by Danielle Roberson | Aug 11, 2021 | Company News
Collabra Technology, Inc., a leading provider of digital marketing and collaboration solutions for the real estate industry, is pleased to announce the hiring of Russ Cofano as the company’s new president and CEO, following the retirement of co-founder and CEO Janet Case. Cofano also joins the company’s board. Cofano assumed his new role on August 9, 2021.
Cofano has over 30 years of senior leadership experience in nearly all facets of the real estate industry including brokerage, technology, MLS, associations and affiliated businesses. Cofano’s previous roles include president and general counsel of eXp World Holdings; senior vice president of Industry Relations at Move, Inc. (operator of realtor.com); vice president and general counsel at John L. Scott Real Estate, and CEO of the Missouri Realtors. Cofano holds BA and JD degrees from the University of Washington.
“Collabra is well-positioned for significant growth with the pending release of its new digital marketing platform,” said Cofano. “With competition increasing throughout the industry, new business models taking hold, and buyers and sellers having more service options than ever before, the demand for enhanced digital marketing solutions is on a major growth curve. I’m extremely optimistic about the company’s future and honored to have the opportunity to lead Collabra during these exciting times.”
“With an impressive track record in the real estate industry and related businesses, Russ is a tremendous addition to Collabra,” Case said. “We are delighted that he has joined us to lead the company forward.” Case will remain on the Collabra board of directors and continue to assist on strategic matters.
Jim DuBois, Collabra’s Board Chairman and former CIO of Microsoft®, was also enthusiastic of the hire. “The real estate industry is transforming in front of us and the market opportunities for Collabra are immense,” said Dubois. “With Russ’ proven ability to lead organizations in times of rapid growth, as well as his deep industry knowledge, we are excited about what’s in store for Collabra and our customers as he takes on this new role.”
Cofano will lead Collabra’s fall release of its dynamic marketing platform and a new partnership program for MLSs and media partners.
by Danielle Roberson | Sep 24, 2019 | Company News
Collabra Media Group Recognizes Outstanding Real Estate Photographers and Videographers
Collabra Technology Inc., a leader in professional real estate photography and digital marketing, announces its 2019 Visual Media Awards (VMAs) for outstanding real estate imagery to three Collabra Media Group specialists from across the country.
The Collabra VMAs are presented annually to honor real estate photography and videography providers for their artistic composition and technical skill.
Award winners are determined by peer voting from Collabra’s nationwide network of professional photographers, videographers, and media experts.
Larry Nitz of Oklahoma Property Tours in Tulsa won the Visual Media Award for the Best Video of the Year. Becky Beacham of 360Idaho in Boise earned the award for Best Aerial Photo, while Mark Lee of Mark Lee Photo in Los Angeles took top honors for Best Photo (DSLR).
Finalists included photographers Mike Dew and Michael Shelhart from The Photo Dewd in Riverside, Calif., and videographers Jeff Stein (TourFactory San Diego) and Eugene Michel (TourFactory Spokane). Photographer Bob Gojkovich, now with TourFactory Colorado, earned distinction for an image he captured for GloPro Media in Scottsdale, Ariz.
“With most buyers starting their home search online, today’s agents must make an immediate impression, before viewers scroll to the next listing,” said Collabra Technology CEO Janet Case. “Our photographers understand agents’ needs and expertly craft images that capture buyers’ attention.”
The Collabra Media Group comprises independent media professionals supporting real estate agents with a complete suite of marketing technology solutions and professional imagery to optimize presentations of their listings. Group members are authorized providers of TourFactory and Proxio products for digital and social media marketing.
“Our goal is to help agents market every listing efficiently and effectively,” Case said. “The high quality images from Collabra providers consistently contribute to stronger, faster sales. These photographers are truly the best of the best.”
