Growing auto marketing company acquires video production firm

SARASOTA — Digital automotive company Dealers United has acquires Seattle-based media and video production company What's Next Media. 

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A press release says What's Next Media provides dealerships automotive video content, including video consulting and assets for Facebook and YouTube advertising. Dealers United previously resold What's Next Media videos and now will incorporate What's Next Media video campaigns into their products, the release adds. 

"We reached a point where the opportunity was bigger than our ability to go after it on our own," says What's Next Media COO and co-founder Andrew Myers in a statement. "This move allows us to leapfrog our competition entirely, creating ads faster with our shared automation, access to data, powerful content and knowledgeable teams."

What's Next Media's main office will remain in Seattle as a West Coast satellite office to Dealers United's headquarters in Sarasota. 

"No one can deny video's role in this industry," says Dealers United CEO Pete Petersen in the statement. "With car shoppers on average visiting a single dealer before buying, dealers have to get their story out to buyers faster and online, and WNM has really nailed turning storytelling into results. We're incredibly excited by What's Next Media joining our team. What we have built together is so powerful — and we're just ramping up."

According to a press release, Dealers United works with over 6,500 auto dealers nationwide.