In this episode of Word on the Street, we’re joined by Curtis Driver, Omnichannel Digital Sales Manager at Capital Auto Group, to unpack why dealers so often fire vendors within the first 90 days — and what both sides get wrong during onboarding.

Curtis shares a candid dealer-side perspective on why onboarding breaks down, how silence and unclear expectations kill momentum, and why utilization is the most important metric dealers should be watching early on. The conversation covers how marketing, BDC performance, and in-store execution must work together, why dashboards don’t matter if managers aren’t trained for accountability, and how communication methods like SMS and short-form video outperform email inside the dealership.

The episode also explores omnichannel digital sales, realistic uses of AI in sales and service, the role of CDPs and lifecycle marketing, and why AI should scale employees — not replace them. Curtis explains how dealers evaluate vendors in the first 14–90 days, what causes frustration during rollouts, and why proactive communication is the biggest differentiator between vendors who last and vendors who get canceled.

If you’re a dealer, vendor, or automotive marketer looking to build stronger partnerships, improve onboarding outcomes, and cut through AI hype with real-world insight, this episode delivers practical takeaways straight from the store level.

Our Website: https://www.dealeromg.com/

Find us on social:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dealer-omg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DealerOMG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dealeromg/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealeromg

Contact us:

info@dealeromg.com

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This week on Word on the Street, Andrew sits down with Chris Martinez, a 22-year automotive veteran who’s done it all — from managing at CarMax to building and selling dealership software, and now leading the charge in AI-powered follow-up.

Chris shares what it was like growing dealerships from 50 to 500+ used cars a month, spotting white-space opportunities before the industry caught up, and how he’s using AI voice, SMS, and email automation to help dealers stay connected with customers long after the lead goes cold.

They dig into:

• How foundational experience in used cars creates better general managers
• Why social and language-targeted ads were his early growth secret
• Where AI is actually moving the needle for dealers today
• What the next era of lead follow-up and customer retention will look like

Whether you’re a GM, vendor, or entrepreneur in automotive, this episode is a masterclass in curiosity, resilience, and staying a student of the game.

Our Website: https://www.dealeromg.com/

Find us on social:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dealer-omg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DealerOMG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dealeromg/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealeromg

Contact us:

info@dealeromg.com

512-436-9677

From MBA courses to dealership leadership, Greg Smith has built a career on analytics—then discovered the power of people. In this episode of Word on the Street, Greg shares how his “Dad in the Desk Chair” newsletter took shape, the leadership lessons that reshaped his management style, and the data-driven strategies helping dealerships grow market share, boost service retention, and create winning cultures. Whether you’re in automotive retail or just love a good leadership journey, Greg’s insights blend hard numbers with human connection.

Topics We Cover:

• The story behind Greg’s Dad in the Desk Chair newsletter and how he built an engaged audience on LinkedIn
• Lessons from “The Quest” leadership program and transforming a numbers-first mindset into people-first leadership
• Using market share and overlooked KPIs to uncover hidden dealership growth opportunities
• Service department video strategies that drive higher approvals and retention
• Building a culture of accountability and buy-in across sales, service, and management teams
• What really moves the needle in marketing and digital retailing for automotive groups

Our Website: https://www.dealeromg.com/

Find us on social:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dealer-omg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DealerOMG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dealeromg/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealeromg

Contact us:

info@dealeromg.com

512-436-9677

In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with Jarrod Kilway, VP of Digital Operations at Casa Auto Group, to explore how AI is reshaping dealership operations. From training GPT agents to pull real-time insights from the DMS and CRM, to automating marketing campaigns and service outreach, Jarrod shares how dealers can use AI to cut inefficiencies, boost profitability, and deliver a better customer experience.

We also dive into zero-click search, voice technology, and what the next wave of disruption could mean for automotive retail. Whether you’re a dealer, marketer, or just curious about how AI is changing the industry, this conversation is packed with forward-looking strategies and practical takeaways.

Our Website: https://www.dealeromg.com/

Find us on social:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dealer-omg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DealerOMG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dealeromg/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealeromg

Contact us:

info@dealeromg.com

512-436-9677

What does it take to go from rock bottom to leading innovation in the automotive industry? In this episode of Word on the Street, Andrew Street sits down with Trent Cannon to unpack his incredible journey.

From losing jobs during the recession and struggling to find his footing, to breaking into car sales “out of desperation,” Trent’s story is one of resilience, mentorship, and proving people wrong. He shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the mentors who believed in him, and the lessons that pushed him from selling cars on the hot Houston pavement to directing internet operations and driving product innovation at the manufacturer level.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to adapt, grow, and thrive in automotive — this is a story you don’t want to miss.

Episode Highlights:

[00:11] Breaking into automotive “out of desperation”
[02:34] The role of mentors in his early career
[11:13] Climbing to Internet Director and beyond
[19:39] Bouncing back from setbacks
[20:43] Marketing as the lifeblood of dealerships

Listen in to hear how Trent turned obstacles into opportunities and carved out a leadership path in the auto industry.

