LeadVenture welcomes Dealer Car Search to its market-leading portfolio of digital storefront and digital retail services. This acquisition provides a platform for LeadVenture’s growth strategy in the pre-owned auto market.

Dealer Car Search has spent more than a decade refining its proven suite of technology services to help more than 6,000 pre-owned auto dealers grow their revenue. The company’s digital storefront tools and superior customer service levels have won the Dealer Satisfaction Award for six years running. Dealer Car Search will continue to operate as a premier auto retail website and marketing provider under the umbrella of LeadVenture’s brand. Portico Capital Securities served as exclusive financial advisor to Dealer Car Search with respect to this transaction.

“We believe Dealer Car Search is the most full-featured platform with the greatest value proposition for pre-owned auto dealerships. We are thrilled to collaborate with this team of experts and innovators to accelerate our growth,” says Tim MacDonald, CEO of LeadVenture. “As the #1 provider of digital services for dealers in our core verticals, Dealer Car Search is the obvious platform to extend LeadVenture’s strategy and position into used auto.”

LeadVenture and Dealer Car Search are well-aligned in both services and strategies to help local dealers grow their businesses. Both companies are leading providers for digital storefront, retailing and marketing services in their respective vertical segments. LeadVenture’s complete digital toolkit includes lead-boosting services such as live chat and text, e-commerce and inventory management solutions, 360-degree virtual walkaround, ongoing ADA website compliance and digital marketing solutions for dealers across multiple verticals.

“It is an honor to be recognized by LeadVenture as the best of the best in the pre-owned auto retail industry, and we are excited to reach more dealers,” says Chris Wyndham, General Manager of Dealer Car Search. “We would like to thank the founder, Rick Wilson, and his wife, Stephanie Wilson, for their 14 years of dedicated service and stewardship of Dealer Car Search. We are excited to continue building the business upon the foundation they have laid. Dealer Car Search operates on the premise of continuous innovation and superior customer service. It is a pleasure to now join a company who does the same.”

LeadVenture, the award-winning provider of digital marketing solutions to dealers and equipment manufacturers, announced today that Roy W. Olivier is retiring as president and chief executive officer and will be succeeded by Tim MacDonald effective March 2020.

“It has been my honor to lead this company over the past 12 years, and I am very proud of the value we have created for our customers, employees and shareholders.” said Roy W. Olivier.  “I want to thank each of our amazing 1,100 employees for their support and ongoing commitment to helping our customers Sell More Stuff^TM.  This is the right time for me personally, and for the company, to transition to the next generation of leadership.  I am excited to hand over my role over to Tim MacDonald, who I believe will take LeadVenture to new heights.”

Tim MacDonald joins LeadVenture with more than 25 years of technology and software experience across enterprise, SMB and consumer industries. Having led the Expedia US business, as well as serving as chief product officer for SAP Concur, he brings a wealth of experience in ecommerce, digital marketing, product development, and software solutions for small and large businesses.

“I am incredibly excited to lead this amazing team and to help dealers and OEM’s grow their businesses through highly efficient marketing and innovative consumer experiences,” said Tim MacDonald. “As a powersport and marine enthusiast myself, I cannot imagine a more exciting space in which to have an impact.”