RE/MAX Ranks #1... in more ways than one!

Supported by two major consumer studies that add even more layers to the network’s industry-leading position, RE/MAX will aggressively market itself as the No. 1 brand in real estate, Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger told a crowd of nearly 1,000 at the 2011 RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference in Los Angeles Monday morning.

"Do you like this logo, combining the No. 1 and the RE/MAX Balloon? We’re going to put it on everything," Liniger said at the conference’s Opening General Session, noting that RE/MAX was already the clear leader in transactions, advertising, professional education and many other metrics. "We are No. 1, and we ought to be saying it."

The excitement is fueled in part by the recent J.D. Power and Associates announcement that RE/MAX ranked highest in customer satisfaction among both buyers and sellers. Dave and Gail Liniger received matching trophies during the session.

"We accept this on behalf of all RE/MAX Sales Associates, whose high level of service made this recognition possible," Dave Liniger said. "This honor belongs to them."

A second study, conducted by national research firm Synovate, adds even more weight to the idea that RE/MAX is No. 1 in the eyes of consumers. In this survey, buyers and sellers ranked RE/MAX highest, by a large margin, in top-of-mind awareness, recalled advertising, firm most likely to work with, firm most likely to recommend, and many other categories.

When asked what real estate company first came to mind, 34 percent of the respondents said RE/MAX, easily outdistancing Century 21 (25 percent), Coldwell Banker (11 percent), Prudential (4 percent) and Keller Williams (3 percent). Overall, 95 percent of the participants were aware of RE/MAX.

This type of brand power brings business to RE/MAX Sales Associates, Liniger said. And when they combine their individual skills and talents with the "800-pound gorilla" of RE/MAX brand marketing, they have an unbeatable edge.

"Anyone who says brand isn’t important is either lying or stupid," Liniger said. "Advertising doesn’t cost; it pays. It brings more customers to our agents, makes things easier and generates business for them. And when they follow through with excellent service, they create repeat clients and referrals."

Custom marketing materials, Liniger said, will help Sales Associates use the results of both studies in their listing presentations and other promotions.

"We are developing all sorts of things for agents to use on the front lines," Liniger said. "This is their achievement, and they will directly benefit from it."

Broker/Owners in attendance were pleased at the news.

"Being No. 1 in one thing is great, but being No. 1 in lots of ways is much, much better," said Bob Carlseen, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Praecelsus in Chula Vista, Calif. "Sales Associates are looking for messages that resonate with consumers, and this will give them something very tangible to use."

Paul Turcotte, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Destiny in Cambridge, Mass., agreed.

"Every year, the tools keep getting better," he said. "And we have the proof to back up what we’re saying. Data doesn’t lie. I love the new direction."

Other highlights from the session:

• A new quarterly RE/MAX magazine, called Above, will debut in October in print and in an electronic version.

• RE/MAX CEO Margaret Kelly said the launch of the new remax.com site has been delayed by IDX policy changes at the National Association of Realtors. But while the site’s listing functionality has been impacted by the changing rules, work on the design and content has continued, and Kelly shared a glimpse of the fresh and user-friendly home page. She also emphasized that the current remax.com is completely compliant with existing IDX rules and would not be affected by any decisions at the NAR national convention in November.

RE/MAX International Announces Success & Innovations

RE/MAX Meets the Demands of 2010 Market with Unique Educational Platform

Orlando, FL - March 2, 2010 - Speaking before an enthusiastic gathering of three thousand RE/MAX Affiliates from 43 countries around the world, Dave Liniger, Chairman and Co-Founder, encouraged the audience to be prepared for another challenging year in 2010. His recommendation to real estate professionals is to pursue educational opportunities and be specifically trained to help families who are facing difficult economic situations.

“It looks like we’re through the worst of this downturn, and 2010 should produce better results than 2009,” said Liniger. “But it’s not over yet, so real estate professionals need to keep doing what they’ve been doing; seek out the best education, use up-to-date technology and don’t forget good old-fashioned customer service.”

Linger stated that 2010 will likely see continued high numbers of distressed properties and to respond to the need for professional training, he announced a striking new initiative. RE/MAX University will become a broadcast quality streaming network with HD capabilities, available around the world both on the Internet, individual TV sets, and mobile devices.

“This educational advancement will revolutionize the way organizations train their employees,” said Liniger. “It’s a one-of-a-kind technology that provides a cost effective, high quality medium that facilitates ‘live’ interactive broadcasts and on-demand training to participants anywhere in the world.”

RE/MAX revolutionized training in the real estate industry 15 years ago with the launch of the RE/MAX Satellite Network. Now, it’s leading the way again with an innovative online media platform, designed by Mediafly and utilizing the broadband television delivery of a Roku digital video player.

The newly designed RE/MAX University provides the capability to create customized channels for different regions and offices, while providing easy on-demand access to the more than 1,200 educational titles in the RE/MAX University library.

RE/MAX University delivers programming for professional designations, certifications and other relevant education. It has won over 150 international film, video and training awards and in 2009 achieved the impressive milestone of registering 10,000 agents for a variety of courses.

Liniger was also pleased to remind the RE/MAX audience of the company’s many successes in 2009. * The highest number of transaction sides of any real estate organization * Agent productivity twice that of agents at other national franchises * RE/MAX was named the top real estate franchise in “The 2009 Franchise Times Top 200” * RE/MAX was also named a Top 10 Military Spouse Friendly Employer, a Top 50 Military Friendly Employer and Military Friendly Franchise * Worldwide sales of new franchises topped 630 * The addition of 7 countries, continuing an international presence greater than any competitor

Other significant announcements at the 2010 RE/MAX International Convention included the launch of a RE/MAX Brand Channel on YouTube, featuring a geo-targeting “Smart Map,” and the achievement of $100 million in donations to the Children’s Miracle Network.

“We have enjoyed an association with Children’s Miracle Network for over 15 years and we are thrilled to see the lives that this great organization has impacted,” said Vinnie Tracey, President of RE/MAX International. “We’re especially proud to see Garrett Terracciano, a Miracle Child from a RE/MAX family who is now studying to be a pediatric cardiologist.””

The RE/MAX audience was entertained with a humorous dialogue presented by political odd-couple James Carville and Mary Matalin, who provided their unique observations on contemporary politics and their secrets for a bi-partisan marriage.

Through the use of social media, tens of thousands of international “virtual attendees” participated in the convention, which included live video feeds from Argentina, Austria, Germany and Italy.