Rumors from the 2010 Vegas Conferences #DD9 #DSES #JDPAIRT

[Jeff Kershner]

We all know the saying "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" and that is true for some things. This article isn't one of them.

In order to make the list of October 2010 Vegas Rumors (combination of things heard at the Digital Dealer, DrivingSales Executive Summit, and JD Power Automotive Internet Roundtable conferences)  Jeff and Alex had to hear the same thing two or more times. We admit that this is all strictly hearsay, but it sure is entertaining none-the-less!

Much of this was written during the conferences.

Here we go...

Purchases:

DealerTrack was the talk of the JD Power Automotive Internet Roundtable as they didn't even show up. Could it have been that they don't like this particular conference?  Could it be that they just can't handle Vegas?  Nooooo. It sounds like they were busy making some purchases.

Alex heard on numerous occasions that DealerTrack bought KBB and ClickMotive. Again, probably hearsay, but he heard it a few times.  And we're definitely thinking hearsay because...

At the same time we've both been hearing Autotrader.com was buying KBB, so we are going to wait for the press release on this rumor.

UPDATE: We did just hear that Autotrader.com acquired Kelley Blue Book officicially.

Speaking of Autotrader.com a few people said the 3 year old rumor that they're buying HomeNet is closer to reality. Buuuuut we've been hearing this one for a long time.

ADP has been in need of a more modern CRM and the rumor-mill says they bought DealerSocket.  If that's true, it is fantastic news for ADP!  A few DealerRefresh friends who are close to top executives at DealerSocket say this isn't true. Again, we will be waiting for the press release.

With tax changes coming in 2011 we certainly won't be surprised to hear more in the purchase territory before the end of the year.

Plain Craziness:

First off, we have to ask the question how so many Digital Dealer attendees got spam email from DealerElite.net asking people to sign-up?  There were some pretty hefty names thrown around in that email too.


Pictured:  Dean Wormer, Jared Hamilton, Joe Webb, Alex Snyder (standing in for Jeff), Gary May, Brian Pasch


Unfortunately one man gets to own this entire section. It is really sad we heard so much around this individual because his conference was actually the best one he's done yet. And again, neither Alex or Jeff were present for any of this - these are just things we heard.

So let's start off by saying that we heard "the wise asses at DealerRefresh are on probation and I don't need them to promote my conference anymore."  So Mike Roscoe, we dedicate this section to you.

Our "piece of $h1t" buddy Jared Hamilton is completely banned from Digital Dealer conferences. This is the same guy who received the Lloyd Richardson award from Mike in 2008 for being the biggest giver in our space. Way to pay him back!  By the way Mike, where is Lloyd?  We miss him.

Speaking of banishment, another good man, Gary May, caught the wrath of Mike in an email that ended his participation in the conference. Alex got to see it and said it really shows someone's true colors. The email was in regards to an IM@CS blog post from the Saturday after DD9 recommending that there is still room to improve the Digital Dealer conference for dealers.  Maybe Gary will make that email public one day.

And in the spirit of how things should be presented to the public, we heard any non-Dealer Magazine media was not fully welcome to the event.  Automotive News and Automotive Digest are two who we heard were snubbed.

Then we get to the ultimatums. When it is all about the benjamins, competition gets fierce. Many players like getting a paycheck, but also have a lot of passion for the industry too. However one individual seems to think that some of the players should dump everything to only participate in Digital Dealer. If rumors are true that both Brian Pasch and Joe Webb were told if they wanted to continue participating in Digital Dealer they had to give-up speaking at the DrivingSales Executive Summit or events that would support or build the DrivingSales brand, then that is just a travesty.

What happens when you take all the roller coasters out of the theme park?

We just want to say that this is the rumor-mill. Always fun!

P.S.  What is the over/under on when we start getting phone calls about this article?

 

[Justin Duff]

I also heard that Dealer HD bought Ford. True story.

