Rapattoni scraps plans to migrate MLS system to Silverlight.

May 7th, 2010

Early this year I was speaking with Nick Rapattoni about what they were working on next. He had mentioned that plans were on the table to migrate their MLS system to Microsoft’s Sliverlight platform. Browser compatibility was one the issues he cited as a reason for looking in that direction.

Speaking with Rapattoni today they have scraped those plans and “our goal is to develop our applications (both MLS and AMS, but it’s most relevant to the MLS) in a way that recognizes and takes advantage of different form factors (desktop, mobile, etc…), and Silverlight would back us into a corner — ”

Smart move if you ask me.

Now with one major MLS vendor getting off the Flash/Silverlight bandwagon will LPS Real Estate Group and Marketlinx follow suit? LPS Real Estate Group has already announced that Paragon 5 is cross browser compliant. But poor Tempo MLS is still tethered by Microsoft’s Internet Explorer ball and chain.

Me thinks that LPS and Marketlinx are too far down the Flash path to change direction. Time will tell.

Meanwhile companies that don’t have to worry about such trival details as “will my MLS system work in Firefox” have their development staff working on some true innovations. Case in point FBS. Their new Listing Activity API is simply awesome. It will be interesting to see how companies will implement their new API. Nice to see some great innovation come from the MLS space.

____________________________________________________

New Version of Rapattoni MLS is Firefox® and Mac® Compatible

New Version of Rapattoni MLS is Firefox® and Mac® Compatible SIMI VALLEY, Calif., April 29, 2010 – Rapattoni Corporation (Rapattoni) announced today that the newest version of the Rapattoni MLS is fully compatible with the Mozilla Firefox® browser, which will allow the software to operate natively on Apple® Mac® computers.

Rapattoni released the new version to its customers on April 28, giving their users the ability to access the Rapattoni MLS from the Firefox® web browser on PCs and Macs®. Rapattoni’s initiative to become cross-browser and cross-platform compatible began in 2009 and will continue throughout 2010, as additional browsers are added.

Nick Rapattoni, president of Rapattoni, said, “Over the past two years, the popularity of the Mac® has increased significantly among real estate professionals. As the numbers increased, Rapattoni recognized the importance of cross-platform compatibility and invested in making its robust Rapattoni MLS software work natively on both PCs and Apple® computers. Our new version provides our customers with a faster end product capable of running on Internet Explorer® and Firefox®.”

About Rapattoni MLS
Rapattoni MLS is setting the standard with advanced features such as integrated GIS parcel mapping, an integrated member management and billing system, the most advanced RETS data exchange system, integrated aerial photography, a robust statistics and trends analysis package, language translation, the Rapattoni Secure Logon system featuring Adaptive Authentication technology, and the ability to operate a convenient Single Sign-On (SSO) identity portal. The Rapattoni MLS is compatible with the Internet Explorer® and Firefox® web browsers and can be operated natively on PCs and Mac® computers.

About Rapattoni
Rapattoni Corporation has been serving the real estate industry under the same name and management for 40 years. The company provides an array of integrated products and services for real estate associations and MLS organizations, including an internet-based MLS, association management software, and key-less Rapattoni Secure Logon with SSO identity portals for online security and convenience. Rapattoni’s MLS products are serving approximately 300,000 users nationally and its association management customers represent more than 85% of the nation’s REALTORS®. Rapattoni’s headquarters are in Simi Valley, California.

For more information, contact Rapattoni’s Public Relations department at (800) 722-7338 or visit the Rapattoni website at http://www.rapattoni.com/.

Rapattoni continues NetMagic expansion.

October 13th, 2010

To say that Rapattoni dominates the AMS business in this industry is an understatement. Since announcing NetMagic back in May of last year Rapattoni continues it’s domination without any clear competition in sight. Has everyone else just given up?

