WEB PORTALS – AUSTRALIA

Expedia told: lift rates, cop a backlash

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Original article by Larry Schlesinger
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 42 : 10-Jul-14

A takeover offer worth $A703m has been made for Australian online travel bookings group Wotif.com by US-based Expedia. Local accommodation operators say they will increasingly turn to direct reservations via upgraded in-house web sites, if Expedia attempts to raise commission rates after the acquisition. At present Wotif charges about 12% and the Australian unit of Expedia 18%. Industry expert Dean Dransfield likens the warning by the hotel businesses to the revolt against increased fees at property classifieds portal REA Group by real estate agents

CORPORATES
WOTIF.COM HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX WTF, REA GROUP LIMITED – ASX REA, EXPEDIA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, EXPEDIA INCORPORATED, MANTRA GROUP LIMITED – ASX MTR, ACCOR SA, DRANSFIELD HOTELS AND RESORTS PTY LTD

Vizeum sees no conflict in roles

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Original article by Darren Davidson
The Australian – Page: 19 : 9-Jul-14

Media buying agency Vizeum faces concerns that its representation of real estate agents breaches competition laws. It has confirmed that it is acting for Real Estate Digital Marketing Services to negotiate ad rates with online classifieds portal REA Group. Questions have been asked about the involvement of Norman Draper, who is linked to REA rival Domain. Vizeum said that there was no conflict of interests, as it was acting for a not-for-profit organisation

CORPORATES
REA GROUP LIMITED – ASX REA, VIZEUM, REAL ESTATE DIGITAL MARKETING SERVICES PTY LTD, DENTSU AEGIS NETWORK, DOMAIN.COM.AU, AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION, METRO MEDIA PUBLISHING PTY LTD, FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, DEUTSCHE BANK AG