Fountain Valley-based automaker Hyundai Motors North America launched a digital showroom last month in partnership with e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc., making it the first manufacturer to have a dedicated web page under Amazon Vehicles.
Shoppers can explore Hyundai’s newest vehicles and technology, access reviews, check pricing details, book test drives and search dealer inventories.
Hyundai Chief Marketing Officer Dean Evans said the offering will create “a frictionless, efficient and transparent” experience for customers.
Tim Maxwell, senior group manager of digital marketing, said its collaboration with Amazon makes it easier for customers to learn about models in the same way shoppers research other purchases made on Amazon.
“Hyundai and its dealers are modernizing the car buying process, so it made sense for us to be the first car company with its own digital showroom,” he said.
It’s not the first time the automaker has partnered with Amazon. The companies worked together in 2016 on a project called “Prime Now, Drive Now” that allowed prospective buyers to schedule test drives through Amazon. It also introduced a service that year that let Hyundai owners connect their cars to Amazon Echo and Alexa, allowing them to initiate tasks such as starting their vehicles and locking and unlocking them from inside their homes.
Game Time
Mountain Mike’s Pizza LLC is connecting with its Bay Area roots after moving its headquarters from Oakland to Newport Beach last month.
The restaurant chain became the official pizza of the San Francisco 49ers when it signed a multiyear agreement with the NFL team this month for an undisclosed sum.
The partnership also makes Mountain Mike’s the presenting sponsor of the 49ers’ PREP Flag Football Program, a free community-based league for children ages 7 to 14 that started in March.
“Since the opening of our first store in Palo Alto, we have planted deep roots in the Bay Area and are proud to align our brand with the legendary San Francisco 49ers as their official pizza partner,” said Co-Chief Executives Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme in a joint statement.
Activations started last week during an Aug. 9 preseason game at Levi’s Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys. The chain also plans to promote the partnership through digital, social media, television and radio advertising, at community events, and via in-store and stadium signage.
Mountain Mike’s moved to 24 Corporate Plaza after being bought last year by Newport Beach private equity firms Britt Private Capital LLC and Jupiter Holdings LLC and Los Angeles-based Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.
Plus Two
Advertising and public relations agency Idea Hall added two executives to its staff this month.
The Costa Mesa-based company appointed Bill Kauker as creative group director and Erin Warady as group director of consumer public relations.
Kauker will lead the agency’s creative department and be responsible for growing its B2B and B2C clientele. He has more than 25 years of advertising experience and has worked for brands such as Apple, Taco Bell, Nissan, Callaway Golf and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Warady will focus on driving media and influencer strategies and conducting creative campaigns for the agency’s consumer clients. Her background and work for companies includes Hilton Hotels, Old Spice, Sony Electronics and DirecTV.
Chief Executive Rebecca Hall said the agency decided two years ago to become more balanced as a B2B and B2C agency, expanding from commercial real estate and professional services to sectors such as travel, tourism, education and healthcare.
“The additions of Bill and Erin further deepen our strategic advisory team in the key areas of integrated consumer marketing, advertising and communications,” she said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have them as part of our agency leadership and bring their expertise to our valued clients.”
Bits & Pieces
Irvine-based search marketing firm Sefati Consulting Group rebranded to Sefati Digitaland. Founder Al Sefati said the new name better highlights its suite of services that extend beyond search engine optimization to social media and paid-search marketing. … Lake Forest-based restaurant chain Del Taco Restaurants Inc. started testing mobile ordering through its own app at locations in Las Vegas, Sacramento and parts of Southern California. It also started testing delivery services through third-party apps, such as Grub Hub. … Huntington Beach-based communications group United Collective named Kia Zokaei executive director of delivery. Zokaei brings more than 20 years of experience, including stints at Media Arts Lab, R/GA, Deutsch and Crispin Porter Bogusky.
