| President's Message |
|
It was about 10 years ago when I joined the Automotive Communication Council (ACC). I'll be honest, I really didn't know what to expect, but I thought if nothing else, it got me out of the office.
Well, joining ACC was a decision I never regretted. Over the past 10 years, we've seen the industry go through changes - and too many changes over the past year. All of our budgets have been crunched and we're being asked to do more with less; less time and less resources.
Today, you have to prove you are making a difference. You have to show ROI or else your budget - and perhaps your job - is in jeopardy. But that's where ACC comes into the picture.
ACC provides valuable networking and knowledge that will help you differentiate yourself in the market, drive results, demonstrate ROI and stay ahead of the trends. Take our 2009 conference, for example, where attendees learned how to launch social media programs for their companies and to hear first-hand from top independent shop owners about the challenges they face every day. This is valuable information that you will not get sitting behind your desk.
As the new ACC president, I can tell you that the ACC Board of Governors is well aware of the limited time you have-and the travel constraints within your company. We combined both annual meetings into our spring conference and developed an incredible agenda. In fact, our evaluations rate the meeting as one of the best ever.
We will continue to develop ideas that provide value for you without costing you your budget or more time away from the office. You will soon hear about an exciting new Webinar series that ACC will launch. More value-added programs are sure to follow.
Of course, you play a major role in how ACC evolves. I ask four favors from each of you:
1) Renew your membership in ACC. If you take ACC dues out of your budget, there is a good chance your boss may never allow you to put it back in your budget. More importantly, we anticipate that the investment you make will be well worthwhile.
2) Tell your peers and colleagues about ACC. Yes, they may be competitors, but there is strength in numbers. The more people, the more ideas, the more sharing and, of course, the more fun we will have.
3) Tell us your ideas. Let us know what you want to learn about, who you want to hear speak and new initiatives that will help you and our industry.
4) Remain-or become-active. I encourage you to become more active in ACC and to bring the increased knowledge and insights you gain back to your office. Activate those ideas and let us know how ACC made a difference for you.
Feel free to shoot me your comments at any time. You can reach me at nealzipser@yahoo.com.
Neal Zipser, NZ Marketing & Communications
President, Automotive Communication Council |
| ACC Announces New Officers and Board of Governors |
|
| The Automotive Communication Council (ACC) has announced its new officers and board of governors for 2009. The board became effective at the ACC spring 2009 meeting, held in May in Austin, Texas.
The new ACC officers are president Neal Zipser, NZ Marketing & Communications; first vice president David Kobuszewski, NASCAR; second vice president Tony Molla, National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE); treasurer Aaron Shaffer, KYB America; secretary Dawn Gagne, Exide Technologies; and immediate past president Katie Noga, SKF.
Continuing board members for the 2010 term are Bob Barstow, Automotive Distribution Network (ADN); Scott Howat, Affinia Group; and Terri McMenamin, Advanstar Communications. Newly-elected 2011 term board members are Ted Hughes, MAHLE Clevite Inc.; Tom Marx, The Marx Group; and Gary Molinaro, The Greensheet.
"It's a challenging time for everyone in the aftermarket and now, more than ever, marketing professionals need to be on top of their game, creating brand differentiation, driving results and demonstrating ROI. The goal of ACC is to assist marketers with these important tasks," said Neal Zipser, ACC president. "In the coming year, the board of governors will be working hard to make sure our organization evolves with the industry and to ensure that we provide real value to our members - and to the industry."
|
| ACC 2009 Meeting in Austin, Texas |
|
The ACC 2009 Meeting provided terrific education and networking opportunities for attendees. Held at the Hilton Austin in Austin, Texas, May 18-20, an enthusiastic group of aftermarket communication professionals spent two and a half days learning about the latest trends in the industry.
Day one was kicked off with a group discussion led by Tom Marx, The Marx Group, on "How's Business," where attendees discussed news and trends in the industry. Mark Sprague, NGK Spark Plugs, started the presentations with "How to Get People to the Party." Keynote speaker Steve Marks, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc., rounded off day one with "Change Today, Win Tomorrow!"
Day two started with a presentation on Aftermarket Career Week by Chuck Udell, Essential Action Design Group. Aaron Manley Smith, Motorphilia, then discussed "Becoming Part of an Online Community - A Success Story." Brooke Hovey, Cohn & Wolfe Digital, followed with "Join the Conversation: How Companies Can Effectively Participate in Social Media Today." The day ended with a group dinner at Copa Bar & Grill in downtown Austin.
A technician panel moderated by Tony Molla, ASE, and including local Austin repair shop owners David Cox,
George Cox Automotive and Mike Gordon, Gordon Automotive, started off day three. They discussed their best business practices and how the independent aftermarket can utilize marketing and communications. Bonnie Caver, Caver Public Relations, presented "Forget Strategy, We Have to Stay in Business!" before a business meeting ended the conference.
Photos are now available by clicking here. Select presentations from the meeting are available to ACC members via the members-only section of the Web site. If you are an ACC member and need help logging in, e-mail Beatrice Livioco at beatrice.livioco@aftermarket.org or call 240-333-1089. |
| Membership Renewals |
|
Attention ACC members! Your continued membership allows ACC to provide a valuable networking forum for the exchange of ideas, information and resources about issues, challenges and trends impacting companies and organizations throughout the aftermarket industry and is greatly appreciated.
By now, current members should have received a membership renewal invoice for 2009-2010. Please fax or mail the annual membership dues, as soon as possible to continue your involvement in our dynamic group.
Also, please let us know if there are any discrepancies in your contact information so that we may update your file in our database. For more information, call 240-333-1089 or e-mail acc@aftermarket.org. |
| 2009 Automotive Communications Awards (ACA)- Call for Entries |
|
Consumers are becoming more interested than ever about their cars. Proper vehicle maintenance is a proven way for consumers to save money, time and energy. The Car Care Council Women's Board and the Automotive Communication Council applaud those companies and agencies that provide automotive information to consumers and the trade professionals who interact with them on a daily basis. Whether it be through outstanding advertising, marketing, merchandising and/or effective PR, these two organizations would like to recognize their efforts through the Automotive Communications Awards (ACA) competition.
Don't miss out on the two best-in-show (Business-to-Consumer and Business-to-Business) awards that will be announced and presented at the WB Reception at AAPEX, Tuesday, Nov. 3!
Entries for the 2009 Automotive Communications Awards are due by Friday, Sept. 4. Click here for the entry form. For more information on the 2009 ACA awards or to become a judge, contact Beatrice Livioco at 301-654-6664 or e-mail beatrice.livioco@aftermarket.org.
|
| Automotive Distribution Network Names Bob Barstow, Gil Gunn Vice Presidents of Marketing |
|
The Automotive Distribution Network has promoted Bob Barstow and Gil Gunn to vice presidents of marketing for the association.
"Bob and Gil have the strategic vision and leadership skills to help take the Network's retail and wholesale business to the next level in our industry,' said Mike Lambert, president of the Network. "Their commitment to the Network and the development of our marketing and training programs over the years has greatly benefited the thousands of independent auto-store and service-dealer customers who are the backbone of the association."
Barstow and Gunn previously served as the Network's directors of marketing since the 2005 merger between Parts Plus and IAPA.
Before joining Parts Plus in 1999, Barstow was director of store planning for Big A Auto Parts; he began his automotive aftermarket career more than 40 years ago as a delivery driver for a local NAPA store.
Gunn, who also serves as the Network's vice president of training, was hired by Parts Plus in 1993 after a nine-year career at J.C. Hamilton Co., where he served as vice president of sales and marketing.
|
|
