Billy Fuccillo is president of fuccillo automotive group Syracuse New York . Fuccillo Automotive Group is the largest automobile dealership in the state of New York.
Billy Fuccillo became famous in Southwest Florida for his quick, off-the-cuff commercials and his famous tagline “It’s going to be huge, Caroline. It’s going to be huge.” Now the owner of the massive auto chain is introducing residence to the company’s latest spokesperson, McKinzie Roth.
Large celebrations are planned on Saturday in Port Charlotte and Cape Coral to let the public meet Roth, that will feature food, drinks, music, and giveaways.
The process of selecting a new spokesperson was harder than expected, according to Fuccillo, who said that his team searched through a group of over 1000 candidates during the process. One of the reasons Roth was selected was her ability to ad lib, an important skill for a spokesperson who may be asked to record as many as 150 of the company’s trademark commercials in one day.
“It’s not her first rodeo,” said Fuccillo. “She’s quick, she’s fast. There is no second cut with her, she’s a real pro.”
Roth
The auto mogul said that Roth has experience in radio and television, including time as a news anchor and a red-carpet reporter.
The celebration on Saturday will be held at the company’s Cape Coral dealership at 404 NE Pine Island Road from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Hooters girls will be there serving wings and cocktails while Fuccillo and Roth will be available for autographs. Those who RSVP will be eligible for $250 in online gift cards, and the dealer will be running one of its trademark promotions, a free cruise for everyone who leases or buys a car.
Fuccillo even hinted that he may tear up a few contracts during the event, meaning some lucky customers may walk away with a free car.
“I love ripping up those contracts, and they know what it means, people are happy,” said Fuccillo. “Some of the people start crying, it’s just wonderful.”
CAPE CORAL, FL – He may already be HUGE, but Billy Fuccillo will be getting bigger in 2013.
Fuccillo, of course, is the owner of Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral, and his TV commercials, giveaways and promotions have made him a household name since the dealership opened in December 2010.
His Cape location has become the top Kia dealership in the nation and the top seller in his own network of 23 dealerships, mostly in New York. His biggest promotion this past year, HUGEfest 2012, included a full-on rock concert, plus $300,000 in cash and car giveaways.
“This dealership has been unbelievable,” he said. “It’s been a great year, and you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Billy Fuccillo said the dealership could sell as many as 7,000 new Kia models this year.
“We could sell more if we could get more from the factory, but the supply has been tight,” he said.
“I think he is a game-changer,” said Mike Quaintance, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. “His dealership draws people to Cape Coral, and there aren’t many businesses that draw people across the river. It is so regional in its reach.”
He will do even more next year to draw people across the river. In October, he purchased about 10.2 acres just east of his dealership on Pine Island Road for $2.2 million and expects to build a large auto service facility and additional lot space starting in the first quarter.
This month, he expects to close on 77 acres on U.S. 41 in Charlotte County, just south of the Sarasota County line. He said he decided that a 7.4-acre parcel he purchased off Euclid Street in July wasn’t enough space for what he plans. He said he plans to open a Kia dealership on up to 25 acres and develop the rest, possibly building a hotel.
Fuccillo hasn’t been saturating local advertising in recent weeks up to the standards set earlier this year, but he said that will change soon.
“We are going to be everywhere in January,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of things planned. I can’t say too much because I have to keep it close to the vest.”
But Southwest Florida may one day see even more of Fuccillo. His son, Billy Fuccillo Jr., 23, opened Fuccillo Nissan in Liverpool, N.Y., this year, and his father said he would like for his only child to take over the northern dealerships someday.
“I want to play golf, and I like Florida”, he said. “I want him to be able to run things in New York, and I will just stay here.”
Fuccillo Automotive Group has announced the winners of the new Kia Souls, “monthly bill” promotion and $17,000 during the drawing held Thursday.
Owner Billy Fuccillo also unexpectedly gave away an additional 2013 Kia Soul and $7,000 at the drawing held Thursday at the dealership on Pine Island Road.
The winner of the “monthly bill” promotion is Karen Hutcherson of Cape Coral. In partnership with Clear Channel Radio, Fuccillo will pay Hutcherson’s “hugest” monthly bill, up to $2,000 per month for 12 months.
The winner was picked out of the 288 entrants who prequalified during the month of January and were each previously awarded about $100 from Fuccillo, totaling more than $28,000.
Fuccillo drew two winners for the Kia Soul giveaway. Both winners received a 2013 Kia Soul and a year’s worth of free gasoline.
