Coming next week - July 28, 2011 at 1 p.m.

Effective Digital Marketing Techniques for Your Fixed Operations Departments

Presenter: Brian Pasch, CEO, PCG Digital Marketing

Your Service and Parts Departments can benefit big-time by utilizing some of the same techniques and online assets that have become central to new and used vehicle marketing. 

In this Webinar, Brian Pasch, the recognized "go-to-guy" for employing digital marketing in the dealership, will reveal tips, tactics and tricks that can bring your Fixed Ops Department more sales, more customers and especially more repeat business!

Most of these strategies are either low or no-cost!  Learn easy-to-apply SEO (Search Engine Optimization), SEM (Search Engine Marketing) and Social Media tactics - all can be employed to help pump up your service and parts business & profits. 

You Will Learn...

•  How to employ simple Search Engine Optimization techniques to drive more car repair and maintenance prospects to your service lane!
•  How to explore and then execute Search Engine Marketing campaigns that will connect with car owners in your market in need of the repair and maintenance services you provide!
•  How you can use your dealership's Social Media assets - Facebook, etc. - to build continuing and long-term relationships with highly profitable service customers.
•  How you can get started today!

To register and create your DealersEdge account, please visit MADA's personal website .

Dealer members are reminded of new requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act and changes to the Adverse Action and Risk-Based Pricing Notices which become effective today, July 21, 2011. Section 1100F of the Dodd-Frank Act requires the addition of the following disclosures on any Adverse Action and Risk-Based Pricing Notices:  

•  The consumers credit score
•  The range of possible credit scores under the model used to generate the score
•  The key factors that adversely affected the consumer's credit score in the model used
•  The date on which the credit score was created
•  The name of the person or entity that provided the credit score.

"Key factors,"the third disclosure listed above, explain the credit score. Creditors must list up to four key factors; if one of the factors includes the number of inquiries into the individual's credit report, then five factors must be listed.

These changes do not affect dealers using a Credit Score Disclosure Exception Notice in lieu of the Risk-Based Pricing Notice. Changes to the Adverse Action Notice apply to those dealers who use a credit score in taking adverse action.

Directory Information Updates Requested 

Your Association is the process of updating it's membership records. Dealerships were sent an update form last week, please take the time to confirm the information provided or make the necessary correction and return to MADA's office by fax, 410.269.1549. We will update Associate member information at a later date.

TMQDA Nominations

Nominations for the 2012 TIME Magazine Quality Dealer of the Year Award are due on August 1, 2011. If you know of a dealer you feel is deserving of this prestigious award, please download and return the nomination form by August 1st. Forms may be returned by fax, 800.526.7423, or by email to mdauto@mdauto.org.

ASE Terminating Pencil-and-Paper Testing November 2011

Members are reminding that in 2012 ASE will be changing to a permanent computer-based testing [CBT] format. Dates for the final pencil-and-paper tests are November 10, 15, and 17, 2011. The registration deadline is September 30, 2011. Please visit ASE's website to register for any of these three final pencil-and-paper tests

 The 2012 CBT schedule has been set and is as follows:

• Winter-January 17-February 29
• Spring-April 1-May 31
• Summer-July 1-August 31
• Fall-October 1-November 30

Protective. Providing insurance for dealerships. 4584 Mallard Point Way #9, Dublin, VA 24084. John Bartlett, Regional Vice President, 540.230.4970, john.bartlett@protective.com.

Many thanks to Lynn Polovoy and Clear Channel Radio in Baltimore for their support of our industry. Ms. Polovoy contacted MADA and through our collaboration, Clear Channel will run three 19-second commercial spots in the coming weeks. Each gratis spot will feature a different reason why now is the time to buy a new car. Spots may be heard on WQSR. We heartily thank Clear Channel for their support and helping our dealers.