User-generated content provides personalized view into homes for sale by CENTURY 21® agents across the country
July 18, 2008 // Franchising.com // PARSIPPANY, N.J. — CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC today announced the winners of the My CENTURY 21 Open House Video Contest. Through a popular vote on YouTube™, viewers selected the top 10 entries. The user-generated video contest inspired dozens of creative submissions on the recently launched CENTURY 21 Channel, the housing industry's first branded YouTube channel. The grand prize was awarded to "Steak Out," produced by Dave Janelle and his CENTURY 21 professional champion, Michael Lefebvre of Franklin, MA.
The winning video entry, selected by a panel of CENTURY 21 corporate marketing employees, featured a humorous adaptation of a "whodunit" mystery story. The video showcases Janelle's home, where a detective, real estate agent helped resolve the mystery of missing steaks. The agent and seller stealthily describe the outstanding features of the home while tracing clues through each room.
As the first prize winner, Janelle will receive a $21,000 check and an HDTV. As the accompanying winning agent, Michael will receive an HDTV. To view the winning entry, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WFV3S44Y6g.
"The CENTURY 21 System is thrilled to announce Dave Janelle and Michael Lefebvre as the winning customer and agent team. Their enthusiasm, creativity and plot resonated with the audience on this digital platform," said Bev Thorne, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Century 21 Real Estate LLC. "YouTube is one of the many digital platforms that we have integrated into our marketing initiatives to further educate and serve consumers in today's evolving marketplace."
To engage both consumers and agents during the Channel launch, the CENTURY 21 System hosted the My CENTURY 21 Open House Contest, a user-generated video contest where sellers worked with their CENTURY 21 agent to create an "open house" video for submission on www.youtube.com/century21. Contest entrants were encouraged to conduct an emotional walkthrough of the home, using humor and creativity to provide an entertaining tour. Instead of the traditional photographs and videos on today's real estate sites, videos uploaded by agents and sellers on YouTube have a personal touch that can help a prospective buyer better decide which homes may be right for their needs.
"The My CENTURY 21 Open House Contest was a fun and creative way to showcase the Janelle family home as well as teach potential buyers about the standout features of their house," said Michael Lefebvre, CENTURY 21 Commonwealth agent. "The contest generated many inquiries about Janelle's house from people who have seen the video. This is a clear example of the impact of online resources in today's housing market."
"When Michael initially shared the idea, we jumped on board. We thought it was such an interesting way to leverage our house in today's market," said Dave Janelle, Franklin, MA, homeowner. "It's so exciting that we won! My wife, Sandy, and I can't wait to put the new HDTV in our new home."
About Century 21 Real Estate LLC
Century 21 Real Estate LLC (www.Century21.com) is the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, providing comprehensive training, management, administrative and marketing support for the CENTURY 21 System. The System is comprised of more than 8,800 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 60 countries and territories worldwide. Century 21 Real Estate LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services.
© 2008 Century 21 Real Estate LLC, A Realogy Company. CENTURY 21® Is A Registered Trademark Licensed To Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each CENTURY 21 Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.
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