News Corp Australia to Take Majority Stake in Global Digital Real Estate Marketing Business DIAKRIT

News Corp Australasia’s executive chairman Michael Miller today announced that News has agreed to take a majority shareholding in DIAKRIT, a global leader in digital marketing solutions for the real estate industry.

Since its inception in 2001 DIAKRIT has established itself as a leader in the production of digital visualisation solutions that help agents and developers sell properties and help home owners to better find, furnish and renovate their dream home.

News Corp Australia is part of News Corp (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV), which is, by most measures, the world’s largest player in digital real estate, with ownership of Move, Inc., operator of realtor.com®. In addition, News Corp has a 61.6% stake in REA Group Limited, operator of the leading Australian residential property website, realestate.com.au.

DIAKRIT creates a suite of visualisation tools and digital content including 2D and 3D floor plan services, photography services, high-end 3D visualisations and animations, that all cut sales time, reduce insecurity and enhance the experience of buying, selling and renting real estate.

Headquartered in Bangkok, and with offices in the USA, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, DIAKRIT has over 450 employees and more than 2000 major real estate clients worldwide.

Together with the existing management team, DIAKRIT’s three co-founders Fredrik Bergman, Dick Karlsson and Martin Fritze will continue to run the company’s operations.

Mr Miller said: “DIAKRIT’s 3D and rich media content makes buying property much easier by helping people visualise their dream home and enabling them to make more informed decisions. In this way DIAKRIT’s technology helps real estate agents and developers present their properties in a far more engaging manner.

“The real estate market here in Australia, the USA and around the world has only just begun leveraging this type of digital content, so the potential is enormous. We intend using our reach, digital assets and advertising expertise to further drive DIAKRIT’s growth in new markets, and in turn, our property businesses and real estate agent partners will benefit enormously from utilising DIAKRIT’s expertise and products.

“We are delighted to welcome DIAKRIT to News, in a deal that will add revenues to our bottom line,” Mr Miller said.

DIAKRIT’s co-founder and chief executive Fredrik Bergman said: “Today’s announcement will help DIAKRIT achieve our vision to become the world’s number one provider of digital visualisation solutions for the real estate industry.

“We will continue to work independently, yet fully backed by News Corp Australia who will provide world-class strategic support to make sure DIAKRIT continues its growth as a strong emerging force in the global industry. We see News as the right strategic partner because they believe in us, our long-term vision, and want to help us get there faster.”