We
are thrilled to let you know that our beloved spokesperson, Bob Smith,
will be contributing regularly to our social media presence. For 10
years, he has represented us with the utmost integrity and we thought
you might want to know a little more about him.
From the desk of Bob Smith…
"I'm a hometown boy and I use the term “Boy” loosely. I've been around the barn a couple of times, having graduated from Marshall University the year it became a university in 1961.
My first job in broadcasting out of the U. S. Army in 1963 was with WVOW Radio in Logan, West Virginia. The legendary owners and operators of that station were Bill and Martha Jane Becker, both passionate about the radio business. That's where I caught the broadcasting bug. Logan just happened to be the hometown of Larry LaFon, owner of Advantage Toyota. Although I didn't know Larry during those years, he apparently knew about me. After my retirement from WSAZ-TV, he came calling. The result was a love affair between me, Larry, the entire staff at Advantage and the sales lady at WSAZ who helped bring it all together, Jennifer Brooks. Nine+ years later I am still proclaiming the virtues of Advantage Toyota as their commercial spokesman.
While working at both WOWK TV and WSAZ TV, I often heard the words, “There goes that newsman.” People knew they knew me but couldn't quite come up with the name. From time to time I would be called Phil Donahue, Bob Barker, Bob Braun (A Cincinnati broadcaster), my co-anchor Bob Brunner and even Mr. Cartoon. Now, after being out of the TV business for almost 17 years, the words have changed to “There goes that Toyota guy,” and I love it. I've actually had people follow me to my car just to make sure I'm practicing what I preach (Yes, I do drive a Toyota). Standing or sitting in very unusual places, I've had people re-assure me that they just bought a brand new Toyota.
In a book I am currently reading the author says he recently visited a dealership to get his car serviced. When he showed up, he was told it would take two and a half to three hours to perform the necessary work. They offered him a free rental car but he declined the offer. He said the dealership was one of his favorite places to work. He said somebody took the time to create an appealing setting for people like him to work while waiting for their cars. In addition to a well-appointed living room environment, they built a bank of workstations, each equipped with a comfortable chair and a power outlet. And to top that off, there was a free wireless internet. The author went on to say he has owned several cars in his life but never once did he visit a dealership that was so inviting he wanted to stay and do his work. That description is a close fit to Advantage Toyota, and guess what? It's going to get even better. Advantage is currently in the process of making the waiting area even more appealing.
Location, location, location are the three important qualities you hear people talk about when describing the potential purchase or rental of property. With Advantage Toyota, the three words are service, service, service.
It has been a terrific relationship. I can't wait for the next person to say “There goes that Toyota guy.”
From the desk of Bob Smith…
"I'm a hometown boy and I use the term “Boy” loosely. I've been around the barn a couple of times, having graduated from Marshall University the year it became a university in 1961.
My first job in broadcasting out of the U. S. Army in 1963 was with WVOW Radio in Logan, West Virginia. The legendary owners and operators of that station were Bill and Martha Jane Becker, both passionate about the radio business. That's where I caught the broadcasting bug. Logan just happened to be the hometown of Larry LaFon, owner of Advantage Toyota. Although I didn't know Larry during those years, he apparently knew about me. After my retirement from WSAZ-TV, he came calling. The result was a love affair between me, Larry, the entire staff at Advantage and the sales lady at WSAZ who helped bring it all together, Jennifer Brooks. Nine+ years later I am still proclaiming the virtues of Advantage Toyota as their commercial spokesman.
While working at both WOWK TV and WSAZ TV, I often heard the words, “There goes that newsman.” People knew they knew me but couldn't quite come up with the name. From time to time I would be called Phil Donahue, Bob Barker, Bob Braun (A Cincinnati broadcaster), my co-anchor Bob Brunner and even Mr. Cartoon. Now, after being out of the TV business for almost 17 years, the words have changed to “There goes that Toyota guy,” and I love it. I've actually had people follow me to my car just to make sure I'm practicing what I preach (Yes, I do drive a Toyota). Standing or sitting in very unusual places, I've had people re-assure me that they just bought a brand new Toyota.
In a book I am currently reading the author says he recently visited a dealership to get his car serviced. When he showed up, he was told it would take two and a half to three hours to perform the necessary work. They offered him a free rental car but he declined the offer. He said the dealership was one of his favorite places to work. He said somebody took the time to create an appealing setting for people like him to work while waiting for their cars. In addition to a well-appointed living room environment, they built a bank of workstations, each equipped with a comfortable chair and a power outlet. And to top that off, there was a free wireless internet. The author went on to say he has owned several cars in his life but never once did he visit a dealership that was so inviting he wanted to stay and do his work. That description is a close fit to Advantage Toyota, and guess what? It's going to get even better. Advantage is currently in the process of making the waiting area even more appealing.
Location, location, location are the three important qualities you hear people talk about when describing the potential purchase or rental of property. With Advantage Toyota, the three words are service, service, service.
It has been a terrific relationship. I can't wait for the next person to say “There goes that Toyota guy.”
Great to see you Bob. Watched you, Bob Brunner, Mr Cartoon and all the rest every night with Mom and Dad.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you Bob. Watched you, Bob Brunner, Mr Cartoon and all the rest every night with Mom and Dad.
ReplyDelete