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ERA® Franchise Systems LLC 6 Sylvan Way Parsippany, NJ 07054 (201) 428-9700 |
Media contact: Jennifer Wieher (201) 359-5209 or jennifer.wieher@cendant.com |
Technologically-Advanced Products and Services and New Marketing Sponsorships Unveiled at International Business Conference
Las Vegas, NV (March 3, 1998) – One week after announcing the largest acquisition in the company's 25-year history with the addition of O'Connor, Piper and Flynn Realtors, ERA Real Estate opened its annual International Business Conference here today by demonstrating its commitment to growth to the thousands of brokers and agents in attendance. Delivering the vision he has articulated since becoming ERA President and CEO in late 1996, Peter Burgdorff introduced a host of new ERA franchisees in the United States and internationally, along with many new and improved products and services to support the network.
New initiatives to benefit ERA's 28,000 brokers and agents include the redesigned ERA Sellers Security Plan including Buyer Ready, a five-point marketing plan for consumers, and a new luxury homes division. This year also marks the company's first Hispanic marketing effort, the re-launch of the Answers book that guides consumers through the buying and selling process, and two major television sponsorship packages.
In a partnership with CBS Sports, ERA has signed on as the title sponsor of the ERA Championship Series, a series of televised tennis, track and field and gymnastics events. ERA has also become the exclusive real estate sponsor of the new PBS series About Your House with Bob Yapp, which offers practical information on improving, restoring and maintaining homes.
Burgdorff, who addressed the entire company today at the convention and via a live satellite feed on ERAtv, the company's own satellite television network, underscored ERA's commitment to its most valued asset, its people. "Despite all the technological advancements and tools that make us more efficient, real estate remains a local, relationship-based business. By providing our brokers and agents with the most innovative training, technology, products and services, I'm confident our people are the best-equipped real estate professionals in the industry."
Technology has always been at the forefront of ERA innovation. Most recently, ERA launched a program equip every office with a Polaroid scanner to facilitate the use of digital cameras to showcase listings on ERA.com. In 1997, the company launched ERA.com and TeamERA.com, the ERA proprietary Intranet site. This year, ERA takes its commitment to technology even further with ERA Advantage, a software package that enables both brokers and sales associates to manage their business more effectively. The company has also made its reporting procedures easier for brokers with the launch of AIM, a new web-based software product.
Beginning in April, ERAtv hits the road on a whirlwind tour of offices all over the country. The crew will be touring the nation interviewing brokers and agents for future ERAtv programs. ERA is the only national real estate company with a satellite television network available to all its offices. The tour will continue again in the fall visiting many ERA offices nationwide.
ERA's commitment to growth is being realized through new franchise sales and by mergers and acquisitions. In addition to the recent acquisition of O'Connor, Piper & Flynn Realtors in the mid-Atlantic region, two Green Bay, WI independent realtors merged with ERA Montgomery to form ERA Titletown in Green Bay, WI. The company has recently hired a new Regional Vice President and opened a regional sales office in California to position itself for expansion on the West Coast. International expansion is on the rise with new franchise agreements in the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, Portugal and Germany, giving ERA presence in 16 countries, more than any other major domestic real estate company.
In 1998, ERA begins its 21st year supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Last year the company raised $2 million dollars through various fund-raising efforts. This year, ERA kicks-off its new Miles for MDA program in which local brokers and agents are encouraged to organize a walk, bike or run event in their local communities to raise money for MDA.
"My goal is for ERA Real Estate to become the most exciting and dynamic national real estate company in the country," said Burgdorff. "Our commitment to growing our people through technology, training and innovative marketing is what will position ERA for success into the next century."
ERA Franchise Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD), is a leader in the residential real estate industry with over 25 years experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services. The ERA Real Estate network includes more than 2,600 independently owned and operated brokerage offices with more than 27,000 brokers and sales associates throughout the United States and 16 other countries. ERA is available to consumers on the Internet at www.ERA.com.
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