PR Kit

What do I tell the public about our transition?

When is the Effective Date for our BHHS affiliation?

Who is Berkshire Hathaway?

PR kit

FAQs and Talking Points

LOCAL FAQS and TALKING POINTS

TALKING POINTS What do I tell the public about our transition?

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New franchise affiliation effective date: January 7, 2015

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No change in legal name or ownership of company, only change to “Doing Business As” (DBA)

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New DBA: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty

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TowneBank remains our parent company

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We will have a renewable 15-year franchise, beginning January 7, 2015.

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Warren Buffett is the Chairman & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., which is one of the top multi-national corporations in the world, based in Omaha, Nebraska

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Berkshire Hathaway is recognized by Barron’s Annual Ranking as the Number One most respected company

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Berkshire Hathaway companies include GEICO, Fruit of the Loom, Dairy Queen, Helzberg Diamonds, Benjamin Moore Paints, NetJets, See’s Candies, MidAmerican Energy Holding Company and HomeServices of America

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All of our listings will have the new Cabernet & White yard signs in January 2015

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices aspires to be “The World’s Most Valuable Real Estate Brand” and to that end, intends to establish real estate offices globally

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has a strong, multi-media national advertising program in place to promote the brand and direct leads to affiliate companies

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BHHS Towne Realty has launched an aggressive, comprehensive marketing campaign that includes newspaper, magazine, internet, billboard, radio and television advertising

Frequently Asked Questions How is Berkshire Hathaway pronounced?

Berk-shurr Hath-a-way

Are we changing the name of our company?

Our legal name is still Towne Realty, LLC. We are only changing our “Doing Business As” (DBA) name from Prudential Towne Realty to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty.

Have we sold our company?

No, nothing has changed about our ownership. The only change is our DBA and the fact that we have signed a Franchise Agreement with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS).

Do our clients need to sign any assignments or paperwork to transition under our new name?

No, since there is no change in our legal name or ownership.

Will we still have an Exclusive territory for our franchise?

Yes, we have an exclusive territory that covers the footprint of Southeastern, VA, just like we had with the Prudential franchise. We also have some additional “protected” territories to accommodate future growth.

How long is our franchise agreement?

We have a 15-year franchise, beginning January 2015.

Will we continue to use any of the old Prudential supplies and materials?

No. Once we reach our effective date with BHHS, we will no longer use any of the old Prudential Towne Realty supplies or materials.

When is the Effective Date for our BHHS affiliation?

January 7, 2015.

Are we still affiliated with TowneBank?

Absolutely! As you know, the Towne brand is a very strong, highly respected regional brand and provides us an extremely valuable identity by combining the local Towne brand with the international Berkshire Hathaway brand.

We are very proud to have TowneBank as our parent company and more excited than ever about the future!

What will email addresses be with our new BHHS affiliation?

Firstname.lastname@BHHSTowne.com. If you have another format before the “@” sign it will be transferred the same way. Example – jdoe@ or JRDoe@ or JohnDoe@

What is our new company website address?

BHHSTowneRealty.com

How will I receive my new supplies, like business cards, etc.?

Our staff will be coordinating the ordering of business cards, signs, sign riders, stationary, etc. and will be in contact with everyone to ensure accuracy of individual contact information, etc.

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Will my franchise fees increase?

No, they will remain exactly the same as they are today.

How is Warren Buffett connected to our franchise?

Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha”, is the Chairman & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., one of the world’s most successful companies. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services is a subsidiary company of Berkshire Hathaway, Incorporated.

What advantage do we see with the Berkshire Hathaway brand?

The Prudential brand has been a wonderful partner for our company and is of course widely recognized for strength and integrity. Prudential made a conscious decision to focus on insurance and retirement related products and exit the real estate segment. We could not be happier with our new partner, Berkshire Hathaway.

Not only is the brand recognized by Barron’s as Number One among the world’s most respected companies, the leadership at BHHS has made it clear that they are in it for the long term and they are all-in. We are also excited about the prospects of the brand commitment to be a world-wide real estate brand. Part of the BHHS vision is to become “The World’s Most Valuable Real Estate Brand”.

Will we see more advertising on TV? By all appearances, yes. As BHHS launches its new real estate brand to the world and continues to convert the top Prudential affiliates over to the new brand, there is no doubt we will see a very visible ad campaign, including television ads.

