The automotive marketing world has benefited from cookie-based information to help identify and reach consumers in the market for a vehicle. Now that cookies will be going away, marketers need to find alternate ways to find in-market consumers. Let’s explore. What are cookies? Created to personalize internet browsing experiences, cookies are small pieces of code placed within a user’s browser whenever someone visits a specific website. Cookies typically track the website’s name and a generated unique user ID. They can capture page clicks, viewed web pages, clicks within a website, and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) such as an address, name, and device IDs. How are cookies used in marketing? Cookie data helps automotive marketers enhance the user experience by better understanding consumer behaviors to deliver targeted, relevant messaging that moves the consumer through the buying funnel. For example, think about when a consumer researches RVs/travel trailers to see if their current vehicle can handle towing a camper or when they search for the best way to hook up a camper. A dealer could use this cookie data to send advertisements for trucks with a towing package that could potentially tow a trailer. Cookie support is ending, so now what? In 2020, Google announced it would end support for cookies in the Chrome browser by early 2022. This timeline was established to allow Google to address the needs of users, publishers, and advertisers to respond and look for workarounds. The revised timeline puts Google’s cookie retirement in 2023. Marketers have been using cookie data in advertising for years, so what are the options when cookie data goes away? Cookie alternatives Automotive marketers can tackle a cookie-less world by using other sources of consumer data insights. For instance, a third-party data aggregator, like Experian, has access to numerous sources, platforms, and websites. Beyond that, we have access to a vast range of specific consumer data insights, including vehicle ownership, registrations, vehicle history data, and lending data. We take all that information and help marketers segment audiences and predict what consumers will do next. (That’s more than the average cookie!) Sample audience segment information: Consumers in market Loan status In positive equity Driving a specific year/make/model 1000+ lifestyle events such as new baby, marriage, new home Geography, demographics, psychographics To take it to the next level, we can use predictive analytics to go beyond what cookie data could provide by predicting who is ready to purchase a vehicle. In our example above, a marketer used cookie data to find buyers who had shown interest in a tow package, but that’s where it ended. By combining audience segmentation with a predictive model, marketers can target and identify consumers in-market and most likely ready to purchase a vehicle with a tow package. In this way, the data-driven insights from a third-party data provider specializing in automotive insights can replace the cookie-driven approach and take it a significant step beyond. Other ways to reach consumers in a cookie-less world Automotive marketers can also use data-driven insights to further explore specific channels where consumers spend their time. Social media, for example, is an effective channel to reach consumers. Marketers can go beyond standard Facebook audiences by utilizing Experian audience segmentation and predictive analytics to highly target consumers on Facebook. So, if you can predict when a consumer will be in-market, and you know in what channel they spend most of their time, you can target them with specific messages about your dealership and your vehicles. With cookies becoming a tool of the past, knowing who is likely to be in-market, what message resonates with them, and the best channel to use allows marketers to move beyond cookie-based strategies effectively. So, let the cookie crumble! For a deeper dive into cookies, watch this recorded webinar from the 2021 Digital Marketing Strategies conference: As the Cookies Crumble, How Will Automotive Digital Marketing Respond? Presented by Experian's Amy Hughes, Sr. Director of Dealer Intelligence. Learn more about Experian’s Automotive Intelligence Engine and how audience segmentation and predictive analytics can drive more in-market buyers to your dealership.

There are many ways to promote a more equitable society - including financial inclusion or reducing the racial wealth gap for underserved communities.

As more consumers apply for credit and increase their spending1, lenders and financial institutions have an opportunity to expand their portfolios and improve profitability. The challenge is ensuring they’re extending credit responsibly and inclusively. Millions of Americans, many of whom are creditworthy, lack access to mainstream credit options. This may be because they have limited or no credit history, negative information within their credit file, or are a part of a historically disadvantaged group. To say “yes” to consumers they otherwise couldn’t or wouldn’t lend to, lenders must gain a deeper understanding of an individual’s stability, ability and willingness to pay. That’s where expanded FCRA-regulated and trended data come in. While traditional credit data has long been the primary means of gauging creditworthiness, it doesn’t tell the full story of a consumer’s financial situation. Let’s explore how differentiated data can help lenders make more informed credit decisions. Using differentiated data for deeper lending Expanded FCRA-regulated data provides supplemental credit data to help lenders gain a more holistic view of their current and prospective customers. Some examples of expanded FCRA-regulated data include alternative financial services data from nontraditional lenders, consumer-permissioned account data, rental payments and full-file public records. Because this data drives greater visibility and transparency around inquiry and payment behaviors, lenders can more accurately determine a consumer’s ability to pay and distinguish between reliable and high-risk applicants. In turn, lenders can approve more creditworthy consumers, grow their portfolios and increase financial opportunities for underserved communities, all while preventing and mitigating risk. 89% of lenders agree that expanded FCRA-regulated data allows them to extend credit to more consumers. Trended data empowers lenders with predictive insights into consumers by providing key balance and payment data for the previous 24 months. This is important as lenders can determine if a consumer’s credit behavior has improved or deteriorated over time. In turn, lenders can: Identify creditworthy customers: Establish if a consumer has a demonstrated ability to pay, is consistently paying more than the minimum payment, or shows no signs of payment stress. Increase response rates: Match the right products with the right prospects. Determine upsell and cross-sell opportunities: Present relevant offers based on anticipated needs and behaviors. Limit loss exposure: Understand the direction and velocity of payment performance to effectively manage risk exposure. Trended data helps lenders better predict future behavior, manage portfolio risk and design the best marketing offers. Turning insights into action Together, trended and expanded FCRA-regulated data benefit lenders and consumers alike. With a more holistic view of their customers, lenders gain powerful insights to lend deeper, ultimately helping them to expand their portfolios and drive greater access to credit for underserved communities. Learn more 1 The Recovery of Credit Applications to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2021.