——————————-

Gloucester/Salem Counties Board of REALTORS® Goes Live with Rapattoni NetMagic

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., October 13, 2010 – Rapattoni Corporation (Rapattoni) announced today that the Gloucester/Salem Counties Board of REALTORS® (GSCBR), located in Mantua, New Jersey, has gone live with Rapattoni NetMagic. GSCBR has been an association management software customer of Rapattoni for ten years, and it made the decision this year to transition to the company’s new internet-based product, Rapattoni NetMagic.
Rapattoni NetMagic is now being installed throughout the country and features the most robust information management tools available on the market today. The software has real-time synchronicity with the National Association of REALTORS® central database and allows the association staff to easily complete membership and accounts receivable tasks. Rapattoni NetMagic also provides an association’s members with the ability to login to the software and pay their dues, as well as register for classes, online.

Maria Whittingham, chief executive officer of GSCBR, said, “We are now up and running on Rapattoni NetMagic and we love the flexibility it gives us in managing our membership.” GSCBR serves over 1,400 members across the Gloucester and Salem counties in New Jersey.

Nick Rapattoni, president of Rapattoni, said, “We are very excited to add GSCBR to our quickly expanding roster of customers, and we know that they will enjoy all of the advantages that NetMagic offers.”

About Rapattoni NetMagic
Rapattoni NetMagic combines Rapattoni’s extensive real estate industry knowledge with the latest technologies to give associations the most powerful, flexible, and intuitive productivity suite available for managing association needs. Rapattoni NetMagic features real-time connectivity with the National Association of REALTORS® NRDS central database, and it enables association staff to effectively track, manage, and communicate with members.

For more information, contact Rapattoni’s Public Relations department at (800) 722-7338 or visit the Rapattoni website at http://www.rapattoni.com/.

CMLS Update -Board of Directors for 2011 and more…

December 6th, 2010

Few announcments about CMLS. The new board of directors are ready for 2011, I’ve listed them at the end of the post.

The numbers are in and the 2010 CMLS conference, hosted by MRED, was CMLS’ most successful event ever. Russ and team put up some big numbers in Chicago and Wes Wiggins now has a new bar to rise to. Speaking of Wes; The CMLS 2011 Annual Conference will be held in Tucson, Ariz., October 5-7.

It’s great to see CMLS having so much success. Other conferences have come and gone, but CMLS keeps going strong. Great content, inclusion and the pride each sponsor puts in the event really set it apart.

I’ve been on the board of directors of CMLS for quite some time now but my term expires this year. It has been great to see the organization grow and expand its role. I will still continue to be active with CMLS by helping promote and grow the CMLS website (www.councilofmls.com).

I’m also very excited to announce that Amy Geddes will be taking my place as the “Business Partner-Director”. Amy is an excellent choice and I couldn’t be happier. She is great asset to the industry and I know she will help take CMLS even further. Congrats Amy!

CMLS 2011 Board of Directors
President

Merri Jo Cowen
CEO

My Florida Regional MLS

President-elect

Greg Manship
CEO

Intermountain MLS

Secretary/Treasurer

Cathy Holefelder

COO, IT Dir.

Heartland MLS

Past President

Melanie Blakeney
EVP – Commercial Council & MLS
Memphis Area Association of REALTORS

DIRECTORS

Monica Beck

COO

Northwest Multiple Listing Service

Bob Bemis

CEO

Arizona Regional MLS

Art Carter

CEO

MRMLS Inc.

Kathy Condon
President and CEO
MLS PIN

Rosemary Scardina

Lehigh Valley AOR/MLS

Shelley Specchio

CEO

Northern Nevada Regional MLS

Anne St. Dennis
Manager, Communications, Industry Relations and Legal Affairs
Greater Montreal Real Estate Board

Kurt von Wasmuth

CEO

RMLS Multiple Listing Service

Wes Wiggins

Vice President, MLS

Tucson Association of Realtors

BUSINESS PARTNER DIRECTORS

Marilyn Wilson

Founding Partner

WAV Group

Amy Geddes

Clareity Security

Market Leader acquires kwkly.

January 20th, 2011

Fresh off last weeks announcement that Keller Williams had chosen Market Leader for their eEdge platform the boys in Kirkland Washington are at it again and have announced the acquisition of kwkly.

Gotta wonder if this starts another round acquisitions as companies start to plan for a market recovery.

Congrats to both Market Leader and kwkly!

See full press release below:

____________________________________________________________

SOURCE: Market Leader, Inc.

