This document outlines the agenda for the Property Portal Watch Conference taking place January 26-27 in New York. The conference will feature presentations and discussions on global trends in the property portal industry, how companies like Google, Juwai, and DIAKRIT are capturing new markets and driving more revenue. Additional sessions will look at new business models from companies like HomeCanvasr and ZoomSquare that are changing the traditional property portal model, and global insights from Mitula. The agenda covers topics across two days with speakers from leading property portal companies around the world.

1. Version
3
-­‐
FINAL
26/27
January
2015
Property
Portal
Watch
Conference
New
York
26th
–
27th
January
Time
Topic
Speaker
Overview
Monday
26
th
January
09:30
–
10:00
Registration
Coffee
and
Tea
provided
in
foyer
10:00
–
10:15
Kick
Off
Simon
Baker
–
Chairman,
Property
Portal
Watch
Overview
of
the
2
days
and
housekeeping
10:15
–
11:00
Global
Trends
in
the
Property
Portal
Industry
(Presentation)
Simon
Baker
–
Chairman,
Property
Portal
Watch
An
in
depth
look
at
the
trends
impacting
the
global
property
portal
industry
by
Simon
Baker,
the
founder
of
Property
Portal
Watch,
the
former
CEO/MD
of
the
REA
Group,
the
former
Chairman
of
iProperty
Group
and
a
serial
investor
in
the
property
portal
industry
11:00
–
11:30
Google
and
the
Online
Real
Estate
Space
(Presentation)
John
Thornton
–
Industry
Lead
at
Google
(USA)
Google
is
an
integral
player
in
the
global
online
real
estate
space.
They
are
a
provider
of
traffic
to
all
the
major
US
players.
As
a
result
of
this,
Google
has
developed
some
unique
insights
into
the
USA
online
real
estate
market.
This
session
looks
at
how
Google
is
working
with
the
online
real
estate
industry
and
what
unique
insights
it
is
finding.

2. Version
3
-­‐
FINAL
26/27
January
2015
Time
Topic
Speaker
Overview
11:30
–
12:00
How
Juwai
is
Capturing
the
Chinese
Overseas
Buyer
Market
(Interview)
Andrew
Taylor
–
CEO
and
Co-­‐
Founder
at
Juwai
(Japan)
Chinese
buyers
are
investing
billions
in
acquiring
real
estate
around
the
world.
One
of
the
challenges
for
all
agents
is
how
to
get
their
properties
in
front
of
this
attractive
segment.
Juwai
has
the
answer.
Over
the
last
four
years
they
have
built
a
business
that
markets
international
properties
to
the
Chinese
audience.
This
session
looks
at
how
they
have
built
the
business,
how
they
provide
their
services
to
the
Chinese
market,
and
where
they
see
this
market
evolving
over
the
coming
years.
12:00
–
12:30
Driving
More
Revenue
from
the
New
Homes
Developer
Segment
(Presentation)
Dick
Karlsson
–
Executive
Vice
President
and
Co-­‐Founder
at
DIAKRIT
(Thailand)
For
many
portals
the
new
development
segment
has
significant
potential.
This
segment
is
bound
to
grow
as
the
developers
better
understand
how
to
leverage
the
internet
for
leads.
One
area
portals
need
to
consider
is
how
to
improve
the
presentation
of
new
developments
on
their
site
to
improve
consumer
engagement
and
generate
more
leads
(and
therefore
revenue).
The
team
at
DIAKRIT
are
developing
a
range
of
new
construction
products
to
help
increase
the
volume
of
leads
generated
on
portals
for
new
developments.
12:30
–
14:00
Lunch
Free
time
for
networking
14:00
–
14:30
Turning
The
Property
Portal
Model
on
its
Head
(Presentation)
Jonah
Landman
–
Co-­‐Founder
at
HomeCanvasr
(USA)
Homecanvasr
is
a
new
take
on
the
property
portal
model.
It
is
the
first
buyer-­‐focused
'private'
real
estate
marketplace
that
allows
for
supply
&
demand
to
interact
like
no
other
platform
(think
NASDAQ
for
real
estate).
It
leverages
real-­‐time
buyer
data
to
get
access
to
properties
first
-­‐
be
it
a
pre-­‐
market
Corcoran
listing,
off-­‐market
property,
'sell
curious'
homeowner
which
is
testing
the
waters,
or
just
a
FSBO
that
is
looking
for
that
DIY
concept.
This
session
looks
at
how
this
new
model
can
make
waves
in
a
big
market.

