Press Room

Contact:                                                                                                                           
Meredith Mobley                                                                                     
Marketing Communications Coordinator
meredith.mobley@forrent.com
Phone: 757-351-7366
Fax: 757-961-4827

For Rent Media Solutions breaks down “Twitter Talk” with Tweet Spot

Industry leader brings multi-housing’s first Twitter educational session to annual marketing conference

NORFOLK, Va.-(Nov. 17, 2009) - Hashtags, re-tweets, DMs? What does it all mean? For Rent Media Solutions, a leading apartment resource for searching apartments nationwide, and a division of Dominion Enterprises, will answer these questions as they host the multi-housing industry’s first Tweet Spot during this year’s Brainstorming Sessions^TM held at the Hyatt Regency in Houston,  Nov. 18-20.

Twitter “newbies” and power users alike are in for the ultimate Twitter experience during this year’s Multifamily Pro Brainstorming Sessions. At the Tweet Spot, attendees will learn more about leveraging the power of Twitter. Topics include:

• How to create a Twitter profile

• How to perform basic functions within the site

• Twitter terminology

• Tools to enhance user experience

• Why Twitter is beneficial for businesses

• How to cross-link with other social media sites

“The Tweet Spot is a great way for Brainstorming attendees and Twitter users of all experience levels to increase their Twitter knowledge,” says Tami L. Siewruk, chief imagination officer, Multifamily Pro. “It also creates the perfect opportunity to network and put Twitter handles to faces!”

Brainstorming allows multi-housing professionals to come together and generate creative ideas to improve their marketing campaigns. Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak to For Rent’s new media experts and participate in educational sessions regarding the social networking platform.

During the show, attendees can participate in “Tweetups,” meetings organized through Twitter and hosted by For Rent Media Solutions, to network and meet other attendees. These Tweetups help attendees turn their online network into reality, allow them to see who’s “following” who and maximize their social networking by meeting and mingling with the industry’s social media savvy.

Twitter users can follow For Rent Media Solutions at http://www.twitter.com/aptsforrent. Stay connected to the conference by searching for the hashtag #mfbsconf. A hashtag is a simple way to catalog and connect tweets about a specific topic. Any tweet regarding Brainstorming will include this hashtag.

For more information about this year’s Multifamily Pro Brainstorming Sessions, visit http://www.multifamilypro.com/brainstorming.htm.

About For Rent Media Solutions^TM

Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., For Rent Media Solutions is a division of Dominion Enterprises and a leading resource for choosing your next apartment for rent. As the multi-family housing solution for apartment seekers and property managers, For Rent Media Solutions operates For Rent Magazine^® and publishes 99 magazines covering more than 190 markets nationwide. In addition, For Rent Media Solutions operates four addition websites, including ForRent.com. For Rent Media Solutions is a company dedicated to the needs of the apartment industry, bringing prospective residents and apartment communities together.

About Dominion Enterprises

Dominion Enterprises is a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, and employment industries. The company’s businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, Web site design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 45 market-leading Web sites reaching more than 16.7 million unique visitors, and more than 450 magazines with a weekly circulation of 4.3 million. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 5,400 employees in more than 200 offices nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.dominionenterprises.com/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:  
Meredith Mobley
Marketing Communications Coordinator
meredith.mobley@forrent.com
Phone: 757-351-7366
Fax: 757-961-4827

Online video reaches major milestone and continues to gain popularity in the multi-housing industry

NORFOLK, Va.-(September 21, 2009)- A record 81 percent of U.S. Internet users watched online video in July 2009, according to an August 2009 study from comScore Media Metrix, a leader in digital measurement. The 158 million viewers was the largest audience ever recorded. At the same time, For Rent Media Solutions, a division of Dominion Enterprises, launched its 2000^th Community Theater^® online video. Both records point to the expanding role of online video in the multi-housing industry.

