Robert Brisco Named CEO of CarsDirect.com; Appointment Positions Leading Automotive E-tailer for Continued Growth
15 November 1999
Robert Brisco Named CEO of CarsDirect.com; Appointment Positions Leading Automotive E-tailer for Continued Growth
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LOS ANGELES--Nov. 15, 1999--In a move intended to pave the way for continued aggressive growth, CarsDirect.com, the leading automotive e-tailer, today named Robert N. Brisco, former president of Universal Studios Hollywood, as its new chief executive officer.
Brisco, 36, succeeds founder and CEO Scott Painter, who takes on the role of vice-chairman of the board of directors. Both appointments are effective immediately.
CarsDirect.com is the first nationwide online service that provides consumers a complete car-buying experience -- from research, pricing, customization and financing to flatbed delivery of the car to a home or office.
"Bob Brisco brings to CarsDirect.com valuable expertise and a demonstrated track record in building successful brands and developing online businesses," said Bill Gross, co-founder and member of the board of CarsDirect.com. "Under his leadership we will hone the company's strategic focus and further establish CarsDirect.com as a premier brand."
"CarsDirect.com has all of the ingredients to become a major player in Web e-tailing," said Brisco. "I look forward to scaling up our business, increasing our customer base, and providing an exceptional experience for car buyers."
"Now is the perfect time to bring on someone of Bob's caliber and experience," said Painter. "This last year has been one of rapid development and major milestones for CarsDirect.com. In one year we've grown from an ambitious start up to an established company with more than 400 employees. I look forward to working with Bob as we enter the next chapter in the company's growth."
Brisco has served as president of Universal Studios Hollywood and CityWalk. Prior to joining Universal, Brisco was senior vice president of advertising, marketing and new business development for The Los Angeles Times. At The Los Angeles Times, he was responsible for $1 billion in revenue.
Brisco oversaw The Los Angeles Times' new media operations and directed the launch and operation of LATimes.com. He was a founding board member of Classified Ventures, which launched Internet services in several categories, including automotive. Earlier, he was a consultant with McKinsey & Co. and the Boston Consulting Group, specializing in the consumer products and media industries.
About CarsDirect.com
CarsDirect.com (http://www.carsdirect.com) is a revolutionary new Internet company that lets consumers complete the vehicle purchase transaction. With CarsDirect.com, shoppers can research, price, customize, order and finance a new car or truck over the Web -- selecting from among 2,500 makes and models by every major manufacturer.
Unlike referral services, which point people to a dealer to accomplish the transaction, CarsDirect.com takes the customer from inquiry through financing right up to delivery. CarsDirect.com was recently named the top car-buying site on the Internet by Gomez Advisors of Lincoln, Mass.
Based in Los Angeles, CarsDirect.com is an idealab! company.