Widely Respected Trainer, Speaker and Author Jim Ziegler to Write for Ward's Dealer Business and WardsAuto.com

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ward's Automotive Group announced that Jim Ziegler, widely known and followed trainer, speaker and author, will write a monthly column beginning in August 2011.

This new regular feature, offering Ziegler's unique take on issues facing auto dealers today and tomorrow, will be published in the magazine Ward's Dealer Business as well as online at WardsAuto.com.

Ziegler joins Ward's after nearly two decades of sharing his views in the pages of other industry publications, developing a sizable following for his pull-no-punches, provocative insights on what is right and wrong with the automotive business from the dealer's point of view.

Ziegler is regularly quoted as an industry expert by Reuters, USA Today, Bloomberg News, Dow-Jones Newswire, CNN, and other national and international sources.  He has spoken at virtually every major industry conference, trained sales forces at many of the largest auto dealerships, authored books on selling, and enjoys a large following on top social networking sites.

"Jim is a powerful and knowledgeable communicator who is frank, sometimes irreverent and always interesting," said Steve Finlay, Editor-in-Chief of Ward's Dealer Business.   "We're delighted to have him with us."

And Ziegler himself has already been telling his online followers he looks forward to joining Ward's for a relationship he expects to be rewarding for everyone.

"I've worked as a sales manager at some of the top dealerships in the country, and have written and traveled extensively to share what I've learned with dealers to help them grow their businesses," Ziegler said.  "And that's Ward's mission as well, to help dealers boost their bottom line.  It's a perfect place for me to connect with dealers and tell them what I see as the good things happening in this industry, and where more work needs to be done."

About Ward's Automotive Group

Ward's Automotive Group is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for more than 80 years. Ward's Dealer Business is a monthly magazine serving auto dealer professionals.  WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data and analysis compiled by Ward's Automotive Group, the world's leader in automotive industry information. A Southfield, MI - based division of Penton Media, Inc., Ward's Automotive Group also publishes the weekly industry newsletter Ward's Automotive Reports, and offers a wealth of other automotive information services including reference annuals, online databases, and customized data reports.

About Penton Media, Inc.

As a leading, independent, business-to-business media company, Penton knows business and how to create and disseminate the vital content that moves markets. Penton is where professionals turn to gain the critical insight, expert analysis, and relevant connections needed to compete and succeed. Headquartered in New York City, the privately held company is owned by MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP, and its co-investors. For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit www.penton.com.

Contact:
Jill Baldassano
212.204.4259
[email protected]

SOURCE Ward's Automotive Group