Jan 20, 2011 09:00 ET
Market Leader® Acquires Mobile Software-as-a-Service Company kwkly
Innovative Lead Generation Tool Used By Leading Brokerage Companies Nationwide
KIRKLAND, WA–(Marketwire – January 20, 2011) – Market Leader (NASDAQ: LEDR) (http://www.MarketLeader.com), an innovator in online marketing and technology solutions for real estate professionals, has acquired kwkly, a mobile software-as-a-service lead generation platform. The innovative kwkly service has grown rapidly over the past two years and is now being used by some of the real estate industry’s largest and most prominent brokerage companies to successfully engage today’s tech-savvy home buyers and sellers.
kwkly provides home buyers with real-time access to detailed property information straight from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to their mobile phone. At the same time, kwkly connects real estate professionals with buyers immediately, giving them both the property information along with agent contact information for follow-up.
“kwkly is the most exciting tech tool I’ve seen for the industry, because of the speed, simplicity and value it brings both agents and the consumer,” said John Thompson, Executive Vice President of Intero Real Estate.
Market Leader’s acquisition of kwkly expands the offerings that the company can make available through its comprehensive business and marketing platform for real estate professionals. Kwkly has grown rapidly and brings customers associated with some of the real estate industry’s largest and most successful real estate franchise brands, including RE/MAX, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., Baird & Warner, Century 21, Prudential, Intero Real Estate and more.
“kwkly is an innovative service that has become an important lead generation tool for some of the nation’s most prestigious brokerage companies,” said Ian Morris, CEO of Market Leader, Inc. “We look forward to introducing this leading edge mobility solution to an even broader audience while helping our customers to achieve even greater success.”
For more information about kwkly, please visit www.kwkly.com. For more information on Market Leader and its products, visit www.MarketLeader.com.
About Market Leader
Market Leader (NASDAQ: LEDR) provides real estate professionals with innovative marketing and technology solutions that enable them to grow and manage their business. Founded in 1999 by a second-generation real estate agent, Market Leader provides real estate agents, agent teams, and brokerage companies with subscription-based real estate marketing software and advertising products that enable them to generate a steady stream of prospects, as well as the tools and training they need to convert these prospects into clients.
With a long history of innovation, Market Leader pioneered online lead generation for real estate professionals a decade ago and today is the leading marketing partner to the real estate industry. The company also provides consumers with free access to the information and tools they need throughout the home buying and selling process, such as determining house values by address, and providing access to real estate listings, through its national consumer real estate sites. These websites enable Market Leader to provide its customers with access to millions of future home buyers and sellers while providing these consumers with free access to the information they seek throughout the home buying and selling process.
For more information on Market Leader visit www.MarketLeader.com.
LEDR: CORPORATE
Investor Contact:
Mark Lamb
Director of Investor Relations
Market Leader, Inc.
425-952-5801
markl at marketleader dot com

Press Contact:
Matt Heinz
Heinz Marketing for Market Leader, Inc.
877-291-0006
matt at heinzmarketing dot com

Rapattoni adds Cloud CMA

April 16th, 2011

Rapattoni MLS Offers Integration with Cloud CMA

Simi Valley, California, April 15, 2011 – Rapattoni Corporation (Rapattoni), a leading provider of software and services for the real estate industry, announced today that the company’s Rapattoni MLS software now offers complete integration with W&R Studios’ Cloud CMA.

Using Rapattoni’s industry leading Single Sign-On technology (SSO), the first implementation of the Cloud CMA integration was launched for MetroList® Services, Inc. (MetroList), which serves more than 17,500 members across the Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Yolo, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Merced counties in northern California.

Cloud CMA is the latest product launch from W&R Studios and offers real estate professionals the ability to create custom comparative market analysis (CMA) reports, buyer tours, and property reports. MetroList’s members will be able to log in to Rapattoni MLS, select listings to use with Cloud CMA, and then Rapattoni MLS will seamlessly send the required listing data to Cloud CMA. Without having to log in to Cloud CMA, agents can then work with the listing data within the Cloud CMA platform.

Greg Robertson, Co-founder of W&R Studios, said, “We are so pleased with how quickly and efficiently the Rapattoni team was able to make our product integrate with Rapattoni MLS. Rapattoni has been a leader in SSO technology, and we are excited that our MLS customers will now be able to utilize Rapattoni MLS to bring their listing data directly to our product.”

