High Quality Photos
for News and Media Use
All photos 310x167 pxls minimum.
For higher resolution photos and specific videos submit your query
by email
*Note: All contents on the site are copyrighted, unauthorized use is prohibited. This section is for qualified news media companies only. Email for Use Approval and Extra photos
_____________________ .
ABRN Top Shop Award
Hollywood Shop
North Hollywood Shop
Custom and Restoration Specialists
Rocky Fasone - right, inspecting BMW on Network's new Celette frame machine.
Technician spraing bumper in Network's advanced Down Draft
Spray Booth
Unibody and Frame Measuring Video
Network's energy efficient Rotary Compressors
Network Auto Body's
Quick Estimate!
___________________
| For Immediate Release For Additional Information, Photos and Interview Email |
 |
Network Auto Body Ranked as
One of the Top 10 Shops'
in the United States by ABRN
Where the Stars take their Cars...and Why
Network Auto Body combines the real and virtual worlds of collision repair
January 10, 2011...Los Angeles, CA
ABRN, the premiere auto body collision repair industry publication, named Network Auto Body as One of the Top 10 Auto Body Shops in the United States. ABRN holds an annual contest fro Auto Body Shops to seek out and identify the best shops in America. According to ABRN, Network Auto Body stood out as one of the most unique body shops in the United States.
ABRN does not take its contest lightly and has high standards and considerable requirements to even be considered as a 'Top Shop'. ABRN reviewed and judged shops from all over the United States based on originality, practical business sense and creativity. Other factors included number of bays, annual revenue, business and customer service philosophy and importantly, consumer and industry involvment, two factors that Network uniquely excels in. Network's Multi Media consumer awareness website provides some of the latest and most informative ongoing consumer insured motorist information in the form of articles and videos, not just from a local standpoint but on a world wide basis.
Network was founded in 1985 by Rocky Fasone, who’s president of the two-location shop, the business repairs 50 vehicles a week . Network, with locations in Hollywood. North Hollywood, Universal City and Van Nuys, California, is referred to as 'The Body Shop to the Stars.' For over two decades some of Hollywood's top motion picture stars have brought their cars to Network for repairs. Similar to the feature films “The Matrix Trilogy” and “Inception” that explore the adventures of characters who find ways to exist in both worlds and use the ability advantageously. Network Auto Body, created a business model from the same notion. Network leverages the virtual shop it created online to generate significant revenue for its business. Network provides amenities such as online quotes for customers who send digital photos of damage to its website, free deductible financing and a 100-percent warranty on all work. Network also specializes in a number of classic to luxury car custom work.
Before opening his own shop, Fasone worked as the body shop manager for a Cadillac dealership. He built Network quickly on dealer work. He says that just several years into ownership his shop was the largest indoor repair facility in the nation. “When we started out, everybody was concentrating on the insurers,” he says. “We went the other direction. Today, we have no DRPs, and we’re not interested in getting any.” DRP stands for Direct Repair Programs, something familiar with insurance companies that have working arrangements with certain body shops. DRP's and the recent AB1200 insurance bill have provided considerable controversy of late. One that Network fully describes and informs consumers of in detail on their website. Network remains the preferred or authorized collision repair center for a number of nearby dealers, including those selling Mini Coopers, BMWs and Toyotas. The relationship with Toyota has proven particularly fruitful. In 1986, Network became the authorized shop for Toyota of Hollywood. In 2001, during the introduction of the Toyota Prius, Fasone’s techs became manufacturer certified for hybrid repairs.
Network’s unique business model helped set the stage for its foray into the virtual repair world. Fasone decided, with the suggestion of entertainment industry veteran and Actor, Bob Schott, to upgrade his Web presence and create an entirely unique, multimedia experience for collision repair customers.
Schott convinced Fasone to play off the Tinseltown tag and build a site laden with well-produced educational, consumer awareness and promotional videos with a movieland twist. The Network website features dozens of videos, the most prominent of which focuses on collision industry issues the shop believes directly impact its customers. These videos feature Network employees such as Fasone’s twin sons, Ralph and Joe, speaking to viewers to explain insurer steering, customer rights, de-nib and polish issues, and basecoat reduction. “We want to educate and entertain,” says Schott, director for Global Media Productions, a producer of Web and broadcast content. “With a lot of shop sites, you’re going to get quick hits from possible customers. We want people to stay on the site for a while and get to know the business and be aware of their rights as insured motorists.”