 

[JCollins]

Mike Roscoe is a narccist. DD is a great venue for the dealer body but sadly Mike Roscoe now has developed a "GOD" complex. I expect to receive a email notifying me that I too have been banished! Mike pull your head out of your butt and open your eyes. Try building relationships rather than tearing them down. The same people that made DD successful, can and will bury you. I think this would be a good time to start our own conference. The "DealerRefresh Summit" You heard it here first.

 

[Len Critcher]

We had a serious issue with the Digital Dealer organization as both exhibitor and speaker back in 2008. Our experience has kept us away from the conference since. The purpose of such a conference should be to bring people together - to share in ideas, products, and best practices. The person in-charge should be a politician, not a dictator.

We thoroughly enjoyed the goodnatured and positive content/sessions we saw at the 2nd Annual Driving Sales Summit which we highly recommend as an alternative.

 

[Justin Mathers]

ADP's CRM tool is the single worst in the industry followed by a close second with Reynolds Contact Management. Anything they can do to get rid of that POS is good. AutoTrader is a cancer. First vAuto, now KBB. We all know they suck. It is only a matter of time before they destroy both those brands.

 

[Chili Palmer]

I know you guys don't appreciate anonymous post but I'm doing it because I need to keep speaking at Digital Dealer events. And Chili Palmer is the man telling you how it is (Get Shorty). When (not if) DrivingSales gets to over 500 attendees I will gladly give Roscoe the middle finger he deserves and hedge my bets with Jared.

I am so glad you guys finally put something out in the open about Roscoe. I see that it is all rumors and hearsay but I have seen and heard this stuff too many times going back to third Digital Dealer. It is time someone exposes that bastard for what he is.

I can only imagine the cussing and screaming going on at the Dealer Magazine office today. Mike is throwing a fit while the rest of the team is secretly agreeing with what is being said here. Cliff - get out while you can. Have you heard the saying "When you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas."

Len -I'm glad to see you show some backbone and post up like a man. I'm sorry I couldn't do it myself. But I couldn't resist leaving this completely alone.

 

[Ryan G]

Ah...so that cat is out of the bag on Roscoe. I will politely take this opportunity to share why I have completely avoided Digital Dealer for the past 4 years - because I stopped supporting Mike Roscoe after he shit on one of the best friends the auto industry has, whom I will leave unnamed for his own sake. There are a lot of good people doing great things in the auto industry and I get the feeling that this post will end up drawing a line in the sand between them and him.

I will also share that it was really cool to see the DSES via live stream. Hats off to Jared and his team for such a job well done all around. Feedback on the event has been great and I imagine that DSES will become (if it hasn't already) the premier event for cutting edge auto professionals.

 

[Layton Judd]

Sad to see people putting down any conference in the automotive space. There should be more and more information shared. Mike Roscoe stepped to the plate when no one else was willing and created a niche conference that has benefitted both the vendors and dealers. Jared has created another format that will allow dealers and vendors share ideas. Both conferences are excellent and with the size of our industry we should be glad that both Mike and Jared are planning on continuing to move forward.

 

[Kim Clouse]

2 Years ago 2 friends of mine and I were doing a series of small speaking events around Texas, Oklahoma, and the Southeast called Auto Training Events. The group still exists on Linked In. I started it, and have not even logged on in over a year. During those events I had the AAISP links up on the site. I figured since 3 of us had opened the Digital Dealer booth at NADA (nobody was there) I would post the links that went to the Conference. I still have the rotten ass e-mail saved from our friend Mr. Roscoe and have been tempted to post it. I did not return to 3 conferences after that until this year. I thought it was a great conference but if these rumors are true I will not be surprised. The words in these posts are true, the people that made Digital Dealer can un-make Digital Dealer.

Wake up!!!!!!!

 

[Ryan G]

@Layton that's all peachy fuzzy but it's clearly not how Roscoe sees it.