Tom Beede, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroList, said, “Rapattoni always provides innovative and flexible solutions for us when we need Rapattoni MLS to integrate with different real estate software providers. We believe that our members will enjoy the integration of Rapattoni MLS and Cloud CMA, and it will help them provide added value to their clients.”

Brad Bjelke, Executive Vice President of Rapattoni, said, “We take great pride in our SSO technology, and we believe that offering our customers flexibility and integration within Rapattoni MLS allows real estate professionals to have the best software and features available to do their jobs. The team at W&R Studios was a pleasure to work with, and we know this integration will be a win for both Rapattoni and Cloud CMA.”

About Rapattoni MLS
Rapattoni MLS is setting the standard with advanced features such as integrated GIS parcel mapping, an integrated member management and billing system, the most advanced RETS data exchange system, integrated aerial photography, a robust statistics and trends analysis package, language translation, the Rapattoni Secure Logon system featuring Adaptive Authentication technology, and the ability to operate a convenient Single Sign-On (SSO) identity portal. The Rapattoni MLS is compatible with the Internet Explorer® and Firefox® web browsers and can be operated natively on PCs and Mac® computers.

About Rapattoni
Rapattoni Corporation has been serving the real estate industry under the same name and management for over 40 years. The company provides an array of integrated products and services for real estate associations and MLS organizations, including an internet-based MLS, association management software, and key-less Rapattoni Secure Logon with SSO identity portals for online security and convenience. Rapattoni’s MLS products are serving approximately 300,000 users nationally and its association management customers represent more than 85% of the nation’s REALTORS®. Rapattoni’s headquarters are in Simi Valley, California.

About MetroList Services, Inc.
MetroList Services Inc. is the largest multiple listing service in Northern California headquartered in Sacramento, the state’s capital. Formed in 1985 by the Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, the Placer County Association of REALTORS® and the El Dorado County Association of REALTORS®, MetroList’s ownership group has grown to include the Lodi Association of REALTORS® and the Yolo County Association of REALTORS®, and California Real Estate Brokers, Inc. MetroList acts as a seamless real estate information network serving more than 17,500 real estate professionals in seven counties: Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced and Yolo.

About W&R Studios
Founded in 2008, W&R Studios is a privately held web software company located in Huntington Beach, California. W&R Studios focuses on creating the next generation of web-based software solutions for the real estate industry. By providing a “less is more” approach to software design, elegant user interfaces, and using the latest in agile programming, W&R Studios’ software applications are at the same time powerful, yet accessible to everyone.

For more information, contact Rapattoni’s Public Relations department at (800) 722-7338 or visit the Rapattoni website at http://www.rapattoni.com/.

I love it when a plan comes together!

MLS Cloud Conference 2011 Recap

June 9th, 2011

I wanted to put down a few thoughts and observations about last week’s MLS Cloud Conference hosted by Bob Hale and the Houston Association of REALTORS.

Additionally I uploaded a bunch of photos from the event. You can see them at the Vendor Alley Flickr Photo Stream

When I first got there I did hear a few of the attendees muttering if they would gain anything by attending a conference held so closely to NAR Midyear meetings in Washington D.C. That combined with it being held the week after Memorial Day seemed to heighten the crowds expectations. But from what I could tell those expectations were soon met.

NAMLS
Bob Hale came up first to set the tone. Bob does a great job of honing in on the important issues and serving up some plausible solutions to these issues. He spoke about giving consumers what they want and about how the MLS needs to engage with NAR and others. But I can’t confirm or deny I heard him speak about forming a “National Association of MLS.” : )
To me a key measurement of a good speaker is how many other speakers reference them in future talks and in the hallways of the ballrooms. By that measure Bob was king.

This business would be great if it weren’t for the damn customers.

Brad Inman was the first keynote and talked about the “post PC” world we are living in. He told us to all get an iPad and kiss our towers and notebook computers goodbye. He had some interesting observations about the employees of his new company, Vook. Apparently nobody at his company likes to sit at a desk anymore, they like to stand, and not eat meat apparently. Although I thought one of the funniest moments (unintentionally) was when Brad made a remark of how he didn’t like the way that some NAR staff talked down about their membership. To me was pretty ironic since MLS execs (and vendors) behave in the same way, if not worse!

