It may be different in other parts of the world but UK estate agents aren't renowned for their comedy genius...at least not publicly.

However a spoof documentary by London estate agency Douglas & Gordon has shot up You Tube rankings scoring more hits than estate agent comedy sketches made by professional comedians.  It's also much funnier.  

With over 33,000 views and an irate article in the Daily Mail, the Douglas & Gordon spoof has received a disproportionate amount of media attention.  

The video parodies the worst possible traits an estate agent could exhibit: vanity, immorality and pettiness. I love the bit where the central character attacks his competitors for sale sign with an axe before going on to drink a round of shots at the bar.  The humour is both sophisticated and ironic - It's British satire at it's very best.

But is it good for business?  Douglas & Gordon chief Ed Mead is quoted in the Daily Mail as saying the film "has got completely out of hand".  However, I would imagine that privately he is extremely pleased with the results.

UK estate agency is all about securing vendor listings and this is a function of profile and word of mouth reputation.  For a number of years Douglas & Gordon have positioned themselves as a socially responsible estate agent (publicly attacking for sale signs as eye sores for example).  This video can easily be used to profile "what the competition is like" to give vendors a reason to list with the Douglas & Gordon - the professional agents. 

Their audience are rich, professional Londonites - many of them will have a sense of humour...but very few would have read their local newspaper ads.  Money well spent.

Compare the Douglas & Gordon video to ones made by professional comics..