How Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care Found Its Storytelling Heart By: Derik Beck, VP of Digital Marketing, Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care

A key to creative, successful communication and marketing lies in gaining a fresh perspective on the industry you’re working in and the brand you represent. We’re creatures of habit and can fall into comfortable routines. Periodic brainstorming sessions and adoption of a mindset that embraces being as inventive as possible can counteract a retreat into the same old, same old. Specific tactics might include giving your website a facelift, developing enticing, consumer-facing promotions or contests or evaluating what competitors in and outside your industry are doing. Return to the basics with a team story idea session— the more originality and variety you incorporate into campaigns, the more effective they can become. No matter the industry, pushing for creativity allows marketing and communications professionals to tell the most compelling stories possible. Some of the best marketing strategies revolve around finding untold stories. Here are three tactics that have proven to be invaluable in uncovering untold stories.

LOOK AT WHAT’S MISSING
As alluded to above, it can be easy to fall into a creative silo, which runs the risk of turning your campaigns routine. Sometimes it’s merely a case of being so close to a project that it’s hard to see it needs a new element. For example, the Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care website utilizes a series of marketing videos featuring an animated character called the Cottman Man. As we began planning for a new animated character, we wanted something unique. It didn’t take us long to see that an effective way to differentiate the new character from our existing animation had been right in front of us for quite some time: There was no female representation in our digital characterizations. As a result, we decided to make our new animated Transmission Physician character a woman. Besides honoring women past, present and future in our industry, it celebrated and recognized our women-run franchises. It also served as a signal to customers and potential franchisees that the brand values an inclusive environment, acknowledging women’s contributions to car care. By taking a step back, we were able to be more creative and inclusive in our messaging.

TALK AROUND THE STORY
Often the most compelling campaigns come from identifying primary and secondary goals, and using one to accomplish the other. This tactic requires a fair amount of creativity. Cottman wants to find new customers and franchisees, but we’ve realized we can accomplish those goals best by showcasing current franchisees. You could say we come to the situation sideways. A method we employ to highlight our services and draw in talented entrepreneurs is by highlighting our franchisees on local TV news segments, where they give tips on car care specific to the local weather and demonstrate their expert knowledge. Creative marketing efforts like this tell a story to multiple audiences at once and can accomplish more than one marketing goal in the process. One way to do this is by publicizing smaller features of your business—your delivery people always are on time, customers often call to remark on the quality of your products, store operators regularly become involved with community fundraising—to subtly draw attention to broader narratives of your organization: placing a premium on customer time, following excellent quality control processes, community give back as a core company value.

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY
Thinking creatively often means keeping an eye on the larger picture, and for many organizations that have become fixtures in their communities, the bigger picture is the neighborhoods they serve. Sometimes a marketing opportunity may not seem to yield immediate financial benefit for shareholders, or franchises, but they have a positive impact on your relationship with the greater community. During the 2016 holiday season, Cottman released a coloring book series featuring the Cottman Man and distributed it to children’s hospitals. Our goal was to spread holiday cheer to those in need. In fact, the effort had several residual effects. Focusing on creating a positive, meaningful product for local kids refreshed our corporate and franchise teams. It also further established the brand as a community partner. Maintaining a perspective on what’s really important, and the core values of your organization can help kick-start creativity by aligning a campaign with a worthwhile cause. As communications pros, it is vital to remember how storytelling fits into the broader corporate mission. Communicators have the chance to tell stories that resonate with internal and external stakeholders. The key to that resonance lies with your ability to push the limits of creativity to produce something truly memorable.

  • Gail Parker
    Gail Parker
    2021-06-15
    Google

    The customer service was concerned about the parking area for my vehicle for overnight early bird service.They called me to inform me they were gonna check back with me before any services on my vehicle were done with my approval which, made me comfortable to know they showed responsibility in their work.

  • Leslie Meyers
    Leslie Meyers
    2021-04-09
    Google

    Fast, friendly, reliable and fair. I ended up having to get my town & country transmission repaired/replaced & my spark plugs replaced right before Christmas this past year & they said they could do it the next day if I could leave it that day. Well I didn't have a ride home & my other car needed a jump start since we hadn't driven it much. The owner not only offered to drive me home, but also jump start my other car so I could of get my niece from school. If that's not service, I don't know what is. They also ened up doing my 2014 escape transmission the yr b4. They were recommended by a friend & I would recommend them as well.

  • Hina K. Huynh
    Hina K. Huynh
    2021-03-18
    Google

    I purchased a "newly" used vehicle and was concerned about transmission issues and they made sure I was taken care of. The staff was extremely friendly and polite, and not only did they provide me with all the necessary services I needed, they also educated me. I would highly recommend this location.

  • Miriam Green
    Miriam Green
    2021-03-12
    Google

    The service was great. Someone recommended them to me. They took care of the issue I was having with my vehicle with no issues. I’ll be going to them from here on out! A very satisfied customer

  • Samuel Jones
    Samuel Jones
    2021-02-04
    Google

    Staff were all professional. Manager was a saint, gentleman, and scholar. Great company with excellent values. I would highly recommend them.

  • K. Raymer
    K. Raymer
    2020-11-20
    Google

    Kevin and his entire staff are the best. I had a brake caliper fail and they took care of very quickly and for a great price. Since then, I had new flare fenders with led lights installed on my Jeep Wrangler. Same great service and value.

  • Loren Vann
    Loren Vann
    2020-11-18
    Google

    I have been taking my vehicles to Cottman for the last year and I have never been disappointed. Kevin is the General Manager and I have known him personally for several years. This is an honest shop with quality work and great, trustworthy employees. Law Enforcement friendly, which is a major plus. It is hard to find a reliable place for vehicles now and days so skip the stress and take your vehicles here.

  • Stephanie Besos
    Stephanie Besos
    2020-10-28
    Google

    I love this place. came here a few years back, great work. just came in recently, wanted to wait a few days for the review.let me tell you Vicki was amazing and as helpful as can be and kevin did repair and excellent job on my transmission as well as work with me . had a world of trouble with my warranty place but they did their best to help with it all and my car is running excellent. will be back soon for oil change and any future repairs. thanks guys.

  • Stephanie Besos
    Stephanie Besos
    2020-10-21
    Google

    I love this place. came here a few years back, great work. just came in recently, wanted to wait a few days for the review.let me tell you Vicki was amazing and as helpful as can be and kevin did repair and excellent job on my transmission as well as work with me . had a world of trouble with my warranty place but they did their best to help with it all and my car is running excellent. will be back soon for oil change and any future repairs. thanks guys.

  • Conley Smith
    Conley Smith
    2020-10-20
    Google

    My experience at Cottman was awesome! The waiting lounge was very clean and looked great. The front desk staff was kind and personable. My wheels got aligned very quickly and they did a great job for an awesome price! The owner is extremely professional and quite handsome as well.

  • Randall Vann
    Randall Vann
    2020-10-18
    Google

    Best shop to have your vehicle repaired. Professional and timely. Owner gives fair prices and easy to work with. I would highly recommend to anyone.

  • Mike Villegas
    Mike Villegas
    2020-10-15
    Google

    The work was excellent and done in a timely manner. Found the best pri ce for the work needed!!!

  • Justin Davis
    Justin Davis
    2020-10-10
    Google

    Great customer service!! The staff was very attentive. A issue arose while they were working on my vehicle, and the mechanics diagnosed it and where back on track in no time. What I liked the most was that they kept me in the loop while they tried to find a resolution.

  • Steve Lilley
    Steve Lilley
    2020-09-17
    Google

    Fast and efficient service.