New Zango CEO Darryn McRae. Photo: Supplied.
In a major move for the Canberra real estate market, Zango has today announced that former REA executive Darryn McRae will join the company as its new Chief Executive Officer.
McRae leaves REA as its third longest-serving employee and a 19-year veteran of digital real estate marketing. REA Group is a leading global digital business and the owner of realestate.com.au.
It was the challenge presented by Zango as an innovative start-up that drew him to the role.
“Joining Zango sounded like such an interesting proposition, it was too good an opportunity to turn down,” McRae says.
“I was particularly drawn to the fact that the ACT is a smaller market and Zango’s structure and systems mean it can be nimble which is incredibly important in today’s digital world. The agent-owned model of Zango is also unique and I am excited to immerse myself into that dynamic.
“Because Zango works so closely with real estate agents, we can tailor our approach to best meet their needs which are ultimately the needs of buyers and sellers. This customer-centric innovation is what the market has been crying out for.”
The Zango real estate portal, launched in February 2020, was developed collaboratively by a group of Canberra agents to create a wholly local platform for the sector driven by the desire to create a better and more affordable real estate experience.
Zango’s launch was accompanied by a Territory-wide advertising blitz that shook-up the tightly held Canberra real estate market.
The portal is also fully engaged in the Canberra regional economy, listing properties across the ACT, Queanbeyan and regional NSW.
Canberra listings have stayed consistently strong through the pandemic as the local economy demonstrates its resilience.
As sales manager for NSW for the past five years at REA, McRae had been responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies to increase customer satisfaction and advertising revenue for the NSW residential business.
His experience includes business development, account management, channel management and sales team management.
McRae is moving his family to Canberra and says he is looking forward to a new life where they can be actively involved in the Canberra community.
“We are a part of our local community here in Sydney and although I will be sad to say goodbye we are looking forward to opening new doors in Canberra. I know that Zango has community at its heart,” he says.
Current CEO Ben Faulks will move into the role of Zango Director.
Ben Faulks says, “It’s been amazing to see the industry come together and collaborate as we have over the past 12 months, but for Zango to really thrive it always needed independence and professional management at the helm”.
“Darryn is a seasoned professional in the property portal space, so to be able to secure his services for the people of Canberra is huge validation for the work that we’ve been doing.
“For someone of Darryn’s credibility and experience to relocate his life to Canberra for this role is an indication of the potential that Zango has to be a real game-changer in this space.
“It’s been a real privilege to hold a leadership role with Zango and to witness the coming together of the Canberra real estate industry. I am delighted to support Darryn as he assumes the role, and to continue to play an active part in the business moving forward.”
Region Media co-owners Tim White and Michael McGoogan are Zango shareholders.
Original Article published by Genevieve Jacobs on The RiotACT.
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