The GCADA public relations/affairs objective is to convey the viewpoint of franchised new-car and truck dealers to the media and consumers via the media, elected officials and government agencies.
Striving to improve the two-way communication process between GCADA and its members is key to the enhancement and individual growth of a member dealer’s public relations plan. Public relations is about educating your identified target audience – the media, your current and future customers, government and civic officials or whomever you choose as your target audience or constituency.
The Association distributes or publishes GCADA e-Newswire Briefs, the Auto Show Official Souvenier Program, Auto Show Exhibitor Report, monthly vehicle registration reports, Auto Outlook, NADA Industry Analysis & Outlook and maintains the websites www.gcada.org and www.clevelandautoshow.com.
Have a good story to tell or planning an upcoming event? GCADA has communications experts to assist with the development of positive news reports about your dealership, employees, sales trends or internet marketing, etc. This information can be obtained through a telephone interview or visit to your dealership in order to develop a professionally written press release or media alert.
Newspaper/TV/Radio
Have an interview lined up? Need advice on who to contact at a particular newspaper? GCADA is available to you and can answer any questions you might have about developing a solid public relations campaign in your community and reaching your current and potential customers.
Media Relations/Pitching Stories
Have a news idea for a story? GCADA will actively follow up and pitch your dealership’s story to key media outlets, via phone, e-mail, and fax to local, national and industry-specific media on your behalf. Remember, a good public relations campaign is like any sales campaign, and can often fail from a simple lack of follow up. Through the years, GCADA continually strives to improve its relations with Northeast Ohio’s media on behalf of its members.
Letter to the Editor
Letters to the editor are published in the best-rated sections of a newspaper, whether it’s the Willoughby News-Herald, The Plain Dealer or USA Today. It’s your link to the opinion makers and your public regarding a report, editorial or other article that expressed a view that warrants a well-written rebuttal. Letters must be timely, be brief and have an angle.
Cleveland Auto Show's Publicity & Promotions
Kicking off Northeast Ohio’s spring selling season, the Cleveland Auto Show puts consumers in touch with new cars and trucks like no other marketing medium can. GCADA also spearheads post-Auto Show promotions to keep the sales momentum rolling.
The Cleveland Auto Show staff includes: Lou Vitantonio Jr., President; Dennis Rose, Operations & Floor Manager; and Aliesha Johnson, Credentials & Promotions Manager.
Grass Roots Lobbying/Public Affairs Expertise
Whether called to manage a short-term campaign or long-term regulatory or legislative issue, GCADA’s public affairs expertise, in cooperation with the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association and National Automobile Dealers Association, works to protect and enhance the livelihood of franchised new-car and truck dealers throughout northern Ohio.
Crisis Communications
If a crisis or emergency strikes your dealership and involves news media scrutiny, how you respond is often as important in the public eye as the crisis itself. If your dealership is involved in such a crisis situation or the media is knocking at the door, GCADA will assist you to resolve the matter, while mitigating any damage. The best way to manage a crisis is to anticipate it and be prepared to deal with it before it happens.
If a situation arises or the media calls your dealership, please contact Lou Vitantonio, President or Nick Hanna, Director of Regulatory Affairs, at 440.746.1500 or email lvitt@gcada.org or nhanna@gcada.org, respectively. If you require any assistance with public relations or have any questions, please feel free to contact your Association.
