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Jeffrey Schwartz
Advisor
Jeffrey Schwartz is currently Chairman and CEO of Vertical Passion Media (VPM), a media and marketing company that is focused on classified listings, content, and community in the motors category. Through the combination of a high-touch marketing and sales approach, a network of high value Internet domains, and scaleable lead-management and web development technology, VPM is able to offer private-party sellers unparalleled reach in their Internet sales' efforts.
Prior to founding Vertical Passion Media, Schwartz spent eight years working in the area of automotive marketing. He served as Chairman of AutoCentro from 2006 to 2007, an automotive dealership group focused on providing high-quality pre-owned vehicles and sub-prime automotive financing to the Hispanic market. From 2001 to 2005, Schwartz was President, CEO, and Director of Autobytel, and from 2005 to 2006, Schwartz was Director and Vice Chairman of Autobytel.
During Schwartz's tenure at Autobytel, the company emerged as a leader in automotive marketing and expanded its customer list to include every major automotive manufacturer and over 25,000 automotive retail relationships. Schwartz grew Autobytel's market share of new car buyers to 9%, representing over $40 billion in annual gross market sales for its dealer customers. During Schwartz's tenure, Autobytel experienced a ten-fold increase in market capitalization, had ten-consecutive quarters of profitability and free-cash flow, and completed three acquisitions and an equity offering.
Schwartz joined Autobytel from Autoweb (1999 to 2001), where he was President and CEO of this automotive interactive marketing company. Schwartz led the company to profitability, completed several acquisitions, raised over $30 million in capital, and led the merger between Autobytel and Autoweb.
Prior to his tenure at Autoweb, Schwartz was Vice President, Corporate Affairs at The Walt Disney Company (1995 to 1999), where he led the corporate alliance business development group responsible for building many of the company's key marketing, promotional, advertising, and sponsorship alliances.
Schwartz has received a number of recognitions during his business career, including being named Outstanding Executive of a Public Company by the American Electronics Association. He received the CIO Award for outstanding technology, the Deloitte and Touche FAST 50, and the American Business Award (the Stevie Award) for best new product launch.
Schwartz attended the University of Southern California, where he obtained his Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees.
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