CHICAGO – (1/23/18) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, a global community of more than 565 real estate firms, has selected Contactually as a preferred provider through its Solutions Group program of carefully-vetted business resources.

Contactually is an intelligent CRM (customer relationship management) platform that helps real estate agents nurture new, repeat, and referral business, while allowing brokers to track results and recruit and retain the best talent. By centralizing contacts and documenting relationship touchpoints, Contactually creates actionable follow-up plans and automates relationship workflows.

“Contactually was developed for brokerages, but designed for agents, creating unparalleled adoption rates at companies with brokerage accounts, which is critical in the success of any new technology,” said Robin LaSure, LeadingRE vice president of corporate marketing. “By helping agents easily stay organized and in touch with their network, with the right messages at the right time, Contactually gives agents more time to build relationships and grow business.”

Zvi Band, Contactually CEO & co-founder, welcomes the opportunity to engage with more LeadingRE members. “Having already proudly built partnerships with a number of LeadingRE member organizations, including Pacific Union, FirstTeam, and Zephyr Real Estate, we’re thankful to deepen our relationship with LeadingRE, and look forward to being part of the community,” Band said.

LeadingRE members will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from Contactually at the network’s upcoming conference, January 31-February 2 at Wynn Las Vegas. Learn more about Contactually at www.contactually.com. Learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® at www.LeadingRE.com.

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About Contactually
Contactually provides a SaaS-based intelligent customer relationship management (CRM) platform for real estate agents and brokerages. In simply minutes a day, Contactually’s easy-to-use platform enables personal engagement at scale, resulting in more leads, referrals, and increased business. Proudly located in Washington, DC, Contactually employs approximately 70 people and has raised $12 million in capital to date from Grotech Ventures, Rally Ventures, Bull City Venture Partners, Middleland Capital, and others. For more information please visit at www.contactually.com.

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CHICAGO – (January 18, 2018) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® announced today that it has named Imprev to its Solutions Group program, which identifies select business resources for its global community of more than 565 real estate firms.

Imprev provides marketing automation services for brokerages, creating complete marketing packages every time a key event occurs for a listing. Imprev’s Marketing Center includes a wide variety of materials for print, digital, and social media channels—all of which can be fully branded to meet a brokerage’s unique needs and specifications.

“By creating targeted marketing throughout the cycle of a listing, Imprev empowers agents to effectively promote listings and drive new business, while offering brand protection for the brokerage,” said Robin LaSure, vice president of corporate marketing for LeadingRE. “Our brokers place great importance on delivering this type of value to their agents, and we look forward to introducing more of our members to these services.”

Imprev’s President and Chief Revenue Officer Bill Yaman said, “LeadingRE members excel at creating best-in-class brand experiences, because they understand that brand is one of their most important assets. Joining this prestigious network’s preferred Solutions Group allows us to work closely with more top brokerages to jointly address their key business challenges and maximize their marketing opportunities. Our goal is to help brokerages protect their hard-won brand power so they can wow agents, impress clients, and generate more business for everyone.”

He adds, “We’ve been thoroughly impressed by our current LeadingRE clients’ commitment to brand excellence and look forward to partnering with other LeadingRE members in the future.”

Imprev will be a sponsor at LeadingRE’s upcoming conference, January 31-February 2 at Wynn Las Vegas. Learn more about Imprev at www.imprev.com. Learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® at www.LeadingRE.com.

 

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About Imprev

Many of the most respected brands in real estate leverage Imprev’s Automated Marketing Services to set themselves apart from their competition. With Imprev, brokerages automatically create and continually update fully-branded print, digital, and social media marketing packages for all their agents’ listings, giving them a recruiting edge and driving unprecedented brand consistency. Launched in 2001 and constantly updated, the Imprev platform powers the marketing centers for hundreds of brokerages and franchises— representing over 20% of real estate agents in North America. Discover more at www.imprev.com.

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CHICAGO – January 16, 2018 – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® has selected PlanOmatic as a preferred provider through its Solution Group program, which presents top business resources to its global community of 565 real estate firms.

PlanOmatic provides professional real estate photography shot by industry veterans, with a network of 130 photographers in 32 states. The company’s comprehensive marketing services also include interactive floor plans, virtual staging, aerial photography, 3D walkthroughs and digital advertising with an automated process that delivers materials within two days.

“PlanOmatic offers a seamless system for delivering beautiful photography and other valuable marketing resources, which an agent can easily use on every listing,” said Robin LaSure, LeadingRE vice president of corporate marketing. “With a focus on prompt delivery and customer experience for both the agent and the home owner, PlanOmatic is a welcome addition to our program.”

Kori Covrigaru, PlanOmatic co-founder and CEO, adds, “We founded PlanOmatic because we believed in the power of photos to not only grab buyers’ interest and help get the home sold, but also to create a connection between the seller and their brokerage. We also thought the process of getting amazing photos for every listing should be smooth, professional and friendly. We will offer these same sentiments to the LeadingRE network as a Solutions Group member.”

