Pat Brown, most recently vice president of global branding and communications for Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., has joined Dealer Strategic Planning Inc. (DSP), a Virginia Beach, Va.-based company that specializes in establishing tire dealer 20-groups.
"We are excited to have Pat join our team of professionals," says Norm Gaither, DSP co-founder along with Stu Zurcher.
"Her background and experience are a perfect fit to help us offer the 20-group business improvement model to tire dealers who want to increase profitability. Pat's expertise in marketing will help attract new dealers while providing an excellent resource for advertising and marketing assistance for our elite group."
In addition to heading Cooper's public relations and communications efforts for many years, Brown has served on the Tire Industry Association's board of directors and has been active in the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
Also during her career, "Brown has written articles on how to maximize advertising effectiveness for tire dealers and delivered dynamic presentations on low cost advertising ideas, marketing to women, use of the Internet and other timely topics for tire dealers."
DSP reports that its 20-group participants experienced 50% profit improvement over the industry standard in 2008, which Gaither calls "outstanding. Our dealers are convinced that by sharing best practices, marketing ideas and business management strategies, they are able to outsmart their competition."
