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Auto Dealer Client News

Big Comeback

AM/FM Radio’s “Big Comeback”

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Edison Research’s recent 2025 Share of Ear report revealed a standout shift in listening habits: ad-supported AM/FM radio use in the workplace surged by an impressive 10 share points year over year.

Radio has long been woven into the fabric of the American workday, but the pandemic disrupted daily routines — and with them, media consumption habits. Now, as companies bring employees back to the office, listening patterns are realigning. A recent survey shows that 64% of businesses have already brought staff onsite, with that number expected to climb even higher by year’s end

Reaching Listeners Closer to the Point of Purchase

Workplace listening to ad-supported AM/FM radio is now at 63% (up from 53% in 1Q 2024), and AM/FM continues to dominate in the car with a striking 84% share of ad-supported listening. Together, these touchpoints highlight radio’s unmatched ability to reach consumers during moments that influence purchase decisions.

From the morning commute, through the workday, to the drive home, radio delivers repeated opportunities for marketers to connect with audiences. A listener who hears an ad for a home appliance sale or a limited-time restaurant offer during the workday is far more likely to look it up—or stop in on the way home.

AM/FM Leads Across Work, Home, and Car

Radio’s strength extends well beyond the office and the road. According to Edison, 66% of U.S. adults listen to broadcast or streaming AM/FM radio on a daily basis. It remains the leading ad-supported audio choice across every major demographic—including Gen Z and Millennials—reinforcing radio’s staying power in today’s shifting media landscape.

Smart speakers are further amplifying this momentum. Radio is now the top ad-supported listening option on these devices. AM/FM surpassed streaming music in 2022 and currently holds a 17-point lead (48% vs. 31%), making it easier than ever for listeners to tune in at home or at work.

Audio Remains the Constant

Across workplaces, homes, cars, smart speakers, and podcast apps, the message is clear: habits may shift and technology may evolve, but audio remains a trusted daily companion for listeners—and a powerful, proven platform for marketers.

JKR Automotive Advertising: We Move Cars.

The Biggest Dealer Pain Points … and How JKR Remedies Them!

The Biggest Dealer Pain Points … and How JKR Remedies Them!

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Unhappiness with Your Current Agency
Traditional or digital, JKR will provide you with a comprehensive, completely free advertising review guaranteed to be eye-opening in many ways. Additionally, JKR is a one-stop shop, so our clients need only interact with one company – and they receive a consistent message across all media channels.

Lack of Foot Traffic and Sales
If lack of traffic/sales is what ails your dealership, turn to the problem solvers at JKR! Our expertise, insight and relationships built with advertising powerhouses gives us unmatched power at the negotiating table. We understand how to send the right message to the right audience at the right time, from the top of the funnel to the zero moment of truth.

Co-Op Submission Issues
Part of the service your agency should provide is properly handling your Co-op. They should not only create ads that are Co-op compliant, but also should understand the process of obtaining these funds from KIA. JKR’s proprietary Co-op software ensures 100% compliance and the fastest claim funding in the industry.

Negative Dealership Reputation
While it can’t be done overnight, JKR can help you repair a bad reputation one sale at a time. When customers hear or see your offers and come in wanting them, you need only take excellent care of your buyers and you’ll see improvement – one review at a time.

Uninspiring Website
Today, your website is much like a second showroom. If it doesn’t stand out from the crowd, you’re losing business, even if you don’t realize it. JKR can help make your Website easy to navigate and, just as important, add a level of “stickiness” that makes customers stay longer, visit more often and, ultimately, make purchases.

If any of these Dealer Pain Points resonate with you, call Richard Brauns today at (407) 701-4233 or contact him via e-mail at rbrauns@jkrads.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

JKR Automotive Advertising: We Move Cars.

Standing Out

Is Your Dealership Standing Out in Your Market? If Not, Why Not?

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Standing out in your market is important, especially if there are other dealers in your area selling the same products you offer.

YOUR USP

What makes your dealership unique? If you cannot immediately come up with a good reason or two why a prospective car buyer in your area should by from you, it’s a good idea to try and determine your Unique Selling Proposition, or USP. The Cambridge Dictionary defines USP as, “A feature of a product that makes it different from and better than other similar products and that can be emphasized in advertisements for the product.” Ask yourself these questions:

What, if anything, does my dealership do (or not do) that’s specialized in my market?

Is there something about the way you do business that would make a shopper want to visit my dealership?

Is there something in the customer experience at my dealership that leaves us standing out among the others? (Note: It could be in the showroom, service department or anywhere else at your store. It could be anything that eliminates what would otherwise be a frustrating thing for a customer – and must be important enough to be part of your USP.)

YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

Another way to ensure standing out is determining who comprises your target audience. A great place to start is looking at your current customer base. In what age range is your typical customer? Where do they live? What are their interests? What are their incomes and educational levels? When you know your target audience, you’ll be more effective in developing advertising campaigns and special offers that coincide with the interests of your customers.