The two winners were Steve Sweet of Estero and Michael Hendrickson, also of Estero.
This giveaway was in partnership with Beasley Broadcasting. The winners were picked out of the 240 entrants who prequalified on air during the month of January and were each previously awarded $100 from Fuccillo, totalling $24,000.
Fuccillo also drew the names of eight individuals who each won $1,000. In addition, he also gave one winner $2,000 and one winner $7,000. The $7,000 was given in memory of the individual’s daughter.
Fuccillo has been giving away $1,000 to a different person each day during the month of January. Winners have been chosen from entrants that registered at the dealership throughout the month. There were approximately 5,000 registrants for this drawing. The winners had to be present to win.
The eight individuals who each won $1,000 were:
Daniel Bolling of Cape Coral, FL
Alicia Briggs of Cape Coral, FL
Jantzen Emerson of Naples, FL
Andrew Howisen of Cape Coral, FL
John Huemmrich of Cape Coral, FL
Jim Jones of Cape Coral, FL
Nancy Smith of Cape Coral, FL
Celeste Zell of Cape Coral, FL
Dennis Robinson of Cape Coral, FL – Won $2,000
Twolla Williams of Cape Coral, FL – Won $7,000
The winners of all prizes were randomly selected during a live drawing at Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral, 404 N.E. Pine Island Road. No purchase was necessary to win.
Fuccillo Automotive Group is the largest automobile dealership in New York State. Owned by Billy Fuccillo, the Fuccillo Automotive Group comprises 22 dealerships and 31 franchises with locations across New York State and Florida.
Fuccillo Automotive Group announced the winners of four March radio contests and $26,000 during drawings held Monday at Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral.
During the event, Fuccillo drew the names of two winners of Beasley Broadcasting radio contests:
Michael Quackenbush, of Fort Myers, won a trip for two to the Kentucky Derby including flights, hotel and $960 spending cash. The winner was selected from among 120 entrants who prequalified during the month of March through WRXK-FM (96 K Rock). Qualifiers were awarded $96 from Fuccillo, totaling more than $11,000.
William Jones, of Fort Myers, won a trip for two to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas includes a four-day, three-night stay, flights via “Air Huge” and $5,000 cash. The winner was picked from among 240 entrants who prequalified during the month of March through WXKB-FM (B 104.9). Qualifiers were awarded $103 from Fuccillo, totaling more than $24,000. In addition, six qualifiers received a cash prize of $1,000:
Patricia Ackerman of Cape Coral, FL
Wendy Dixon of Cape Coral, FL
Deborah Harmen of Cape Coral, FL
Lisa Manning of Lehigh Acres, FL
Tabitha Morris of Lehigh Acres, FL
Joshua Rowan of Fort Myers, FL
Billy Fuccillo also drew seven grand prize winners for Clear Channel Radio contests. Two winners received the chance to “Shop Like Caroline for a Day” in Miami, Fla. The prize includes airfare from Fort Myers to Miami, limousine transportation from the airport to Dolphin Mall in Miami, lunch and $10,000 cash. The winners were selected from entrants who prequalified on air. Eighty of 160 qualifiers on WOLZ-FM (95.3) received a $100 Visa gift card, and the other half received a $50 Visa gift card. Of the 160 qualifiers on WZJZ-FM (Y-100), 80 received a $100 Visa gift card, while the other half received a $50 Visa gift card. Prizes to qualifiers totaled more than $24,000.
David Skeen, of Fort Myers, won the WOLZ- FM (95.3) “Shop Like Caroline for a Day” contest.
Kalla Harris, of Acradia, won the WZJZ- FM (Y-100) “Shop Like Caroline for a Day” contest.
In addition, 10 qualifiers each received a cash prize of $1,000.
The five qualifiers from WZJZ- FM (Y-100) who each won $1,000 were:
Alan Fischman of Cape Coral, FL
Roberto Garcia of Cape Coral, FL
Daisy Jamaica of Cape Coral, FL
Sally O’Neill of Bonita Springs, FL
Radoslava Rusinko of Cape Coral, FLY
The five qualifiers from WOLZ- FM (95.3) who each won $1,000 were:
Lynn Magyar of Fort Myers, FL
Jeananne Moloney of North Port, FL
Loretta Munoz of Fort Myers, FL
Gary Shemes of Fort Myers, FL
Dionne Tucker of Punta Gorda, FL
Fuccillo selected five winners in the “Deal or No Deal” contest that ran on Clear Channel Radio’s WCKT-FM (Cat Country). Winners chose one of five briefcases to claim a prize. The winners were selected from 107 entrants, who were awarded $107 each from Fuccillo, totaling more than $10,000.
