AIM Group

Trulia ponders rental listing fees, doubles rental business thanks to mobile access

Sharon Hill — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:04:18 +0000

Trulia CEO Pete Flint told Reuters Global Technology Summit attendees that the real estate and rental service site just might add rental listing fees to its current monetization methods, Reuters reported. Flint also told the audience that the site’s rental listings are doubling each year, with nearly all traffic coming from mobile.

Our first question is what might happen to Trulia’s relationship with ApartmentGuide.com. Back in January, Trulia told the AIM Group that 10 percent of its listings happened by way of an exclusive arrangement with Primedia’s ApartmentGuide. That agreement required those communities of 25 or more units to post to Trulia by way of a paid listing on ApartmentGuide.com. All others listed for free directly to Trulia.com. Presumably, any new rental fee will focus on those with 24 or fewer properties.

Read more at Reuters.com. ( For a detailed look at how Trulia and several other real estate sites are adding rental listings, see CIR 14.03, Feb 14. )

Editor & Publisher now accepting entries for Eppy Awards

AIMGroup — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:33:03 +0000

In its 18th year, The Eppy awards given out by Editor & Publisher magazine for exemplary websites has now expanded to encompass entries beyond its originating traditional-media focus. Classified and other publishers can enter now, at EppyAwards.com. Categories are divided into two sub-categories: those with one million or more visitors, and those under one million.

Last year’s overall classified winners were Legacy.com and Adicio’s CareerCast.com.

Twitter-focused job startup Gozaik expands demographics, goes global

Sharon Hill — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:02:17 +0000

Gozaik began its beta life in March as a mobile and video recruitment service focused on college students and recent grads. However, Gozaik social marketing manager Lauren Simonelli told the AIM Group that

This content is available to Classified Intelligence Report clients.

Want to know more about becoming a client? Click here.

Zillow launches AgentFolio collaborative communication for agents, clients

AIMGroup — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:25:05 +0000

Zillow has renamed BuyFolio, its 2012 acquisition, launching it as collaborative and co-shopping platform AgentFolio, in several major U.S. markets. Free to Premier Agents, AgentFolio can alternatively be purchased by other real estate agents for $25 a month. By way of AgentFolio, agents can set up private communication with clients that allows all parties to share listings, and agents to view client searches.

Here’s the announcement:

Zillow Launches Agentfolio

Mobile and online communication and co-shopping platform for agents and their clients; First markets include Chicago, Boston, New York City

SEATTLE, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Zillow, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z), the leading real estate and home-related information marketplace, today launched Agentfolio™ in Chicago and will follow with Boston, New York City and other markets. Agentfolio provides a unique collaboration and co-shopping platform via mobile and Web that streamlines communication and organization for agents and home buyers working together during a home search.

Agentfolio is the only real estate platform that allows multiple people involved in a home search to collaborate in a central place, rather than an agent’s crowded email inbox. Today’s agents and home buyers want to use technology to make the home-buying process more efficient. Agentfolio makes it easier for agents to share listings as well as their local knowledge and expertise with their clients, making them stand out from the rest and have happier clients. Agentfolio is free for Zillow® Premier Agents or just $25 a month for agents not currently subscribed to Zillow’s Premier Agent advertising program.

“The home search has gotten too complicated for the inbox, making it difficult for agents and their clients to communicate effectively about listings. Agentfolio provides a mobile and online workspace where agents and their clients can search, share, organize and discuss listings all in one place and with real-time data. We’re bringing much needed efficiency and joy to the home search,” said Susan Daimler, director of Agentfolio at Zillow.

Today, Zillow will introduce Agentfolio at MREDpalooza, Chicagoland’s largest real estate tech expo, at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. “We are thrilled that Zillow chose Chicago to launch this progressive and robust tool to help agents better communicate and collaborate with their clients,” said Russ Bergeron, CEO of MRED, one of the largest multiple listing services in the country.

Agentfolio, formerly Buyfolio® and acquired by Zillow last year, also provides a suite of brokerage tools, including a lead capture webpage for brokerage websites, and a lead manager and tracking tool.

