Century 21 Real Estate announced plans in January 2009 to shift marketing efforts digital to target consumers where they consume information online. In the first year, leads to franchisees increased 65% while decreasing cost per lead 50%. By the third quarter of 2010, total leads had increased 40% and cost per lead decreased 33% compared to 2009. The shift brought challenges in communicating the changes to the system and maintaining brand personality without television, but created opportunities to increase targeted leads for sales professionals through new digital media and social channels.