“For Rent Media Solutions understands why it’s important for multi-housing professionals to incorporate video into online marketing efforts,” says Terry Slattery, president of For Rent Media Solutions. “Combined, top social media and video sharing sites like YouTube^TM and MySpace^TM attracted nearly 170 million viewers in the U.S. alone who viewed more than 9 billion videos in July. These record-breaking numbers serve as proof of online video’s effectiveness and support the appeal of online video amongst consumers.”

Online video is growing as a cost-effective, dynamic form of media for multi-housing professionals to reach potential renters. For Rent Media Solutions^TM distributes its online video product, Community Theater, through a comprehensive syndicated video network. This network includes MySpace, Twitter and video sharing sites like YouTube. In August 2009, these videos were viewed more than 914,000 times.

In the multi-housing industry, online videos create an opportunity for property managers to expand their reach, frequency, impact and interactivity to a vast and diverse audience.  The launch of For Rent Media Solutions’ 2,000th live video re-emphasizes the company’s support of online marketing backed by traditional print advertising. Each listing in For Rent Magazine^® has a unique URL that guides apartment seekers directly to that listing’s ad on ForRent.com, the main location where Community Theater videos are housed.

Visit comScore.com to view additional collected data on the U.S. online video market. To learn more about online video and For Rent Media Solutions’ online video strategy, contact Mike D’Alba, director of mobile media.

About For Rent Media Solutions^TM

Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., For Rent Media Solutions is a division of Dominion Enterprises and a leading resource for choosing your next apartment for rent. As the multi-family housing solution for apartment seekers and property managers, For Rent Media Solutions operates For Rent Magazine^® and publishes 99 magazines covering more than 190 markets nationwide. In addition, For Rent Media Solutions operates four addition websites, including ForRent.com. For Rent Media Solutions is a company dedicated to the needs of the apartment industry, bringing prospective residents and apartment communities together.

About Dominion Enterprises

Dominion Enterprises is a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, and employment industries. The company’s businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, Web site design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 45 market-leading Web sites reaching more than 16.7 million unique visitors, and more than 450 magazines with a weekly circulation of 4.3 million. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 5,400 employees in more than 200 offices nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.dominionenterprises.com/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:
Meredith Mobley
Marketing Communications Coordinator
meredith.mobley@forrent.com
Phone: 757-351-7366
Fax: 757-961-4827

Natalie Cariola promoted to southern California regional manager of For Rent Media Solutions

Former general manager transitions into her new role as regional manager

NORFOLK, Va.-(September 17, 2009)-For Rent Media Solutions, a leading apartment resource for searching apartments nationwide, and a division of Dominion Enterprises, is proud to announce Natalie Cariola’s promotion to regional manager of the company’s southern California region. In addition to Las Vegas, this new region includes the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego markets in California.

 ”Over the past several years, Natalie has demonstrated tremendous sales and management leadership in Los Angeles,” says Terry Slattery, president of For Rent Media Solutions. “In 2008, she received the Ernie Martin Outstanding Operations of the Year award, named after the company’s first president. This highly coveted award honors the best overall market in the nation. With her drive and determination, Natalie will lead the southern California region into an even more successful new year.”

Cariola joined For Rent Media Solutions in 2004 as a general manager. Since she joined, Cariola is a three-time winner of the President’s Club award, an award that recognizes the company’s top selling account executives in the nation for their efforts. Under her leadership, the For Rent Media Solutions Los Angeles market has been recognized for its outstanding sales and operation efforts. Before joining the company, Cariola worked with Homestore, Inc. as a national account director and then as regional sales manager, overseeing both inside and outside sales.

“I am honored to step into the role of regional manager for the For Rent Media Solutions southern California market,” said Cariola. “I am proud of the success our company continues to experience and look forward to finding more innovative ways to promote our clients and their properties.”

As regional manager, Cariola will oversee sales and operations for southern California.