3. Version
3
-­‐
FINAL
26/27
January
2015
Time
Topic
Speaker
Overview
14:30
–
15:00
A
New
Way
of
Searching
for
Real
Estate
–
ZoomSquare
(Presentation)
Andreas
Langegger
–
CEO
and
Co-­‐
Founder
at
ZoomSquare
(Austria)
Startup
zoomsquare
is
approaching
search
from
a
different
perspective:
It
is
capturing
the
requirements
of
the
buyer
and
finds
then
links
to
listings
on
the
Web
that
best
match
these
requirements.
Once
these
are
presented
at
a
high
level
to
the
searcher,
they
are
then
directed
to
the
source
site.
Furthermore,
it
aggregates
Open
Data
and
other
valuable
information
for
the
user
in
order
to
provide
a
new
search
experience,
such
as
search
nearby
underground
stations,
green
areas,
fitness
studios,
etc.
This
session
looks
at
how
zoomsquare
is
using
technology
to
change
the
way
in
which
we
search
for
real
estate
in
future.
15:00
–
15:30
Global
Insights
From
Around
the
Property
Portal
World
(Presentation)
Javier
Ortiz
–
COO
at
Mitula
(Spain)
Mitula
is
a
vertical
search
engine
for
real
estate,
cars
and
jobs
classified
ads.
It
helps
users
find
their
dream
home,
car
or
job
amongst
thousands
of
classified
webs
and
portals
around
the
world.
For
portals
and
classified
sites
it
generates
qualified
user
traffic
and
added
exposure
of
their
content
throughout
the
web.
In
just
over
4
years
it
has
become
one
of
the
world
leaders
on
this
business
with
specific
search
indexes
in
more
than
37
countries
and
14
languages.
We
index
over
180
million
classified
ads
which
are
updated
daily
to
our
millions
of
monthly
users.
15:30
–
16:00
Networking
Break
Coffee
and
Tea
provided
in
foyer
16:00
–
16:30
How
ImmobilienScout24
is
Improving
the
Agent
and
Consumer
Value
Proposition
(Presentation)
Christian
Henk
–
VP
Consumer
at
Immobilienscout24
(Germany)
Volker
Wohlfarth
–
VP
Business
Customer
at
Immobilienscout24
(Germany)
Over
the
last
year
ImmoScout24
has
introduced
a
range
of
new
products
and
services
to
improve
the
overall
value
proposition
for
the
consumer
and
the
agent.
The
include
a
new
results
list
for
the
consumer,
the
launch
of
the
ImmobilienScout24
Membership
for
agents,
new
branding
opportunities
and
much
more.
This
session
looks
at
the
changes
that
have
been
rolled
out
and
how
they
have
improved
the
overall
relationship
with
the
consumer
and
the
agent.

4. Version
3
-­‐
FINAL
26/27
January
2015
Time
Topic
Speaker
Overview
16:30
–
17:00
How
Portals
Can
Make
Agents
More
Successful
–
Lessons
from
Realtor.com
(Presentation)
Eleonore
Rojas
–
VP,
Partnerships
and
Product
Integration
at
Move
Inc
(USA)
Traditionally
property
portals
have
been
all
about
advertising
and
advertising
solutions.
Most
of
the
products
and
services
offered
have
been
developed
from
the
perspective
of
the
portal
and
how
the
portal
can
maximise
its
revenue.
However,
as
the
industry
evolves,
portals
also
need
to
evolve
and
move
towards
the
provision
of
solutions
for
real
estate
agents
that
make
the
agents
successful.
This
session
looks
at
how
realtor.com
is
developing
solutions
to
make
agents
successful
and
how
it
is
cutting
through
the
noise
in
the
market
to
sign
up
agents.
(C)
17:00
–
17:30
Future
Directions
for
Property
Portals
(Panel
Discussion)
Mats
Brandt
–
CEO
at
Hemnet
(Sweden)
Keizo
Tsutsui
-­‐
Head
of
Overseas
Business
and
Venture
Investment
at
Next
(Japan)
It
is
time
to
dust
off
the
crystal
ball
and
look
at
the
future
of
property
portals
around
the
world.
This
panel
discussion
will
look
at
what
2015
and
beyond
could
hold
for
property
portals.
19:00
onwards
Drinks
Venue
Hudson
Common
at
356
W.
58
th
Street,
New
York
Sponsored
by
Mitula
and
Property
Portal
Watch
Tuesday
27
th
January

