Hearst Expands Auto Division
The existing auto-focused sales force from Hearst Magazines’ 21 brands will move under the umbrella of Hearst Autos. The division will develop and execute 360-degree programs incorporating print, digital, video, social, custom content, events, and in-market advertising.
Heart Magazines has consolidated operations and announced personnel changes within its Hearst Autos division. Photo by Leonard J. DeFrancisci
NEW YORK — Hearst Magazines announced its Hearst Autos division will house the automotive sales and marketing functions for the company’s print and digital portfolio of brands.
Felix DiFilippo, publisher and chief revenue officer of Car and Driver and Road & Track, adds the title of senior vice president, integrated sales, automotive for Hearst Autos. Jill Meenaghan, previously associate publisher and group marketing director of the Hearst Men’s Group, has been named chief marketing officer of Hearst Autos. The announcement was made by Hearst Magazines President of Marketing and Publishing Director Michael Clinton and Hearst Autos President Nick Matarazzo.
The existing auto-focused sales force from Hearst Magazines’ 21 brands will move under the umbrella of Hearst Autos. The division, which continues to grow its team, will develop and execute 360-degree programs incorporating print, digital, video, social, custom content, events, and in-market advertising.
“This is a time of dynamic growth for Hearst Autos,” said Clinton. “We are leveraging our expertise in every aspect of the auto-buying experience with the power of data and Hearst’s portfolio of brands to drive holistic advertising and marketing solutions for our partners.”
With synergistic brands that address the key business-to-business and business-to-consumer audiences of automotive manufacturers, dealers, and car buyers, Hearst Autos encompasses the entire path to purchase, providing engaging content, powerful data, consumer insights and comprehensive marketing solutions across all tiers of the auto ecosystem.
“Hearst Autos leads the market with three distinct advertising-sales strategies led by Felix, Jason and James that span the entire auto spectrum, from initial inspiration to purchase,” Matarazzo said. “And Jill’s creative approach and cross-platform marketing experience across all of these tiers is a tremendous asset for us and our clients. Together, this team will drive Hearst Autos’ innovation and our leadership position in a competitive marketplace.”
Originally posted on F&I and Showroom
More Dealer Ops
Dealership Profits Decline
While new and used retail sales stagnated, dealerships have been particularly supported by fixed operations and finance-and-insurance profits, according to a new report.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Defection Data & EV Updates
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses how to use defection data to your advantage and the latest on EV sales and charging infrastructure.
Read More →
How Defection Data is Bridging the Dealership Conversion Gap
Lead volume is flat, cross-shopping is up and brand loyalty is in retreat. As confident sales teams keep losing buyers they thought they had, daily industry sales data is showing dealers exactly where their funnel is breaking and how to fix it without buying a single new lead.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Where are you losing customers?
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses the hidden leaks in dealerships where you might be losing customers without even realizing it.
Read More →
Dealer Debrief: Improving Your Inventory Management
In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers a new survey that shows what service technicians really want and two launches that could help improve your inventory and vehicle life cycle management.
Read More →
Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →