SouthwestRe Launches Key Partnership With Leading Edge Marketing Firm; Visible Customer Joins Forces With Industry Giant to Improve Profitability for Auto Dealers

Copyright 2008 Business Wire, Inc. Business Wire

September 17, 2008 Wednesday 1:01 PM GMT

DISTRIBUTION: Business Editors; Automotive Writers

LENGTH: 695 words

HEADLINE: SouthwestRe Launches Key Partnership With Leading Edge Marketing Firm; Visible Customer Joins Forces With Industry Giant to Improve Profitability for Auto Dealers

DATELINE: LAS VEGAS

Representatives from SouthwestRe and Visible Customer announced today they have formed a unique partnership to improve marketing services and profitability for auto dealerships nationwide. The new alliance with SouthwestRe, the leading provider of F&I products for more than 4,000 auto dealerships and a major player in the reinsurance industry, provides auto dealers with access to Visible Customer's innovative "1to1" marketing services. Visible Customer's dealer marketing programs have proven to increase dealer profitability and greatly reduce advertising costs within as little as three months.

"The results of our pilot programs with Visible Customer were phenomenal," said Jim Smith, President and CEO of SouthwestRe. "Our clients experienced significant returns on investment in a very short period of time using Visible Customer's customer intelligence and marketing tools. Not only will our partnership help replicate those outstanding results for all our dealers, it should make a significant, positive impact on the auto industry overall." SouthwestRe CEO Jim Smith added he will formally announce the partnership with Visible Customer during his keynote address at the F&I Conference and Expo in Las Vegas today.

Visible Customer uses a customized, proprietary Intelligent Membership Database (IMD) to extract, refine, append and analyze dealer DMS data. The IMD helps transform the data into highly targeted marketing and rewards/loyalty campaigns that capture best opportunities for all areas of the dealership, drive strong customer retention and build unique dealership brand. Visible Customer also evaluates and reports weekly on the effectiveness of each campaign and identifies future opportunities based on analysis of data, customer response and new industry trends or offerings. Auto dealerships engaged with Visible Customer typically experience triple digit ROI and significant profitability increases within the first three months. As a result, dealers are often able to drastically reduce advertising outlays long term.

"SouthwestRe agents will be equipped with the knowledge and information to introduce Visible Customer to their dealer clients. Dealers in the Visible Customer pilots have sold more cars, obtained more service appointments, closed more F&I products and cut advertising costs," said Gabe Galaviz, Executive Vice President for SouthwestRe. Galaviz will be leading the team to roll out the partnership across SouthwestRe agents throughout the remainder of 2008. Both companies expect to experience significant results in terms of increased business across the SouthwestRe and Visible Customer dealership client bases.

"SouthwestRe is one of the most respected leaders in the industry. They're known not just for their performance, but as a corporation that has always operated with a high degree of integrity. For Visible Customer, it's crucial that the values and mission of our partners be in alignment with our focus on advocating for the customer," said John Stapleton, founder and Chairman of the Board for Visible Customer.

About Visible Customer, Inc. -Visible Customer, Inc. is a comprehensive marketing service that uses proven industry-leading methods and technologies to dramatically increase auto dealership profitability. Backed by decades of experience in auto industry lead-tracking science and one-to-one marketing, Visible Customer offers an intelligent and easy way for dealers to reduce advertising costs and increase incremental revenue. More information about Visible Customer is available at www.visiblecustomer.com .

About Southwest RE -SouthwestRe is a national provider of insurance products, policy administration, claims service and turnkey reinsurance solutions. Its primary channels include vehicle service contracts, aftermarket products, credit insurance, GAP coverage, and home warranties. Founded in 1985 SouthwestRe today administers over $200,000,000 in annual premiums and manages over 600 reinsurance companies, which represent relationships with more than 3,000 auto dealerships. For more information visit www.southwestre.com . CONTACT: SouthwestReBonnie Harris, 612-801-0912 [email protected] http://www.businesswire.com

LOAD-DATE: September 17, 2008