PlanOmatic will be exhibiting during LeadingRE’s upcoming Conference Week, January 29-February 2 at Wynn Las Vegas, where they will also be photographing the event.

Learn more about PlanOmatic at www.planomatic.com. Learn more about Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® at www.LeadingRE.com.

 

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About PlanOmatic

PlanOmatic provides the real estate industry with marketing services, including photography, interactive floor plans, virtual staging, aerial photography, 3D walkthroughs and digital marketing. With a network of 130 photographers in 32 states and an automated ordering process, PlanOmatic is positioned to be every brokerage office’s marketing solution for every listing. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Denver, PlanOmatic serviced more than 73,000 properties nationwide in the past year alone. The company has been named the last three consecutive years as one of Inc. 5000s “America’s fastest growing companies.” For additional information about PlanOmatic call 866.599.7526 or email marketing@planomatic.com.

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CHICAGO – January 16, 2018 – Chicago-based Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (LeadingRE) has named Jessica Edgerton as executive vice president of operations. In this role, Edgerton will oversee operational areas of the company, including technology, marketing, learning and development, preferred vendor relationships and events. Additionally, she will interface closely with the finance department to ensure smooth, financially-healthy business operations.

Edgerton previously served as Associate Counsel for the National Association of REALTORS^®, where she interfaced with NAR’s communications, conventions and technology teams, as well as its membership. Her responsibilities included contract negotiations for NAR’s various divisions, helping ensure regulatory compliance, speaking on risk management topics at industry events and authoring content on various legal issues relating to the industry.

Additional industry experience includes serving as general counsel/chief compliance officer for a national appraisal company and as assistant director for a commercial real estate company.

Edgerton joins LeadingRE as part of recently-announced changes in the company’s executive team, including the retirement of long-time President/CEO Pam O’Connor and the advancement of the company’s current COO Paul Boomsma to that role, effective April 1.

“We are delighted to have Jessica join our team. Her extensive involvement in the industry, her expertise on relevant legal and regulatory issues and her ability to clearly communicate complex issues verbally and in writing make her uniquely qualified for this important role,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Pam O’Connor.

LeadingRE COO Paul Boomsma adds, “Jessica’s experience working closely with inter-department teams will be incredibly valuable, as she interfaces with our existing team of department heads to continuously expand and enhance the services we offer our member brokerages.”

Edgerton is a cum laude graduate of Indiana University Maurer School of Law and holds a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University School of Journalism and a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College. She is based in LeadingRE’s Chicago headquarters and can be reached at +1 312-424-0400.

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CHICAGO – January 15, 2018 – WK Real Estate, Boulder, Colo., has been awarded the prestigious RELO^® Quality Certification from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (LeadingRE), a selective global network of the highest quality real estate firms. The only program of its kind, the RELO^® Quality Certification (RQC) quantifies and qualifies true relocation service excellence. Modeled after the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, it was created by LeadingRE to provide measurable standards for the pursuit of relocation excellence.

To receive the certification, WK Real Estate’s relocation department completed a rigorous and lengthy application process, overseen by a committee of leading industry professionals. Virtually every aspect of the company’s relocation operation was reviewed thoroughly, using specific criteria to evaluate performance and production, staffing, training and continuing education, quality and scope of service for relocation clients, program marketing, customer satisfaction, technology resources, office facilities, and more.

“WK Real Estate recognized the value of operating an independent relocation department early in its history, and they have remained committed to the highest standards of relocation excellence ever since,” said LeadingRE President/CEO Pam O’Connor. “We are thrilled to recognize them for joining the prestigious ranks of RQC companies.”

“Receiving the RQC designation from Leading Real Estate companies of the World^® is a significant achievement for any real estate firm. I commend Pam Metzger and Suzanne Reynolds in our Relocation Department for all of the work and dedication they put in to receiving this recognition and attaining this goal. It is a huge accomplishment that few companies can claim and exemplifies our commitment at WK to be the best we can be in all aspects of our business,” said WK Real Estate President Dan Kingdom.

Founded in 1976, WK Real Estate is the largest independent real estate company in Boulder County, Colorado. With offices in Boulder and Longmont, the company covers all of Boulder County and the North Metro Denver area surrounding communities, with a focus on knowledge, integrity, innovation and professionalism. Among the company’s numerous awards, they earned LeadingRE’s coveted “Crown of Excellence” for the past four years.

To see a full list of RQC companies, visit LeadingRE.com/aboutus/membercredentials.

For more information about WK’s relocation services, visit www.wkre.com, or contact Pam Metzger, director of relocation and corporate services, at (303) 541-1928 or pmetzger@wkre.com.

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– Network’s certification program focuses on leadership mastery for select real estate sales managers. –

 

CHICAGO – (January 10, 2018) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® recently graduated its second 2017 class for its MAESTRO Leadership Certification program, which the network created to address the critical industry need to develop talented and highly effective real estate leaders for the future. Only select applicants from LeadingRE member companies are accepted into the program, with nearly 80 participants successfully completing the program in 2017.

