Data distribution continues to evolve. Even so, how many times have we heard, at industry events, comments like: "Not that subject again," or "haven't we already learned as much as we need to learn about syndication?".
At the last CMLS event in Boston at the end of September, Panel Moderator, Greg Robertson, asked panel participants who uttered the word syndication, to drink a shot of Patron tequila...and this was a panel on syndication! By the way, CMLS was superb and I recommend to all of our MLS Partners who are not participating, look into being a part of CMLS. To those of you who do participate in CMLS, congratulations. "MLS as an Industry" is upon us.
Back to syndication. Yes, I know the term is battered and bruised, but the conversation around syndication...the good, the bad, and the ugly, is hotter than ever. Data licensing, derivative works, search and display, and monetization of your MLS listings are conversations driving hundreds of millions of dollars of investment, around the content you provide to the world at no charge.
2013 is a year of change for Point2. We plan to introduce our new Listing Rights Management Platform to all of our current MLS Partners, along with the beginning of our efforts to align the contractual rights you grant Point2, with the data rights being requested by the publisher sites such as Yahoo, Zillow, et al.
Our Point2 Agent product suite is better than it has ever been, and getting better by the day. We added a property management solution to our products, Point2 Property Manager. All of our products are a great value for your members, subscribers and participants, and also provide revenue streams back to you.
And we have a few surprises up our sleeves for 2013 that we know you are going to love. In addition, I plan on spending 2013 presenting and explaining the future of the industry to anyone who is willing to listen. Members, Boards of Directors, Brokers...if you are interested, please let us know. The message is obvious and the time to express ourselves is now. The time to "take back our future" is here. I consider it a Crusade.
-Saul Klein
