MEDIA RELEASE FROM NEW ZEALAND SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
September 15, 2016. For immediate release
Real estate agency announces major technology investment
Photo: NZ Sotheby’s International Realty National Marketing Director Clodagh Hall (left) and NZ Sotheby’s International
Realty co-owner Mark Harris stand outside the Arrowtown office, where the first interactive digital screen has been
installed.
A nationwide rollout of interactive digital technology installed on New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR)
office windows is set to revolutionise the way properties are listed and sold.
NZSIR is the first real estate agency in New Zealand to install the interactive digital screens, designed by Labyrinth
Solutions, across the country in a $100,000-plus investment.
Nine high-tech, fully-functional screens will be installed in the windows of NZSIR offices in the Bay of Islands,
Matakana, North Shore, Herne Bay, Parnell, Waiheke Island, Nelson and Marlborough in the next three months. The first
screen is now operational in Arrowtown and is the first of its kind for a real estate agency in the South Island.
The technology enables pedestrians to view the luxury real estate agency’s entire property portfolio from the street. NZSIR co-owner Mark Harris says the screens will improve the consumer real estate experience and provide a modern
platform for vendors to showcase their properties.
“The digital screens are fully functional and interactive – the technology is absolutely cutting-edge,” he says. “It’s
our vision to be innovative, lead the industry and surpass expectations, and the initiative does exactly that by
revolutionising the real estate experience for both vendors and property seekers. It’s high-level engagement in a really
accessible form.”
Property seekers can browse listings filtered to their requirements, either in their region or throughout the country.
By touching the outside window, they can navigate the indoor screen’s menu and proceed with multiple functions such as
viewing images and listing information, watching high-definition videos or emailing property details to themselves or a
friend. Users can also access driving directions or contact an NZSIR agent.
The 55” LG screens feature a high-bright 25000NIT display with anti-reflection treatment and can be viewed and used in
any weather, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Labyrinth Solutions managing director Vaughan Reed says the screens
leverage each physical office location to its maximum potential by capturing and engaging passing foot traffic.
“NZSIR is an elite brand in the global real estate market and therefore an important project for Labyrinth. The vision
that we had was to bring the clean, prestigious elements of the NZSIR brand into a touchscreen experience,” Reed says.
“The resulting layout allows the focus to be drawn to the wonderful property imagery and videos, and clearly outlines
who to contact to make an appointment. We’ve really tapped into the nature of the touchscreen – users are able to use
their hand to ‘swipe’, ‘tap’ and ‘touch’ to access all the functionality aspects of the interface.”
ENDS
About New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty is a specialist agency that focuses on the sale of premium property through
quality marketing and global networking. Founded in 2005 by Mark Harris and Julian Brown, the NZ branch of the global
company has 15 offices nationwide – in Herne Bay and Parnell in Auckland, Waiheke Island, Matakana, Bay of Islands,
Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Christchurch, Wanaka, Arrowtown and its head office in Queenstown. It is
part of Sotheby’s International Realty – the world’s leading luxury real estate company – with a global network of
approximately 845 offices and more than 19,000 affiliated independent sales associates throughout 63 countries. It is
through this unparalleled luxury network that NZSIR is able to access and market properties on an international level.