About For Rent Media Solutions^TM

Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., For Rent Media Solutions is a division of Dominion Enterprises and a leading resource for choosing your next apartment for rent. As the multi-family housing solution for apartment seekers and property managers, For Rent Media Solutions operates For Rent Magazine^® and publishes 99 magazines covering more than 190 markets nationwide. In addition, For Rent Media Solutions operates four addition websites, including ForRent.com. For Rent Media Solutions is a company dedicated to the needs of the apartment industry, bringing prospective residents and apartment communities together.

About Dominion Enterprises

Dominion Enterprises is a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, and employment industries. The company’s businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, Web site design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 45 market-leading Web sites reaching more than 16.7 million unique visitors, and more than 450 magazines with a weekly circulation of 4.3 million. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 5,400 employees in more than 200 offices nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.dominionenterprises.com/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            Contact:                                                                                                                             Meredith Mobley                                                                                 
Marketing Communications Coordinator
meredith.mobley@forrent.com
Phone: 757-351-7366
Fax: 757-961-4827

Online video increases lead generation by 30 percent for multi-housing advertisers

For Rent Media Solutions advertisers who use video in their marketing initiatives reap the benefits

NORFOLK, Va.-(August 25, 2009)- Property managers who incorporate video into their marketing initiatives see a significant increase in lead generation, according to For Rent Media Solutions, a leading apartment resource for searching apartments nationwide, and a division of Dominion Enterprises. By monitoring marketing activity in its LEADS^TM Dashboard, For Rent has observed that advertisers who add online video to their marketing initiatives increase lead generation by an average of 30 percent and by as much as 309 percent in some markets.

In Denver, two For Rent Media Solutions properties that incorporated the Community Theater^® video product into their advertising efforts saw an increase in LEADS of more than 309 percent. Community Theater allows property managers to put their communities on display through an online video commercial. Through Community Theater, potential renters get an inside look at the property of their choice. The jump in LEADS that advertisers are experiencing nationwide has been credited to these videos.

“Audiences across the nation are attracted to online video,” noted Terry Slattery, president of For Rent Media Solutions. “With LEADS increasing by more than 200 percent in some markets, it is evident our online video product Community Theater is generating the LEADS that deliver leases for property managers.”

More than 80.7 percent of mobile users coming to the ForRent.com mobile Web site can view video, according to Omniture SiteCatalyst^®, a Web analytic resource. comScore Media Metrix shows that  81.2 percent of the total U.S. Internet audience viewed online video in June 2009. The average online video viewer watched 453 minutes of video, or nearly 7.6 hours.

A recent survey of more than 400 senior-level decision makers, conducted by PermissionTV, shows online video is the top priority for digital marketing budgets. Nearly 64 percent use online video for branded content and video destination and more than two thirds of respondents reported that strengthening relationships with existing customers and prospects is the primary goal of online video initiatives.

To learn more about Community Theater, please email community.theater@forrent.com.

About For Rent Media Solutions^TM

Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., For Rent Media Solutions is a division of Dominion Enterprises and a leading resource for choosing your next apartment for rent. As the multi-family housing solution for apartment seekers and property managers, For Rent Media Solutions operates For Rent Magazine^® and publishes 99 magazines covering more than 190 markets nationwide. In addition, For Rent Media Solutions operates four addition websites, including ForRent.com. For Rent Media Solutions is a company dedicated to the needs of the apartment industry, bringing prospective residents and apartment communities together.

