Proficy Digital Names Automotive Ad Strategist Justin Friend as VP of Sales
Proficy Digital has named Justin Friend as its new Vice President of Sales, signaling a decisive move to deepen its grip on the AI-powered automotive marketing space. With the dealership landscape rapidly digitizing, Friend’s appointment is less about filling a role and more about putting performance marketing in the driver’s seat.
A veteran of the automotive ad scene, Friend most recently served as Senior VP at Dealers United, where he led full-funnel strategies across SEO, SEM, and social media—helping hundreds of dealerships not just adapt but thrive amid shifting consumer behavior. His hallmark? Turning technical complexity into bottom-line results.
“Justin’s leadership is a game-changer,” said David Raminick, CEO of Proficy Digital. “He knows how to convert digital insights into sales velocity. That’s exactly the kind of traction we need as we scale.”
Proficy’s pitch to dealerships is clear: cut ad waste, optimize omnichannel strategy, and let AI do the heavy lifting. With Friend now steering the sales ship, the company is positioning itself as more than just another agency—it wants to be the central nervous system for dealership marketing.
Friend brings with him a pragmatic, data-driven approach that blends measurable outcomes with real-world dealership needs. His arrival comes as Proficy ramps up its AI and machine learning capabilities, aiming to redefine how dealers engage digital-first car buyers.
“This is a team that’s not just responding to the pace of change—it’s setting it,” Friend said. “Proficy’s predictive platform is helping dealers play offense, not defense. I’m thrilled to help scale that impact.”
Context: Why This Matters
The automotive retail industry is in flux. Pandemic-fueled digital habits haven’t just stuck—they’ve hardened. Car buyers are starting their journeys online, relying on search, reviews, and AI-assisted tools. As a result, traditional showroom tactics are giving way to algorithmic ad placements and hyper-targeted content.
Proficy Digital aims to be the connective tissue between that online behavior and showroom foot traffic. With Friend’s appointment, they’re betting big on sales leadership that speaks fluent digital—and dealership.
The Road Ahead
As digital ad budgets balloon and platforms evolve at warp speed, dealerships need more than flashy campaigns—they need measurable ROI. Friend’s track record in delivering just that makes his appointment more than symbolic. It’s strategic.
Expect Proficy to lean harder into performance metrics, predictive modeling, and automation—all while helping local dealers punch above their weight in a noisy digital market.
