we are a full-service automotive advertising agency
meet your auto specialists
Call 843-478-3019 | Or fill the form out below to meet your dedicated automotive specialist
Our industry experts are ready to take the wheel – and take your automotive advertising to the next level. Our award winning Charleston based marketing agency is ready for you, come get your own dedicated automotive advertising specialist today!
automotive
production
Our in-house production team is uniquely equipped to create TV commercials, digital videos and radio spots that automotive dealers – and their audiences – can’t resist. Whether utilizing corporate assets or coordinating commercial shoots, our Charleston marketing agency is known for meeting tight deadlines and consistently exceeding expectations for our automotive advertising clients.
click images to view commercials >>




AUTOMOTIVE
LOCAL SEO SERVICES
Motivated Marketing can help assemble the puzzle, creating a complete picture of the digital landscape and your brand’s place in it. Our SEO management approach is strategically designed to boost clients’ online visibility and overall website traffic. With this mission in mind, our team pairs consistent monthly content creation/development with targeted onsite and offsite SEO tactics.
We believe that when clients have a strong digital footprint, measurable rankings are sure to follow. Transparency also plays a large role, with detailed reporting on specific strategy and implementation used to inform clients each step of the way.
Google Business Profile & Off-site Optimization
Citation Cleanup
Ongoing Content Development
Reporting & Dedicated Specialist
example of our custom live seo reporting available 24/7 to our clients





design
Our graphic design gurus offer a wide range of services, with their passion for eye-catching creative apparent. We strive to deliver top notch design unique to each individual automotive advertising campaign we execute.
While not exhaustive, this list includes the major mediums our team designs for:
brand & identity
signage
digital

media buying
Our Charleston advertising agency of experienced media experts negotiate buys in markets across the country, positioning dealerships for success and growth.
They work hard to ensure the right automotive advertising ads are viewed by the right audience at the right time – and it’s this strategic approach that gets customers on the lot.
media buying
Our experienced media experts negotiate buys in markets across the country, positioning dealerships for success and growth.
They work hard to ensure the right ads are viewed by the right audience at the right time – and it’s this strategic approach that gets customers on the lot.
Our team not only produces the creative, but coordinates email campaigns’ entire execution. Put us in the driver’s seat from the very start, and sit back while we get attention-grabbing emails from design to digital mailbox!