About Dominion Enterprises

Dominion Enterprises is a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, and employment industries. The company’s businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, Web site design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 45 market-leading Web sites reaching more than 16.7 million unique visitors, and more than 450 magazines with a weekly circulation of 4.3 million. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 5,400 employees in more than 200 offices nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.dominionenterprises.com/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: 
Meredith Mobley 
Marketing Communications Coordinator
meredith.mobley@forrent.com
Phone: 757-351-7366
Fax: 757-961-4827

ForRent.com and Homes.com partner to expand consumer housing options

ForRent.com is the exclusive provider of apartment listings for leading real estate Web site

NORFOLK, Va.-(June 10, 2009)-ForRent.com, anchor Web site for For Rent Media Solutions^TM, a leading apartment resource for searching apartments nationwide, and a division of Dominion Enterprises, will be the sole content provider of apartment rental properties on Homes.com. The exclusive partnership will provide additional exposure for property managers and offering multiple housing solutions for homeowners.

“During these economically challenging times, homeowners are seeking additional housing options,” said Terry Slattery, president of For Rent Media Solutions. “This partnership with Homes.com, our sister company, provides us with a great opportunity to further extend the reach of our apartment listings to one of the leading real estate Web sites. Ideally, this will create an opportunity for the homeowner seeking a variety of housing solutions in one location, allowing them to search for homes for sale, homes for rent and, now, apartments for rent.”

In April, Homes.com attracted nearly 2.3 million unique visitors, according to comScore Media Metrix. Those visitors can now find apartment listings on Homes.com by clicking on the Rentals tab, typing in their desired location, and selecting “Apartment Rentals.” Users can view apartment descriptions, online videos, photos, floor plans, interactive maps and have instant contact with thousands of ForRent.com communities.

“We are pleased to add ForRent.com’s apartment communities to Homes.com,” said Jason Doyle, Homes.com vice president and general manager. ”Choosing ForRent.com as Homes.com’s exclusive content provider is part of our continued effort to become the premier online destination for homebuyers, sellers, renters and real estate professionals. Expanding the Homes.com search experience with ForRent.com’s content provides a valuable resource for today’s renters.”

About For Rent Media Solutions^TM

Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., For Rent Media Solutions is a division of Dominion Enterprises. As the multi-family housing solution for apartment seekers, property/apartment managers and owners, For Rent Media Solutions provides superior products, outstanding customer service, and tangible results.  For Rent Media Solutions is a leading resource for choosing your next apartment for rent, townhouse, condo, duplex, efficiency, studio or loft and provides a free customizable apartment search from more than 30,000 apartment listings nationwide.  For Rent Media Solutions operates For Rent Magazine^®, as well as ForRent.com^TM-The Magazine, and publishes 99 magazines covering more than 190 markets nationwide, including After 55^TM Housing & Resource Guide, and Apartamentos Para Rentar^®. For Rent Media Solutions operates four additional Web sites: ForRent.com^®, SeniorOutlook.com^TM, CorporateHousing.com^®, and ParaRentar.com^TM.  For Rent Media Solutions is a company dedicated to the needs of the apartment industry, bringing prospective residents and apartment communities together.

About Dominion Enterprises

Dominion Enterprises is a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, and employment industries. The company’s businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, Web site design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 45 market-leading Web sites reaching more than 16.7 million unique visitors, and more than 450 magazines with a weekly circulation of 4.3 million. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 5,400 employees in more than 200 offices nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.dominionenterprises.com/.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: 
Meredith Mobley
Marketing Communications Coordinator
meredith.mobley@forrent.com
Phone: 757-351-7366
Fax: 757-961-4827

For Rent Media Solutions^TM launches unique intuitive search function exclusively on ForRent.com

New search function brings “smarter search” experience to leading apartment Web site

NORFOLK, Va.-(May 26, 2009)-For Rent Media Solutions, a leading apartment resource for searching apartments nationwide, and a division of Dominion Enterprises, announces the launch of the all new intuitive search functionality and enhanced search results pages. These features are exclusive to ForRent.com, the company’s anchor Web site. The intuitive search and enhanced search results pages give apartment seekers more control and more relevant results to help them have a “smarter search” experience.

Intuitive search provides both “Exact” and “Close” matches, based on the user’s search criteria. These features give apartment shoppers more choices, intuitively providing them with results that are relevant to their needs. This means more exposure for the property manager’s listing and a better experience for potential renters.

