SEATTLE, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zillow, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z), the leading real estate information marketplace, today announced well-known real estate industry blogger Jay Thompson is joining Zillow® as the company's director of industry outreach and social media. Thompson brings nearly seven years of social media experience to Zillow. In addition to running one of the top real estate blogs, he regularly speaks at real estate and social media conferences, and is licensed to teach continuing education classes on social media marketing and prospecting.

Thompson joins Zillow's growing partner outreach team, which includes Sara Bonert (director of broker services), Brad Andersohn (industry outreach manager), and recent addition Bob Bemis (vice president of partner relations). Together, the team advances Zillow's goal of helping real estate agents grow and market their business.

"I am passionate about helping agents and brokers be more successful through education, training and social media. I have an opportunity to work with an amazingly talented team in a sector of the real estate space that has always fascinated me," said Thompson. "I am excited to help Zillow progress, improve and grow as well as help agents all across the country understand and develop their business."

"I'm thrilled to add such a well-respected and knowledgeable industry voice to the team. As a fellow Arizonan, I've followed Jay for many years and learned a great deal about real estate professionals' needs and concerns," said Bemis. "Jay's real estate industry insight will help agents and brokers learn how best to use Zillow to grow and market their business. It's a win for everyone."

Previously, Thompson was the designated broker and a co-owner of Thompson's Realty, an independent real estate brokerage based in Phoenix. Francy Thompson, Thompson's Realty brokerage manager and co-owner, will succeed Thompson.

Jay Thompson founded real estate blog The Phoenix Real Estate Guy in May 2005 and developed it into one of the most widely read real estate blogs in the country. The blog was recognized by Inman News® as the Most Innovative Real Estate Blog in 2009, and Thompson has been named one of Inman News' Most Influential Bloggers multiple times as well as one of Inman News' 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders for 2010.

Thompson is registered and licensed by the Arizona Department of Real Estate to teach continuing education classes on social media marketing and prospecting.

Thompson graduated summa cum laude from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas with a bachelor's degree in human resource management.

Thompson will relocate to the Pacific Northwest and be based at Zillow's headquarters in Seattle.

About Zillow, Inc.

Zillow (NASDAQ: Z) is the leading real estate information marketplace, providing vital information about homes, real estate listings and mortgages through its website and mobile applications, enabling homeowners, buyers, sellers and renters to connect with real estate and mortgage professionals best suited to meet their needs. More than 30 million unique users visited Zillow's websites and mobile applications in February 2012. Zillow, Inc. operates Zillow.com®, Zillow Mortgage Marketplace, Zillow Mobile, Postlets® and Diverse Solutions™. The company is headquartered in Seattle.

The Zillow logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=10012

Zillow.com, Zillow and Postlets are registered trademarks of Zillow, Inc. Diverse Solutions is a trademark of Zillow, Inc.

Inman News is a registered trademark of Inman Group, Inc.

SOURCE Zillow, Inc.