JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Family First Dealer Services LLC (FFDS), based here, and Mudd Advertising Inc. of Cedar Falls Iowa, launched a new marketing and advertising system available to Trade-In Protection (TIP) dealerships nationwide. Trade-In Protection is designed to minimize or eliminate negative equity when taking vehicle trade-ins.

“Being the first to launch the Trade-In Protection program nationwide over a year ago, we realized quickly that the key to a dealer’s success lies in building TIP into the dealer's marketing messages. This means to imbed it inside each dealership with co-branded materials - from TV spots, radio, Web site, mailers and custom point of sale materials to show their customers the commitment the dealer has made to each of them,” said Tony Wanderon, CEO of Family First Dealer Services.

Through this partnership, Trade-In Protection dealerships have access to the full suite of advertising and marketing services provided by Mudd. TIP dealers across the country will have access to marketing packages designed by Mudd and FFDS to optimize total market potential.

“Marketing the Trade-In Protection program exclusively for our dealer group was the whole key for us,” said Randy Hoffman, Executive Director of Ed Morse Automotive Group in Tampa, FL. “These guys flat out get it. TIP is driving big traffic for us today and is building loyalty for us in the future. No one else is doing what they have.” Trade-In Protection provides a consumer protection benefits of up to $5,000 to offset trade-in negative equity. Customers must trade-in and purchase another vehicle from the original TIP dealer they first bought from in order for their vehicle to qualify for protection package.

The program is available on both new and used vehicles with benefit levels available of $1000, $2500 and $5000. Dealers chose between a traditional product offering of TIP in the F&I office, or utilize the model where TIP is included at no charge to each of the dealers financed customers. This allows dealers to advertise the FFDS TIP program exclusively in their market area, and creates a unique offer to help drive traffic, closing ratios and customer retention.