Chicago Tribune Buys Apartment Rental Service

Written by Antonia S. Perdomo    Tuesday, 20 December 2011

Expanding the reach of its real estate publishing businesses, the Chicago Tribune has purchased Relocation Consultants Inc. Oak Brook, Ill. based Relocation Consultants, known as RELCON, is the largest apartment rental service and the largest publisher of apartment guides in the Chicago metropolitan area. RELCON publishes free monthly and quarterly apartment guides and provides personal consultation and referral services to prospective renters. "RELCON is a strong, growing business which will complement the Chicago Tribune's position in the real estate rental advertising field. The purchase of RELCON positions us well for the future," said Jack Fuller, president and publisher of the Tribune. For some years, the Tribune has been a 50% owner of Real Estate Information Connection, which publishes real estate guides and, like RELCON, is located in Oak Brook. "We're looking forward to helping RELCON grow," said Kathleen M. Waltz, the newspaper's newly named vice president and director of developing businesses. "We also will benefit from their 20 years of experience in the apartment rental market." RELCON was founded in 1970 by Thomas J. Atkinson and Thomas C. Swanson. Swanson will remain president of RELCON, while Atkinson will become senior consultant.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 December 2011 )