Our Website: https://www.dealeromg.com/

Find us on social:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dealer-omg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DealerOMG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dealeromg/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealeromg

Contact us:

info@dealeromg.com

512-436-9677

In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with April Ancira—VP of Ancira Auto Group, community leader, and fearless trailblazer in the automotive world. April shares her unfiltered perspective on what it takes to thrive in a competitive industry, from cultivating grit on the lot to leading with authenticity and heart.

She opens up about her playbook for growth, the lessons she’s learned balancing business and family, and why giving back to her community is at the center of everything she does. Whether you’re an automotive professional or simply looking for inspiration to push past challenges, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

⏱ Episode Timestamps:

• [00:01:00] The Ancira family legacy: from Ernesto Ancira’s American Dream to San Antonio’s top Chevy store
• [00:05:00] Breaking barriers: resilience, representation, and lessons April carried into the business as a woman in automotive
• [00:07:00] Collaboration over competition: how San Antonio dealers lift each other up
• [00:10:00] Philanthropy & branding: giving back without “beating your chest”
• [00:15:00] The challenge of reaching younger buyers and NIL partnerships with athletes
• [00:19:00] Rolling the dice: from Cam Ward’s NIL deal to dealership growth strategy
• [00:23:00] Expanding smart: rural vs. metro stores and keeping ads local and authentic
• [00:30:00] The Stellantis challenge, EVs, and why product refreshes matter
• [00:31:00] Finding outlets beyond the lot: April’s stand-up comedy and Ironman training
• [00:39:00] Lessons in grit: turning online criticism into confidence (and campaigning for “Biggest Douchebag”)
• [00:43:00] April’s path into automotive: from Chili’s to selling 4 cars in 2 days
• [00:47:00] Why waiting tables is the best training for leadership
• [00:50:00] Rapid-fire Q&A: first car, dream ride, favorite features, and family advice

Our Website: https://www.dealeromg.com/

Find us on social:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dealer-omg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DealerOMG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dealeromg/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealeromg

Contact us:

info@dealeromg.com

512-436-9677

In this episode of Word on the Street, we sit down with Kyle Newsom, Co-Founder of Vesperio, to dig into the real challenges and opportunities facing dealership fixed operations. From communication breakdowns to training gaps, Kyle shares why most service departments struggle with efficiency and what dealers can do to increase profitability while retaining both customers and staff.

We cover:

• Why most service issues boil down to communication
• How dealerships can turn basic training into long-term retention
• The critical handoff from sales to service and its impact on customer lifetime value
• Recruiting, onboarding, and keeping top talent in today’s tight labor market
• Why investing in people is not an expense—but a growth strategy

If your dealership is looking to boost fixed ops performance, grow service revenue, and actually keep the talent you hire, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Our Website: https://www.dealeromg.com/

Find us on social:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dealer-omg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DealerOMG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dealeromg/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealeromg

Contact us:

info@dealeromg.com

512-436-9677

🎙️ Pre-Owned, But Make It Sexy
Word on the Street – Episode 29
Guest: Matthew Davis, Marketing Director at TradePending
Host: Andrew Street

How do you source better used cars, close more trade leads, and stay top of mind without annoying your customers? In this episode, Andrew sits down with marketing veteran Matthew Davis from TradePending to talk about all things pre-owned inventory, fixed ops growth, and modern dealership marketing.

From website conversion hacks and co-op-free retention plays to hilarious takes on AI and Facebook ads, this is one of our most jam-packed and entertaining episodes yet.

🔍 Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Intro: Why pre-owned inventory is the biggest profitability play right now
• [03:45] – Competing with Carvana & CarMax: The real difference is process
• [07:15] – The #1 website mistake dealers make with trade-in tools
• [12:30] – How to increase trade leads without killing conversion rates
• [16:50] – ValueWatch: The tool that makes your customers actually come back
• [22:00] – Why a plain-text email can outperform your best banner ad
• [26:30] – Instagram green screens + hyper-targeted trade campaigns
• [31:40] – Zuck’s AI takeover: Can Facebook really do it better than you?
• [36:15] – Making co-op compliant creative in seconds with AI prompts
• [39:50] – FBI tip: How to spot a North Korean job applicant 🤯
• [45:10] – Why dealers still ignore service marketing (and why that’s changing)
• [51:45] – The rise of loyalty automation — no lifting required
• [58:00] – The real ROI of branding vs. leads
• [1:04:00] – Your website is broken (and it’s not your fault)
• [1:10:25] – The value of human-centered social content (and ditching hashtags)
• [1:16:00] – Direct mail, mugs, and the power of omnichannel follow-up
• [1:22:15] – In-dealership interviews: giving your store a voice and a soul
• [1:27:00] – Wrap-up: What’s next in marketing, service, and loyalty

📈 If you’re in the trenches trying to grow leads, keep customers, and cut through the noise — this one’s for you.
🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe.

Our Website: https://www.dealeromg.com/

Find us on social:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dealer-omg/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DealerOMG

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dealeromg/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dealeromg

Contact us:

info@dealeromg.com

512-436-9677