Will our company be promoting our new BHHS affiliation?

Yes, we have already begun an aggressive, comprehensive marketing campaign that includes newspaper, magazine, internet, billboard, radio and television advertising.

Will our referral fees for corporate business change?

No, they will remain the same.

How will we use our name in print and advertising?

We need to use our full name, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty, and we need to be in full compliance with the use of the BHHS logo, quality seal and disclosures.

How should we answer the phone?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty

Does the Affiliate Assistance Hotline (AAH) have new contact information?

Yes, the new contact information is: Phone: 855-422-9052 Email: BHHSsupport@HSFranchise.com Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:00 am – 8:00 pm CST

What is the BHHS counterpart for PREA Center?

REsource Center—your new hub for all things Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

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What about Prudential Media Center and eCard Products?

Media Center and eCards are now integrated within Marketing REsource at REsource Center. Your eCard contacts will transfer from the PREA Center eCard system to the new Resource Center.

What about Online Advantage and Customers For Life?

BHHS has improved these powerful tools in REsource Center, in the Lead REsource area.

What about online education?

BHHS has Learn REsource, which includes curriculum, eCertified 2.0 designation, tablet optimized courses and Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT).

What else will I need to do when we make the official change on January 7, 2015?

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Stay tuned to our weekly updates and attend your office sales meetings

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Update your cell phone message and greeting

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Update your greeting on your desk phone voice mail

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Update your signature on your email settings

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Contact the marketing department for any assistance on marketing materials

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NATIONAL FAQS and TALKING POINTS

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Frequently Asked Questions What is Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) is a new real estate brokerage network. The network is among only a few organizations entrusted to use the world-renowned Berkshire Hathaway name.

Who is Berkshire Hathaway?

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a worldwide holding company based in Omaha, NE. Its chairman and CEO is Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” who according to Time magazine’s ranking is among the world’s most influential people. Berkshire Hathaway is the No. 1 company in Barron’s 2013 ranking of the world’s 100 most respected companies; it ranks at No. 8 in Fortune magazine’s 50 Most Admired Companies survey; and is No. 18 in Harris Interactive’s reputation study of the 60 Most Visible Companies.

Berkshire Hathaway employs nearly 300,000 people and owns more than 55 companies, including GEICO, Fruit of the Loom, Dairy Queen, Helzberg Diamonds, Benjamin Moore Paints, NetJets, BNSF Railway Company, Business Wire, See’s Candies, MidAmerican Energy Holding Company and HomeServices of America, parent of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Berkshire Hathaway, with its diverse holdings, is said to cover consumers head to toe. Real estate fits perfectly into that strategy.

How will this help my business?

It starts with the brand. The storied Berkshire Hathaway name stands for strength, integrity and trust, and is universally respected. Put simply, when that Berkshire Hathaway name appears on a yard sign, it’s a sign that buyers and sellers want to see. The brand will be intelligent, nimble, progressive, straightforward … and in real estate for the long term. That’s great for business.

How can there be “tradition” and “experience” in a brand-new brand?

Call it a “hundred year-old baby!”Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brings together a world-class brand name with the proven operational excellence of HomeServices of America. It will leverage the companies’ experience, assets and relationships in the process of becoming the most valued real estate franchise system.

What will Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices offer in terms of real estate technology?

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices will offer a robust suite of real estate tools and resources through the Global Network Platform (GNP). Tools within the GNP have been developed to help capture, incubate and convert online leads. As important, the platform will retain the most popular components of Prudential Real Estate’s Online Advantage while offering new and enhanced functionality developed specifically for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Key components include national and affiliate websites, lead management, CRM, extranet, BHHS Media Center, mobile capabilities and social media monitoring and management. Among related highlights:

• The BHHS mobile application will include property search and lead-management capabilities for agents.

©2013 Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Frequently Asked Questions - Pg. 2 • The BHHS Media Center will have the same robust functionality as Prudential Real Estate’s Media customer contact.

Center, and will house a full array of marketing materials for direct and to “listen” and post meaningful content to a variety of • Social media monitoring will enable social media sites from a single, user-friendly platform.

What will the BHHS network website look like?

Final prototypes are stunning with vibrant imagery, clean and sensible navigation and appropriate splashes of “Cabernet and Cream.” Of course, the site will be optimized for web search.

Will Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices be active in social media?

