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Artwork for The Dealer Playbook

The Dealer Playbook

Michael Cirillo
Automotive Industry
Customer Experience
Artificial Intelligence
Electric Vehicles
Marketing Strategies
Leadership
Customer Engagement
NADA
Customer Service
Social Media Marketing
Operational Efficiency
Leadership Development
Automotive Sales
Social Media
Community Engagement
Automotive Marketing
Dealership Operations
Google Business Profile
Autofi
Building a Dealership

The Dealer Playbook is the podcast for serious automotive professionals. The ones who think beyond the transaction. Hosted by Michael Cirillo, now in its 12th year, The Dealer Playbook delivers straight-talk conversations with the dealers, operators, and leaders who are actually building something. If you run a store, lead a team, or are building a career worth having, this is your show. New episo... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes718Founded12 years ago
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EntrepreneurshipBusiness

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Artwork for The Dealer Playbook

Latest Episodes

Most dealers are fighting over a sliver of traffic while the majority goes unclaimed. Matt Copley, Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Revenue Officer of Hrizn, joins Michael to unpack it. With over 25 years across media, adtech, and martech, including a... more

Average production has a cost, and it usually shows up long before someone notices it in their paycheck.

After 18 years in automotive retail, Raul stepped away from the general sales manager position and returned to the showroom floor as a client ad... more

Every operator has felt it: too many fires, no clear order of attack, and the creeping sense that whatever you fix first is a guess.

This episode centers on a simple decision-making framework: plot every project against how easy it is to achieve and... more

Jonathan Dawson has spent over 20 years training dealerships as the president and founder of Sellcology and co-founder of the Pinnacle Society. A year ago, he became an owner and operator himself at Cherokee Mitsubishi.

This episode centers on one s... more

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Recent Guests

Matt Copley
Co-Founder & CRO of Hrizn
Hrizn
Episode: "1.8% Of Clicks Are Paid" - The Traffic Every Dealer Is Leaving On The Table | Matt Copley, Co-Founder & CRO of Hrizn
Raul Tomsa
Client Advisor at Motor Werks
Motor Werks
Episode: “Ten Cars Does Not Work” - The Habits Behind Higher Car Sales | Raul Tomsa, Client Advisor at Motor Werks
Gary LaDue
Marketing Director at Modern Auto (the episode presenter and guest)
Modern Auto
Episode: "We Solved a Huge Problem" — How This 17-Store Group Decides What to Fix First | Gary LaDue, Marketing Dir. Modern Auto
Jonathan Dawson
Dealer Principal at Cherokee Mitsubishi; author/trainer in automotive sales and leadership
Cherokee Mitsubishi; Sellcology; Pinnacle Society
Episode: “39 Cars To 62” - How A Store Fixed A Decade-long Sales Plateau In 60 Days | Jonathan Dawson, Dealer Principal at Cherokee Mitsubishi
Rob Dell
VP at Bob Ruth Ford; industry operator
Bob Ruth Ford
Episode: "175 to 400 Cars a Month" — The Used Car Reframe That Changed Every Department | Rob Dell, VP at Bob Ruth Ford
Charlie Spradlin
General Manager at Art Moehn Group
Art Moehn Group
Episode: “My Team Will Adapt at the Drop of a Dime” — The GM Playbook for Leading When You Don’t Have All the Answers | Charlie Spradlin, GM Art Moehn Auto Group
Ryan Osten
Co-Founder & CEO of Lyteflo
Lyteflo
Episode: "There is money to be made" — Unlocking Profit in the Used EV Market — Ryan Osten, Co-Founder & CEO at Lyteflo
Dan Collingridge
CTO at FlexDealer and LiftKit
FlexDealer, LiftKit
Episode: "Inventory as a Catalyst" — Why Inventory Is Still Your Most Overlooked Lever | Dan Collingridge, CTO At Flex Dealer
Adam Marburger
CEO of Ascent Dealer Services
Ascent Dealer Services
Episode: "$400 A Transaction" — Boosting F&i Profit With Data-driven AI | Adam Marburger, CEO at Ascent Dealer Services

Host

Michael Cirillo
Host of The Dealer Playbook; long-running show focusing on actionable automotive retail strategies.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 200 ratings
  • Energy. Insights. Humor.

    Michael Cirillo is a fantastic host who brings energy, wit, and real knowledge of the dealer world to every conversation.

    I had a great time joining him on The Dealer Playbook to trade insights and also learn from his perspective.

    He asked sharp questions that pushed the discussion beyond surface-level marketing and into what really makes dealership events stand out.

    The episode covers everything from knowing your audience to elevating experiences through partnerships, sports lessons, and ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ORT D.Point
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast

    Michael is an innovator in this industry and the messages he puts out are poignant for all within the auto world. This is a MUST FOLLOW for industry leaders like myself!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mike Wood, U of L
    United States2 years ago
  • 10/10 Love this Podcast!

