We’re excited to share that Experian Automotive’s client Hamlin & Associates and Honda World have been named winners of the 2025 Automotive News / Ad Age Global Automotive Marketing Award for Best Use of Data — an honor that celebrates meaningful, measurable impact.
Why this work stood out
Hamlin & Associates' client, Honda World of Louisville, KY, faced a clear challenge: re-engage customers and recover declining service revenue, particularly for vehicles with open recalls. Hamlin & Associates approached the problem with a simple belief: clean, accurate data leads to better outcomes for customers and dealerships alike.
They began with data hygiene, then enriched each vehicle record using Experian Automotive’s Recall VIN Verification solution. This created a precise view of who owned which vehicles, which recalls were still open, and when repairs could be completed — all essential to a smooth customer experience.
A smarter, more human outreach strategy
Over the course of a year, Hamlin delivered four waves of direct mail designed to cut through the noise.
Each letter:
Spoke directly to the customer
Highlighted their specific vehicle
Explained the recall in clear language
Showed how easy it was to book a free repair
The result was a data-driven communication plan grounded in trust and simplicity — and it worked
Results that show what’s possible
26% response rate
1,953 repair orders
$811,834 in service revenue
Thousands of customers are now driving safer vehicles
These outcomes reflect more than campaign performance. They demonstrate what happens when dealers, agencies, and data partners collaborate to guide individuals toward safer, more informed decisions.
In their words
John Hamlin, Hamlin & Associates:“Clean data builds trust. When we combine our hygiene process with Experian Automotive insights, dealers uncover opportunities they never knew they had.”
Mike Porro, Honda World:“They keep it simple, and data-driven ‘simple’ gets done. We follow the process, train our staff, and see the results.”
Looking ahead
We’re proud to celebrate Hamlin & Associates and Honda World for showing what’s achievable when data, insight, and clear communication come together. Their work helps people stay safe, strengthens customer relationships, and sets a new standard for recall outreach.
Congratulations to the entire team — and here’s to helping even more drivers move forward
Learn more about how to enrich your first-party data with Recall VIN Verification insights!
