AUSTIN, Texas — CarStory, the automotive AI platform from Vast, today announced a partnership with Flick Fusion Video Marketing. An industry first, the partnership combines CarStory’s AI-based insights for the automotive industry with Flick Fusion’s video marketing platform, SMARTFLICKS. Dealers can now automatically receive CarStory branded videos and have them added to their inventory for no additional charge.

“Anyone who has ever sold cars knows there are key selling features for every vehicle that make it truly unique, add value and are important to the shopper,” said Tim James, COO of Flick Fusion. “Merchandising inventory is really about storytelling, and the best story is the one that gets a shopper emotionally attached to a vehicle. SMARTFLICKS is a perfect match for the AI-driven insights and analytics of CarStory.”

CarStory.com will also feature Flick Fusion’s videos on its widely used site. Flick Fusion’s customers and their partners will gain free access to CarStory Market Reports. These mobile-friendly reports are currently used by Volkswagen, Hyundai and Ford.

Video marketing is becoming a touchstone for customer relationship building. Eighty-four percent of customers watch a video before buying a car, according to Flick Fusion data. The integration of video, with CarStory’s analytics, arms dealers with the smartest tools available to not just sell a car, but impress customers with an engaging experience, according to Vast CEO John Price.

“The ability to take our CarStory Market Reports and turn them into videos takes inventory merchandising to a whole new level,” Price said. “Flick Fusion’s SMARTFLICKS platform automates the entire production and distribution process, making it easy for dealers to reach and engage in-market vehicle shoppers across multiple touch-points. This partnership continues to drive forward what it means to sell cars in the Information Age, benefitting dealers and shoppers alike.”