Dealership Commercials / How Much Do Dealership Commercials Cost?
How Much Do Dealership Commercials Cost?
Dealership commercials cost two separate things: making the spot and paying to air it. A single 15 second spot from a traditional ad agency often runs $5,000 to $15,000 to produce, before any airtime. Monthly production programs, such as Bowen AI Strategy Group's at $3,000 a month, spread that cost across several new spots every month.
What drives the production price
- Shoot days and crew. Every day on set with a director, camera team and lighting adds up fast.
- Talent and voice. On camera talent and a professional voiceover are priced by usage and length of run.
- Music rights. A track cleared for broadcast TV costs more than one cleared for social only.
- Number of cuts. Each length and shape, :30, :15, vertical, square, is its own finished deliverable.
- Offer changes. A spot built around one month's payment has to be rebuilt when the payment changes.
Airtime is a separate budget
Broadcast, cable, streaming and social placements are bought on their own, through a media buyer, an agency or the platforms directly. Many franchise dealers can put manufacturer co-op advertising money toward qualifying ads, under each brand's own rules, so check those rules before the spot is made.
One spot versus a monthly program
| One produced spot | Monthly program | |
|---|---|---|
| New offers | Re-edit or reshoot, billed again | Built into each month |
| Sizes for social | Often extra | Included |
| Cost pattern | Large payment up front | Flat monthly fee |
| Freshness | Ages with the offer | Replaced every month |
Five questions to ask before you pay
- How many finished cuts do I get, and in which sizes?
- Who owns the footage and the project files?
- What happens to a spot when its offer expires?
- Who checks the legal disclaimer against my offer sheet?
- How long from offer lock to a finished spot?
Bowen AI Strategy Group quotes every store in writing before work starts.
See plansQuestions people ask
Does the price include airtime?
No. Production and airtime are separate budgets. Airtime is bought through a media buyer, an agency or the platforms.
Can co-op money pay for dealership commercials?
Often, for franchise dealers, if the ad meets the manufacturer's co-op rules. Check the brand's current program before production.
What does Bowen AI Strategy Group charge?
Monthly commercial plans start at $3,000 for several finished spots, quoted in writing first.