Odessa, DE -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/20/2017 -- AutoAwards reports continued growth of their "Keep it Local" network. "Keep it Local" was launched in 2012 as a turn-key tool for automotive dealerships to create a network of hand-picked local business that offer exclusive perks and discounts to their customers. Similar to the American Express, "Shop Small" campaign, "Keep it Local" connects dealerships with local brick-and-mortar merchants in the community that provide exclusive ongoing offers to the dealerships' customers. With hundreds of participating partners, the "Keep it Local" program is now found in cities across the United States and in Canada. Each dealership selects their merchant partners and the AutoAwards team interviews potential partners and handles the logistics of developing an offer and managing the relationship. It is a full time marketing program that drives downtown business in a world of growing on-line retailing.

"In addition to the strong loyalty our clients experience with customized point/rewards programs, the 'Keep it Local' program is the perfect way to enhance the program and provide real value to our dealership clients, their customers and their employees. In a world of increased online buying, our dealerships want to support the local businesses that drive the local economy and support their dealerships", said Jonathan Greene, Vice President at AutoAwards. "The fact that we can connect all these businesses and leverage the marketing power of our clients (dealerships) is a win/win for everyone."

There is no fee to participating merchants and the uniqueness and value of the offer influences traffic and sales to each participating business. The marketing and awareness is provided by the dealership via members-only emails, newsletters and password-protected website access. Participating merchants post a dealership-branded identification sticker on their front door to elevate awareness.

There is no doubt that automotive rewards programs changed the industry and help dealerships reach retention goals and benchmarks established by car manufacturers. The numbers speak for themselves when 90.1% of customers participate in at least one loyalty program and 69.2% change their habits to earn rewards. The concept has proven to work time and again in most industries around the globe. Now with "Keep it Local," the ability for customers to take their membership and associated benefits outside the walls of the dealership and into the community creates a win-win for the dealership, customer, business and community.

Our Fred Beans "Keep it Local" Merchant Network has grown to over 200 locations in Central Bucks County. Not only is it a huge value to our members, but it separates our dealership experience from our competition completely. In fact, we call it our Purple Cow!," said dealership client, Virginia Krause, Business Development Manager at the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships.

"Our concept is simple. We start with a blank piece of paper and create a highly customized solution that fits the needs of our client. Our clients have different needs and goals, we create the platform, train their team how to leverage it and manage it with benchmarks to ensure success. That even includes the types of merchant partners they want to associate themselves with." says Greene.

About AutoAwards
Since our founding in 1991, AutoAwards by Nucar Consulting has been widely recognized as the industry leader in automotive and marine loyalty marketing, earning longstanding relationships with many of the industry's most successful dealer groups and OEMs.

CONTACT:
Chandler Greene
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
AutoAwards by NuCar Consulting
Phone: 302-696-6000
chandlerg@nucarconsulting.com
http://www.autoawards.com