Joe Thistle

About Joe Thistle

Automotive retail is entering a new phase.Artificial intelligence is beginning to change how customers communicate with dealerships, how marketing works, and even how AI systems recommend businesses when shoppers ask questions online.I’ve spent over 20 years working inside the automotive industry across dealership operations, vendor partnerships, and marketing leadership. Today, I serve as Director of Marketing for New Smyrna Beach Chevrolet while also building projects to help dealerships navigate the AI shift.Right now I’m focused on three areas:AI CommunicationHow AI can instantly respond to leads, texts, and calls while improving appointment rates and customer experience.AI DiscoveryHow AI systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, and other conversational search platforms determine which dealerships they recommend to customers.Digital AuthorityHow dealership websites, reputation, and content influence how AI systems understand and recommend a dealership.I’m also the founder of IMRpros, which helps GM dealers maximize underutilized IMR funds through compliant marketing initiatives and community-driven events.My goal is simple: help dealerships understand what is changing, test new ideas, and implement the AI strategies that actually make sense for automotive retail.If you\'re a dealer, GM, or marketing leader curious about how AI is beginning to impact the industry, I’m always interested in exchanging ideas and sharing what I’m learning.

Experience

1. Director of Marketing

   New Smyrna Beach Chevrolet

   Oct 2020 — Present · New Smyrna Beach, FL, US

   Partner with Dealer Principal, GM, and department leaders to align marketing, operations, and customer engagement with dealership performance goals• Work directly with Fixed Operations to improve appointment flow, customer communication, and service retention• Implemented service lane strategies generating 15+ additional vehicle sales per month• Elevated BDC performance to Top 10 ranking across 120+ stores through process optimization and coaching• Manage vendor ecosystem with focus on performance, ROI, and operational impact• Introduced AI-driven tools to improve response time, lead handling, and overall customer experience

Education

• UCF College of Business

  Bachelor of Science, Marketing

  1998 — 2005

Skills

• Online Marketing Analysis
• Digital Direct Marketing
• Account Management
• Strategy
• Marketing
• Sales Management
• Business Development
• Crm
• Digital Marketing
• Sales Operations
• Customer Retention
• Online Marketing
• Customer Service
• Advertising
• Online Video Marketing
• Digital Marketing Experience
• Digital Media
• Sales
• Online Advertising
• Competitive Analysis
• Automotive
• Online Video Production
• Creative Direction
• Customer Relationship Management (Crm)
• Sales Process
• Marketing Strategy
• B2b
• Online Video Strategy
• Direct Marketing
• Business-to-Business (B2b)
• Product Development
• Social Media
• Salesforce.com
• Sales Presentations
• Social Media Marketing
• Leadership
• Lead Generation
• New Business Development
• Email Marketing
• Management