
- Access app navigation from any screen with a shortcut swipe.
- Receive mobile notifications for CRM alerts.
- Utilize integrated tracking and reporting of customer interaction.
- View commonly accessed CRM reports.

“Bottom line, my dealership has found the app’s most beneficial features are the ability to receive real-time alerts and for salespeople to immediately access their customers’ most up-to-date information and activity from anywhere,” said Pat Hayes, Director of Business Development at Patriot Ford in Purcell, OK.

“In an ever-increasing technical age, being able to send vehicle information and answer questions in a timely manner is critical to the customer satisfaction of a car buyer,” said Tom Walls, VinSolutions’ Vice President of Product and IT. “VinSolutions is able to provide that interaction with real-time updates and alerts, giving our dealers a clear, actionable view into customer needs while no longer being tied to their desks.”

Dealers are invited to learn more about the benefits of VinMobileTM at the 2013 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention and Exposition in Orlando, FL, February 8-11, where it will be demonstrated at Booth #828.

http://bit.ly/VinMobile2

VinSolutions VP of Sales Shares How to Connect the Data Point Dots to Map Real Car Buyer Behavior

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 16:51:03 GMT

Sean Stapleton, vice president of sales at VinSolutions, is sharing his expertise with automotive dealers and managers on how to connect the data point dots to map real buyer behavior.

Cutting-edge technology exists that allows the modern and next generation automotive dealership to collect multiple points of data from many different sources and consolidate the view to enhance the consumer online and offline buying experience. Dealers and managers will learn how to sell and serve customers better using real tools they may already have in a new way to improve dealership efficiencies. They will find out what data points are needed to map the road to selling success! Sean Stapleton is sharing his expertise with dealers and managers.

What will dealers and managers learn and what action items will they take back to the dealership?

1. Learn how to use online and offline data points to improve sales.

2. Learn best practice tactics to connect important data points.

3. Learn which 12 keys drive dynamic behavior.

4. Learn what tools are needed to get the real picture, and how to use them.

Sean Stapleton, vice president of sales at VinSolutions, entered the automotive software industry by co-founding IMS, which was later acquired by Who’s Calling where he worked as VP of national accounts and VP of automotive sales, defining expectations for emerging call measurement and monitoring. He later co-founded and established Visible Customer as another market brand. Stapleton joined VinSolutions as the executive VP of sales in August 2010, was appointed to the board and promoted to CSO that same year. VinSolutions realized growth of 678% under his leadership, contributing directly to the company’s ranking by Inc. 500 over the next three years. AutoTrader.com acquired VinSolutions in June 2011. Stapleton is a highly regarded sales visionary, author in top automotive trade magazines and a respected events speaker.

Sean Stapleton will be speaking to dealers and managers on how to connect the data point dots to map real buyer behavior at the 13th Digital Dealer® Conference & Exposition, October 23-25, at The Mirage in Las Vegas, NV. For more information about Sean Stapleton and other speakers, visit: http://www.DigitalDealerConference.com

VinSolutions Recognized for Pinnacle Platform Performance and Best Integrated Website with 2012 AWA Awards

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 15:35:58 GMT

VinSolutions was selected by PCG Consulting to receive two 2012 Automotive Website Awards in the Best Website Platform category.

VinSolutions, an industry-leading provider of Internet-based Customer Relations Management (CRM) and Internet Lead Management (ILM) software was recognized with two Automotive Website Awards (AWAs): Pinnacle Platform Performance and Best Integrated Website.

The Pinnacle Platform Performance award is the top distinction made for overall website performance in respect to search marketing, site architecture, speed and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) structure. VinSolutions has been honored with the Pinnacle Platform award consecutively since 2009 and the Best Integrated Website award, recognizing excellence in website technology, in succession since 2010.

