Fuelling social connections
With 11 dealerships representing 9 brands, R. Ferri needed to enhance their digital presence through tailored social media strategies. The bespoke approach drove measurable audience growth and engagement rates far beyond industry standards, achieving remarkable results within a short timeframe.
Background
R. Ferri Automotive began in Canada nearly 50 years ago and embodies a passion for performance, sophistication and elevated customer service. The company recognized the need to elevate its digital presence to reflect the passion and values that have defined the brand for decades. In today’s competitive automotive retail landscape, a consistent and high-quality social media presence is essential for building brand awareness and consideration. Besides showcasing their luxury line-up, their dealerships aimed to create meaningful, long-term connections with their audience and turn each location into a vibrant community of automotive enthusiasts.When asked to develop and execute tailored social media strategies for their dealerships, the challenge wasn’t just about increasing followers and engagement; it was about crafting a digital identity that aligned with each brand’s distinct character and values. Cultivating trust and authenticity with their audience would keep these dealerships top of mind when the customer is ready to get behind the wheel.
Challenge
Navigating the intricacies of social media content creation presented several challenges. Our team needed to create engaging material that would resonate with the dealerships’ target audience while simultaneously working with platform algorithms to maximize reach and visibility to support organic growth of their following and audience engagement across multiple platforms.
Our key challenges included:
- Balancing heritage storytelling with trends that appeal to modern audiences.
- Ensuring the content’s tone aligned with each brand’s unique identity without blending into the competition.
- Managing platform algorithms to optimize content reach.
- Selecting the right combination of content formats, such as stories, reels, and image carousels, to maintain engagement and limit content-fatigue.
- Working with limited brand manufacturer content.
- Planning and executing original content shoots months in advance—requiring trend forecasting and flexibility to adapt as trends evolve.
- Achieving measurable results within a tight timeframe, requiring strategic focus, seamless execution, and adaptability to deliver exceptional re
Challenge
Navigating the intricacies of social media content creation presented several challenges. Our team needed to create engaging material that would resonate with the dealerships’ target audience while simultaneously working with platform algorithms to maximize reach and visibility to support organic growth of their following and audience engagement across multiple platforms.
Our key challenges included:
- Balancing heritage storytelling with trends that appeal to modern audiences.
- Ensuring the content’s tone aligned with each brand’s unique identity without blending into the competition.
- Managing platform algorithms to optimize content reach.
- Selecting the right combination of content formats, such as stories, reels, and image carousels, to maintain engagement and limit content-fatigue.
- Working with limited brand manufacturer content.
- Planning and executing original content shoots months in advance—requiring trend forecasting and flexibility to adapt as trends evolve.
- Achieving measurable results within a tight timeframe, requiring strategic focus, seamless execution, and adaptability to deliver exceptional re
Solution
To boost engagement and attract new audiences, we developed unique social strategies for each dealership. These strategies aligned with each store's brand identity and laid the groundwork for effective content. Our goal was to build authentic connections, drive engagement, and grow each dealership’s audience organically.To achieve sustained follower growth, deeper audience engagement, and a strong digital identity, we took a three-phased approach.
1. Research & Analysis:
Conducted competitor analysis, identifying trends and engagement benchmarks.
Studied audience behavior to understand demographics, interests, and motivations.
Analyzed posting schedules, hashtags, and visual strategies to identify content opportunities.
2. Strategic Definition:
Identified creative hooks for each dealership to stand out on social media.Defined key objectives—such as awareness, engagement, and brand loyalty.
3. Content Ideation & Execution:
Developed content pillars that focused on storytelling, automotive heritage, and community-building.
Crafted a content format strategy, optimizing the mix of stories, reels, and carousel posts to align with audience preferences and limit content fatigue.
Refined social media bios, curated an aesthetically pleasing feed aligned with each brand’s guidelines, and created branded story highlights featuring vehicle overviews and direct links to the website.
Conducted monthly metric reporting to assess performance and pivot where necessary, ensuring continuous growth and engagement.
From strategy to execution, we focused on crafting compelling narratives that captured the essence of both brands and resonated with their unique audiences. Our approach went beyond gaining likes and followers—it was about fostering meaningful relationships and positioning each dealership as more than just a seller of luxury vehicles, but a destination to provide value and a sense of community to their audience.
Results
Our strategies set the foundation for these dealerships to achieve sustainable growth across their social media platforms. By crafting intentional, high-quality content, we ensured the dealerships can engage with their audience meaningfully while positioning themselves as the go-to destinations in the luxury automotive space.In just 7 months, Maranello Alfa Romeo & Maserati of Oakville alone achieved 20% growth in their follower base, showcasing the impact of a strategic and focused approach.Our engagement rates, which far exceed industry averages, reflect our commitment to a higher standard of quality and results. At 7 Communications, we set elevated internal performance benchmarks because we believe exceptional results require holding ourselves to exceptional standards. While industry standards often represent baseline performance, we take a more proactive approach, focusing on outcomes that set our clients apart in today’s competitive market. Achieving results that far exceed industry standards within a short timeframe highlights the strength of our strategy and approach.
Delerships
Increase in New Followers
Instagram Engagement Rate
7 Communications Internal Benchmark
Average Engagement Rate
Maserati of Oakville Instagram
Average Engagement Rate
Maranello Alfa Romeo Instagram
Instagram Engagement Rate
Automotive Benchmark
Through thoughtful planning, creative execution, and a commitment to authenticity; R. Ferri’s dealerships are now positioned for more than just automotive sellers; they are storytellers and community builders, fostering meaningful connections with their audience and establishing long-term brand loyalty.
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