To learn more about Agentfolio or when it will be available in your market, email tellmemore@agentfolio.com or call 866.324.4005.

About Zillow, Inc.
Zillow, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z) operates the leading real estate and home-related marketplaces on mobile and the Web, with a complementary portfolio of brands and products that help people find vital information about homes, and connect with the best local professionals. Zillow’s brands serve the full life cycle of owning and living in a home: buying, selling, renting, financing, remodeling and more. In addition, Zillow offers a suite of tools and services to help local real estate, mortgage, rental and home improvement professionals manage and market their businesses. Welcoming 55 million monthly unique users, the Zillow, Inc. portfolio includes Zillow.com®, Zillow Mobile, Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, Zillow Rentals, Zillow Digs™, Postlets®, Diverse Solutions®, Buyfolio™, Mortech™, HotPads™ and Agentfolio™. The company is headquartered in Seattle.

Zillow.com, Zillow, Postlets and Diverse Solutions are registered trademarks of Zillow, Inc.

Buyfolio, Mortech, HotPads, Digs and Agentfolio are trademarks of Zillow, Inc.

(ZFIN)

SOURCE Zillow, Inc.

CareerCast reports on best jobs in retailing

AIMGroup — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:04:38 +0000

CareerCast Releases New Report on Best Jobs in Retailing

CARLSBAD, CA (June 18, 2013) — Advertising Managers, Purchasing Managers, and Sales Engineers are among the best jobs in retailing, according to a new report fromCareerCast.com.

The retail sector has added 500,000 jobs in the past five years, nearly half of which have come in the past year, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a result, retailers are seeking employees with a vast array of disciplines and experience.

“New U.S. Census Bureau estimates show that both business spending and consumer confidence are at five-year highs,” says Tony Lee, publisher, CareerCast.com. “More shoppers mean more revenue for retailers, which in turn means the need for more retail workers.”

Sales employees account for more than 1.2 million employees in the retail sector – a considerable number, but only 8% of the total workforce. That means other retail careers account for 92% of an industry that the BLS estimates employs more than 15 million Americans. From finance and human resources to marketing and merchandising — people with various skills and interests can find employment in retail.

Technology’s impact on retail has been profound. The retailing industry needs IT specialists and online advertising managers who tailor retailers’ messages to web users, pushing content that appeals directly to the consumers’ browsing and shopping history. Logisticians and cost estimators are also vital careers in retail. Cost estimators help determine the price consumers pay based on the materials and labor required to offer a product.

Job seekers have an almost limitless variety of specialty fields in which to work through retail, from fashion to electronics to sporting goods. They can pursue careers with multinational corporations as Target, Wal-Mart and Macy’s and find opportunities with single outlet and niche retailers.

CareerCast’s Jobs Rated list of the 10 best jobs in retailing:

ADVERTISING, PROMOTIONS AND MARKETING MANAGER
Annual Median Wage: $88,590

CASHIER
Annual Median Wage: $18,970

COST ESTIMATOR
Annual Median Wage: $58,860

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE
Annual Median Wage: $30,580

LOGISTICIAN
Annual Median Wage: $72,780

ONLINE ADVERTISING AGENT
Annual Median Wage: $45,350

PURCHASING MANAGER
Annual Median Wage: $100,170

RETAIL SALES WORKER
Annual Median Wage: $36,820

SALES ENGINEER
Annual Median Wage: $91,830

WHOLESALE AND MANUFACTURING SALES REPRESENTATIVE
Annual Median Wage: $54,230

To read CareerCast.com’s full report, Best Jobs in Retailing, visit http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/best-jobs-retail

About CareerCast.com
CareerCast.com, created by Adicio, is a job search portal that offers extensive local, niche and national job listings from across North America; job-hunting, career-management and HR-focused editorial content; and videos and blogs; and provides recruiters with the ability to post jobs directly to more than 800 niche career sites. CareerCast.com also compiles the Jobs Rated Report (www.jobsrated.com), where 200 jobs across North America are ranked based on detailed analysis of specific careers factors.

