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Our Story

1977

Mike Strong Opens His First Advertising Agency

Mike Strong founded Strong & Associates with nothing but a desk, a phone, and a phone book. However, he quickly discovered that he could meet the marketing requirements of car dealerships by creating powerful advertisements through television and direct mail.

1985

The Step Selling Program rolls out nationwide concept for Chevrolet

Strong & Associates created the Good-Better-Best concept for Chevrolet and the slogan is adopted nationwide.

1986

Strong begins working with the Jacksonville Big 5 in Florida

The Jacksonville Big 5 serves as a testing ground for tier II advertising for General Motors.

1986

Strong opens an in-house, full-service production company now know as Vazda Studios

1988

Strong is named the select agency for Chevy Dealer Marketing Group across the US

1989

Strong holds 20% of all the Chevorlet dealer groups across the US

1989

The Don’t You Buy No Ugly Truck campaign is launched

Initially just a slogan in the Birmingham market, it quickly became a successful television ad that dominated automotive advertising for a decade. Nationwide, everyone recognized the granny on their television screen wagging her finger and making one request – don’t you buy no ugly truck.

1994

Mike Strong sells Strong Automotive Merchandising to its
employees

Woman dealer using mobile smart phone at dealer showroom. Modern working process.

2004

Mike and John Paul Strong open a second exclusively automotive agency

2005

The Total Dealership Image (TDI) is established as the image-making arm of Strong

2005

Toyota Time campaign is introduced and has success in over 25 markets

2006

Sweet Deal an icon-driven, complete dealer branding campaign is launched

2007

Strong adds an in-house editing suite to produce all TV and radio

2007

Strong adds a Nashville, Tennessee office

2009

Client spending reaches $10M annually

2014

Strong Automotive Merchandising name is regained

With deep gratitude and pride, we reflected on 4 decades of heartfelt memories, industry recognition, and cherished connections. It served as a testament to our enduring commitment to innovation, creativity, and delivering exceptional results for our clients.

2015

Named one of Birmingham’s Best Places to Work

2016

Strong claims over $6M for co-op clients

2017

Strong celebrates 40 Fast Years of Generating Traffic

With deep gratitude and pride, we reflected on 4 decades of heartfelt memories, industry recognition, and cherished connections. It served as a testament to our enduring commitment to innovation, creativity, and delivering exceptional results for our clients.

2018

Prospect Vision is acquired

2020

Named National Best & Brightest Company

2020

Strong Automotive is named Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®

2020

The Dealership Enrollment Program (DEP) is launched

2023

Strong Automotive grows to over 140 employees

Planting seeds for a rich history rooted in the automotive industry

The seed for Strong Automotive (SAM) was first planted by Mike Strong in 1977. Mike founded a retail advertising agency, quickly realizing that he could produce highly effective ads for automotive dealers using TV and direct mail. Mike’s efforts grew the company to great heights, gaining a reputation with many manufacturers and dealer associations. Mike then took a step back from the company for a few years, turning it over to its employees to run and manage.

Then, in 2004 and armed with a pickup truck, laptop, and projector, John Paul Strong founded a new version of the company. In the early days, there were only eight employees and 12 dealers. John Paul was determined to grow the agency, spending weeks driving across the country meeting with dealers in person and earning their business. He began working his way into major auto groups, showing success in building relationships. Along the way, he grew the business to be a multifaceted offering of services, including digital marketing, direct mail, and email marketing. Today, John Paul remains at the helm of SAM, growing the agency to comprise 140+ employees, 400+ clients, and an ever-expanding list of services.