Online car shopping does not have to be a solitary experience, according to folks at Autobytel Inc.
The Irvine-based automotive marketing company is offering consumers visiting Scion.com a chance to browse through inventory with the brand’s “digital concierge” by initiating a video, voice or text chat.
The “virtual showroom” technology, developed by the SaleMove in New York, also enables the online retailer to observe consumers’ behavior on their website, including their choices as they interact with each page in real time. Customers who indicate their immediate prospects are referred to Internet-based sales staff at one of the 50 participating dealerships.
“We’re pleased Scion recognized the value SaleMove brings to the online car shopping and research process and implemented our virtual showroom technology to enhance sales, and ultimately improve Scion customer satisfaction,” said Jeff Coats, president and chief executive of Autobytel, which bought a stake in SalesMove in January 2014.
Agency Debut
The first work from BJ’s Restaurants Inc.’s new advertising agency of record has debuted on national TV programming. The Huntington Beach-chain hired Carmichael Lynch in January to handle strategy, media planning and buying, creative, social media, and digital and analytical duties.
The one-minute ads promote BJ’s new “tavern-cut” pizzas. One shows the last conversation between two pizza pies—a father telling his son it’s OK to be different. The second commercial features a group of friends who are inspired by a pizza to “go bold” and pursue their passions, such as running a marathon or ceasing to refer to themselves in the third person.
BJ’s spent $19.2 million on advertising last year, up from $17.1 million in 2013. The company does not expect its marketing budget for 2015 to exceed $25 million, according to documents filed with Securities and Exchange Commission.
Race Sponsorship
Yamaha Motor Corp. USA in Cypress signed on as the official manufacturer of the 2015 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship.
The sponsorship will include media placements of Costa Mesa-based MotoAmerica’s ads on CBS Sports and feature content such as images captured with drones during race weekends.
“Yamaha is extremely proud to support the new MotoAmerica series and looks forward to the ‘re-birth’ of AMA professional road racing in the United States in the same year that Yamaha will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary,” said Bob Starr, general manager of national communications for Yamaha.
The racing series kicked off last Saturday at the Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas, and will wrap up with the championship race at the New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville mid-September.
Bits & Pieces
Kelly Slater, former Quiksilver Inc. team rider who is now a brand ambassador for Volcom Inc. in Costa Mesa, put his name on a surfing-inspired “eco-conscious” furniture line for Pottery Barn Inc.’s teen division. … Rip Curl in Costa Mesa promoted Dylan Slater to senior vice president of sales and marketing for North America, a new position. Paul Harvey was named vice president of sales for North America, Slater’s old title. … Pacific Medical LLC, a San Juan Capistrano-based company that specializes in patient monitoring equipment and repairs, was featured on “Innovations with Ed Begle,” which aired on the Discovery Channel on March 18. … The International Association of Skateboard Companies plans to hold its eighth annual skateboarding summit May 13 to 15 at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel in Costa Mesa. Vans Inc. in Cypress is sponsoring the event, which will also include a Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Icon Awards ceremony. …Gustavo Arellano, editor of OC Weekly in Costa Mesa, received the Distinguished Journalist award from the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. … The Shops at Mission Viejo plans to hold a spring fashion event on Saturday. The LookBook Live will feature style experts from Glamour and GQ magazines who will discuss the latest trends in fashion, which will be worn by male and female models.
