26 July 2007
VEHIX DEBUTS FIRST MULTI-PLATFORM DIGITAL NETWORK FOR AUTOMOTIVE ADVERTISERS AND UPDATES NAME TO REFLECT EXPANDED BUSINESS MODEL
Three-Screen Integration Introduced at the 6th Annual Vehix Automotive Sales Summit in Park City, Utah
SALT LAKE CITY – July 26, 2007 – The “dot com” was officially deleted from the Vehix name, as 150 national cable television ad sales leaders applauded the integration of spot cable, video on demand, broadband and mobile devices, providing the consumer with automotive content and advertising “when and where they want it,” as described by Vehix CEO, Derek Mattsson.
“Media is being consumed across all platforms, and the consumer is in complete control of how and when content is viewed,” said Mattsson. “Our cable partners are committed to applying their evolving technological capabilities to creating new, exciting, direct and measurable marketing channels for the auto category, and their biggest customers.”
Vehix unveiled expanded content purposed for three screens—TV, online and mobile. The company also announced distribution agreements with partners across all platforms, and cross-network advertising offerings that consolidate and simplify the ever-expanding maze of digital channels for automotive marketers. Vehicle inventory listings for local dealer search, interactive “clickable” video, user-generated content, deep local content, and branded entertainment opportunities will all be promoted through Vehix TV spots
and delivered across the Vehix multi-platform digital automotive network.
The Vehix network takes the company’s business model well beyond dealer lead provision, into branding, entertainment, virtual community development and mobile marketing.
“There is intense interest from every tier of auto advertising—OEMs, dealer groups, and individual dealers—in approaching advertising with as much accountability and direct return on investment as possible,” said Mattsson. “Our digital ad network, built on cable television and its on-demand and broadband platforms, brings Vehix to a level that internet-centric competitors simply cannot rival.”
Michael Boland, senior analyst of The Kelsey Group, attended the summit and wrote in his blog, “Throughout the Vehix event so far, a pervasive theme has been the opportunity to bring auto advertising into more of a pull-based, on-demand environment across many media, including online, cable TV and mobile.”
Vehix Taps Growing Interest in Mobile Advertising
Consumers who are actively shopping for a new car can now request text messages containing specific vehicle and dealership details directly from the Vehix.com site to their mobile phone, an added convenience that enables shoppers to use their mobile screen as an active and updated shopping list.
In addition to its text-to-phone feature, Vehix announced that their entire vehicle inventory will soon be available and searchable from any mobile phone web browser. Features will include complete inventory search capabilities, vehicle prices, photos and more. The Vehix mobile website will be available in early August.
“As part of our mission to engage auto shoppers on their own terms, we believe the mobile screen will play a critical role in making the vehicle search process more dynamic and effective for both buyers and sellers,” said Mattsson.
Vehix Local Search Expands In Breadth and Depth
In conjunction with HomeNet, an online automotive inventory polling and inventory aggregator, Vehix will dramatically increase the quantity of online vehicle inventory, creating greatly improved local search results for consumers, and simplified inventory editing tools for auto dealers. Dealers will also have the opportunity to buy premium listing status, as well as online video, that will help them make the most of their digital and internet advertising expenditures.
About Vehix
Vehix is a multi-platform digital automotive network designed to provide consumers with a truly one-stop automotive shopping experience. Vehix, through its unique content, inventory and advertising network, offers superior written and video content, objective third-party information and best-in-class research tools. All of Vehix’s car research and purchase tools are available on multiple platforms, including the Internet, cable television, video-on-demand, and on mobile devices. Vehix launched in 1996 as an online automotive portal designed to facilitate the research and purchase processes for consumers. For more information visit www.vehix.com.
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