BURLINGTON, Vt. -

Along with recapping how the company performed in 2010, Dealer.com announced it acquired selected assets of EpikOne.

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Company officials indicated EpikOne is a Burlington-based digital consultancy specializing in metrics strategies, media measurement and user experience optimization. They declined to divulge transaction terms.

As a partner in Google’s AdWords, Analytics, Website Optimizer and Search programs, Dealer.com highlighted that EpikOne developed an unparalleled understanding of the Google product suite and built one of the world’s leading consultancies with this expertise. Dealer.com insisted that clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies have relied on EpikOne to deliver the latest in digital metrics and Web analytics and “more importantly” to turn metrics into actionable information for marketers.

Executives pointed out EpikOne has worked with leading global brands across a wide range of industries, including Bulgari, Conde Nast, Eurail, GE Healthcare, Harvard, Intuit, Mattel, Morgan Stanley, the National Hockey League, Sony Music and Travelocity. 

“The acquisition of EpikOne is a case where the sum of the parts will definitely be greater than the whole,” stated Rick Gibbs, president and chief technology officer at Dealer.com.

“We have already strategically redeployed EpikOne’s employees throughout Dealer.com — to maximize their immediate impact on the business and expedite product development,” Gibbs continued. “With these new capabilities to support metrics and intelligent dashboards tailored specifically to the automotive space, we believe we’ve leapfrogged many of our competitors who continue to rely on more generic solutions.” 

In connection with the acquisition, Dealer.com appointed EpikOne co-founder Dave Winslow to the role of intelligence chief

“We are very pleased to join forces with Dealer.com, the clear leader in automotive digital marketing,” Winslow declared.

“We built EpikOne as generalists working with some of the world’s best-known brands, but now look forward to focusing on the auto industry, where the opportunities and rewards for those who truly excel online remain very substantial,” he added.

Dealer.com Recaps Major 2010 Events

In other news from the company, Dealer.com revealed its 2010 revenues reached $85 million — an increase of more than 60 percent from 2009 and more than triple the 2008 level.

Beyond its revenue climb, Dealer.com highlighted that in 2010 it extended its technology and service leadership with an increase of more than 100 percent in research and development spending. The site now has increased its R&D spending by that level for two consecutive years.

“Our remarkable track record is attributable to the technical expertise of our employees and their unwavering commitment to the satisfaction and overall success of our clients across the automotive industry,” chief executive officer Mark Bonfigli insisted.

“In addition, a key underlying factor is our unique culture supporting the health, well-being and career development of our employees, which helps us attract highly motivated people who want to work hard and make a difference,” he continued. “With the substantial investments we made in both technology and people in 2010, Dealer.com remains well-positioned to drive future growth."

Dealer.com also reported that it hired and successfully integrated more than 180 new employees last year, bringing its head count at year-end to more than 430.

To help manage this growth and bolster its management structure, the company named five new vice presidents and a new chief financial officer, David Stetson. In addition, Dealer.com tapped Gibbs as president and chief technology officer.

Furthermore, Dealer.com noted that construction started on a major expansion of its headquarters in Burlington, Vt. The project is expected to more than double existing space and support a number of significant enhancements in employee wellness programs.   

Also last year, Dealer.com pointed out that it further strengthened its comprehensive online marketing platform with the launch of a number of new or improved products and services. These improvements included CarFlix HumanVoice Videos for online vehicle inventories, upgrades to its TotalControl DOMINATOR paid search solution and a new service marketing package to help dealers attract and retain service customers.

The company also expanded partnerships with OEMs last year. The company now supports solutions for Subaru of New England and American Suzuki Motor Corp.

And Dealer.com’s partnerships with the nation’s top dealer groups increased, too.

Based on an annual ranking, company officials calculated that more than 80 percent of the leading dealer groups now choose Dealer.com’s online marketing services — up from 70 percent a year earlier.

The specific dealer group clients Dealer.com added last year include Fletcher Jones Automotive Group, which features one of the largest Mercedes Benz dealerships in the U.S., as well as Gurley Leep Automotive Group and Napleton Automotive Group.

“We have been thrilled to begin work with hundreds of new clients over the past year, including some of the largest and most innovative auto retailers in North America,” Gibbs emphasized.

“It’s gratifying that so many dealers clearly appreciate our track record of technology and service leadership, which continues to far outpace even our closest competitors,” he added.

Finally, Dealer.com noted that its products and services and unique corporate culture were recognized through the following awards and rankings in 2010:

—Top Small Company Workplace Award from Inc. as one of the 20 best small to mid-sized businesses in North America. 

—DrivingSales.com Vendor Ratings: three separate awards as top-ranked website provider, lead management provider and SEO provider.

—Auto Dealer Monthly Dealers’ Choice Awards: Received Diamond Award in the Best Website Provider/Design category for the fourth consecutive year and Platinum Award for Internet Training.

—Vermont Business named Dealer.com the fastest-growing company in Vermont over the last five years with revenue growth of 1,270 percent.

—Inc. 5000 Rankings: Ranked 1,056th overall and 106th among the nation’s fastest-growing private advertising and marketing companies, marking fourth consecutive year of placement.

—Automotive Website Awards: Won the Pinnacle Platform Award for superior search marketing architecture. TotalControl DOMINATOR also was named Best Online Advertising Tool.

—Summit International Emerging Media Awards: Leader Award for the Checkered Flag and Silver Star Montreal websites, marking third consecutive year of placement.

—Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500: Ranked No. 150 (up from No. 214 last year) among fastest-growing companies in North America.