The five individuals that won the “Deal or No Deal” contest were:
Tom Gricar, of Cape Coral, Fla., who won a 2013 Kia Soul
Troy Hammett, of Estero, Fla., who won a 2013 Bombardier Jet Ski
Donna Ott, of Naples, Fla., who won $2,000
Shannon Poundsberry, of Bonita Springs, Fla., who won two tickets to the CMA Music Festival
Joe Russo Jr., of Naples, Fla., who won a 2013 Honda Ranger ATV
In addition to the five planned briefcases, Fuccillo gave away a bonus prize in a sixth briefcase:
Wendy Stetson, of Fort Myers Beach, Fla., won $1,500 Billy Fuccillo also gave away $1,000 to 25 individuals, one of whom received $2,000, for a total of $26,000. These winners were selected from approximately 5,000 qualifiers who registered at the Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral during the month of March.
Cleverin Trouillor of Cape Coral, FL ($2,000 winner)
James Altizio of North Fort Myers, FL
Debbie Balogh of North Fort Myers, FL
Geneva Blowers of Cape Coral, FL
Melodie Bolin of Cape Coral, FL
Sandy Davis of Cape Coral, FL
John Gassner of Cape Coral, FL
Brandon Gutierrez of Cape Coral, FL
Erin Hertha of Cape Coral, FL
Loretta Instase of Cape Coral, FL
Scott Maselter of Cape Coral, FL
Patricia Panella of Fort Myers, FL
Erwin Probst of Cape Coral, FL
John Randolph of Cape Coral, FL
Peter Rogala of Cape Coral, FL
Susan Rizzo of Cape Coral, FL
Bob Ryan of Fort Myers, FL
Don Saylor of Fort Myers, FL
Don Schadle of Cape Coral, FL
Cathy Schultheis of Cape Coral, FL
Wally Smith of Naples, FL
Clifford Swanson of Fort Myers, FL
Bob Trader of Cape Coral, FL
Joseph Turpin of Cape Coral FL
Joan Wack of Cape Coral, FL
All winners had to be present to win the contests. No purchase was necessary to enter.
In March, Fuccillo broke the world record for most Kias sold in one month at one location, selling 1,301 new Kias during the month. He broke his own record, which was set in January 2012 when 1,200 Kias were sold at Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral. Fuccillo also gave $1,000 to anyone who purchased or leased a new or pre-owned vehicle during the month of March at the Kia dealership in Cape Coral, for a total of more than $1 million.
Fuccillo Automotive Group is the largest automobile dealership in New York State. Owned by Billy Fuccillo, the Fuccillo Automotive Group comprises 22 dealerships and 31 franchises with locations across New York State and Florida. For more information on Fuccillo Kia of Cape Coral, visit FuccilloKiaCapeCoral.com.
Fuccillo Kia hired McKinzie Roth to appear alongside Billy and Gloria in TV ads.
Fuccillo told 4 In Your Corner Roth's experience advertising cars helped separate her from the other one-thousand applications they received!
Roth has experience working with Kia and Ford dealerships. She has also done work for NBA teams in the past.
Fuccillo says the trio had good chemistry during Roth's addition, but it was how she conducted herself with his customers that impressed him.
"She walked up to our customers in our showroom and said, 'I'm McKinzie, I'm new with Billy and just wanted to say hello and thanks for coming into our dealership'," said Billy Fuccillo.
Author Bio:
Billy Fuccillo is president of Fuccillo automotive group Syracuse New York . Fuccillo Automotive Group is the largest automobile dealership in the state of New York.
Cape Coral Kia car dealer Billy Fuccillo has hired his new TV and radio commercial sidekick.
McKinzie Roth, 36, replaces Caroline Renfro, who resigned from the role last fall after an eight-year run.
Roth, a model, TV reporter in Portland, Oregon and seasoned commercial star, won the job over about 20 other candidates. She was not present Nov. 9 in Port Charlotte, where 18 of the all-female candidates auditioned. She auditioned separately as well as others that week in Miami because of her schedule. Each of the candidates filmed two commercials with Fuccillo and Gloria Ordonez, a Miami model who has appeared in numerous TV spots over the past decade for Fuccillo.
Roth has almost 25,000 social media followers on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. She has a vast resume of TV and radio experience, having worked as the Indiana Pacers in-arena emcee. She has hosted radio shows in her native Indianapolis and Portland. Roth also spent about 15 years pitching cars for Andy Mohr’s various car dealerships throughout Indiana.