I D Mess

I think a lot of people thought the conference would only focus on MLS public facing websites but the topics were much broader in scope. I was kind of hoping for a throwdown between Alex Perriello, CEO of Realogy and Joe Horring of Realty Alliance. Joe was more bombastic but sadly no pile drivers or fisticuffs.

Vendor Love

Another thing that I enjoyed was that they had a lot of vendor love going on. Bob freely put up a lot of vendors to showcase their products and services. Some of the vendors did a great job of talking about a broader message and weaving their products in to that message, but sadly most were just doing a 15 minute long commercial.

Schmooze and booze

On the hospitality side things were great. The hotel was centrally located so you could walk to a lot of restaruants. The HAR staff was very helpful and any hosted bar that serves Tanqueray Ten is number one in my book! Here’s a quick tip if the event is held at the same hotel next year. Mo’s, walking distance from the hotel, has bar doesn’t close until 1AM. Just sayin….

Errol’s Comet

Other highlights were presentations by Errol Samuelson and Curt Beardsley from MOVE. Really great presenters. Errol used this insane picture of a view from a beach with fireworks, a comet and lightning storm to symbolize the state of the industry (You had to be there.) I heard more than one comment on John Heithaus’s presentation and his ability to use a Glengarry Glen Ross clip without swear words.

Lust

Some other random stuff I thought was cool. Channing Dawson of HGTV used the term “Home Lust” or “House Lust” a lot (can’t remember which one of these terms he used). A really great piece of jargon I had never heard before. It appears that someone else was paying attention because Robert Drummer of iMapp when he heard the term immediately went online to check to see if the domain was available. It was. And now HomeLust.com belongs to him! Classic.

Best Audience Question

The best question asked at the conference came from David Charron during Ann Bailey’s update on the CIVIX settlement.

David Charron: Is RPR going to help pay for the CIVIX settlement?

Ann Bailey: MLS providers should contact their RPR reps directly to work out details.

and so without further delay…
Vendor Alley Public Service Announcement

I think its great that RPR is willing to help out with this effort so in the interest of public service here are the names and contact information of all RPR reps that MLS providers should call and request cash assistance with CIVIX:

Ohan Antebian
Email: ohan@narrpr.com  Phone: 949.910.6285

Ernie Bottom -East
Email: ernie@narrpr.com  Phone: 262.785.0633

Kristen Carr – Southeast
Email: kcarr@narrpr.com  Phone: 561.441.9494

Ron France
Email: ron@narrpr.com  Phone 315.559.5238

Kristen Hernandez – West
Email: kristen@narrpr.com Phone: 214.471.3795

A full list can be found at http://blog.narrpr.com/about/industry-relations. You’re welcome.

Compelling content, great speakers make this event a must attend. My congrats to Bob Hale and his team plus a special thanks goes out to Sam Scott, Rene Galvan and Shawn Dauphine for their wonderful Texas hospitality See you next year!

[Cupcake Photo Credit: Lisa Herrin]

Ted Young VP of Rapattoni exits company.

June 30th, 2011

I like to say every time a vendor leaves the real estate industry, an angel gets his wings.

Best of luck Ted!

Full Press Release below:

___________________________________________________________________________________

Senior Vice President Ted Young Leaving Rapattoni Corporation

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., June 30, 2011 – Rapattoni Corporation (Rapattoni) announced today that Ted Young, senior vice president, has elected to leave Rapattoni at the end of June, 2011.

Andy Rapattoni, president and CEO of Rapattoni Corporation, said, “It is with regret that we accepted Ted’s resignation but we honor his desire to tackle another career and as Ted has said, ‘do something different’.”

Mr. Young, who started as a programmer with Rapattoni in 1980, has served on the company’s executive committee and assisted in overseeing the company’s operations. He was responsible for the development of four generations of Rapattoni’s association management software products, and he was the principle software architect behind Rapattoni Magic, a product which is used by approximately 250 real estate associations throughout the United States.

