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SAN DIEGO, CA - April 1, 2011 - When Sellers Buick/GMC in Farmington Hills, Michigan worked with Search Optics on their digital marketing solution, they planned for a strong mobile presence to meet an expected small but highly-valued community of cell phone, iPad and tablet visitors. They were very surprised to discover that 30% of their web site traffic came from customers browsing with a mobile device, with a number of customers using the mobile web site to submit leads and inquiries.

How did they do it? Search Optics helped Sellers Buick/GMC create a mobile presence that loaded quickly and provided instant access to key information such as store hours, directions (with Google Maps integration) and inventory. Using the Search Optics UPTRACS® reporting platform, Sellers executives were easily able to track the number of mobile site visitors and leads originating from their mobile site and campaigns.

President Sam Slaughter is extremely pleased with the results. "We want to make it easy for our customers to get to us no matter where they are," he says. "Being the number one Buick Dealer means we take our customer needs very seriously, and we want them to get the information they need. Being able to find our dealership, schedule an appointment or contact us whenever and wherever it is convenient for them is the key to our success in keeping our customers happy. Our mobile presence provided by Search Optics helps us do that for customers at home, at work or on the go."

Christian Fuller, Vice President of Search Optics, isn't surprised by the large upswing in mobile traffic. "Our automotive dealers are seeing between twenty and thirty percent of their site traffic coming from a mobile device, with more and more customers calling a dealership using our mobile site's convenient contact features," he says. "As the mobile customer becomes more important to our clients, we are building experiences that not only provide extreme ease of use for the visitor, but tracks their activity and lead submission so that dealers can create the most compelling reasons to contact them - regardless of where the customers are or how they are engaging with the dealer."

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SAN DIEGO, CA - November 23, 2010 - Search Optics Inc., a leader in providing fully integrated digital marketing solutions specializing in the automotive industry, is pleased to announce the promotion of Mohammad Ranji from Lead Software Developer to Director of Technology. As Director of Technology, Ranji will play a lead role in various decision-making capacities related to the technology strategy and management of the development organization.

With over 10 years of industry experience, Ranji has worked in several senior level Software Developer positions and has designed, developed, and maintained various successful systems for companies such as Anheuser-Busch, Bridgepoint Education, Z57 Internet Solutions, and Adicio Inc. Ranji is a certified Zend PHP Engineer and is fluent in numerous software languages, technologies, and databases.

"Since Mohammad has joined the Search Optics team, the development department has been exponentially improved," said President and Founder, Troy Smith. "We are excited for Mohammad to take on this new role to further advance the efforts of our development team."

Ranji holds two Bachelors of Science degrees from AZAD University of Technology and from Harris Stowe State University. Additionally, he has his Masters in Computer Science from California State University, San Marcos.

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Search Optics Inc., a leader in providing fully integrated digital marketing solutions specializing in the automotive industry, is pleased to announce the addition of David Shantz, CPA to the Search Optics' Advisory Board. The Search Optics Advisory Board was established to provide the company with strategic guidance and direction as it continues its rapid expansion in the automotive digital marketing space.

Shantz, Lead Managing Director of CBIZ Tax Services for San Diego and Orange County, has over 25 years of experience specializing in corporate tax issues such as mergers, acquisitions, business combinations, and corporate tax structuring. His experience also consists of the use of Subchapter S and limited liability companies in corporate planning for succession, executive incentives, and wealth transfers.

Previously, Shantz managed a tax practice for a national accounting firm building successful R&D, SALT and wealth management practices in addition to more traditional tax services. He has worked intensively with companies within the manufacturing, distribution, software, internet, and biotech industries.

"We are thrilled to have Dave as a part of our team during this crucial growth period," said David Ponn, Search Optics' Chief Executive Officer. "His direction and expertise will be a tremendous asset to Search Optics."

Dave has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Indiana University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs.

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Search Optics Inc., a leader in digital marketing solutions for the automotive industry, is expanding into the Detroit area in a move which could eventually bring more than new 300 jobs to the region, the company's CEO and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) officials announced.

Search Optics is a full-service interactive marketing agency that provides custom websites and online marketing services to the automotive industry. The company has 50 employees at its San Diego headquarters and plans to double that number by the end of next year with the new Ferndale office.

“This project demonstrates how companies can utilize Michigan’s highly skilled workforce and competitive business climate to reach their customers and win in today’s global market,” said MEDC President and CEO Greg Main.

The company plans to open its Ferndale operations in the 4th quarter of 2010 and will have close to 50 employees by the end of 2011, said Search Optics CEO David Ponn. Search Optics’ expansion into Detroit was driven by its rapid growth. The company has tripled in size over the last three years and is expecting to grow substantially beyond that in the next several years.

“We have the most aggressive economic diversification plan of any state in the nation to attract national and international companies to Michigan, and it’s producing results,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. “We welcome Search Optics’ commitment to Michigan and look forward to continuing to partner with them as they grow and create new jobs here.”

Search Optics narrowed its choices for a new office to Detroit, Toronto and Ft. Lauderdale. What put Detroit over the top was its work force. “Detroit was selected not only for the friendly business environment and proximity to customers, but also for its strong talent pool," said CEO David Ponn. "Many of our current employees are Michigan natives so setting up operations in Ferndale feels like coming home."

The jobs to be filled in Ferndale include web developers and designers, operations support personnel, and high level customer service staff. Ponn said the company wants to create quality jobs in a growing industry that matches the spirit of opportunity and economic development in the area. The new Ferndale facility will have approximately 16,000 square feet of office space.

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Search Optics Inc., a leader in providing fully integrated digital marketing solutions specializing in the automotive industry, announced the addition of Joe Walker to the Search Optics Advisory Board.

Joe Walker is the President of Maple Bay Consulting LLC. Prior to joining the Search Optics Advisory Board, he was president of Polk Global Automotive, a division of R. L. Polk & Co, where he was responsible for Sales, Marketing, Business Development, Information Technology, Human Resources, Legal, Government Relations, Product Strategy and Data Acquisition. Prior to R. L. Polk, he was also President and CEO of Plunkett & Cooney, one of the Michigan's premier law firms.

"The addition of Joe Walker to the Search Optics Board of Advisors represents a strategic expansion of our Board," said David Ponn, Search Optics' Chief Executive Officer. "Joe brings significant expertise in automotive information and marketing solutions for the automotive industry that will help us on future initiatives."

Walker is a well known speaker on leadership, team-building, quality, and ethics. He holds a BS from Xavier University and a JD from University of Detroit School of Law.

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