By Ashley Reyes
The SEMA Motorsports Products & Media Council (MPMC) named Erica Sietsma, CEO and founder of Autofluencer, as the council's newest spotlight member.
Get to know Sietsma in the SEMA News interview below.
SEMA News: What is your current job? What do you do and how long have you been doing it?
Erica Sietsma: I'm the founder and chief everything officer at Autofluencer. We started the company three years ago.
SN: Did you ever consider another career or industry?
ES: I've been in the automotive industry since 2002. It was originally accidental but then I fell in love with the industry. I was on the new-car side for 20 years and switched over to the performance/aftermarket side in 2023 and it's way better!
SN: How long have you been volunteering for MPMC, what inspired you to volunteer and how has it impacted you?
ES: I just started volunteering for MPMC this year; however, I've been attending the Media Trade Conference for the last three years and it is hands down my favorite event all year.
SN: What do you see as the biggest challenges for the motorsports industry today, and where do you see the industry in five years?
ES: Budgets, budgets, budgets. Everything is tightening down, which means we have to work smarter than ever and think differently. Cash/profits are not as free flowing as they were a few years ago and we must do more with less––but in a good way, not a sucky way. I think technology will play a big part in this coupled with rock-star team members.
SN: What's your favorite car-related movie and what do you like about it?
ES: This movie isn't technically car-related, but the vehicle plays a huge role: Thelma & Louise! I inherited my grandmother's Thunderbird at the time the movie came out, albeit a way less cool version (it was an '86). And I would argue that their '66 Thunderbird was the third main character in that movie.
SN: On a Saturday, where can you be found?
ES: Seeing as it's summer, on a boat!
Fill out an MPMC member spotlight form to highlight how you or your company are contributing to the motorsports industry. Selected candidates are eligible to be featured on MPMC's social media, SEMA News and future MPMC member updates.
