Auto Dealer Monthly, May 2013
ON THE COVER When Facebook launched its updated News Feed in early March online critics called out the social network for premiering a design that looked a lot like Google But thats not the only evidence of the tech giants converging paths Google is Googles answer to social media while Facebook is beta testing a new search engine that will feature ratings and customer reviews Th en there are the companies annual fi lings with the Securities and Exchange Commission SEC each of which acknowledges that the other brand represents its main competition For dealers the two sites share another striking resemblance Th eyre both furiously chasing the automotive business Its good to have competition Users need choice says Lindsay Schultz Googles head of industry for auto a division thats placed dealer consultants on the East and West coasts as well as in the Detroit area where Schultz is based Were really trying to help dealers understand 14 AUTO DEALER MONTHLY MAY 2013 this ever changing digital landscape CALLING DEALERS To build its own team Facebook is sourcing the industry for insiders like Patrick Workman whos held positions with FordDirect and Dealer com He serves as a client partner for Autos at Facebook and is working to forge a closer relationship with the industry Were working with multiple agencies as well as individual dealers automotive manufacturers regional ad associations as well as regional personnel in order to make sure dealer social media strategies are sound he tells F I and Showroom As for the knocks Facebook took from publications like the Los Angeles Times the New York Post and Mashable over its Google like redesign of its News Feed Workman says dealers and consumers alike LIKE VS PLUS Facebook is building a search engine while Google continues to pursue its social media push Both are competing in the dealer space but not everyone is convinced the two tech giants are really going after each others business la l soci ing look l on pa convergin Goog gle By Stephanie Forshee
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