When tendering his resignation, Mr. Young stated, “During my long career, I have loved the people I’ve worked with, the customers I’ve served, and taken great pride in what I’ve done individually and what we together have accomplished as a company. I deeply appreciate the opportunities that were offered to me and how I was allowed to flourish. I’m thankful for the wonderful times we’ve enjoyed over the years and wish Andy, Niki, and the entire company the best of luck and success in the future. It is simply time to do something else and fulfill more of my dreams.”

Niki Rapattoni, chief administrative officer of Rapattoni Corporation, said, “We will miss Ted greatly and we send him off with love and many good thoughts for his future.” The company expressed their thanks and good wishes to Ted this week and culminated in a send-off under the trees in front of their facility in Simi Valley, California.

About Rapattoni
Rapattoni Corporation has been serving the real estate industry under the same name and management for over 40 years. The company provides an array of integrated products and services for real estate associations and MLS organizations, including an internet-based MLS, association management software, and key-less Rapattoni Secure Logon with SSO identity portals for online security and convenience. Rapattoni’s MLS products are serving approximately 300,000 users nationally and its association management customers represent more than 85% of the nation’s REALTORS®. Rapattoni’s headquarters are in Simi Valley, California.

For more information, contact Rapattoni’s Public Relations department at (800) 722-7338 or visit the Rapattoni website at http://www.rapattoni.com/.

If you would like to be removed from the Rapattoni News mailing list, please send a blank email to unsubscribe@rapattoni.com.

Bob Hale honored as 2011 CEO Communicator of the year.

June 30th, 2011

Great local recognition for Bob. Congrats!

Full Press Release below:
______________________________________________________________

PRSA HOUSTON HONORS HOUSTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® PRESIDENT AND CEO BOB HALE AS 2011 CEO COMMUNICATOR OF THE YEAR

HOUSTON — (June 30, 2011) — The Houston chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) honored Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) President and CEO Bob Hale with the 2011 CEO Communicator of the Year Award during the organization’s annual Excalibur Awards Gala at the InterContinental Hotel on June 23.

The award is given to an organizational leader who demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively to general or specific publics; has public visibility as a communicator; is a respected member of the community; and invests his or her time and talent communicating a specific message or messages.

PRSA Houston recognized Hale for leading a successful integrated communications program that combines public relations, social media, a website (HAR.com) that draws more than 1.3 million unique visitors per month, and print and outdoor advertising campaigns to establish REALTORS® as the trusted resource for real estate consumers and HAR as the trusted resource for its membership.

“I am deeply honored to receive the 2011 CEO Communicator of the Year Award from PRSA Houston, but would be remiss not to share the credit with the HAR staff,” said Hale. “Association staff works hard every day to make sure consumers understand the value of a REALTOR® in real estate transactions and to communicate the benefits of the Association to our members. To have what we do recognized with this honor, and to know it comes from communications practitioners, makes it particularly meaningful.”

Hale has led HAR since 1988. Under his leadership, the organization has grown to become the largest trade association in Houston and the second largest local REALTOR® association in the country, with more than 24,000 members.

Thanks to Hale’s vision and drive, HAR.com is a household brand in the greater Houston area and the most frequently visited website in Houston real estate, with more than 1.6 billion hits each month.

HAR’s progressive communications include a Facebook page, which has more than twice as many fans as the next local REALTOR® association in the U.S., as well as extensive use of multiple social media platforms. The HAR YouTube Channel features nearly 600 videos that were all produced in HAR’s in-house studio and editing suite and have garnered more than 120,000 views. Among the videos are 61 that are part of HAR’s Consumer Knowledge Series, programming designed to educate consumers about real estate transactions and home ownership. The series has been so well received that the National Association of REALTORS® purchased 20 of them for use by associations across the country. HAR also produces The Edge, a weekly eNewsletter containing timely real estate industry information and data that is distributed to real estate brokerage managers to share with their agents.

During the awards presentation, HAR surprised Hale with a video containing personal congratulatory messages from former Houston Mayor Bill White, Houston Chronicle Publisher Jack Sweeney, legendary restaurateur Tony Vallone, Realogy Franchise Group President & CEO Alex Perriello, Great Day Houston host Deborah Duncan, Houston Business Journal Publisher John Beddow and U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

The CEO Communicator of the Year Award was created in 2006. Previous honorees include Mayor White, Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, Imperial Sugar President and CEO John Sheptor and Chevron Phillips Chemical CEO Greg Garland.