BHHS is already social with accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Our objectives with each account is to promote the brand and new drive thought leadership, and inform friends and followers about real estate trends and opportunities. Friend and follow us here: • www.Facebook.com/BHHSRealEstate • www.Twitter.com/BHHSRealEstate • www.Instagram/BHHSRealEstate We will add additional social media accounts in the near future.

Will we have advertising and PR support?

Yes. We’ve retained BBDO Proximity, a division of BBDO Worldwide, to develop and execute a comprehensive brand-awareness campaign to support the launch and continued growth of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

It will deploy a full range of marketing channels, including print, broadcast, social and new media to inform consumers and real estate professionals about the brand’s market positioning, value proposition and competitive Additionally, we retained Edelman, a global PR agency, to support the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ brand launch, ongoing publicity and consumer research promotion.

Of course, HSF Marketing and Communications/PR teams have added personnel and will support the network on an ongoing basis.

Separate marketing programs for luxury homes and resorts are in development right now. The target audience for marketing will be adults 25-54 with a household income of $150,000 or more.

©2013 Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Frequently Asked Questions - Pg. 4 one of the world’s most admired companies entrusts you with its brand, it’s paying you the ultimate compliment. When that Berkshire Hathaway name appears on a yard sign, it’s a sign that buyers and sellers want to see.”

Stephen Phillips, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices president, said, “We believe in residential real estate.

We’re in it for the long-term and are committed to providing our brokers, agents and customers with best-inclass programs, services, tools and a powerful new brand to drive exceptional performance and sustainable, growth.”

©2013 Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Talking Points “Good to Know” Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: A Reputation Built on Trust, Framed in Excellence “When people are making the decision of the magnitude of buying a house, it’s the biggest decision a great many families will ever make. They want to know who they’re working with and we think that the Berkshire Hathaway name will be reassuring to many of those people.”

– Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is among the few companies entrusted to use the Berkshire Hathaway brand name with consumers.

• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brings to the real estate market a definitive mark of stability, strength and, above all, quality. Our visual identity—from our distinctive colors and quality seal to our dignified, unpretentious typography—exemplifies our timeless character.

• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices reflects Berkshire Hathaway’s strong reputation through the core values of trust, integrity, stability and longevity.

• Our brand identity communicates our commitment to integrity and an intelligent and straightforward approach, inspiring the best in our affiliates and delivering the best to our customers.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: Strong Lineage “Berkshire Hathaway is built to be forever … it’s true of all the businesses we own. You want to be part of an organization that’s not looking to sell out next week or next month or next year, or where the place will crumble when the founders leave. In terms of permanence, we can’t be beat. Not only can we not be topped by anyone, we can’t be matched by anyone.”

– Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

• Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a worldwide holding company based in Omaha, NE. Its chairman and CEO is Warren Buffett, often referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” who according to Time magazine’s 2012 ranking, is among the world’s most influential people.

• Further, Berkshire Hathaway is the No. 1 company in Barron’s 2013 ranking of the world’s most respected companies; it stands at No. 8 in Fortune magazine’s 50 Most Admired Companies survey; and is No. 18 in Harris Interactive’s reputation study of the 60 Most Visible Companies.

• Berkshire Hathaway employs nearly 300,000 people and owns more than 55 companies, including GEICO, Fruit of the Loom, Dairy Queen, Helzberg Diamonds, Benjamin Moore Paints, Business Wire, NetJets, BNSF Railway Company, See’s Candies, MidAmerican Energy Holding Company and HomeServices of America.

• Its approach is to acquire companies with great brands, great products and strong leadership and hold them for the long term. The company, with its diverse holdings, is said to cover consumers head to toe.

Real estate fits perfectly into that strategy.

©2013 Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Talking Points - Pg. 2 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: Strength, Stability and Quality “I would want to be associated with somebody where the financial strength was unquestioned and where the name stood for integrity. What other quality would you want that Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not have; and I don’t think you could find one.”

– Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices is grounded in financial strength and the deep tradition of its ownership.

• Its leadership is another strength: Earl Lee, HSF Affiliates LLC CEO, brings more than four decades of residential real estate and relocation experience to the leadership team, and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices President Stephen Phillips is a dynamic leader with extensive real estate and financial services management experience.

• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices boasts proven operational excellence, demonstrated integrity, and the reputation of Berkshire Hathaway to its franchise offering. This combination further enables affiliates to attract and retain the best agents to drive performance and profitable growth.

©2013 Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.