Zillow kicks off Find Your Way Home TV ad campaign

AIMGroup — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:17:56 +0000

Zillow Debuts New National TV Spot as Part of First Advertising Campaign

Spot Chronicles Modern Home Shoppers as Housing Market Continues Recovery

www.zillow.com/tv

SEATTLE, June 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Zillow, Inc. (Nasdaq: Z), the leading real estate information and home-related marketplace, is rolling out a new TV spot today as part of the company’s first-ever national advertising campaign, entitled “Find Your Way Home.”

A new spot, called “Long Distance,” begins airing nationwide today, as the traditional summer home shopping season heats up. The spot will air 60- and 30-second versions on cable networks such as HGTV, CNN, USA, A&E and Lifetime. This is the second TV spot in Zillow®’s “Find Your Way Home” campaign, launched earlier this year.

“The process of shopping for a home today is emotional, absorbing, collaborative, and driven by technology and online information,” said Amy Bohutinsky, Zillow chief marketing officer. “Our ‘Find Your Way Home’ campaign chronicles modern families in ways that most home shoppers can relate to – as they search for not just a home, but a place for their life to happen.”

“Long Distance” was created by Deutsch LA and features the single “Stubborn Love” by The Lumineers. Media buying responsibilities are being handled by Two Nil. Both of Zillow’s TV spots in the “Find Your Way Home” campaign can be found at Zillow.com/TV and discussed using #FindYourWayHome on social media.

About Zillow, Inc.
Zillow, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z) operates the leading real estate and home-related marketplaces on mobile and the Web, with a complementary portfolio of brands and products that help people find vital information about homes, and connect with the best local professionals. Zillow’s brands serve the full life cycle of owning and living in a home: buying, selling, renting, financing, remodeling and more. In addition, Zillow offers a suite of tools and services to help local real estate, mortgage, rental and home improvement professionals manage and market their businesses. Welcoming 55 million monthly unique users, the Zillow, Inc. portfolio includes Zillow.com®, Zillow Mobile, Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, Zillow Rentals, Zillow Digs™, Postlets®, Diverse Solutions®, Buyfolio™, Mortech™ and HotPads™. The company is headquartered in Seattle.

Zillow.com, Zillow, Postlets and Diverse Solutions are registered trademarks of Zillow, Inc. Buyfolio, Mortech, HotPads and Digs are trademarks of Zillow, Inc.

(ZFIN)

SOURCE Zillow, Inc.

KBB renews Experian AutoCheck agreement for vehicle history reports

AIMGroup — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:50:26 +0000

Kelley Blue Book, now part of AutoTrader Group, has renewed its vehicle history report agreement with Experian’s AutoCheck. However, there is no word on whether KBB will be part of the Carfax non-exclusive arrangement AutoTrader.com has recently entered into with Carfax.

Here’s the announcement:

Experian Automotive renews agreement with Kelley Blue Book, partners with AutoTrader.com to make AutoCheck reports available via top online auto sites

Users can now choose AutoCheck reports on both major online vehicle marketplaces

Schaumburg, Ill., June 11, 2013 — Experian Automotive today announced that it has renewed its agreement with Kelley Blue Book for display of AutoCheck^® vehicle history reports in classified listings on www.kbb.com. Additionally, Experian Automotive has partnered with AutoTrader.com^®, enabling dealers to utilize AutoCheck reports when merchandising their inventory on AutoTrader.com. These agreements are a step forward for the industry, enabling the websites to allow dealers to choose which vehicle history report they decide to put on their listing.

“We are proud to team with AutoTrader.com and KBB.com to offer this valuable tool in connection with vehicle listings in the marketplace,” said Dave Nemtuda, senior vice president of Experian Automotive. “The information in an AutoCheck report helps to provide consumers and dealers with the peace of mind they need in order to make a more educated purchasing decision, and we are thrilled it is now available on both vehicle marketplaces.”

AutoCheck vehicle history reports provide dealers and consumers with in-depth information on accidents, title brands, frame-damage announcements, odometer issues and other potentially negative events that can impact a vehicle’s value. Additionally, retailers and consumers can leverage the patented AutoCheck Score®, allowing them to quickly and easily understand a vehicle’s past and compare it with other vehicles.

