As the year wraps up, dealerships have an important opportunity to make their marketing dollars work harder. The year-end is not only a sales push period but also a time to reevaluate where your advertising spend is going and how effectively it is driving real results.
Stream Companies works closely with dealerships across the country to identify these end-of-year opportunities, helping them leverage available OEM funding, maximize co-op reimbursements, and refine media strategies that drive measurable results.
Leverage OEM Programs and Co-op Funds
Many manufacturers offer additional funding opportunities, known as heavy ups, near the end of the year. These programs are designed to help dealers increase advertising efforts in key locations or during specific times when sales could benefit most. These initiatives help both dealers and OEMs close out annual sales goals and highlight priority models before new inventory arrives.
Stream Companies, as a certified OEM partner for 25+ major brands, helps dealerships navigate these heavy up programs and ensure every advertising dollar is strategically placed. From identifying eligible campaigns to managing compliance and submissions, Stream simplifies the process so dealers can focus on results rather than administrative work.
Taking advantage of these OEM-funded opportunities can create strong momentum heading into the new year and help dealerships achieve critical end-of-year sales targets.
Do You Have Expiring Co-op Funds?
Many dealerships also face the year-end challenge of unused co-op funds that will expire if not utilized. Rather than letting these dollars go to waste, a certified OEM digital advertising partner like Stream Companies can help reallocate that budget into smart, high-impact campaigns that perform well during the final push of the year.
For example, one Stream dealer recently used expiring co-op dollars to launch a Connected TV campaign—a channel they had not previously budgeted for. By aligning their ads with an engaged audience watching Sunday football, they introduced their dealership brand to new in-market shoppers while driving measurable increases in website traffic and showroom visits. This approach not only prevented funds from expiring but also identified a high-performing channel for future campaigns.
Optimize Retail Strategy Beyond OEM Funding
While manufacturer programs are an important piece of the puzzle, dealerships should also consider strategies that strengthen overall media performance. The final months of the year provide a chance to:
- Audit campaign results and shift spend toward tactics that deliver the strongest lead volume and return on investment
- Reevaluate the media mix to ensure balanced coverage between awareness and conversion-focused campaigns
- Take advantage of changing consumer behavior, with shoppers actively searching for end-of-year sales events and certified pre-owned offers
Stream Companies helps dealers use their data to make smarter, faster decisions. Through cross-channel reporting and strategic analysis, Stream identifies where to reallocate underperforming spend and where additional investment can generate measurable impact. This data-driven approach ensures every dollar, whether OEM-funded or retail, is working toward the dealership’s core goals.
Set Your Dealership Up for a Strong 2026
Optimizing year-end spend is not only about finishing the year successfully but also setting the stage for next year’s growth. Dealers who review results, leverage available OEM funds, and reinvest strategically often see stronger performance early in the next sales cycle.
By combining manufacturer opportunities with a smart local strategy and partnering with experts like Stream Companies, dealerships can end the year on a high note and begin the new year with sharper insights, better data, and a stronger advertising foundation.