If you are still unclear of these things, it’s time to enlist the services of JKR Automotive Advertising. We’ll help you find a clear identity, meaning you’ll be standing out amidst the sea of dealers in your area. And once your USP has been determined, we’ll let everyone in your area know all about it, so people will want to buy from you! Get the ball rolling by calling Richard Brauns at (407) 701-4233 today.

JKR Automotive Advertising: We Move Cars.

Listen to Radio

The Masses Still Listen to Radio

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A common theme among some advertisers is that fewer people listen to radio now than in years past. But here’s the truth: According to a recent RadioKing.com article, Nielsen data clearly demonstrates that radio remains undeniably popular; in fact, it reaches 84% of the population ages 18-49. When you actually think about it, radio’s popularity makes a lot of sense.

The article goes on to examine the top five reasons people listen to radio … and here we include portions of RadioKing’s explanations for each one.


(1) Accessibility and Convenience: “Radio stands out for its accessibility and convenience, offering an audio medium that reaches a broad audience without the need for expensive equipment. Its simplicity and portability allow listeners to tune in from virtually anywhere, whether at home, in a car or on the go.”

(2) Local Content: “Community stations play a crucial role in the radio industry. They foster community identity and engagement by delivering news, stories and music that resonates with local audiences. Local radio features programs … which larger, national stations may overlook.”

(3) Music Discovery: “Discovering new music and artists is another key reason as to why people still listen to radio. Music radio stations often target a specific genre or era, providing specially curated playlists for their targeted audience. Not only do listeners benefit from their favorite tracks and artists, it’s also a great way for them to discover new songs they are likely to enjoy.”

(4) Talk Shows and News: “The popularity of live talk shows, interviews and listener call-ins is what makes radio stand out from other media. Radio hosts seek a direct connection with their listeners by including them in the life of the radio show. Radio also remains a crucial tool for emergency communication, providing timely updates and critical information during crises.

(5) Companionship: “People continue to turn to the radio for companionship. Many find comfort and connection in the familiar voices and engaging content It provides. Radio hosts become trusted friends to their listeners, offering a sense of presence and consistency throughout the day. This is particularly significant for those who might feel isolated.”

The Takeaway
You should be advertising on the radio because the masses still listen to radio! The fact is, no other broadcast media option can give you the combination of reach and frequency like radio – and it can do it in a way that you can afford.

Contact Richard Brauns (407) 701-4233 or Jon Albert (407) 718-2494 today for a complimentary automotive advertising and marketing review. We’ll explain in detail why harnessing the power of radio is such a game-changer for automobile dealers.

JKR Automotive Advertising: We Move Cars.

Employee,Retention,Programme.,Retain,,Motivate,And,Train

How to Reduce Your High Employee Turnover Rate

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As always, the employee turnover rate at automobile dealerships is extremely high. According to a recent JMA Group study, turnover for service advisors came in at 49%, while yearly turnover for sales consultants was at 80%. In support of these telling statistics, a Zippia study showed that the average tenure of an automobile sales consultant is less than two years. That’s astonishing!

Why is this? When searching for the answer, a good place to start is examining past history and comparing it to today’s automotive dealership climate.

A couple decades ago, dealers just accepted that a high employee turnover rate was part of doing business – especially in the sales department. At that time, a big part of the problem was the commission structures, meaning if a new salesperson wasn’t instantly successful, they wouldn’t be able to pay their bills. In addition, the salesperson of that era worked 60-plus hours, which gave them less time to spend away from the dealership.

It almost boggles the mind that these were once accepted practices when you remember that employee retention has a direct correlation with customer retention – and that it costs a great deal of time and money to train a new employee. Are you ready for a stunning stat? According to this study, dealerships lose an average of $500,000 to the revolving door of employees. So that begs the questions: What can be done to combat the employee turnover rate issue?

Employee Turnover Rate Solutions
∙ Based on the aforementioned studies, it appears that today’s automotive sales business professional prefers time off over money. Though the ones still working 50-60 hours per week earn more than their counterparts working 40-45 hours, there is a larger turnover rate among those enduring the longer work weeks. So be careful not to overwork your best people.

∙ A dealer would be wise to really get to know candidates during the interview process. Don’t just settle for any old “warm body”. Look for the people who understand what it takes to give your customers what they need and want.

∙ It’s important to show paths of career opportunities for your employees. No one wants to feel stuck in a dead-end job.

∙ Train sales staff well so they’re ready and qualified to be on your sales floor! Invest in them and pay special attention to those with the most potential. Think about it: the longer an employee sticks around, the more they will learn about their jobs – and the jobs of others at your store. That’s a win for you and your customers!

∙ Eliminate the “good-old-boy” network and you will go a long way toward keeping a larger percentage of female employees. People want to work where they are respected and treated as equals. Right now, 21.4% of dealership employees are female according to the US Bureau of Labor, and that number is expected to continue growing. When you foster a comfortable work environment for women, it will help you immeasurably.

You likely can’t account for those who “just want to give it a try” and discover they don’t like working at car dealerships; or those who aren’t cut out for the business – but you can greatly reduce your employee turnover rate if you make a concerted effort to put your people in positions to succeed.

JKR Automotive Advertising: We Move Cars.

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