DST Users’ Group Announces Spring Conference Agenda
The Directors of the DST Users’ Group have announced the agenda for its upcoming three-day Group Conference, to be held May 12-14, at the Laguna Hills, Calif., Holiday Inn, located near DST’s corporate headquarters. The conference will focus on common goals of DSTWare users, networking, training, product direction and best practices, as well as break-out discussion groups. Topics will include warehouse management, bar coding, replenishment, querying, creative extracting and reporting ideas, cataloging, sales management, and Internet-based parts ordering.
Goodyear Launches First Product-Driven Advertising Campaign in Five Years
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has launched an aggressive media campaign in support of its new Assurance brand of tires. Goodyear’s 30-second television commercial for Assurance debuted yesterday on both network and cable television. The commercial is being aired on ABC, CBS and NBC, along with ESPN, MSNBC, TBS, CNBC, The Discovery Channel and The History Channel.
APRC Presents Third Annual Excellence in Automotive PR Awards
The winners of the third annual Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Awards were honored on April 21 at the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC) Spring Conference held in Dearborn, Mich. APRC, a part of MEMA, is a professional organization for public relations practitioners in all segments of the automotive industry. The only award of its kind, the Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award identifies public relations programs that have successfully addressed an automotive-related public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.
Executive Interview with Kathleen Schmatz, President and CEO of AAIA
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Kathleen Schmatz, President and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Schmatz became president and CEO of AAIA on Jan. 1, 2004. She had served as executive vice president of the association since January 2002. In addition to filling us in on her first few months at her new post, Schmatz shared with aftermarketNews.com updates on AAIA’s merger with AWDA, Right to Repair legislation and the Be Car Care Award Campaign.
Vince Daviero Named Director of Northwood’s University of the Aftermarket
Vincent Daviero has been named director of Northwood’s University of the Aftermarket, effective June 1. Daviero’s most recent position was director of training and education at Tires Plus franchise division of Bridgestone/Firestone-Morgan Tire & Auto Inc., where he produced materials for instructor-led sales training programs. His accomplishments include the conceptualization and development of instructional curricula and on-site instructor-led training programs.
Jill Bookman Named CEO of American Collectors
Jill Bookman has been named CEO of American Collectors Insurance, Inc. (ACI). Bookman, who has been with the company for more than 10 years, will fill the newly created position immediately. ACI is a national specialty provider of collector car, truck and motorcycle insurance.
DST Asks: What Topics Would You Like to Read About?
Right now, today, perhaps no other industry is as poised and ready to transform itself as the automotive aftermarket parts and service industry to leverage technology usage to dramatically enhance productivity and boost bottom-line performance. That’s why we took the opportunity, after publishing three months worth of weekly columns, to ask our readers what they would like us to discuss in the next three months. The responses were interesting and thought provoking. Here’s a general recap of what we’ve covered so far and, based upon your feedback, topics for the near future.
Dana Opens New Automotive Systems Technology Center
Today, Dana Corp. unveiled a new Automotive Systems Group Technology Center, located near Toledo, Ohio. The nearly 200,000 square-foot facility features advanced component and system engineering, along with housing testing and purchasing experts. In addition to supporting research and development activities across North America, the new center augments Dana’s technical centers in the Asia-Pacific, South American and European markets, according to Dana CEO and President Michael Burns.
NASCAR to Debut “NASCAR Performance Live” Radio Show
NASCAR will debut “NASCAR Performance Live,” a new one-hour radio show dedicated to discussing and examining the technical side of NASCAR. NASCAR will debut “NASCAR Performance Live,” a new one-hour radio show dedicated to discussing and examining the technical side of NASCAR.
AAIA President Kathleen Schmatz Appears on CNBC “Behind the Wheel Show”
AAIA President and CEO Kathleen Schmatz was interviewed last week on the CNBC show “Behind the Wheel.” “Behind the Wheel” is a monthly automotive show that airs on the business cable network. Schmatz’s interview was part of a segment on National Car Care Month.