Life of the South, a privately held company based in Jacksonville, Fla., which provides products and services to the automobile industry, has announced strategic relationships with four of the largest insurance companies in the United States.

Through its automotive marketing division, Consumers Marketing Group, located in Camp Hill, Pa., alliances with The Hartford, Protective, Great American, and AIG have been established "in order to provide dealerships with the best products the industry has to offer," according to Dale Bullard, chief marketing officer and senior vice president for Life of the South.

"The relationships we have established with our partners has enabled us to go from regional provider to a national force in the automotive arena," Bullard said. "Under the leadership of our seasoned automotive professionals, we have been able to better understand the auto dealers'

needs and, in turn, to deliver tremendous wealth building opportunities for our auto market clients."

Life of the South's Auto division, Consumers Marketing Group, offers GAP, etch, extended service contracts, excess mileage and wear/tear coverage, life and disability insurance, involuntary unemployment insurance and garage

keep liability.

"Having a wide variety of products enables us to greatly increase dealer profits," said Jeff Buchanan, director of Consumers Marketing Group and a Life of the South assistant vice president. "How we drive that growth and profit, however, is through the service we provide to augment product sales." Among these services offered are F&I training, sales

management training, mystery shopping, F&I management consultation, reinsurance services and profit management, according to Buchanan.

In addition to offering products and services to the automotive industry, Life of the South has a strong presence in the banking and finance company markets. "Many of the items we offer to the auto dealer transcend to our

other markets as well," Bullard said. "As a matter of fact, GAP and etch are among the fastest growing products among our non-auto clientele."

For more information regarding Life of the South or Consumers Marketing Group call 1-800-888-2738, extension 8508 (Life of the South) or

1-800-933-3018 (Consumers Marketing Group) or visit www.life-south.com.