 ”According to a July 2008 study by MarketingSherpa.com, highly engaged visitors have a conversion rate of about 5 percent, compared to about 0.2 percent of poorly engaged visitors,” notes Terry Slattery, president of For Rent Media Solutions. “In 2008, we performed a robust series of usability tests with real apartment seekers on eight different apartment Internet listing Web sites, including ForRent.com. From those results, we learned that apartment shoppers felt they had very little control, could not maneuver through the sites and felt the sites did not produce relevant results. We listened to users and redesigned our search functionality to eliminate their complaints and bring a smarter search experience for all.”

Smarter Search: Home Page

The ForRent.com search process has been enhanced in two areas essential to the apartment searching process: the home page and search results pages. The home page is more user-friendly. The prominently displayed search feature includes fields for criteria that most apartment shoppers know before they begin looking for an apartment, making it easy to use with a more natural way of narrowing down what they want. The home page requires users to specify location to search for property listings using city, state or zip code. Auto-complete suggestions will be made available to the user after they have inserted at least three letters. In addition to the required location information, the user can provide optimal search criteria such as price, beds and baths.

Apartment seekers can also access the Advanced Search option from the home page. When an apartment seeker enters a city and state, the site will return any property as an exact match that is within that city’s limits according to the U.S. Postal Service, and any additional properties that fall within the radius entered from the center of that city. The default radius is “Exact”, but users can expand their radius to 10, 20, or 30 miles. The Advanced Search offers users the ability to search by geography, interactive map, property name, and college or military base.   

Smarter Search: Search Results Page

The apartment seeker has more control over their search results in the enhanced search results pages. The seeker can customize the number of results that appear on a page and sort those results according to what is most relevant to them. Video has also been integrated into the search results listings. The “Exact Match” and “Close Match” are features that allow the apartment seeker to view listings that fit their exact search criteria as well as those that almost match. This gives more control to the apartment shopper making them more likely to find a property of interest, which in turn means more LEADS^TM for advertisers. In the search results, users can toggle properties through three view points: list view, photo view or map view. Apartment seekers can also filter listings by video, neighborhood, pets and multiple photos. Because of these enhanced options, property managers have more opportunity to be seen by apartment seekers.

For more information on ForRent.com’s new intuitive search, view the video found here.

About For Rent Media Solutions^TM

Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., For Rent Media Solutions is a division of Dominion Enterprises. As the multi-family housing solution for apartment seekers, property/apartment managers and owners, For Rent Media Solutions provides superior products, outstanding customer service, and tangible results.  For Rent Media Solutions is a leading resource for choosing your next apartment for rent, townhouse, condo, duplex, efficiency, studio or loft and provides a free customizable apartment search from more than 30,000 apartment listings nationwide.  For Rent Media Solutions operates For Rent Magazine^®, as well as ForRent.com^TM-The Magazine, and publishes 99 magazines covering more than 190 markets nationwide, including After 55^TM Housing & Resource Guide, and Apartamentos Para Rentar^®. For Rent Media Solutions operates four additional Web sites: ForRent.com^®, SeniorOutlook.com^TM, CorporateHousing.com^®, and ParaRentar.com^TM.  For Rent Media Solutions is a company dedicated to the needs of the apartment industry, bringing prospective residents and apartment communities together.

About Dominion Enterprises

Dominion Enterprises is a leading marketing services company serving the automotive, enthusiast and commercial vehicle, real estate, apartment rental, and employment industries. The company’s businesses provide a comprehensive suite of technology-based marketing solutions including Internet advertising, lead generation, CRM, Web site design and hosting, and data management services. The company has more than 45 market-leading Web sites reaching more than 16.7 million unique visitors, and more than 450 magazines with a weekly circulation of 4.3 million. Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., the company has 5,400 employees in more than 200 offices nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.dominionenterprises.com/.

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