Lenders are increasingly under pressure to improve access to the financial system and help close the wealth gap in America. Read more!

Lenders and servicers should anticipate an influx of questions and possiby borrower deliquencies as student loan forbearance comes to an end. Read more.

At Experian, we like to share success stories with automotive professionals—especially when it relates to one of our solutions—AutoCheck! Below is a case study involving our client, LexisNexis. We discuss how they were able to help their customer, a large national insurance company utilize AutoCheck vehicle history data to help manage risk and ensure more accurate underwriting. The challenge: LexisNexis Risk Solutions is a leader in providing essential information to help customers assess, predict, and manage risk. So, when a national insurance client asked them to evaluate the automotive mileage data model they were currently using for their underwriting, LexisNexis was happy to help. The client wanted to make sure they were analyzing the most accurate, up-to-date mileage data available. They wanted to make sure they were best managing risk, while continuing to offer competitive rates and a high level of customer service to their prospects and client base. The approach: First, the LexisNexis team set out to validate the frequency of recent VIN-level mileage data being populated into the current mileage model. They prepared a data analysis for their client, comparing length of ownership to the age of the oldest reported odometer reading based on AutoCheck vehicle history data. Second, they reviewed the frequency of current AutoCheck mileage data records and compared that data to AutoCheck vehicle history records. They wanted to determine if there were more mileage records being reported currently versus in the past. The LexisNexis team analyzed a large sample of VIN records with impressive results. The solution and outcome: When the team compared data from mid-2020 to that from late 2021, the analysis confirmed there were more VINs populated with mileage records with the data pulled from late 2021. Specifically, 45% of VINs had mileage records from within the last three years that did not previously have a mileage record within that time frame. The national insurance company was thrilled with the lift in mileage data year over year! In summary, because AutoCheck vehicle history data is constantly enhanced and expanded, we can provide reliable, accurate data to industry leaders like LexisNexis so they can offer the best insights to their client relationships. Recent mileage data is a critical component to use when evaluating a vehicle’s history. Experian Automotive is committed to continuously expanding our AutoCheck vehicle history data overall, including the frequency and recency of reported mileage information. AutoCheck is the industrial-strength vehicle history report that automotive professionals trust to help manage risk and confidently underwrite more of the right vehicles. To learn more about the many benefits of becoming an AutoCheck subscriber contact us today.

