Co-sponsorhips ‘links’ aftermarket with in-store merchandising items Automotive In-Store Marketing, Inc., and Aftermarket Business magazine have teamed up to co-sponsor a service that educates retailers, jobbers, manufacturers and others about innovations taking place in the in-store merchandising and marketing arenas. Branded MerchoLink™ and MerchoNews™ by Automotive In-Store Marketing, these services will be promoted monthly in Aftermarket Business magazine print publication, as well as have a prominent link to MerchoLink™ and MerchoNews™ on the front page of the publication’s website (www.aftermarketbusiness.com). MerchoLink™ and MerchoNews™ enable companies that sell merchandising products, design, graphics and other services to communicate their sales and products or services to the automotive aftermarket. The announcement was made by Stephen J. Alexander, president of Automotive In-Store Marketing, and Douglas Ferguson, group publisher of Aftermarket Business.

“I sincerely knew this was an important step in helping my industry find the in-store merchandising and marketing resources where they spend $1 billion a year,” said Alexander. “Although I was certain the automotive trade press would cover the story of the service. I just had no idea how big the enthusiasm would elevate. All that has now changed dramatically.”

MerchoLink™’s basic component is a link from www.autoinstore.com, Automotive In-Store Marketing’s website, to corporate websites. MerchoLink™’s next component level, MerchoNews™, allows companies to put news about their latest products and services online. And MerchoMail™, a push-marketing MerchoLink™ component, will e-mail product news directly to potential customers.

Aftermarket Business is the leading business publication servicing the automotive retailing industry, while Automotive In-Store Marketing is the only dedicated in-store merchandising consulting firm to the aftermarket.

Stephen J. Alexander, president of Automotive In-Store Marketing, is a member of Aftermarket Business’s Retail Advisory Board. He can be reached at his Sanibel Island, Fla. headquarters, phone (239) 395-9203, or e-mail salexander@autoinstore.com.

Visit Alexander at the Aftermarket Business AAPEX booth 4013 in the Sands Expo Center during the show.