Audio: Sawbuck/A.H. Belo Conference Call
As promised, we have at the bottom of this post the 29 minute long press conference call where Candy and I ask Dave Ellett (vice president for A. H. Belo Corporation and president/GM of Belo Interactive Media), Guy Wolcott (CEO of Sawbuck Realty), Steve Barnes (co-founder of Sawbuck), and Chewy Redding (product manager for Belo Interactive Media) questions about the A.H. Belo/Sawbuck Realty online real estate partnership.
Just to warn you the quality of the audio ain’t great. Due to some extenuating circumstances I was participating via my iPhone on speaker phone setting so my recorder could pick up the conversation. If it sounds like I’m shouting in your ears I sincerely apologize.
If you want the quick summary of the A.H. Belo/Sawbuck deal here it is:
- A.H. Belo has invested $2 million in Sawbuck Realty.
- Sawbuck’s site will become the new face of the “Home Center” portion of The Dallas Morning News Web site.
- Clients who contact Sawbuck Realty to enquire about a home for sale will eventually be put in touch with a local “partner” agent who will show them the home and represent them as the buyer’s agent.
- If a home is sold via a lead from Sawbuck, Sawbuck will take 30 percent off the top of the 3 percent buyer’s agent commission.
- A.H. Belo will not directly receive proceeeds from these commissions, but they do have a stake in the company.
- Partner agents will be determined based on experience and other criteria set by Sawbuck. (I’ve heard five years experience and and at least 50 sales over the last five years.)
- A.H. Belo will continue to pursue traditional forms of ad revenue from real estate agents and brokerages. Good luck with that.
Click here to play the conference call
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