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What are the Engel & Volkers's obligations regarding advertising as described in Item 11, and how do these relate to any potential advertising fees not explicitly mentioned in Item 6?

Engel_Volkers Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

[Item 11: FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING]

web/internet/social media advertising campaigns; other advertising, marketing and public relations materials; point-of-purchase materials; consumer research, interviews and related activities; the creation, maintenance and periodic modification of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS website and mobile applications; applications used to advertise listing services; new payment systems; implementation of blockchain and/or cryptocurrency tools to facilitate business; payments to vendors for providing services related to technology maintenance, upgrading and system changes; data analytics; technology pilot programs; data security devices, practices, procedures, designs and consultations regarding same; data storage, backup and support; research and focus groups pertaining to relevant technology; applications for intellectual property registration and/or protection of technology that is or becomes part of the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System Documentation; any technological innovations, tools, consulting and processes to help facilitate, make more attractive and/or promote the business of ENGEL & VÖLKERS Residential Real Estate Brokerages; celebrity endorsements; reviewing any advertising material a franchisee proposes to use (as provided below); search engine optimization; establishing a third party facility for customizing local advertising materials; accounting for National Marketing and Technology Fund receipts and expenditures; attendance at industry related conventions, shows or seminars; other activities that Franchisor in its business judgment believes are appropriate to enhance, promote and/or protect the ENGEL & VÖLKERS System or any component thereof; and, engaging advertising agencies to assist in any or all of the foregoing activities, including fees to have print, broadcast and/or internet advertising placed by an agency, and all other advertising agency fees. The allocation of the National Marketing and Technology Fund between national, regional, and administrative expenditures will be made by us in our sole business judgment.

We will determine the cost, media, content, format, timing, concentration and exposure, and all other matters for advertising campaigns and the technology programs and tools. We may use part of the National Marketing and Technology Fund for joint or collective advertising campaigns with related companies. We will not use any part of the National Marketing and Technology Fund for advertising that is principally a solicitation of the sale of master franchises or franchises.


[Item 11: FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING]

  • (7) Make available marketing materials and products and provide specifications regarding the Brokerage Design for equipment, signs, fixtures, though we do not deliver or install any such items. (Franchise Agreement, Sections 1.3, 10).

[Item 11: FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING]

You are not permitted to have an individual franchisee website. You may choose, however, to promote your business via alternate online strategies consistent with the Engel & Völkers' online policy. We have the right to review all online content on social media sites, blogs, in electronic communications and on other online sites on which our Trademarks are used to protect the reputation and high quality associated with our Trademarks. We may require you to remove any questionable usage or content involving our Trademarks. We may also require you to cease using our Trademarks at all on such sites.


[Item 6: OTHER FEES]

    1. You must place at least one full-page property advertisements in 1 issue of GG Magazine magazine. Currently, each advertisement will cost you $3,025. We or a third party may act as a collection agent for Grund Genug Verlag.

[Item 7: ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT]

Besides the monthly National Marketing and Technology Fund Contributions described in Item 6, you will need to advertise locally to help increase name recognition in your market.

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Engel & Volkers's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 11 outlines Engel & Volkers's obligations related to advertising, specifying that they will handle various aspects of advertising campaigns and technology programs. This includes determining the cost, media, content, format, timing, concentration, and exposure of these campaigns. Engel & Volkers may also use the National Marketing and Technology Fund for activities such as web/internet/social media advertising, creating marketing materials, conducting consumer research, maintaining the Engel & Volkers website and mobile applications, and engaging advertising agencies. The allocation of the National Marketing and Technology Fund between national, regional, and administrative expenditures will be made by Engel & Volkers in its sole business judgment. Engel & Volkers will not use any part of the National Marketing and Technology Fund for advertising that is principally a solicitation of the sale of master franchises or franchises.

Item 11 also states that Engel & Volkers will make available marketing materials and products and provide specifications regarding the Brokerage Design for equipment, signs, and fixtures, though they do not deliver or install any such items. Franchisees are not permitted to have an individual franchisee website but may promote their business via alternate online strategies consistent with Engel & Volkers' online policy. Engel & Volkers retains the right to review all online content where their trademarks are used and may require franchisees to remove questionable content or cease using the trademarks on such sites.

Regarding advertising fees, Item 6 details various fees franchisees may incur, including a requirement to place at least one full-page property advertisement in one issue of GG Magazine, costing $3,025 per advertisement. Item 7 notes that besides the monthly National Marketing and Technology Fund contributions described in Item 6, franchisees will need to advertise locally to help increase name recognition in their market. Item 11 mentions that Engel & Volkers will account for National Marketing and Technology Fund receipts and expenditures. These advertising obligations and the National Marketing and Technology Fund contributions are designed to support the Engel & Volkers brand and system, but the specific allocation and effectiveness of these funds are determined by Engel & Volkers.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.