LJ Hooker launches Acceler8 to streamline digital marketing

A new marketing and brand ecosystem, designed to enhance digital capabilities, improve efficiencies, and boost lead generation, is set to be launched by the LJ Hooker Group to coincide with the expected high activity of the spring selling season.

Australasia's well-known real estate brand will introduce eight new tools under the name Acceler8, enabling sales agents and property managers in New Zealand and Australia to automate marketing and social media strategies with a few simple clicks.

Stephan Gervois, General Manager of Marketing, stated that the network has partnered with leading providers, such as Canva, RealHub, Properti, and Hubspot, to offer advanced resources and utilise the latest marketing technologies. "We are not just giving our house of brands a new lick of paint; we are resetting them by transforming the Group's digital marketing capabilities," he said.

Gervois further elaborated, "Our offices were creating over 170,000 unique social media assets, so we've now introduced a Canva enterprise solution. This streamlined design platform provides a one-stop shop with expertly designed branded templates for all our offices. It also integrates seamlessly with our new Social Hub on Properti, which features automated scheduling, and listing automation from CRM data."

He noted that this new approach enhances efficiency, delivers significant savings through corporate-negotiated rates, and keeps businesses top-of-mind for customers via effective digital marketing. "It means when you join the LJ Hooker Group, everything you need is readily available," Gervois added.

The Acceler8 hub was officially launched at the LJ Hooker Group's Pinnacle 2024 conference in Auckland, an event meant for exchanging insights, celebrating achievements, and connecting with peers across the network.

Agents using the new digital products have reported that the time required to upload assets has been substantially reduced to just 20 minutes, compared to several hours with the previous systems.

Head of Network New Zealand, Campbell Dunoon, expresses optimism that the transformed digital tools will enhance marketing efficiencies for both offices and agents. The tools also present the opportunity to increase lead generation by providing easy access to a diverse range of creative content designed to maximise exposure.

"Importantly, Acceler8 will deliver consistency across LJ Hooker," Dunoon stated. "Instead of every office doing their own thing, everyone will be able to communicate the same message across the board."

Dunoon emphasised the careful selection of providers to help agents automate all their marketing tasks, including creative design, operational material, listing proposals, and all promotions, whether print, social media, videos, or even merchandise.

The new digital hub encompasses eight key areas, with more additions expected in the future. The current areas are Brand Hub (powered by Canva), Social Hub (powered by Properti), Print Hub (powered by RealHub), Digital Hub (powered by Hubspot), Google My Reviews Hub (powered by Digital Mass), Merch Shop/Hub (powered by POD), Content Hub (brand content and design support), and Automation Hub (lead management and listing proposal automation).

Steve Howes, business owner for LJ Hooker Twizel, Lake Tekapo, and Fairlie, has praised the new digital offering for freeing up valuable time, allowing offices to focus on growing their businesses. "We're always keen to embrace new technologies that help us work smarter and faster, and that's exactly what these tools do," he said.

Howes highlighted that the tools provide a consistent approach to brand representation. He added, "The beauty of these tools is that they offer a one-stop shop for all the assets we need—catering to all skill levels within our team."

While user adoption can often be a significant challenge with new technology and platforms, Howes noted that it has not been an issue this time. "It's a testament to how user-friendly the system is. There's now no excuse for using outdated templates or for offices to create their own, less polished marketing materials," he said. "With head office producing high-quality deliverables and a seamless scheduling system in place, it's a win-win for everyone."