How Valley Hi Toyota Made Entertainment Its Secret Sales Strategy

Most dealers run ads. Brian Ortega makes blockbusters.

As Creative Director of Valley Hi Toyota and Kia, he’s turned his stores into content machines — from spoofing summer action movies to creating AI-powered characters of his own staff. The result? Customers don’t just buy cars; they binge-watch the brand.

In this conversation, Brian explains why entertainment is the ultimate marketing edge, how he balances creativity with strategy, and why giving away cars (and starring zombies in commercials) builds more loyalty than any sales event ever could.

‍

Takeaways

0:00 Intro — Brian Ortega joins from Valley Hi Toyota & Kia

1:34 Why his wild videos always have a method behind the madness

2:27 What actually cuts through today’s AI-fueled noise

3:14 How being recognized in-store proves the brand connection works

4:10 Why sales teams resist video content — and his AI-powered solution

5:46 Turning a used car manager into a Pixar-style AI character

6:29 Planning content calendars a year in advance — with zombies included

7:17 How car giveaways create viral, user-generated marketing

8:00 Where to follow Brian for behind-the-scenes content

‍

Connect with Brian Ortega on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianjortega

Watch Valley Hi Toyota content on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ValleyHiToyotaScion

Learn more at: https://www.brianjortega.com

‍

NAMAD Sessions is brought to you by Mia and produced by the More Than Cars Media Network - https://www.mia.inc/