“Our relationship with Experian provides the flexibility for KBB.com to allow its industry customers to select the vehicle history report that best suits their needs, an option that ultimately benefits the car shopper,” said Damon Bennett, vice president of syndication and ecommerce for KBB.com. “We are confident that the relevant, comprehensive information available with each listing helps in the buying and selling process.”

AutoCheck vehicle history reports are now available online at www.AutoCheck.com and through many of the premier automotive sites, including AutoTrader.com^*, KBB.com, eBayMotors.com, Edmunds.com andNADAGuides.com.

Contact:
Roslyn Whitehurst
Experian Public Relations
1 714 830 5578
roslyn.whitehurst@experian.com
Twitter: @RozWhitehurst

About Experian Automotive
Experian Automotive provides information services and market intelligence that enables results-driven professionals to gain the fullest possible understanding of the market, the vehicles and the people who buy them. Its North American Vehicle Database^SM houses data on nearly 700 million vehicles and, when combined with Experian’s credit, consumer and business information, provides an integrated perspective into the automotive marketplace. Experian Automotive’s AutoCheck^® vehicle history reports provide dealers and consumers with in-depth information, allowing them to confidently understand, compare and select the right vehicles. For more information on Experian Automotive and its suite of services, visit our Website at http://www.experian.com/Automotive.

About Experian
Experian^® is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended March 31, 2013, was US$4.7 billion. Experian employs approximately 17,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and São Paulo, Brazil.

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.

Experian and the Experian marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

^*AutoCheck reports will be available on AutoTrader.com beginning Sept. 1.

WebsiteBox introduces Craigslist app for Realtors

Brian Blum — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:01:33 +0000

Toronto-based startup WebsiteBox has expanded its already impressive offerings for real estate agents by introducing a $99 app that allows Realtors to quickly create more visually stand out property listings for use on Craigslist. The app is essentially a real estate-specific HTML generator that’s knows specifically what Craigslist is looking for. The Realtor enters a property’s data, chooses a color scheme and a template, and the app creates the code which the Realtor then copies and pastes into Craigslist.

Although it’s called an “app,” WebsiteBox’s latest is actually used on a desktop or laptop computer, not on a mobile device. The price tag of $99 might seem pricey, but it’s reusable for an unlimited number of ads.

WebsiteBox seems to have a thing for the $99 price point. The company’s main offering is a $99 website builder that includes hosting for life, listings, email, calendar, a CRM, Google Analytics and another 9 features. The company’s branding is deliberately cheeky, poking fun at the “suits” at other services that it says overcharge Realtors for website creation. There are separate templates for residential properties, condos, neighborhoods and commercial real estate.

The company was named as one of HousingWire Magazine’s RETech:50 top real estate technology firms for 2013. WebsiteBox launched in January 2013.

SimplyHired explains how recruiters use social media

Sharon Hill — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:19:32 +0000

In SimplyHired’s Evolution of Recruitment webinar, Forrester Research Sr Analyst Claire Schooley pointed out several important statistics about how recruiters and hiring managers use social media. According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM):

This content is available to Classified Intelligence Report clients.

Want to know more about becoming a client? Click here.

HomeLight seeks director of marketing via AngelList job platform for startups

AIMGroup — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:22:58 +0000

Real estate agent search startup Homelight is looking for a director of marketing at its San Francisco office, to help with online and affiliate marketing, SEO / SEM, lead generation, search engine and Internet marketing, and landing page design and optimization.

Other openings include a lead UI/UX designer, and senior rails engineer. (For more on HomeLight see CIR 14.06, April 3, our annual real estate report.)

To see and apply for this and other startup jobs, a candidate would go to AngelList, and create a profile that proves qualifications for the position. Then, the introduction to HomeLight would be initiated. AngelList connects qualified job candidates with angel-funded startups. It showcases and reviews startups, and allows users to follow those they favor.

https://angel.co/jobs