Based on proprietary and validated research conducted by LeadingRE with 300 sales managers, the rigorous MAESTRO program encompasses three pillars of excellent office leadership, as determined by the research. It is the first program of its kind in the industry, with the goal of using science and art to establish and practice leadership mastery.

LeadingRE’s Chief Learning Officer Mike Staver is the lead instructor, with additional faculty including Dean of Innovation Matthew Ferrara, REAL Trends President Steve Murray, Long Realty CEO Rosey Koberlein, and other brokers and colleagues from various industries.

Participants attended three live sessions held at LeadingRE’s Chicago headquarters that included lectures and interactive workshops incorporating ‘real life’ exercises, case studies and group activities. Ongoing support from staff and fellow participants ensures continued engagement and measurable results from the program.

“The caliber of the people who are accepted into our MAESTRO Leadership program is incredible, and the fact that these accomplished leaders are committed to honing their skills even further reflects their commitment to elevating their own performance, as well as that of their team,” said Vice President of Performance Excellence Dan Nelson.

LeadingRE is currently accepting applications for its 2018 MAESTRO programs, with classes beginning in April. With a global membership that spans six continents, LeadingRE connects more than 565 firms and 130,000 sales associates who produce over 1.1 million real estate transactions each year. Learn more at www.LeadingRE.com.

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– Executive who led global real estate community since its founding passes the baton as network CEO. –

 

CHICAGO – (January 8, 2018) – Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® announced today that Pam O’Connor will leave her position as president and CEO, effective March 31. O’Connor, who has been at the helm of the company since its founding in 1997, is stepping down with plans to remain active in the industry in a consultative capacity, including joining the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (LeadingRE) Board of Directors for the coming year.

Paul Boomsma, who currently serves a dual role as LeadingRE chief operating officer and president of Luxury Portfolio International^®, will assume responsibilities as president and CEO upon O’Connor’s retirement.

“Pam has been the force behind the remarkable growth of our network,” said LeadingRE Chairman of the Board Joe Horning, president of Shorewest Realtors. “With incredible passion, talent and dedication, Pam has spent decades building programs that support the success of independent brokerages. Her influence across the industry is undeniable, and we are immeasurably thankful for her years of leadership.”

O’Connor began her career in the promotion department of WSB Television in Atlanta and later co-owned Bryson-O’Connor Public Relations in Atlanta, but her professional focus has long been in the real estate industry. The first woman executive to head a major real estate network in 1985, her experience managing real estate and relocation organizations extends back 30 years to prior networks All Points Relocation Service and RELO^®.

During a time of consolidation for major independent real estate networks in the late 1990s, she was selected to head a new organization formed when leaders from fifty of America’s most respected real estate firms joined forces to launch a new non-franchise alternative for independent brokerages. This organization became the global powerhouse that today is Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®.

Among the milestones achieved under Pam’s leadership, LeadingRE has:

• Become a truly global organization, with 565 member firms in 65 countries spanning six continents and corporate offices in London and Singapore.
• Formed a separate corporate relocation company, RELO Direct^®, Inc., and an award-winning luxury marketing program, Luxury Portfolio International^®.
• Launched a highly-successful online learning platform, ranked #3 in the Training Magazine Top 125 list of the most successful learning and development programs in the world.
• Grown its affiliate-to-affiliate referral sales volume to billions of dollars annually with an industry-leading conversion rate of nearly 50%.

 

“To say it has been an honor to work alongside the leaders of the best real estate companies in the world, as well as our incredibly talented staff, is an understatement,” O’Connor said. “I am both gratified by what we have achieved together and excited to see what the future holds for LeadingRE and its extraordinary companies and people.”

“Having had the privilege to work with Pam for the last 13 years, I have learned a great deal from her about the value of relationships and the importance of staying ahead of trends,” commented Paul Boomsma. “While her day-to-day involvement will certainly be missed, we are so thankful she will continue to play an important role as a member of our Board of Directors.”

Stephanie Anton, who has served as executive vice president of Luxury Portfolio International^®, will assume responsibilities as president of that division. Joining LeadingRE as executive vice president of operations is Jessica Edgerton, formerly Associate Counsel with the National Association of Realtors^®. Others on the executive team include Bob Portale, president and CEO of subsidiary RELO Direct^®, Inc.; Chief Financial Officer Alan Cazzato; Executive Vice President/Member Services Elizabeth Nunan; and Executive Vice President/Global Operations Chris Dietz.

O’Connor’s personal and professional contributions will be celebrated during LeadingRE’s upcoming conference, taking place January 31-February 2 at Wynn Las Vegas.

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About Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® (www.LeadingRE.com) is a selective global community of the highest quality independent real estate companies, with over 565 companies and 130,000 sales associates in 65 countries. Network members generate over 1.1 million transactions annually, with $368 billion in home sales. LeadingRE exists to make its members better by connecting them to opportunities and people around the globe, supporting them with an international referral network, professional development programs, unique events and connections to people and opportunities worldwide.

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