    The Dealer Playbook is a fantastic podcast. If you’re in the automotive industry or an adjacent industry- listen to this podcast. There is so much helpful information that is shared and great guest speakers that shed light on the industry from a macro point of view and industry trends. Michael is an awesome host that brings good perspective, positivity and inspiration to this industry and his work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gabi Abinion
    United States2 years ago
  • Revolutionizing Sales Strategies with Expert Insights

    The Dealer Playbook podcast, especially the episode with Shari Levitin on utilizing video in sales, brilliantly showcases the importance of evolving sales tactics in today's digital landscape. The insights offered in this episode are not only informative but also highly applicable, providing listeners with actionable strategies to enhance their sales processes. This podcast is a valuable resource for sales professionals looking to adapt and thrive in an increasingly digital sales environment.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I value the unique angle
    Austria3 years ago
  • A must-listen!

    The Dealer Playbook has quickly become a favorite in my feed! I'm consistently impressed by the engaging conversations, insightful content, and actionable ideas. I truly learn something every time I listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mvelasco07
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and topics are consistently aligned with real-world dealer needs.
Listeners praise the host for sharp questions and practical, battle-tested takeaways.
The show is viewed as a trusted resource for automotive leadership and marketing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

“39 Cars To 62” - How A Store Fixed A Decade-long Sales Plateau In 60 Days | Jonathan Dawson, Dealer Principal at Cherokee Mitsubishi
Q: How do you translate the concept of a “business within the business” into practical steps for a dealership?
By giving salespeople branding, budgets, flexible schedules, and a pathway to ownership within the company, so they feel invested and empowered to drive results.
“39 Cars To 62” - How A Store Fixed A Decade-long Sales Plateau In 60 Days | Jonathan Dawson, Dealer Principal at Cherokee Mitsubishi
Q: What is stewardship and why is it central to your approach?
Stewardship is about acting as if you own the season you're in, taking responsibility for the outcomes now to prepare for future success, and it combines personal accountability with grace.
"175 to 400 Cars a Month" — The Used Car Reframe That Changed Every Department | Rob Dell, VP at Bob Ruth Ford
Q: What is Rob Dell's baseline criteria for feeling confident buying the right used car?
Rob emphasizes data-driven decisions, basing buys on historical transaction patterns, and looking at the broader profitability of each trade across service, parts, and finance, not just front-end margin.
"175 to 400 Cars a Month" — The Used Car Reframe That Changed Every Department | Rob Dell, VP at Bob Ruth Ford
Q: Okay, I got to ask you this, because I'm genuinely curious anytime I get to sit down with an industry operator, somebody that's like in the trenches. How did you get into the car business?
By mistake. The path was accidental but led to a long career shaped by mentors, experience, and a focus on people rather than the cars themselves.
“My Team Will Adapt at the Drop of a Dime” — The GM Playbook for Leading When You Don’t Have All the Answers | Charlie Spradlin, GM Art Moehn Auto Group
Q: What is a challenge you're thinking about right now and how will you maneuver through it?
The primary challenge is maintaining a full used-car inventory while keeping cars affordable for customers. The approach is to build an acquisition department, partner with experts, and empower champions within the dealership to execute, measure, and iterate—ultimately aligning every move with long-term goals rather than short-term spikes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Dealer Playbook

What is The Dealer Playbook about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on practical strategies for automotive retail leaders, with episodes that mix mindset shifts, operational rigor, and technology adoption. Across conversations with automotive executives, marketers, and industry thinkers, the host surfaces actionable takeaways on ROI-focused meetings, data-driven decision making, and human-centered selling in a digital age. Notable throughlines include the tension between AI tools and human judgment, the importance of back-to-basics CRM and lead handling, and how brands can build trust through storytelling, governance, and authentic content. This program often features guests who are hands-on operators or strategic visionaries, offering frameworks listeners can apply to improve profitability... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Dealer Playbook?

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How many listeners does The Dealer Playbook get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Dealer Playbook?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Dealer Playbook has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Dealer Playbook?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Dealer Playbook:

1. Car Dealership Guy Podcast
2. Automotive News Daily Drive
3. THE ED MYLETT SHOW
4. Motivation Daily by Motiversity
5. The Koerner Office - Business Ideas and Deep Dives with Chris Koerner

How many episodes of The Dealer Playbook are there?

The Dealer Playbook launched 12 years ago and published 718 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Dealer Playbook?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Dealer Playbook?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Dealer Playbook from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Dealer Playbook?

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What guests have appeared on The Dealer Playbook?

Recent guests on The Dealer Playbook include:

1. Matt Copley
2. Raul Tomsa
3. Gary LaDue
4. Jonathan Dawson
5. Rob Dell
6. Charlie Spradlin
7. Ryan Osten
8. Dan Collingridge

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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