The winning images can be seen here.
by Danielle Roberson | Sep 16, 2019 | Company News
Collabra Technology Inc., a nationwide media group that specializes in real estate technology has recently given a $1,200 donation to Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Collabra Technology’s CEO, Janet Case, presented the donation to the center on behalf of the company’s authorized providers and employees. The Spokane-based company offers virtual tours, marketing automation, and professional imagery locally and nationally via its Collabra Media Group partners, a network of professionals providing photography, video, and media services to the real estate industry.
The nationwide media group providers traveled from all over the country to Spokane for the annual Collabra Media Group conference. It was announced that in addition to speakers and roundtable discussions on the topic of advancing marketing for the real estate industry, the conference held this year included a “dunk tank” fundraising event.
Collabra Technology executives volunteered to be “dunked” in exchange for donations benefiting the hospital, which provides orthopedic surgery and therapy to children regardless of families’ ability to pay for treatment.
Case said, “Our partners welcomed the chance to support Shriners’ mission and service to children. The hospital’s leading work is just another reason to be proud of what Spokane has to offer.”
“It was worth getting wet for,” Case said.
by Danielle Roberson | Jul 19, 2019 | Product Launches & Technology Development
Collabra Technology Launches Innovative FlashCards™ Social Media Videos for Real Estate Marketing
Collabra Technology, the leading digital marketing platform for the real estate industry, announces the introduction of FlashCards™ instant property videos for real estate social media marketing, launched under the company’s TourFactory brand.
FlashCards automatically turn listing photos into eye-catching, looping videos optimized for the unique formats preferred by Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and WeChat. The TourFactory system personalizes each video with property details, list price, agent photo and contact information.
“FlashCards are designed to help real estate agents stand out and increase engagement on social media, which is crucial to garnering buyer interest,” said Collabra CEO Janet Case. “FlashCards streamline that portion of the marketing plan. They are also ideal for attaching to emails and texts.”
Over 13,000 FlashCards have already been delivered to individual agents across the U.S., and now more than 800 brokerage offices across the country will receive FlashCards as an upgrade to their TourFactory office technology package, with the videos available immediately after a listing is activated.
The company also offers FlashCards customized to brokerages and brands, plus a social media campaign package with different styles that highlight when a property is in the just-listed, open house, or just-sold stage. “No one else offers an automated, branded tool like this,” Case said. “It’s a great opportunity to set a brokerage apart and delight both agents and home sellers.”
“Video is favored by Facebook’s algorithms, so Facebook posts with FlashCards get an added boost,” said Collabra’s Multimedia Manager, Kevin Kelly. “Also, video is naturally captivating: Facebook users are 12 times more likely to click on a video than a still image. That attraction factor makes FlashCards videos the perfect base for a paid social ad or email campaign.”
Learn more at CollabraTechnology.com/FlashCards
by Danielle Roberson | Jan 3, 2019 | Archive
Collabra Technology Names David Sisson New Vice President of Products
Real estate technology leader Collabra Technology announced the hiring of David Sisson as Vice President of Products. A senior-level product executive, Sisson has more than 18 years’ experience in innovative digital technology development with top companies including Zillow Group.
As Vice President of Products for Collabra Technology, Sisson will drive efforts to enhance and expand the company’s groundbreaking, multilingual digital sales platform, which is already the chosen technology provider for top-tier real estate companies including Douglas Elliman, Knight Frank, Lennar International and Coldwell Banker.
Collabra Technology CEO Janet Case said Sisson’s “deep understanding of enterprise-level client needs and extensive product development experience will spearhead aggressive new development in all areas of the digital marketing space. Collabra Technology is already the best marketing and sales platform in the marketplace; with David’s strategic approach, our future includes new and innovative solutions for the world’s leading companies.”
Sisson is the former Director of Product Management for Zillow Group and has extensive consulting and product experience with a long list of client partners including Boeing’s Digital Aviation division, Microsoft’s Finance Group, and Expedia’s Call Center Technology Group.
Collabra Technology is a digital marketing company based in Spokane, Washington, and has been growing rapidly since its origins in early 2018 following a merger between TourFactory and Proxio.