5. Version
3
-­‐
FINAL
26/27
January
2015
Time
Topic
Speaker
Overview
08:45
–
09:00
Introduction
Simon
Baker
–
Chairman,
Property
Portal
Watch
Overview
of
the
day
09:00
–
09:30
Zulia
vs.
Move
–
Who
Will
Win?
(Interview)
Brian
Boero
–
Founder,
1000watt
Consulting
(USA)
Over
the
last
12
months
there
have
been
significant
changes
in
the
US
market
with
the
two
biggest
being
Zillow
has
acquiring
Trulia
and
News
Corp
acquiring
Move.
The
question
is
now
a
simple
one
–
who
will
win
in
the
long
term?
Zulia
has
the
head
start
however
Move
with
the
backing
of
News
Corp
and
now
being
out
of
the
listed
company
spotlight
could
take
on
the
leader
and
win.
Brian
Boero,
a
leading
consultant
to
the
US
real
estate
industry,
shares
his
thoughts
on
this
winner
take
all
battle.
09:30
–
10:00
Property
Portals
–
What
Do
the
Advertisers
Really
Want?
(Interview/Panel)
Mike
Montsko
–
CEO
at
Weicherts
Lead
Network
(USA)
Property
portals
around
the
world
have
something
in
common
–
they
all
serve
brokers,
agents
and
developers.
While
many
portals
are
good
at
providing
the
products
and
solutions
they
think
their
customers
want,
they
often
miss
the
mark.
This
panel
session
discusses
what
the
broker
and
agent
advertisers
really
want
from
a
property
portal
and
also
looks
at
how
the
portals
and
their
customers
can
work
more
closely
together.
TBC
10:00
–
10:30
Auction.com
–
Participating
in
the
Real
Estate
Transaction
Revenue
Stream
(Presentation)
Rick
Sharga
–
EVP
at
Auction.com
(USA)
Billions
of
dollars
each
year,
in
the
form
of
commissions,
flow
through
the
real
estate
transaction
revenue
stream.
Most
portals
tinker
around
the
edges
and
capture
some
of
the
marketing
dollars
however
one
portal,
auction.com,
is
knee
deep
in
the
transaction
revenue
stream.
In
2014
they
will
close
around
USD
8
billion
in
online
sales.
Rick
Sharga
from
Auction.com
will
discuss
the
business
model,
the
growth
of
the
business,
how
they
work
with
the
industry
and
why
Google
invest
USD
50
million
into
the
business.
10:30
–
11:00
Networking
Break
Coffee
and
tea
provided
in
foyer

6. Version
3
-­‐
FINAL
26/27
January
2015
Time
Topic
Speaker
Overview
11:00
–
11:45
By
Realtors
and
For
Realtors:
Industry
Portals
in
the
US
(Panel
Discussion)
Celeste
Starchild
–
VP
and
GM
at
ListHub
(USA)
Bob
Hale
–
President
and
CEO
at
Houston
Association
of
REALTORS
(USA)
Russ
Cofano
–
SVP,
Industry
Relations
at
Move,
Inc.
(USA)
Jeb
Griffin
–
Director,
Strategy
and
Product
Management
at
RE/MAX
(USA)
Industry
portals
are
a
hot
topic
around
the
world.
In
the
UK,
OnTheMarket
is
making
waves
and
impacting
the
valuations
of
both
Rightmove
and
Zoopla.
In
Australia,
Squiiz
has
hit
the
market
with
the
objective
of
taking
back
control
of
the
listings
from
the
REA
Group
and
Domain.
In
the
US
there
is
realtor.com,
which
is
owned
by
the
industry
but
operated
by
Move.com.
With
the
recent
acquisition
of
Move
by
News
Corp
for
USD
950m,
it
is
likely
that
Move
will
become
more
aggressive
in
driving
revenues
from
its
flag
ship
realtor.com.
Is
there
the
opportunity
and
does
it
make
sense
for
the
US
real
estate
industry
to
take
the
lead
of
its
UK
and
Australian
cousins
and
set
up
and
operate
its
own
site?

7. Version
3
-­‐
FINAL
26/27
January
2015
Time
Topic
Speaker
Overview
11:45
–
12:15
Customer
Loyalty
as
The
Most
Important
Strategic
Pillar
(Presentation)
Koen
Peeperkorn
–
Director
Product
Development
at
Funda
(Netherlands)
Jan
Werkman
–
Commercial
Director
at
Funda
(Netherlands)
The
major
part
of
Funda’s
revenue
is
earned
as
a
result
of
strong
relationships
with
realtors.
In
this
keynote
presentation
Funda
outlines
the
way
the
Dutch
real
estate
market
functions
and
which
strategies
were
implemented
to
secure
the
realtor’s
loyalty
to
Funda.
12:15
–
12:45
The
Costly
Bot
Problem
in
Property
Portals
(Presentation)
Rami
Essaid
–
CEO
and
Co-­‐founder
at
Distil
Networks
(USA)
Bots
are
a
high-­‐risk
threat
to
the
property
portal
industry.
They
steal
listing
data
while
distributing
and
utilizing
it
elsewhere
on
the
web.
Listing
data
is
valuable
and
in
higher
demand
than
ever
before,
resulting
in
more
frequent
and
more
powerful
bot
attacks
–
which
can
additionally
increase
bandwidth
and
server
costs.
This
sessions
discusses
the
warning
signs
of
an
attack,
the
cost
and
damage
that
bots
cause,
and
what
measures
you
can
take
to
prevent
any
further
threats
against
your
website.
12:45
–
14:00
Lunch
Free
Time
for
Networking
14:00
–
14:30
What
it
takes
to
Run
a
CRM
Software
Business
(Presentation/Interview)
Carlos
Matias
-­‐
CEO
&
Managing
Director
at
Gryphtech
(Canada)
Property
portals
around
the
world
are
constantly
looking
for
ways
in
which
they
can
expand
their
businesses.
One
area
the
many
go
into
is
the
provision
of
CRM
software
to
the
agents
–
their
customers.
In
theory
CRM
Software
businesses
are
a
relatively
simple
business
to
add
onto
a
portal
however
there
are
many
challenges
to
making
this
happen.
This
session
looks
at
what
it
takes
to
run
a
successful
and
profitable
CRM
software
business.

