Odds are, you’ve driven past a car dealership at least once this week. But day in and day out, there’s far more that goes on across the lot than talks about inventory and test drives… and this month’s segment of the Grapevine – All In experience shines the high beams on what makes our client, Sunset Automotive Group, special.
Our Director of Social Media and Event Management, Ty DeMeza, and our Director of Artistic Development and Client Strategy, Aaron DeGroot, were on site at Sunset Chevy Buick GMC not only capturing content but collaborating with the engine that drives the dealership – its people. From their continued appreciation for the team that keeps the wheels turning to an understanding of the challenges that come with actually making a sale, here’s what we learned about Sunset Chevy Buick GMC and what they had to say about going “All In!”
What was your perception of Sunset Auto Group before going ‘All In,’ and how did that perspective change after seeing how they work up close?
Ty: “There are many moving parts in this company. But somehow they all come together through optimized processes to achieve success. The body shop is no less important than the sales floor and vice versa.”
Aaron: “Personally, I already have an established relationship with the Sunset Automotive Group, from my over a decade history of them being a client. Not much changed before and after the shoot – it just further reinforced how much fun we have at Sunset Chevy Buick GMC and how amazing of a team they are. They had everything we needed ready before we got there, and their staff were super helpful. A-plus, plus!”
How did this experience drive home that face-to-face interactions matter when creating solutions for clients, especially at dealerships?
Ty: “I think in a business like an auto dealer, the individuals truly separate good from bad experiences. If you have a team that is energetic, works together, and has leadership that is present and understands the goals – but also knows how to let their team operate in an effective manner – you can win big.”
Aaron: “With how many ‘big box’ turnkey advertising vendors that are offered by automotive manufacturers these days, the fact that Sunset Chevy Buick GMC has made it a point to stick with our local agency for this long means everything. They know we are there for them whenever they need us, and they have the same team that handles their account.
The fact that we also live in their backyard gives them an extra level of confidence and peace of mind that we know their market more than any other agency and can drop in whenever they need something. We also provide a level of quality and attention to detail with a local flavor that resonates. Other vendors simply can’t offer or match that level of service.”
What was your favorite part of the day spent ‘All In’ at Sunset Auto Group?
Ty: “Getting the chance to bring a new vision to life at a dealership. There can be a certain stigma cast on auto dealers, and I hope that we can show that there’s a different dynamic that exists at these places.”
Aaron: “Duh – working with a couple of my favorite guys, Felix [Cintron] and Ty!”
What did spending the day ‘All In’ show you about their world, especially the challenges – and how they overcome them?
Ty: “That there are countless individuals doing countless jobs to make sure the ‘wheels are turning’ each and every day. And as a customer, don’t take that for granted.”
Aaron: “Everything is so fast paced and unpredictable in the auto world. So, it’s imperative that our team – and any other partner – can pivot on the fly and coordinate with staff members. Luckily, they did such a phenomenal job prepping everything ahead of time that there really weren’t any struggles we faced.
Also, the key is to be creative. They have amazing looking inventory, but they don’t sell themselves. Nowadays, salespeople have to work harder to make the sale, and social media is a key component in that. It’s vital that we maintain our healthy partnership with them, built on trust and creativity, to make them pop and attract the right buyers!”
Throughout this experience, what moment really stuck out to you?
Ty: “We had a customer come up to us, because we had [Sunset’s] blue polos on, asking us for help. They had no idea we were filming content and didn’t work there until we let them know. But it shows that a simple polo shirt identifies you as part of the brand and you represent that to every person who comes on the lot.”
Aaron: “I realized that I look really good in Chevy Blue. Just kidding! What stuck out most is how our team really understood the assignment.
From start to finish, we executed the progression of the video flawlessly and in a timely manner. We even got a few impromptu scene options because the creativity was flowing! When you have a team who is all on the same page and has fun, anything is possible!”
About Grapevine Communications
Grapevine Communications is a full-service creative marketing agency celebrating 23 years of success on the Suncoast of Florida. To learn more about what we do, visit our services page or call us at 941-351-0024.
