Marketing Delivery has appointed Mark Cryans as its new business development director as its targets "bigger audience" of dealers and OEM clients.

Cryans is tasked with driving the company’s strategic sales growth and harnessing demand from motor retailers for its electronic customer relationship management (eCRM) solutions.

He will be responsible for adding key accounts and expanding existing ones and for managing with relationships with major dealer-group customers and OEMs.

Cryans brings more than 20 years’ experience in automotive retail, having held senior sales roles at enquiry management systems providers EnquiryMAX and 8 Technology (Dealerweb).

He started his career working for three BMW dealerships, where he progressed to sales manager for Jackson’s Group on the island of Guernsey.

Jeremy Evans, managing director at Marketing Delivery, said: “We’re thrilled to have Mark onboard, with his excellent track record in automotive software sales.

“We’re confident he has the contacts and industry insight we need to take our offerings to an even bigger audience, across the UK.

“And armed with our arsenal of eCRM solutions to help dealers stay in contact with their customers and prospects – whether the showroom doors are open or closed – we’re optimistic about expanding the business further in 2021.”

Research by Marketing Delivery revealed that 40% of potential car buyers are less likely to visit a showroom while researching the purchase of a car, as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On his appointment, Cryans said: “2020 was undoubtedly a challenge for the retail market but it was a great year for providers of digital technologies.

“Digital interaction is now the most important form of dealer communication, and Marketing Delivery has proven that its products are perfectly suited for keeping customers engaged.

“I’m looking forward to maintaining the momentum that Jeremy has created, and hope to expand our dealer count yet further in the months to come.”