Connells Group has signed a new five-year portal partnership with Zoopla, making the company the property portal’s first innovation partner.
Connells, which recently agreed terms to purchase Countrywide, will now, as a result of the new deal with the portal, consult on Zoopla’s new technology pipeline and trial exclusive products across its near 600 branches, paving the way for all the portal’s agent partners.
Following 18 months of development, and millions of pounds of investment, Zoopla last week unveiled ambitious plans for future growth.
Beyond Zoopla’s portal services, Connells Group will also work closely with brands across the Zoopla portfolio, including Hometrack and Uswitch.
“We’re delighted to enter into this long term commitment with Zoopla as a key part of our portal strategy,” said Connells Group estate agency chief executive David Plumtree.
He added: “We’re highly impressed with Zoopla’s investment in product development and welcome the opportunity of helping shape further innovations to aid us in our quest for further market share growth and to strengthen our offering for the benefit of our branch teams and customers.”
Reflecting in the new partnership, Andy Marshall, chief commercial officer at Zoopla, commented: “It is testament to the strength of our mutually-successful relationship that Connells Group has committed to a long-term partnership with Zoopla.
“Zoopla is uniquely positioned to support Connells Group’s ambitious plans for future growth. Our unrivalled combination of industry leading software, unparalleled data and insight from Hometrack, and the possibility of revenue diversification via our sister company, Uswitch, make Zoopla a well-rounded partner capable of supporting Connells on its next growth chapter.
“2021 will mark a new era for Zoopla as we raise the bar and set a new standard in industry innovation. Our significant investment in product and software coupled with our long-term strategic vision, which we are unveiling to our customer base now, has given Connells Group the confidence that Zoopla will be its perfect partner for the months and years to come.”
That sounds a real coup for ZPL in portal wars effectively hooking 2 big fish at once .
Should imagine yet another shrewd business move ,a deal no doubt secured on advantageous terms by the increasingly impressive Connells
I bet Boomin had been working overdrive all over them like a rash to land that account
A severe blow
Also a costly decision by OTM’ decision to pursue Connells through the courts as not only lost the opportunity forever but Countrywide too .
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The OTM decision to take on Connels was always going to end in tears.
Sometimes, it’s better to let things go, regroup and come back stronger for the experience.
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The relationship between Zoopla and Connells goes back years , it was essential OTM challenged the aggressive and underhand tactics of Zoopla and Connells designed to bring down OTM , read the judgement. No surprises John Notley the standard bearer of Zoopla price increases which was the catalyst for Agents Mutual now in charge of Countrywide, shouldn’t think they or Connells will be paying too much or anything for Zoopla but is it a commercial weakness not being on OTM which should be leveraged by their competitors
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Cue Zoopla’s declaration informing all the smaller independent agents that this is great news for them.
Given I endlessly have Zoopla reps trying to sell me everything and push me toward a host of suppliers already, what now, those same reps going after my stock for the benefit of their new partner, Connells Group?
I fail to see how this benefits me or my agency. So why didn’t Zoopla approach me for a Partnership, after all I pay subscriptions too. Oh yes, I do not benefit from the same level of National market share, and I do not have a large boardroom represented by participants who pass each other on a daily basis from their many interweaving dealings and back scratching.
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Id move to OTM if I were you-all sounds very cosy to me.
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