The Dealer Playbook

In this episode, my guest is Colin Carrasquillo, Digital Marketing Manager at Nielsen Auto Group. We’re diving into some of the real challenges and solutions that most dealers are thinking about but rarely talk about out loud. We talk about what it actually looks like to get your vendor partners working together instead of pulling in different directions. Colin shares how he’s doing this at scale...

In this episode, my guest is Sam Maimone from Activix, and we’re diving into a part of the car business that most people think they’ve figured out—but really haven’t: CRM. We talk about why most CRM setups are missing the mark and why buying more leads won’t solve the real problem. Sam shares what he’s seeing inside hundreds of dealerships and the small shifts that can completely change how your C...

In this episode, my guest is Nicole Dolphin, Retail Development Manager at Groupe Touchette, and we’re digging into the part of the dealership that doesn’t always get its fair share of attention—Fixed Ops. Nicole shares how the service department isn’t just about oil changes and tires. It’s a relationship hub. It’s where trust is built (or lost). It’s often the reason someone decides to buy their...

In this episode, my guest is Jill Schulman, USMC veteran, leadership coach, and author of The Bravery Effect . We dig into the surprising role that bravery plays in building high-performing cultures—not just in the military, but in dealerships, teams, and even our personal lives. Jill shares the science behind why playing it safe actually leads to burnout, anxiety, and unhappiness, and how the mos...

In this episode, my guest is Alan Dickie, President - www. AlanDickie.com and a returning DPB alum. Alan’s one of those guys who doesn’t just talk about success—he breaks it down to the bone. In this conversation, we explore what he calls the “laws” that make success predictable in life and business. We talk about why most salespeople stay stuck selling 8–12 cars a month while a few are pulling in...

In this episode of The Dealer Playbook, I sit down with Matt VanDyke, President of Shift Digital, to unpack some of the most pressing—and overlooked—topics in automotive marketing right now. From mobile-first lead strategies to AI-powered insights, Matt brings a rare, high-altitude perspective that cuts through the fluff and actually makes sense of what’s happening in the trenches. We talk about:...

In this episode, my guest is Barry Hillier, co-founder of Auto Agentic A.I. and someone I’ve known and respected for years. Barry’s got a deep background in SaaS and marketing, and he’s one of those rare people who can make complex tech make sense —and more importantly, make it useful. We talk about what AI actually means for dealerships, business owners, and people in general—not in the theoretic...

In this episode, my guest is Jacqui Barker , Global OEM Strategy Director at Keyloop , joining me from the floor of the Toronto International Auto Show. We get into the real stuff—the behind-the-scenes friction points in today’s car buying journey and what needs to change now if dealerships want to stay relevant in a world of evolving tech and rising customer expectations, and let me tell you—this...

In this episode, my guest is Shahin Alizadeh, President and CEO of Downtown Auto Group – a powerhouse in the automotive and real estate industries. Shahin has redefined what a dealership can be, transforming a small, struggling lot to then developing a leading edge Auto Complex But this isn’t just another dealership success story. Shahin dives deep into how he leveraged prime real estate to create...

My guest in this episode is Agnes Di Leonardi — an automotive executive, a lawyer, and one of the few recipients of the prestigious Order of Canada for her contributions to the industry. With over 30 years of experience across companies like Ford, Mazda, and Sym Tech Dealer Services, Agnes brings a wealth of knowledge about leadership, inclusion, and the evolution of the auto business. In this epi...

In this episode I’m hanging out in person with my good friend Kyle Mountsier—COO at ASOTU (Automotive State of the Union), we talk about everything from AI implementation in dealerships to the real reason human connection is the most valuable currency in retail auto . We’re recording this one in person from New York City, floor-sitting style (yep, you read that right)—and it’s one of the most cand...

In this episode, my guest is Christine Mitchell—aka The Car Lady — founder of The Car Lady Canada, and we talk about what it really takes to build dealership loyalty, elevate women in automotive, and create a culture that actually sticks. Christine’s been in the car business since she was 16—and what started as a gig in the lube lane turned into a national movement that’s helping dealers across th...

In this episode, my guest is Edwin Frizzell , Regional Vice President and General Manager at the legendary Fairmont Royal York , and we’re talking about what it really takes to create unforgettable guest experiences, build strong internal culture, and lead with purpose in fast-paced, high-expectation environments. Edwin shared a real-world example of how a single gesture at a car dealership comple...

