News & Analysis

By CRB, Real Estate Business Magazine, June/July 2006

Marketing

New Real Estate Video Web Site Launched

ZIPVO is first to offer a targeted database of real estate videos easily accessible via ZIP Code or town.

Changing the way real estate is searched online, ZIPVO is a video Web site that helps real estate agents market their homes in an innovative way. Also, ZIPVO has unique features that help agents enhance their brand. Even better, agents can upload all videos for free. This new Web site will help brokers and agents enhance online presence of their listings through the power of Internet video.

Buyers can search by locality for video walk-throughs of homes, land, or commercial buildings and open houses. Additionally, ZIPVO can help buyers make a more informed decision when choosing a real estate agent by viewing video blogs and interviews.

Access to the site and videos are free to everyone: www.zipvo.com.

Network Communications Inc. Signs Multi-year AdWords Deal with Google

Network Communications Inc. (NCI), the leading publisher of printed and online real estate information in North America, announced a three-year partnership with Google to offer AdWords and other local products from Google to the real estate industry. The signed deal makes NCI the first company in the real estate marketplace that Google has partnered with in this way and will help drive more quality traffic to NCI advertisers' sites.

"We are excited to offer our advertisers the opportunity to expand their online presence through Google AdWords," says Glenn Goad, Executive Vice President, Consumer Strategy for NCI Inc. "Real estate sources today have multiplied. The model for how consumers search for and sell homes continues to change and the Internet has been a driving force behind this evolution. Our partnership with Google allows us to provide even more highly effective and targeted online real estate marketing services and products to our customers."

Goad adds, "NCI is committed to partnering with the most established, market-leading companies that strategically complement our current offerings. Google's leadership in search and online advertising, combined with our leading real estate portal and expertise in local real estate advertising will deliver top online services to our advertisers."

NCI offers its customers a wealth of real estate information, found both in print and online. The company distributes over 13 million magazines every month to consumers who are looking to buy, sell rent or renovate a home. NCI's network of more than a dozen online distribution partners delivers more than 50 million unique visitors monthly. With over 20 established brands including The Real Estate Book, Apartment Finder, New Home Finder and Unique Homes, NCI is the number one provider of online and print real estate leads in North America.

Google AdWords is currently used by hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide to gain new customers in a cost-effective way. With the Google AdWords advertising program, NCI customers can advertise themselves on the top Web property in all major global markets. This gives businesses full control over their budgets, allowing them to stop or pause their campaign, monitor their spending or change their advertising messages at any time.