The AWA is the highest recognition presented to companies that assist the automotive retail industry to operate more effectively and identifies the most innovative technology and software solutions for automotive retailers. The honorees are selected after rigorous testing and evaluation from PCG Consulting, a leading consultancy firm that assists car dealers with best practice solutions for business operations and marketing. Sean Stapleton, Vice President of Sales and Kendall Billman, Vice President of Interactive Marketing, accepted the awards on behalf of VinSolutions from PCG Consulting at a ceremony held at Aria Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. A full list of winners can be found at www.automotivewebsiteawards.com.

"VinSolutions is honored with this level of acknowledgement. This again confirms that if you listen to your customers they will help direct you to what they really need. We would like to thank all our customers, employees and the automotive industry for these awards”, Stapleton said.

Billman added, “VinSolutions is dedicated to providing search compliant websites that integrate fully into our suite of products. Our platform provides dealers a complete end-to-end marketing solution and we continue to expand its website functionality and features for results that speak for themselves.”

PCG Consulting has created a 2013 Automotive Buyers Guide and Reference Book, which documents the 2012 AWA winners and supporting documentation for their choices. Electronic copies of the book can be download on Apple iTunes and Google Play on October 1, 2012. Printed copies of the 2012 AWA Buyers Guide and Reference Book can be ordered directly.

http://bit.ly/VIN2012AWA

VinSolutions Ranked on the Inc. Magazine 500|5000 List for Third Consecutive Year

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:18:15 GMT

VinSolutions has been named the 51st fastest growing software company and is ranked the 616th fastest growing company in America overall for 2012.

VinSolutions, an industry-leading provider of Internet-based Customer Relations Management (CRM) and Internet Lead Management (ILM) software, announced today that it has been recognized by Inc. Magazine on its coveted 500|5000list as one of America’s fastest growing private companies for a third consecutive year. VinSolutions has earned the 51st position as the fastest growing software company and the 616th fastest growing company overall based on its sales growth over a three-year period.

“VinSolutions is honored to be acknowledged on this exclusive list for the third year in a row,” said Sean Stapleton, Vice President of Sales at VinSolutions. “I would like to thank all of our employees, automotive dealer customers and the AutoTrader Group for their fantastic support and faith in our organization. It’s an accomplishment made possible by a first-class team.”

The achievement is particularly notable as a company that has thrived in a stagnant economic environment. Median growth rate of 2012 Inc. 500|5000 companies remains an impressive 97 percent. The companies on this year’s list report having created over 400,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $299 billion.

“Now, more than ever, we depend on Inc. 500|5000 companies to spur innovation, provide jobs and drive the economy forward. Growth companies, not large corporations, are where the action is,” says Inc. Editor Eric Schurenberg.

http://bit.ly/VinInc5000

Your Votes make a difference to VIN! Complete the AWA Survey for your chance to Win an iPad 3!

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:23:06 GMT

VinSolutions has AGAIN been nominated to be recognized with an Automotive Website Award! Please provide your feedback and vote for VIN through the AWA Dealer Survey here: http://www.automotivewebsiteawards.com/dealer-survey/

VinSolutions has AGAIN been nominated to be recognized with an Automotive Website Award! Please provide your feedback and vote for VIN through the AWA Dealer Survey here: http://www.automotivewebsiteawards.com/dealer-survey/

VinSolutions’ Categories: Best Website Platform, Best Mobile Platform, Best Mobile Application, Best Marketing Software, Best Website Add-On Software

Each unique survey completion is one entry to win one of three iPad 3s from PCG Digital to be raffled off at the AWA Awards ceremony on September 5th. Hurry! The survey closes next Friday, August 10th!

VINSOLUTIONS IS A FINALIST IN NATIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA COMPETITION

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:10:38 GMT

VinSolutions has advanced as a finalist in the Social Madness Contest

Overland Park, KS – July 11, 2012 – VinSolutions, a leading developer of web-based CRM and ILM complete dealership marketing solution software, has advanced as a finalist in the Kansas City Business Journal “Social Madness Contest”, presented by Capital One Spark Business. Winners are scored based on points accumulated through interactions on Twitter, Facebook,LinkedIn and votes tallied on the Social Madness Website.

