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Artwork for The Dealer Playbook

The Dealer Playbook

Michael Cirillo
Automotive Industry
Marketing Strategies
Hispanic Market
Customer Experience
Autofi
Leadership
Cultural Competency
Spanish SEO
Electric Vehicles
Exotic Cars
Luxury Vehicle Leasing
General Manager
Personal Finance
Customer Service
Customer Engagement
Innovation Financial Services
Road To Ownership
Covid-19 Pandemic
Personal Growth
Operational Efficiency

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes698Founded12 years ago
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Artwork for The Dealer Playbook

Latest Episodes

Matt Lasher pulls back the curtain on one of the most expensive and preventable problems in automotive retail. The moment a customer falls in love with a car, spends five hours at the dealership, and then the deal collapses in finance because nobody ... more

What if the reason your marketing isn’t driving growth… is because it was never invited into the strategy conversation in the first place?

That question sits at the heart of this conversation with my good friend Ashley Cavazos, Digital Performance C... more

What if your newest salesperson could perform like your best one every single time?

That's not a hypothetical. That's what Jay Ku, founder and CEO of Hey Greenlight, is actually building. And after sitting down with him at NADA, I have to be honest ... more

Dealers are spending more on advertising than ever… and according to Subi Ghosh, many of them are still playing the game wrong.

This conversation from NADA 2026 might be one of the most important shifts we’ve discussed on The Dealer Playbook.

She b... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Matt Lasher
Representative from Streamline Auto
Streamline Auto
Episode: “The Great Train Wreck”: How Affordability and a Broken Process Are Costing Dealers the Sale | Matt Lasher, Streamline Auto
Ashley Cavazos
Digital Performance Consultant and Moderator at NCM Associates
NCM Associates
Episode: "Stop Blaming Marketing": The Digital Mistake Costing Dealers Growth | Ashley Cavazos, NCM Associates
Jay Ku
Founder and CEO of HeyGreenlight
HeyGreenlight
Episode: "It's Like a Wingman": The Sales Intelligence Tool Closing the Gap Between Your Worst and Best Reps | Jay Ku, Founder of HeyGreenlight
Rob Ruth
President of Bob Ruth Ford
Bob Ruth Ford
Episode: "Sold 300+ Used Cars" - This ford store cracked the used car game | Rob Ruth, President - Bob Ruth Ford
Matt Birkhead
Dealer principal at Sir Walter Chevrolet, overseeing a century-old dealership focused on community and employee investment.
Sir Walter Chevrolet
Episode: "The Sir Walter Way" - How a 100-Year Dealership Stays Nimble (and Grows) in a Modern Market | Matt Birkhead, Dealer Principal at Sir Walter Chevrolet
Josh Keough
Licensed architect and studio director at Gensler, leading the retail and consumer experience practice with a focus on automotive.
Gensler
Episode: "Design is an operating system" - How Architecture Shapes Sales, Service, and Culture | Josh Keough, Gensler
Ashley Brockhurst
Director of Marketing and Health and Safety at Charlesglen Toyota
Charlesglen Toyota
Episode: "The ‘Pull, Not Push’ Strategy" - How Authentic Community Investment Drives Real Store Traffic | Ashley Brockhurst, Charlesglen Toyota
JB Burnett
Multi-store operator obsessed with culture, process, and results
Ford
Episode: “Hospitality First” — The Signature 2.0 Experience That’s Changing How Guests Buy Cars | JB Burnett, GM at Preston Auto | Multi-Store Operator
Noella Salter
Marketing Manager at Lange & Fetter Ford
Lange & Fetter Ford
Episode: "Viral for the Right Reasons" - What Dealers Can Learn from Lange & Fetter’s Social Media Strategy | Noella Salter, Marketing Manager at Lange & Fetter Ford

Host

Michael Cirillo
Host of a podcast that focuses on automotive industry dynamics, offering expert interviews and insights aimed at improving dealership success and sales performance.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 199 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 States7 months 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
    Austria2 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.

Listeners appreciate the engaging and knowledgeable style of the host, praising his ability to draw out valuable insights from guests.
The content is seen as rich in practical strategies that automotive professionals can apply in their roles.
There are mentions of the podcast being an invaluable resource for guidance in the retail automotive industry.
Many comment on the positive energy and humor added to the discussions, making it enjoyable while educational.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"It's Like a Wingman": The Sales Intelligence Tool Closing the Gap Between Your Worst and Best Reps | Jay Ku, Founder of HeyGreenlight
Q: What role does AI play versus human sales skill in this system?
AI acts as a data engine and coaching backbone, while the human salesperson remains central for empathy, connection, and trust. AI handles data aggregation, scripting, and timely prompts, but the actual selling still relies on human judgment and relationship-building.
"It's Like a Wingman": The Sales Intelligence Tool Closing the Gap Between Your Worst and Best Reps | Jay Ku, Founder of HeyGreenlight
Q: How does Wingman actually help the sales process on a day-to-day basis?
Wingman creates a tailored outreach plan for each lead, including what to text, email, or say on a call, and even when to reach out. It also surfaces context like the customer's preferred color or family plans and can prompt the salesperson with restaurant recommendations or transit in-dealership moments to improve engagement.
"It's Like a Wingman": The Sales Intelligence Tool Closing the Gap Between Your Worst and Best Reps | Jay Ku, Founder of HeyGreenlight
Q: First off, tell me about how you came up with the idea for Hey Greenlight and the problem that you guys are solving.
The core idea came from observing two big dealer challenges: leads arriving with little context and high turnover, which wastes training and branding. HeyGreenlight augments every lead with 25+ data points and then Wingman provides a personalized, time-sensitive sales playbook to convert that lead, bridging the gap between a dealership's best and worst reps.
“We Built an AI Department” - Why Dealers Need a Real AI Strategy Anyway | Jeff Swickard, President/CEO of Swickard Auto Group
Q: How are you thinking about the next phase of customer experience?
We have to find ways of using technology to enable our hospitality and make experiences memorable.
"Design is an operating system" - How Architecture Shapes Sales, Service, and Culture | Josh Keough, Gensler
Q: How do you sell these improvements to dealers who primarily want to sell more cars?
Keough emphasizes that understanding the broader operational needs and customer experiences leads to better facility investments that reflect the dealer's goals.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Dealer Playbook

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

Targeting automotive professionals across various roles, this podcast offers a wealth of expert insights and strategies aimed at driving success in the retail automotive industry. With a consistent focus on evolving market dynamics, the conversations frequently revolve around sales techniques, digital marketing, customer experience, and innovative approaches to dealership operations. Unique to this podcast is its emphasis on blending modern technology—such as AI and social media—with traditional sales practices, providing listeners with a holistic toolkit that combines operational efficiency and authentic customer connection.

Listeners can expect to engage with a wide range of industry leaders and pioneers who share their experiences and i... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Dealer Playbook?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Dealer Playbook. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Dealer Playbook and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Dealer Playbook get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Dealer Playbook, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Dealer Playbook?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Dealer Playbook, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Dealer Playbook have?

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. Next Level Podcast with Jeremy Miner
3. Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast
4. THE ED MYLETT SHOW
5. Dropping Bombs

How many episodes of The Dealer Playbook are there?

The Dealer Playbook launched 12 years ago and published 698 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Dealer Playbook. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Dealer Playbook?

Recent guests on The Dealer Playbook include:

1. Matt Lasher
2. Ashley Cavazos
3. Jay Ku
4. Rob Ruth
5. Matt Birkhead
6. Josh Keough
7. Ashley Brockhurst
8. JB Burnett

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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