Aussies at it again
This morning, Australian real estate videographers, PlatinumHD released their third video in a series featuring hot girls in what some call objectified situations (bound, shirtless, sweaty, with another girl).
Video one enraged some by featuring a scantily clad girl in a luxury listing, and video two was criticized for supposedly promoting kidnapping. We (a staff of all women and one man) thought they were clever and well done, and maybe they work well in a more liberal country… we’re actually kind of jealous that they’re not in America, but the actors/models wouldn’t have those amazing accents.
Less offended than you would think
When our audience was polled, most wouldn’t use such a blatant tactic in their own brokerage, but less than 10% were offended despite the entire internet freaking out.
PlatinumHD features many bikini girls, but it’s not the Budweiser girls of the 80s, this team shoots high end coastal properties… you know, where girls are in bikinis and a lifestyle is being sold?
Is your video company up for a challenge?
The video above is an “off-the-cuff piece shot in an hour” featuring Cassie Cochrane explaining sex appeal, making awesome pop culture references, and saying farewell on her last day on the job. We love it up until the final line, but when you’re hiring a real estate video production group, make sure they can do more than just grandma virtual tours- go for something more creative (sex appeal or no).
Lani is the COO and News Director at The American Genius, has co-authored a book, co-founded BASHH, Austin Digital Jobs, Remote Digital Jobs, and is a seasoned business writer and editorialist with a penchant for the irreverent.

Jeff Bernheisel
March 27, 2011 at 11:59 pm
Yeah, everything was going pretty good until that last line… they definitely could have left that out.
Lani Rosales
March 28, 2011 at 1:29 pm
I totally agree.
LesleyLambert
March 28, 2011 at 12:13 am
Outside of the lying bit…I love it. I want to create new tour vids with mass appeal and creativity not predictability. thinking, thinking, thinking…
Lani Rosales
March 28, 2011 at 1:06 pm
You got the point! I’m mostly enchanted by the cinematic effect the producers use in all of their videos. Love them and wish they were in America!
Andrew McKay
March 28, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Interesting that people object to the last line. I think that has to do with the US sense of humour ( not good or bad just different.) As a Brit I found it funny, a self depreciating dig at Realtors. I’m sure the Aussies would find it funny and actually attractive that a Real Estate video doesn’t take it’s own industry too seriously and can laugh at it’s own reputation.
I quite often us the phrase ” Trust me I’m a Realtor” in posts, updates etc.
I love these videos and just need to take the step and jazz up the virtual tour to this level. Production will be a problem; maybe a Blairwitch Product type of filming although not the content.
Lani Rosales
March 28, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Andrew, that’s good to know that maybe it’s an American humor (or lack thereof) issue.
On a sidenote, I don’t want you to Blairwitch your tours up, maybe just budget for a platinumhd.tv type production company in 2012? đŸ™‚
Andrew McKay
March 28, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Not lack of humour just different. Same here in Canada as I asked for models for my next video on Facebook with a link to number 2 video ( I know, not sure I should say that after you (excellent) post on sexism; there’s no male equivalent of misogynist I don’t think and that says a lot.) Some didn’t realise I was joking.
Actually rather than a home tour I may spend on a film of the town. Only so much real estate you can blog about so I’m mainly posting about the locality now; hyper local as they say. Now a tour of the town, beach etc wouldn’t be time sensitive like a listing.
Apologies for hijacking the post a bit with my virtual thinking out loud.
Andrew McKay
March 29, 2011 at 7:09 am
Lani
These were posted by a fellow Real Estate Tomato to highlight his town. The first one is quite straightforward, touristy and conservative but if I was to through in a few clips of residential areas????What do you think?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXndihLNCk4&feature=player_embedded
The 2nd one more innovative??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unQz4kFJ2Tg