DENVER, CO : August 22, 2026 : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Key Announcement
Drive Fear Free is highlighting new industry reporting that shows how AI-powered digital out-of-home advertising can support measurable results for automotive brands.
According to a Vistar Media case study, Kia’s AI-powered digital out-of-home campaign at electric vehicle charging stations produced:
- An 8% lift in new vehicle sales
- A 33% rise in consumer consideration
- A 27% increase in purchase intent
- A 517% lift in unaided awareness
- A 171% increase in sales across Kia’s electric vehicle lineup
The campaign used real-time vehicle recognition and dynamic messaging to reach Kia owners, non-Kia drivers, and consumers at charging locations. The results were reported through brand and sales lift studies cited by Vistar Media, including an F’inn Brand Lift Study and an S&P Global Mobility, formerly Polk, Sales Lift Study.
Drive Fear Free is positioning this model as a practical extension for dealer–high school simulator sponsorships. A school-based sponsorship can connect a dealership with students, parents, teachers, and local community members. Programmatic digital out-of-home advertising can then extend that presence across the wider market.
Extending a Local Sponsorship Into the Community
A dealership sponsorship does not need to stop at the school entrance.
A high school simulator sponsorship creates a steady local connection. Students can interact with a branded simulator during driver education, esports activities, career programs, and school events. Parents and teachers can also see the dealership supporting education, safe driving, and career exploration.
Digital out-of-home advertising adds another layer. Dealer messages can appear near:
- High schools and colleges
- Retail centers
- Sports venues
- Community gathering spaces
- EV charging stations
- Service centers
- Major roads and commuter routes
- Areas near the dealership
This combined strategy gives dealers a way to reach audiences at different points during the day. Students may see the sponsored simulator at school. Parents may see the dealer’s digital ad near a retail center or sports venue. Local drivers may see an offer or vehicle message while traveling near the dealership.
The goal is simple. Build local awareness, support the community, and create more opportunities for vehicle sales lead generation.
Why AI-Powered DOOH Matters for Dealers
Traditional advertising often delivers one message to a broad audience. AI-powered digital out-of-home advertising can use location, timing, audience signals, and other available data to help make the message more relevant.
In the Kia campaign, the advertising changed based on the vehicle using the charging station. Non-Kia drivers received conquest messaging. Kia drivers received loyalty-focused messaging. When no vehicle was charging, the screen displayed broader brand and product messages.
A dealership campaign may use a similar approach without making the process difficult for the dealer. For example, messaging can be planned around:
- New vehicle launches
- Used vehicle inventory
- Service and parts offers
- Seasonal sales events
- EV education
- Trade-in opportunities
- Test-drive promotions
- Community events
- Dealer-sponsored school activities
The creative can also be adjusted for different locations. An ad near a school may focus on safety, education, and community support. An ad near a retail area may promote current inventory or a dealership event. An ad near a sports venue may connect the dealer with local families and community activities.
Vistar Media’s reporting shows how dynamic messaging can support both awareness and action. Drive Fear Free sees a similar opportunity for dealers that want to connect sponsorships with measurable dealer marketing services.
The Role of High School Simulator Sponsorships
Drive Fear Free helps connect dealerships and automotive businesses with school-based programs using small footprint simulators.
These programs can support simulator based driver education, defensive driving practice, career exploration, esports activities, and community engagement. They also give dealers a consistent place to demonstrate their support for students and families.
The available simulator pod options include:
Sports X Media Simulator Pod
The Sports X Media simulator pod is designed for interactive school and event environments. It includes a racing-style seat, steering controls, a monitor on an adjustable arm, and a keyboard and mouse tray. Branding can help connect the sponsoring dealership with student activities and school programming.
Compact Simulator Pod
The compact simulator pod is designed for locations where available space is limited. Its small footprint can work well in driver education classrooms, career and technical education areas, libraries, community centers, and dealership events.
CHASEDADDY.COM Simulator Pod
The CHASEDADDY.COM simulator pod provides another branded simulator format for schools, events, and community activations. It includes an immersive driving setup with a racing seat, curved monitor, steering wheel, and keyboard tray.
Each option can be used as part of a broader sponsorship plan. Drive Fear Free can help dealers determine which simulator format fits the school, the space, and the intended program.
Connecting Sponsorships to Dealer Marketing Services
A school sponsorship creates a community presence. A complete marketing plan helps turn that presence into an ongoing customer relationship.
Drive Fear Free supports dealers with several connected services, including:
- Digital out-of-home advertising
- Social media management
- Social media advertising
- CRM integration
- Email marketing
- Search engine optimization
- Website development
- Promotional events
- Sports marketing
- Community awareness campaigns
- Marketing strategy and market research
CRM integration can help dealers organize inquiries and follow-up activity connected to a campaign. Social media management can reinforce the same sponsorship message across the dealership’s digital channels. Digital out-of-home advertising can keep the dealer visible in the local market.
Together, these services create a clearer path from awareness to response. A consumer may see a dealership’s message on a digital screen, view a school sponsorship post, visit the dealer’s website, submit a form, and enter the dealership’s follow-up process.
The exact campaign structure depends on the dealer’s market, inventory, goals, and available budget.
A Practical Extension for Automotive Brands
The opportunity is not limited to franchised auto dealers. Manufacturers, dealer groups, auction houses, parts businesses, service providers, and other automotive organizations can use school sponsorships and digital media to support local visibility.
The same approach can also apply to boat and RV dealerships. These businesses often rely on regional audiences, seasonal demand, community events, and long consideration periods. A school or community sponsorship can help establish a trusted local presence, while digital out-of-home advertising can support timely offers and event promotion.
For automotive professionals, the strategy provides two connected benefits:
- Community engagement: Support students through driver education, simulator access, safety programs, and career exploration.
- Market visibility: Use targeted digital advertising to reach parents, families, drivers, and shoppers near relevant locations.
This makes a simulator sponsorship more than a one-time community donation. It can become part of a dealership promotional partner strategy that supports education and business development at the same time.
Call to Action
Dealers and automotive organizations can begin by reviewing their current market and identifying nearby schools, retail centers, sports venues, and community spaces.
Next, consider:
- Which schools or programs could benefit from a small footprint simulator?
- Which audiences does the dealership need to reach?
- Which locations are important for digital out-of-home advertising?
- How will inquiries and leads be recorded through CRM integration?
- Which social media messages can support the sponsorship?
- Which results should be measured?
Drive Fear Free can help organize these next steps. Visit the dealer marketing programs page to review available services. Learn more about education and simulator sponsorship programs, or contact Drive Fear Free to discuss a local campaign.
For more information about the company and its complete marketing ecosystem, visit About Drive Fear Free.
About Drive Fear Free
Drive Fear Free is a dealer marketing and driver safety company that helps automotive, boat, and RV dealerships build stronger connections with their communities.
The company combines high school sponsorships, small footprint simulator programs, driver education, social media management, CRM integration, digital out-of-home advertising, sports marketing, and other dealer marketing services.
Through partnerships and related programs, Drive Fear Free helps businesses support students, promote safe driving, reach local audiences, and develop measurable marketing opportunities.
Author: Victoria Teresa Alescio
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