ATLANTA, Sept. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Automotive today announced a common leadership structure that brings two of the most well-known and highly respected automotive brands closer together.  Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader will now both be led by Jared Rowe, who has been named President of the Cox Automotive Media Division. Rowe will report directly to Cox Automotive President Sandy Schwartz. Prior to this promotion, Rowe spent just more than a year as the president of Autotrader, and spent the two years before that at the helm of Kelley Blue Book.

"This new structure will drive growth by enabling us to optimize our product set for our dealer and OEM customers and to drive traffic across sites in a way that best addresses the needs of our consumers," Schwartz said. "Jared has exactly the leadership, understanding, passion and experience we need to lead Media at this critical point in the formation of Cox Automotive."

Together, Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book garner more consumer recognition, more shoppers and deliver more advertiser value than any other third-party automotive site. More than 65 percent of all car shoppers visit Autotrader.com or KBB.com during the car shopping process.

Emphasizing that this is a growth opportunity for both companies and not a cost-cutting initiative, Rowe said: "Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book are naturally complimentary. By aligning the businesses against this principle, we can grow both brands while respecting each company's unique position in the marketplace. We will leverage a larger pool of resources, our best collective thinking and an aligned strategic approach to deliver enhanced solutions for our customers and a better shopping experience for consumers."

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive is a leading provider of digital marketing, wholesale and e-commerce solutions across the automotive industry. Cox Automotive includes Manheim®, Autotrader®, Kelley Blue Book®, vAuto®, Xtime®, NextGear Capital®, and a host of global businesses and brands. Headquartered in Atlanta, Cox Automotive employs nearly 24,000 employees in over 150 locations worldwide. The company partners with more than 40,000 dealers, as well as most major automobile manufacturers, and touches car buyers in the U.S. with the most recognized brands in the industry.

About Autotrader
Autotrader is the most visited third-party car shopping site, with the most engaged audience of in-market shoppers. As the foremost authority on automotive consumer insights and expert in online and mobile marketing, Autotrader makes the car shopping experience easy and fun for today’s empowered consumer looking to find or sell the perfect new, used or Certified Pre-Owned car. Using technology, shopper insights and local market guidance, Autotrader’s comprehensive marketing solutions guide dealers to personalized digital marketing strategies that grow brand, drive traffic and connect the online and in-store shopping experience.

Autotrader is wholly owned by Cox Automotive which owns Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com^®), Manheim Auctions, Dealertrack^® and a portfolio of software companies that optimize inventory and advertising online. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. For more information, please visit http://press.autotrader.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150915/266644
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150915/266643LOGO

SOURCE Cox Automotive