8. Version
3
-­‐
FINAL
26/27
January
2015
Time
Topic
Speaker
Overview
14:30
–
15:00
Building
a
Market
Leader
in
Brazil
–
A
Sales
and
Marketing
Led
Approach
(Interview)
Lucas
Vargas
–
VP
Sales
at
VivaReal
(Brazil)
Over
the
last
5
years
the
team
at
VivaReal
has
systematically
built
a
market
leading
property
portal
in
the
rapidly
growing
and
highly
attractive
Brazilian
market.
Although
the
platform
and
products
have
been
well
developed
and
implemented,
it
is
the
approach
the
sales
and
marketing
that
has
truly
helped
differentiate
it
from
it
competitors.
During
this
session,
we
will
explore
how
VivaReal
has
systematically
gone
about
build
a
strong
sales
and
marketing
team
and
how
it
has
taken
on
the
Brazilian
market.
15:00
–
15:30
Working
Closely
with
Agents
–
The
TradeMe
Experience
(Presentation)
Alistair
Helm
–
Head
of
Product
at
TradeMe
(New
Zealand)
TradeMe
dominates
the
New
Zealand
market.
It
is
a
general
classifieds
site
that
is
the
5th
most
trafficked
site
in
New
Zealand.
Out
of
a
population
of
just
4m,
TradeMe
generates
over
20
million
visits.
TradeMe
is
also
the
most
popular
place
to
search
for
real
estate
in
New
Zealand.
Just
under
2
years
ago
TradeMe
changed
its
real
estate
advertising
model
and
this
lead
to
a
major
backlash
from
New
Zealand
agents
and
opened
the
door
for
its
competitor,
realestate.co.nz,
to
gain
ground.
Since
then,
TradeMe
has
listened
closely
to
its
customers.
Alistair
Helm,
the
former
CEO
of
realestate.co.nz
and
now
the
Head
of
Product
for
TradeMe
will
discuss
what
went
wrong,
the
lessons
learned
and
how
TradeMe
rebuilt
the
agent’s
trust.
15:30
–
16:00
Networking
Break
Coffee
and
tea
provided
in
foyer
16:00
–
16:30
Taking
on
a
Well
Funded
Competitor
–
The
South
African
Market
(Presentation)
Simon
Bray
–
CEO
at
Private
Property
(South
Africa)
Privateproperty.co.za
is
in
an
intense
competitive
battle
with
the
Naspers
backed
Property24.
In
spite
of
this
intense
competitive,
Privateproperty
is
making
strong
progress
in
the
South
African
market.
This
session
looks
at
how
privateproperty
is
taking
on
property24
looking
at
the
initiatives
that
are
working
and
what
else
can
be
done.

9. Version
3
-­‐
FINAL
26/27
January
2015
Time
Topic
Speaker
Overview
16:30
–
17:00
Why
Is
So
Much
Money
Being
Poured
into
the
India
Property
Portal
Market
(Interview)
Ganesh
Vasudevan
–
CEO
at
India
Property
(India)
As
one
of
the
“BRICs
(Brazil,
Russia,
India,
China)”
India
has
always
been
as
a
land
of
opportunity
for
property
portals.
In
the
last
12
–
18
months
investment
money
has
been
pouring
into
the
major
Indian
property
portals.
This
session
looks
at
the
structure
of
the
Indian
market,
the
main
players,
and
why
so
much
money
is
being
invested
into
the
Indian
market.
Indiaproperty.com
is
the
leader
in
the
new
build
marketing,
and
over
the
last
year,
have
introduced
an
array
of
differentiated
products
and
experiences
in
new
property
marketing.
What
have
the
done
to
differentiate
and
stay
relevant
in
a
highly
competitive
market
with
well-­‐funded
players?
17:00
–
17:30
Conference
Wrap
Up
Simon
Baker
–
Chairman,
Property
Portal
Watch
20:00
–
22:00
Drinks
Venue
Pinnacle
Bar
within
the
Hilton
Times
Square
at
234
W
42nd
St.
Sponsored
with
Distil
Networks