Marketing/Event Planner

Thunder Tower Harley-Davidson in Columbia, SC is looking to hire a Marketing/Event Planner. Previous experience is preferred.

Marketing
• Responsible for the creation and implementation of the dealership’s marketing plan; also maintains routine updates of the marketing plan as needed.
• Conduct market research activities and analysis and establishes data management to improve the dealership’s marketing efforts.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of the dealership’s marketing, advertising, and public relations activities.
• Develop and manages annual marketing budgets, regularly monitors expenditures and prepares summary assessments and reports.
• Regularly obtains and utilizes lead information provided by Harley-Davidson Motor Company through H-D Dealer Marketing Engine and HDDS.
• Attends training sessions and webinars to keep current with marketing techniques.
• Update the dealership P.O.P. (Point Of Purchase) signage and materials as directed by Harley-Davidson Moor Company. Work with departmentmanagers to coordinate the signage with department promotions to provide the ideal experience for the customer.

Event Planning
• Develops the annual dealership event calendar based on dealership goals and suggested activities and promotions from Harley-Davidson Motor Company. As changes to the calendar are made when necessary, provides an updated calendar to all managers.
• Organizes community events for the dealership, such as fashions shows, open houses, workshops, motorcycle rides and charity events with appropriate capture of attendee information for leads.
• Develops, plans and executes the dealership’s two annual festivals – Days of Thunder (Spring) and Biketoberfest (Fall) – including event budgets, activities, volunteers, sponsorships and promotion.
• Provides staff with monthly reference guide for events, including talking points to communicate with customers.
• Registers the dealership for two Dealer Demo Truck events annually via H-Dnet and executes the event according to Harley-Davidson Motor Company guidelines.
• Regularly maintains event folders with up-to-date information on the status of each event and remaining tasks to be completed.
• Confirms dealership entry into various contests and promotions from Harley-Davidson Motor Company when available by completing necessary contest entry forms and compliance with contest rules and requirements.
• Attends weekly Bike Night events and coordinates activities, giveaways and other promotions.
• Coordinates dealership participation and attendance at sponsored community events such as golf tournaments, military functions and parades.
• Responsible for cold calling and prospecting local businesses and groups for Dine & Discover workshops. Communicates Dine & Discover schedule with the appropriate staff and executes the Dine & Discover on-site and off-site with appropriate capture of attendee information for leads.
• Responsible for set-up and teardown of dealership events on-site and off-site, including coordination with with facility maintenance staff for assistance when necessary.
• Assists with organization of HOG chapter activities and attends monthly HOG chapter meetings.
• Plan and implement quarterly employee appreciation events and annual employee Christmas party.
• Responsible for decorating the dealership for various holidays, including Halloween and Christmas.

Advertising & Promotion
• Direct and coordinate production of advertising and promotional spot announcements, press releases and direct mailings to customers.
• Create, review and/or oversee television and radio spots, newspaper, magazine advertising and other promotional publications.
• Design, write and edit promotional and informational materials, such as press releases, brochures and newspaper and magazine advertisements.
• Professionally promote the dealership’s products and services to attract new customers and/or target markets.
• Authorize information for publication, such as interviews with reporters or articles describing activities of the dealership.
• Manage all social media and web campaigns including Facebook, Twitter, Constant Contact email newsletter Dealer Socket campaigns and YouTube. .
• Maintain the dealership website – including regular updates to the home page slides, online event calendar, department promotions page, maintenance of department staff pages and creation of new pages as needed for specific events and other communications.

Customer Service
• Contact customers using mailing lists, tickler files and personal follow-up to encourage additional sales, maintain customer relationships and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Handle customer complaints reasonable, showing empathy and a positive attitude and demonstrate our commitment to “Make Things Right”.
• Work with local motorcycle groups and other organizations to implement dealership community involvement and build support.
• Regularly upload “Proud New Owner” customer photos to the dealership website via Google/Picasa Web Albums and Facebook page.
• Responds to all customer requests for sponsorships, donations and/or on-premises guest events in a timely manner.