It’s that time of year. All my tax documents are rolling in and I know I need to start working on my taxes. Like most Americans, I’m hoping to end up with a refund! In 2020, 170M people filed tax returns and according to the IRS, they issued almost $126M in refunds.¹ Additionally, 2020 surveys revealed that as much as 9 percent of over 100 million taxpayers spent their refunds on major purchases, including new or used cars!2 As a dealer, it’s not uncommon to see an influx of consumers looking to purchase a vehicle around tax refund time. This year, with the continued shortage of new inventory, dealers can look for consumer interest to remain focused on pre-owned vehicles. Take advantage of shoppers by optimizing your online presence Dealers can help buyers by making it easy for them to quickly find vehicle history information on all your online inventory. One of the best ways to do this is by providing an AutoCheck® Vehicle History Report on your Vehicle Detail Pages (VDPs). Be sure to provide this information on all consumer shopping portal sites where you list your inventory. Why is this important? Because seventy-eight percent of consumers visit two or more sites during their shopping journey.3 You need to do everything you can to quickly capture their attention, increase lead conversion and close rates for your inventory. So, why AutoCheck VHRs? Because AutoCheck is the only vehicle history report listed on all the top consumer vehicle shopping portals. Your VHRs are on display where consumers are shopping online. We work with all the top online automotive shopping sites to help dealers like you optimize your online presence. Consumers use VHR information to make purchase decisions Our research shows that consumers increasingly use vehicle history information to narrow their consideration pool and filter search result pages to help make purchasing decisions. This transparency about a vehicle’s history (that could include damage and accident information) is what consumers are seeking. It’s never been easier for dealers to share key vehicle history data to help consumers make an informed decision so they can turn to your dealership to purchase. For dealers that are not yet subscribers, here are a few other things you may not know about AutoCheck vehicle history reports. We do not re-market to shoppers or display competitive units as alternatives on your AutoCheck.com VDP listings. Our goal is to help your dealership sell your inventory. For dealers with an AutoCheck subscription, you can activate your vehicle listings for free on AutoCheck.com by calling client services at 1 888 409 2204. For dealers who are interested in learning more about the benefits of becoming an AutoCheck subscriber contact us today. Happy tax season! 1. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/31/will-you-get-a-tax-refund-or-owe-the-irs-32-percent-of-americans-dont-know.html 2. https://santanderconsumerusa.com/blog/do-people-really-buy-new-cars-with-their-tax-refunds 3. Car Buyer whitepaper. https://www.coxautoinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Cox-Automotive-Car-Buyer-Journey-Study-Pandemic-Edition-Summary.pdf

While many view Millennials and Gen Z through the same lens, savvy automotive marketers are adjusting their strategies to capture the market of this generation.

We conducted a study of thousands of online listings to better understand what details are crucial for VDPs, which Kirsten Von Busch will be debuting the results of at the NADA Show in March.

While 91% of organizations have data breach plans in place, only 56% require an audit of third parties, exposing them to a big data breach.

Credit scores play a major aspect in our lives. However, today's scoring system prevents many individuals from accessing credit. Learn more.

At the end of the Public Health Emergency, states will need a system to easily and confidently review their current Medicaid rolls to confirm eligibility.

Reporting positive rental payments provides residents with a powerful incentive to pay their rent on time and in full. Read more!

With consumers having more banking options than ever before, loyalty has become the most valuable currency for financial institutions (FI). As fintechs and big tech companies continue to roll out innovative banking and payment options, traditional FIs must rethink their strategies to drive new business, retain existing customers and remain competitive. According to a recent Mintel report, rewards, transparency and customer service are the top three constants when it comes to building loyalty. Here’s how financial institutions can deliver on these fronts to create and maintain lasting customer relationships: Rewards programs and incentives Rewards have long been a key customer retention strategy, with 39% of consumers stating they would remain loyal to their financial service providers if they offered incentives and rewards. While traditional rewards programs that offer points or cash back on everyday purchases remain popular, many companies are expanding beyond the conventional rewards structure to attract new customers and stand out from the competition. For example, one California-based startup enables its cardholders to earn points at every winery, wine club or wine shop, while a health and wellness company rewards its cardholders with extra cash back when they meet their weekly fitness goals. To build and maintain customer loyalty, FIs can follow suit by incentivizing positive financial behavior, such as offering points to customers when their credit score increases or when they reach their monthly savings goal. Being rewarded for improving their financial health can encourage customers to continue making positive and responsible financial decisions. When customers see how much their financial institution invests in their financial well-being, they are more likely to remain loyal to the brand. Nurturing existing customers through rewards programs is also more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. Rewards program members spend 5-20% more than non-members on average, which not only covers operating costs but leads to increased sales and revenue. Transparency over fees Beyond rewards programs and incentives, many FIs have created innovative tools to help customers avoid overdraft fees, such as real-time alerts for low balances. To take it a step further, some have eliminated these fees altogether. While overdraft fees can be an easy source of revenue for financial institutions, they are a pain point for customers, especially for those who are financially vulnerable. Rather than continuing to be saddled with hefty penalties, customers are likely to switch to providers that are more upfront about their fees or have eliminated them outright. To avoid losing current and prospective customers to new competition, FIs need to be more transparent and work toward establishing fairer practices. Quick, friendly, and accessible customer service With today’s consumers having increased expectations for easy, convenient and accessible customer service, many FIs have refined their strategies by becoming digital-first. When customers have a question or concern, they can engage with financial institutions at any time through digital channels, including chat, email or social media. Being accessible at any hour of the day to assist their customers provides FIs with a great opportunity to build trust, loyalty and a positive reputation. By providing exceptional customer service, compelling rewards and being transparent, financial institutions have the power to create long-lasting customer relationships. Learn more about what you can do to retain your best customers or check out how to build lifetime loyalty with Gen Z. Learn more Build loyalty with Gen Z

Experian recently launched Experian GO, a first-of-its-kind program aimed at helping credit invisibles take charge of their financial health. Read more!