direct mail
Our direct mail specialists ensure a successful delivery – one that’s on time AND on message! The results our automotive advertising clients enjoy are proof that mail works, and that M2’s strategy does, too!
digital
Our tech-savvy digital team has a knack for polishing automotive dealers’ online presence, providing the following services
and then analyzing results to optimize each automotive advertising campaign’s success:
digital
Our tech-savvy digital team has a knack for polishing automotive dealers’ online presence, providing the following services and then analyzing results to optimize each campaign’s success:
paid search
Social
SEO
Video
What Is Car Advertising (Automotive Advertising)?
The automotive industry is ever changing, with new models and innovative technology constantly hitting the streets – nearly faster than consumers can keep up. The car-buying process, in response, has been redefined to meet drivers’ needs. Today, many Palmetto State dealers strive to provide a simple, stress-free experience, relying on effective car advertising to spread the word.
How is Car Advertising So Important To The Auto Industry?
Car advertising plays a major role in dealerships’ success, with many showing a direct correlation between ad spend and cars sold.
Here’s what Statista Research Department research reveals:
- American dealerships spent $7.48 billion on advertising in 2020.
- Average dealership spent $273 thousand on online advertising.
- Average dealership spent $70 thousand on TV advertising.
- Average dealership spent $41.4 thousand on radio advertising.
- The automotive industry in the U.S. spent $12.42 billion in 2020 on digital advertising alone.
- Mobile ad spend in the U.S. climbed over $129 billion in 2020, with the retail sector accounting for nearly a quarter of that total.
How Costly is Car Advertising?
At Motivated Marketing, our team delivers incredible creative that meets dealers’ unique needs – and their budgets. We offer various packages to assist clients of all sizes, from small hometown dealers to national automotive groups. Because we believe that limited funds should never limit your potential, our marketing specialists will work to deliver the most bang for your buck.
Biggest Challenge for the Automotive Marketers When Performing Car Advertising?
A vehicle purchase is a major investment, and many car dealers must contend with an age-old stereotype – one that portrays them as slick, sleazy and solely focused on profit. That’s why gaining consumers’ trust is often dealers’ biggest challenge. They must not only communicate monthly deals and savings, but prove that customers will enjoy honest service from the very start.
M2’s marketing specialists can help, setting your car dealership apart from the competition. We know that reaching car buyers means meeting them where they are: online. In fact, studies show that 97% of people interested in buying, repairing or customizing a vehicle start their search online. Our team produces eye-catching digital advertising that stops consumers from scrolling – and gets them on the lot.
3 Major Changes Impacting Automotive Marketing Moving Forward (2022)
The automotive industry is advancing quickly, with the following changes encouraging progress:
The pandemic forced a shift to digital.
Many dealerships were already beginning to offer more services digitally, with 88% of buyers starting their car search online. But the pandemic accelerated these advancements, and while some dealerships struggled to make the shift, others pivoted quickly. Today, many of our clients offer 100% digital buying, allowing consumers to complete the entire purchase process from home.
Buyers are demanding a different approach.
Buyers are not only busy, but accustomed to purchasing everything online. This applies to vehicle purchases as well. Many prospective buyers expect to be able to see all their options online, saving them the time and hassle of visiting the lot.
Siloed data and tools won’t work.
Auto companies take a siloed approach, with specialists sticking to what they know: sales, service, financing, etc. But this strategy is not effective in nurturing leads. To ensure consumers enjoy a seamless experience from start to finish, data is used to reach them at each stage of the process.
Can I Do The Marketing Myself Instead Of Using An Advertising Agency?
Sure, if you have plenty of spare time on your hands – and experience gathering data, predicting trends, targeting audiences, producing killer campaigns, etc. Or you can trust our team to handle it for you, freeing you to focus on what you do best: selling cars!
Our marketing specialists understand the automotive industry and the unique challenges that face dealerships like yours. And we know how best to reach prospective buyers, turning leads into loyal customers. We have been serving automotive clients for over a decade, and we are eager to put our experience to work for you.
What Are The Biggest Mistakes Car Dealerships Make In Managing Their Own Automotive Advertising?
Many car dealers find themselves veering off track, with these potholes in their paths:
- Low quality content
- Failure to embrace search engine optimization (SEO)
- Inconsistent social media presence and no audience engagement
- Poorly developed online marketing strategy
- No competitor analysis or data analysis
- Amateurish website
- Website not optimized for mobile devices
- No paid advertising
No matter the mistake, our marketing specialists can get your dealership back on the road to success! We’ve done it countless times, taking our clients to the next level with expertly-crafted creative and proven strategy.
What Makes M2 Different from Other Advertising Agencies?
Here at Motivated Marketing, we take an innovative approach, blending modern and traditional advertising to reach your target audience. Our marketing specialists often recommend a cross-platform strategy to reach buyers through digital (paid search, social media, etc.) and traditional (TV, radio, etc.) avenues.
With over 15 years of experience, we have earned our reputation for unmatched service. M2 prioritizes open communication, assigning a designated marketing specialist to managing your account. Trust our team to keep in touch, and to provide the following services:
Brand Development
Digital Advertising
Direct Mail
Email Marketing
Graphic Design
Media Buying
SEO
Social Media
Video Production
Web & Development
Discover More On Automotive Advertising:
Our Charleston marketing agency of dedicated Automotive Advertising Specialist are ready to meet you today!
About Charleston, SC:
Understanding prospective buyers is a key component to effective marketing. Our team digs deep into consumer data to learn more about our clients’ target demographics, ensuring we are well-acquainted with your audience before we carefully craft your marketing campaign. When it comes to Lowcountry car buyers, there is no one we know better! Like many of our Charleston area automotive dealers, we know what drives local buyers – because many of us are locals ourselves! If you are not lucky enough to call the Lowcountry home, here are a few things you need to know about our charming city:
- Charleston’s population grew from 133,762 to 135,257 from 2018 to 2019. This 1.12% increase brought a nearly 6% boost in median household income.
- The five largest ethnic groups include:
- White (non-Hispanic): 71.5%
- African American: 21.6%
- Hispanic: 2.57%
- Asian: 1.92%
- Two +: 1.4%
- No households (0%) speak a non-English language as their primary language.
- 97.5% of Charleston residents are U.S. citizens.
- Charleston is home to many higher learning institutions, including:
- College of Charleston (2,637 degrees awarded in 2019)
- Citadel Military College of South Carolina (1,043 degrees awarded in 2019)
- Medical University of South Carolina (1,007 degrees awarded in 2019)
- The homeownership rate was 55.6% in 2019, with the median property value sitting at $330,600.
- The average commute time was 21.3 minutes in 2019, with the average household owning 2 vehicles.
About South Carolina:
It’s crucial for Palmetto State car dealers to know their target audience inside and out. Here are a few things to ask yourself to start honing in on your target demographic: Are you trying to market to active families? Eco-conscious drivers? Adventurous off-roaders? Construction workers?
Accurately defining your audience ensures your ads reach the right consumers – and our marketing specialists can help. Once we know who are are trying to reach, we can determine the best way to reach them. Motivated Marketing’s data gurus have gathered some helpful facts about Palmetto State families to help your car dealership stay informed:
- The Palmetto State’s population grew from 5.08 million to 5.15 million between 2018 and 2019.
- The median age is 39.9 years old.
- The median household income is $56,227, growing 7.5% from 2018 to 2019.
- The five largest ethnic groups include:
- White (non-Hispanic): 63.5%
- African American: 26.3%
- Hispanic: 3.16%
- Two + (non-Hispanic): 2.07%
- Other (Hispanic): 2.03%
- 7.47% of the households in South Carolina speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.
- 96.8% of Palmetto State residents are U.S. citizens.
- The largest universities include:
- University of South Carolina-Columbia (9,950 degrees awarded in 2019)
- Clemson University (6,759 degrees awarded in 2019)
- College of Charleston (2,637 degrees awarded in 2019)
- The median property value was $179,800, and the homeownership rate was 70.3% in 2019.
- The average commute time was 24.7 minutes, with the average household owning 2 vehicles.
2019 POPULATION
5.15M
2019 MEDIAN AGE
39.9
2019 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
$56,227
South Carolina Counties by Population (2020)
1 | Greenville County | 525,534 |
2 | Richland County | 416,147 |
3 | Charleston County | 408,235 |
4 | Horry County | 351,029 |
5 | Spartanburg County | 327,997 |
6 | Lexington County | 293,991 |
7 | York County | 282,090 |
8 | Berkeley County | 229,861 |
9 | Anderson County | 203,718 |
10 | Beaufort County | 187,117 |
South Carolina Cities by Population 2020
1 | Charleston | 150,227 |
2 | Columbia | 136,632 |
3 | North Charleston | 114,852 |
4 | Mount Pleasant | 90,801 |
5 | Rock Hill | 74,372 |
6 | Greenville | 70,720 |
7 | Summerville | 50,915 |
8 | Goose Creek | 45,946 |
9 | Sumter | 43,463 |
10 | Florence | 39,899 |
© MOTIVATED MARKETING - Privacy Policy | Sitemap