In 2010, Hale was honored by another prestigious communications group as he received the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)-Houston Communications Leadership Award.

Market Leader acquires SharperAgent

August 4th, 2011

Things are really heating up. Looks like Ian and the boys aren’t sitting still and looking to make a run at it… More on this later today.

Full press release below:

Company Release – 08/04/2011 08:00

Industry Leaders Come Together to Create Comprehensive, Integrated and Best-in-Class Software Platform for Real Estate Professionals

KIRKLAND, WA — (MARKET WIRE) — 08/04/11 — Market Leader (NASDAQ: LEDR) (http://www.MarketLeader.com), a leader in online marketing and technology solutions for real estate professionals, today announced the acquisition of Denver-based SharperAgent, a leading provider of online and print marketing suites with more than 30,000 real estate agent users across North America.

The acquisition represents the latest in a series of moves by Market Leader to create a comprehensive and integrated software platform for real estate professionals across the United States and Canada. Market Leader’s platform provides real estate franchise organizations, brokerage companies and all of their real estate professionals with one seamless, lead-to-close solution to manage and grow their real estate business.

“We are responding to a clear and growing demand from leading brokerage firms and franchises for a single integrated, best-in-class solution that meets all of their technology and marketing needs,” said Ian Morris, CEO of Market Leader. “SharperAgent is recognized as the leader in providing world-class customized marketing solutions, and we are eager to combine the strengths of our two companies to better serve our collective customers and the entire real estate professional community.”

SharperAgent’s marketing suite offers industry-leading marketing content, a robust marketing campaign management system for multi-channel distribution, and a multitude of online and offline tools.

Market Leader and SharperAgent will immediately begin working together to provide integrated solutions for the nation’s leading real estate franchise organizations and brokerage companies. The integrated platform will include:

Consumer lead generation and cultivation;
Customer relationship management;
Design and print solutions for all online and offline marketing needs;
Online and offline campaign management;
Social media and blogging integration;
Agent and office websites including nationwide MLS integration;
Agent accountability and team management;
Intranet and team communication;
Lender and partner integration;
Call center management;
Agent recruiting;
Integration with in-house and third party information sources.
“Market Leader is one of the dynamic companies helping to change the nature of competition within the real estate industry, through developing software that provides industry leaders with a single, seamless platform,” said John Featherston, CEO of RISMedia. “I believe the acquisition of SharperAgent, which has its own successful track record in the industry, will enhance Market Leader’s overall value proposition and its continued success.”

Current SharperAgent customers will continue to enjoy their current subscription options as well as integration with Market Leader products in the future. To learn more about SharperAgent products, please visit http://www.sharperagent.com.

“Today’s real estate professional needs a technology platform that is truly integrated, to seamlessly connect with consumers,” said Brian Wildermuth, president and co-founder of SharperAgent. “We look forward to continuing to provide great service to our clients while joining Market Leader in creating a world-class platform for our collective customers and the entire real estate community.”

To learn more about Market Leader, please call 1-800-984-7037 or visit www.marketleader.com.

About Market Leader

Market Leader (NASDAQ: LEDR) provides more than 50,000 real estate agents, teams and brokerage companies with a complete lead-to-close marketing and technology system that enables them to grow and manage their business. Founded in 1999 by a second-generation real estate agent, Market Leader enables success for its customers with subscription-based real estate marketing software, a complete contact management system and advertising products that enable them to generate a steady stream of prospects, plus the systems and training they need to convert these prospects into clients.

With a long history of innovation, Market Leader pioneered online lead generation for real estate professionals a decade ago and today is the leading marketing partner to the real estate industry. Market Leader’s national consumer real estate sites provide its customers with access to millions of future home buyers and sellers while providing consumers with free access to the information they seek throughout the home buying and selling process.

For more information on Market Leader visit www.MarketLeader.com.

Press Contact:
Matt Heinz
Heinz Marketing for Market Leader Inc.
877-291-0006
matt [at] heinzmarketing [dot] com

Investor Contact:
Mark Lamb
Director of Investor Relations
Market Leader, Inc.
425-952-5801
markl [at] marketleader [dot] com

Source: Market Leader, Inc.

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