Strong Welcomes Bill Marefka

Bill Marefka joins the Strong team bringing decades of automotive advertising experience in all three tiers of the business. Marefka is highly regarded in the industry for his ability to bridge the communication and technology gap between dealers and their customers. Bill firmly believes that keeping pace with the buying practices of customers via new media is a key to success in today’s automotive industry.

Marefka has served as the primary retail strategist for individual dealers, advertising associations and regional distributors during his 26 years in the business. His role within Strong is to provide senior level support to account services staff and help facilitate new business opportunities. His vast experience in marketing and strategic planning provide a unique skill set to the agency and to current/future agency clients.

Marefka comes to Strong via the Intermark Group where he served as Vice President of marketing/strategic planning for the Gulf States Toyota account, and the head of Chevrolet marketing and the agency’s individual dealer division. He managed all aspects of the Chevy groups and individual dealer business at Intermark including digital media, traditional media, broadcast production, direct mail and strategic planning.

Marefka began his career in automotive advertising with the Galles Organization and Competitive Edge in Tampa, Florida. Extensive tenures followed with J. Walter Thompson and McCann Erickson where he served as manager for Ford regional advertising accounts and the Buick national advertising account. He joined Strong Automotive Merchandising in 1987 (before it became Strong) where he worked with Chevrolet dealer associations/area marketing groups as well as individual dealers.

Bill and wife Connie are the proud parents of sons Adam, 29, Alex, 26, Aaron, 22, and Austin, 20. Away from the office, he enjoys beach time, hiking and watching Steelers football.