Inman

Market Leader cuts losses

Market Leader Inc. — a provider of marketing and "software as a service" products to real estate franchisors, brokerages and agents — said it trimmed second-quarter losses to $2.8 million as revenue grew 43 percent from a year ago, to $8.3 million. That compares with a $3.1 million loss during the same quarter last year and a $4.3 million loss for the first three months of 2011.

The Kirkland, Wash.-based company said its bottom line was boosted by revenue the company earned for providing the lead management, contact management and marketing design components of Keller Williams’ eEdge platform for agents.

Market Leader has said it stands to receive at least $10 million from Keller Williams over the five-year term of the eEdge agreement, plus whatever additional revenue it can generate by selling premium software and services to nearly 80,000 Keller Williams agents.

Market Leader announced Thursday that it had acquired SharperAgent, a provider of online and print marketing suites with more than 30,000 real estate agent users.

The two companies will work together to build an integrated software platform for franchisors and real estate brokerages providing lead generation, customer relationship management, social media and blogging integration, online and offline marketing, agent and office websites, and other tools.

Although company executives said the real estate market will continue to be "sluggish," they expect additional revenue growth in the second half of the year. Market Leader expects to achieve positive adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and appreciation (EBITDA).