In this episode, my guest is Miranda Pyette, founder of Purpose Automotive and one of the sharpest minds in the game when it comes to dealership social strategy. She’s been in the trenches. From hustling newspaper ads to helping dealers make the massive leap from print to digital. Now, she’s leading a powerhouse team of women helping dealerships across Canada crush it on platforms like TikTok, Ins...

In this episode, my guest is Omar Gandhi , founder of Omar Gandhi Architects (OG) and the architectural genius behind Audi Haus. Omar’s firm, Omar Gandhi Architects , has built a reputation for creating spaces that do more than just exist—they make people feel something. And as it turns out, when people feel something, they’re more likely to engage, connect, and even buy . In this episode, we talk...

In this episode, my guest is Nick Askew, CEO of Space Auto — a guy who went from composing music to selling cars to building game-changing tech for dealerships. Yeah, you read that right. His journey proves that creativity, sales, and innovation are more connected than we think—and that fresh thinking might be exactly what the auto biz needs right now. Nick and I dive into the good stuff— big idea...

In this episode, my guest is Luke Lunkenheimer , the President of Paid to Persuade , and let’s just say… his road to success wasn’t exactly a straight line. Before becoming a persuasion expert and sitting at the table with guys like Tai Lopez and Brad Lea , Luke took a few, uh… detours but we’ll get to that.  But here’s the crazy part—his past is exactly what shaped him into the sales and leadersh...

In this special episode, I pay tribute to my friend and industry icon, Jim "The Alpha Dawg" Ziegler.  If you’ve been in the car business for more than five minutes, you probably know his name—or at the very least, you’ve heard his unmistakable voice calling it like it is. Jim was one of a kind, and his impact on the industry, and on me personally, is something I won’t soon forget.    And...

In this episode, my guest is John Dwyer—a marketing enigma known for crafting “way-outside-the-box” customer attraction strategies. John is the brains behind campaigns that have turned entire industries on their heads. He’s the guy who got Jerry Seinfeld out of retirement for an ad campaign (seriously, who does that?!), and he’s been helping businesses attract customers like a magnet without ever...

In this episode, my guest is Bradley Gelber—the digital media and content marketing mastermind at West Herr Auto Group, the largest privately-owned dealer group in New York. Now, let me ask you something… Does your dealership’s online presence actually stand out? Or are you just another brand blending into the endless scroll of sameness? Here’s the brutal truth: Most dealerships treat social media...

In this episode, my guest is Chance Mayfield, founder of Carfluent - we sit down to talk about how dealerships can better connect with Spanish-speaking buyers, create a seamless customer experience, and ultimately drive more sales. Here’s the deal… The Spanish-speaking car market in the U.S. is MASSIVE yet it remains one of the most underserved consumer groups in the auto industry. Dealers are eit...

In this episode, my guest is Brian Kramer, EVP of Dealer Growth & Success at Cars Commerce. Brian has a unique perspective—he’s got eyes on thousands of dealerships, millions of VDPs, and the real numbers behind what’s working (and what’s not). We dive into some game-changing insights about how dealers can stop guessing and start measuring their online road to the sale, fix inventory inefficie...

Tariffs. Chaos. Panic. The sky is falling! Or… is it? If you’ve been anywhere near the news lately, you’ve seen the headlines. “Tariffs are coming! Businesses are doomed!” And yeah, for a hot minute, it looked like we were in for a wild ride. But then—mid-recording, literally while the cameras were rolling—everything changed. The news flipped. No tariffs (for now). Just like that. And that right t...

In this episode, my guest is Justin Friend, Senior VP at Dealers United; today, we’re going to talk about why social media is one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools for dealerships looking to sell more cars.  Think about it. If a customer walks into your showroom and feels like they know your team before they even shake your hand, the sale is already halfway done. And that’s exactly what...

Today’s recap is comin’ at you straight from the iconic Sazerac House in New Orleans—a legendary spot where the ASOTU More Than Cars party went down last night.  (If you missed it, let’s just say the energy was off the charts) But let’s talk about what went down on the trade show floor today because that’s where the magic happened. The theme of the day? Efficiency . Dealers are looking at 2024 as...