According to Tim Sramcik, coodinator for the ABRN Top Shop contest, Network Auto Body is a shop both virtual and brick and motor unlike any other. "In judging and reviewing this contest we spent weeks reviewing auto body shop websites from all over the country, a most boring experience, that is until we landed on Network's site." Network prides itself in featuring more uselful and valuable consumer awareness information than any other body shop in the world, including auto body industry organizations. "I spent hours on the Network site", says Sramcik, I learned things even I didn't know and I'm in this business. They even have classic movies to watch." Network Auto Body also an extensive Consumer Review site that includes major directory review site testimonials, customer Videos and a Network Stars section, of which includes a classic Pontiac restoration from a major movie studio attorney and general counsel.
Along with videos on repair issues, the Network site also features films about frame repair and hybrid work, along with customer testimonials, including those from dealers who send work to Network. To boost interest in the site and attract more customers, Schott added a number of films, including Flash Gordon serials, Gene Autry westerns, most popular Henry Ford on America documentary and the cult classic “Santa Claus vs. the Martians.” Each of these films is paired with one of Network’s consumer awareness videos to attract attention. Recently, Schott added his own creation, a film called “Attack of the Bondo Hounds,” which meshes footage from the classic zombie flick “Night of the Living Dead” with new footage from the shop. The film serves as a warning to customers about the dangers of substandard, insurer-directed repairs. “We like to do the entertaining stuff because that’s what people remember,” Schott says. The impact of the site is giving customers a sense of understanding and comfort as they learn about the shop and the industry. “Our attitude is that the site should do everything for the customer except actually repair and paint their cars,” he says.Schott believes web users are spending plenty of time on the site – statistics show some remain on it for hours. Once customers find the site, many come back. On average, 80 percent of the people who come across the site a month add it to their Web browser favorites list, he says.
Network Auto Body also was one of the first to do the Toyota Hybrid collision repairs in Southern California. Network also continues to updgrade their shops with energy efficient technology and the latest in automobile repair equipment, such as their rotary compressors and overhead lighting systems.
-###-
For Additional Information, Photos and Interview Email
According to Tim Sramcik, coodinator for the ABRN Top Shop contest, Network Auto Body is a shop both virtual and brick and motor unlike any other. "In judging and reviewing this contest we spent weeks reviewing auto body shop websites from all over the country, a most boring experience, that is until we landed on Network's site." Network prides itself in featuring more uselful and valuable consumer awareness information than any other body shop in the world, including auto body industry organizations. "I spent hours on the Network site", says Sramcik, I learned things even I didn't know and I'm in this business. They even have classic movies to watch." Network Auto Body also an extensive Consumer Review site that includes major directory review site testimonials, customer Videos and a Network Stars section, of which includes a classic Pontiac restoration from a major movie studio attorney and general counsel.
Along with videos on repair issues, the Network site also features films about frame repair and hybrid work, along with customer testimonials, including those from dealers who send work to Network. To boost interest in the site and attract more customers, Schott added a number of films, including Flash Gordon serials, Gene Autry westerns, most popular Henry Ford on America documentary and the cult classic “Santa Claus vs. the Martians.” Each of these films is paired with one of Network’s consumer awareness videos to attract attention. Recently, Schott added his own creation, a film called “Attack of the Bondo Hounds,” which meshes footage from the classic zombie flick “Night of the Living Dead” with new footage from the shop. The film serves as a warning to customers about the dangers of substandard, insurer-directed repairs. “We like to do the entertaining stuff because that’s what people remember,” Schott says. The impact of the site is giving customers a sense of understanding and comfort as they learn about the shop and the industry. “Our attitude is that the site should do everything for the customer except actually repair and paint their cars,” he says.Schott believes web users are spending plenty of time on the site – statistics show some remain on it for hours. Once customers find the site, many come back. On average, 80 percent of the people who come across the site a month add it to their Web browser favorites list, he says.
Network Auto Body also was one of the first to do the Toyota Hybrid collision repairs in Southern California. Network also continues to updgrade their shops with energy efficient technology and the latest in automobile repair equipment, such as their rotary compressors and overhead lighting systems.
-###-
For Additional Information, Photos and Interview Email