The contest launched in June with more than 50 entries in the first round. Twenty-four companies progressed into the Social Madness tournament. VinSolutions is competing in the medium-sized bracket, companies that employ 100-499 people, and has moved ahead of Arvest Bank, Bank of Blue Valley, Boulevard Brewing Company, Plattform Advertising and Fry-Wagner Moving and Storage for its current position. Other contenders include Garmin International, Cerner, OneLouder Apps and San Francisco Music Box Company. VinSolutions is matched up for a head-to-head battle against Lee Jeans in the fourth and final round. The local winner will announced July 17, 2012 and will receive an automatic bid into the national competition that begins the following week.

VinSolutions’ corporate business-to-business social media management and automotive dealer clientele’s business-to-consumer social media management is operated by its VinSocial Marketingv department as an extension of public relations; promoting brand awareness and reputation management, increasing SEO rank and expanding customer reach. VinSocial is integrated with the VinSolutions’ suite of products and was the first to report true social ROI withVinLensTM behavioral tracking technology.

About VinSolutions (www.vinsolutions.com)

VinSolutions, headquartered in Overland Park, KS, consolidates data from all areas of an automotive dealership helping dealers to find, sell and keep customers more profitably with their fully-integrated “Dealership Marketing System.” VinSolutions’ all-in-one internal management and external sales and service marketing solution platform includes search marketing, online advertising, social media marketing tools, mobile marketing, websites, ILM (Internet Lead Management), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), sales force automation, desking, appraisal, finance, used vehicle marketing and market pricing, inventory management and distribution, window stickers,automated video tours, loyalty management and targeted marketing with email, text, direct mail and telemarketing services. This cloud-based system is available for large dealer groups and individual dealerships from anywhere an Internet connection is available and can be viewed from any smartphone including BlackBerry, Google DROID and iPhone. VinSolutions’ Dealership Marketing System is installed by their implementation experts and supported by best practice retail strategy consultation, process training and customer care.

VinSolutions was named on the Inc. 500|5000 in 2010 and 2011 and has received many industry accolades including the Automotive Website Award for Best Integrated Website Platform and the Driving Sales Innovation Cup for VinLensTM. VinSolutions is certified by GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai, Acura, Mazda, Toyota, Subaru, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Kia, Saab, Mitsubishi, Infiniti, Jaguar Land Rover North America and Nissan and is ADP, Reynolds and Reynolds and DealerTrack DMS certified. Other alliances include, but are not limited to, Kelley Blue Book, Black Book, Galves, NADA, CARFAX, R.L. Polk, AIS Rebates, KnowMe, AutoSoft, Arkona, Autodata and RouteOne. Founded in 2006, VinSolutions became a subsidiary of AutoTrader.com in 2011.

About Business Journals (www.bizjournals.com)

The Business Journals is the premier media solutions platform for companies strategically targeting business decision makers. They deliver a total business audience of over 10 million people via our 42 websites, 62 publications and over 700 annual industry leading events. Their media products provide comprehensive coverage of business news from a local, regional and national perspective. The Business Journals have more people, publications and websites covering our nation’s business than any other business media organization. The Business Journals are a division American City Business Journals.

http://bit.ly/VinSocialMadnessContest

AUTOTRADER GROUP FILES REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR PROPOSED INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:48:18 GMT

AutoTrader Group today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the offering have not yet been determined. AutoTrader Group operates the largest digital automotive marketplace in the U.S. and is a leading provider of marketing and software solutions to automotive dealers throughout the nation.

The bookrunning managers of the proposed offering will be Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC.

The offering will only be made available by means of a prospectus. A copy of a preliminary prospectus, when available, may be obtained from: Goldman, Sachs & Co., 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, Attention: Prospectus Department (tel:+1-866-471-2526)(e-mail: prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com); or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014, Attention: Prospectus Department (tel:+1-866-718-1649)(e-mail: prospectus@morganstanley.com).

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.