Roth said she has been learning the Kia line of cars and trying to master Fuccillo's catchphrase: "Huge!"
“I’ll tell you what,” Roth said. “I’m a hard worker. I grind. I’m multifaceted when it comes to television and radio. I just like getting to know different people. Of course, being a mom is my No. 1 priority.”
Roth and her husband, Patrick Roth, are parents to Lucy, 7, who is in the second grade.
For the past three years, Roth has been an entertainment and lifestyles reporter for KGW, an NBC TV affiliate in Portland. The cross-country distance from Florida almost cost Roth the job. She said traveling to Tampa took almost eight hours.
“There were pluses and minuses,” Fuccillo said of choosing Roth. “The negative to her, is she’s on the west coast. That makes it tough. One of her friends tipped her off to this job. That’s how she got a hold of the agency.”
The Pinkney Hugo Group, an advertising agency that has contracted with Fuccillo’s 25 New York car dealerships over the past 15 years, assisted Fuccillo in the hiring process.
The decision, however, came down to Fuccillo, whose Cape Coral Kia dealership is acknowledged by the Korean auto maker to be the bestselling Kia dealership in the world since opening off Pine Island Road in December 2011.
“She had perfect chemistry with Gloria and I,” Billy Fuccillo said of Roth. “It went well, all the way around. She’s sharp. She’s quick. You can tell it’s not her first time doing this. She has a lot of experience in radio and TV. So she kind of fit in well with us. But it was tough. There were a lot of girls we liked.”
When the hiring process began in the fall, Fuccillo had talked of giving an unknown a chance. But in the final analysis, he said Roth’s experience won him over.
“The thing it came down to, and our agency felt the same way, was the amount of shots we have to do in a day is so overwhelming,” said Fuccillo, who films about 100 commercials only a few days a year. “You can’t take too many cuts. Every once in a while, you might take a second cut. But normally, we do everything in one cut, and that’s it. The thing with her, we knew she could ad lib.”
Roth and Fuccillo already have taped their first commercials, which will be seen soon. They did a few Friday night at Sacred Pepper, a Tampa restaurant owned by Candy DeBartolo, wife of Eddie DeBartolo, former owner of the San Francisco 49ers.
Roth and Fuccillo reconvened for more commercials Saturday at Fuccillo’s Kia dealership in Wesley Chapel. The commercials will air in Fuccillo’s five Florida markets, with a sixth dealership under construction in Clermont.
Terms of Roth's contract were not disclosed, but she said she will be receiving a Kia Stinger as part of the deal. The sports cars start at $31,000.
Fuccillo turned 62 on Tuesday. Roth turned 36 on Monday. Maybe, Fuccillo and Roth suggested, their identical astrological signs had something to do with their TV pairing.
“We’re Capricorns,” Fuccillo said. “That might have been a factor, too. Two Capricorn nuts.”
Fuccillo Automotive Group celebrated the conclusion of its annual statewide "Huge-A-Thon" 2017 event by giving away two trips around the world. Two grand-prizewinners were randomly selected during a drawing on Tuesday, June 6, at Fuccillo Hyundai of Syracuse. The trips are valued at $42,000 each.
Gary Loncar of Grand Island and Patricia Wade of Ballston were selected the grand-prizewinners of the 86-day trip for two around the world. The trips are scheduled to depart from New York City in January 2018 and make stops in London; Lisbon, Portugal; Rome, Florence and Venice, Italy; Munich, Germany; Salzburg and Vienna, Austria; Budapest, Hungary; Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore; Sydney, Australia; Auckland and Queenstown, New Zealand; Honolulu, Maui and Kauai, Hawaii; San Francisco and Houston. They'll return to New York City in March 2018. The trips include complimentary air travel and hotel accommodations.
To qualify for the grand-prize drawing, entrants could register online or in person at any of Fuccillo's 23 New York state dealerships from April 28 through May 31. No purchase was necessary to enter. A winner was then drawn from each method of entry.
Fuccillo hosts "Huge-A-Thon" events annually in New York to give customers the opportunity to enter to win "HUGE" prizes. In the past, Fuccillo has given away cruises, trips to Jamaica, vacation houses, a truckload of cars, a tanker full of gas and cash prizes.
As the largest automobile dealership group in New York, Fuccillo Automotive Group has locations throughout Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Watertown. Owned by Billy Fuccillo, the Fuccillo Automotive Group comprises 28 dealerships and 33 franchises with locations across New York and Florida. For more information, visit www.fuccillo.com.
