Stu Santos, a familiar face in local digital media and advertising, has landed a gold-plated new role as president of Unique Homes Media, a luxury real estate media brand and a unit of Chalk Digital. 

Santos is familiar to many in the Localogyverse. He was a sales leader at organizations that include iProspect, CBS Local, IAC, YP, and other organizations. Most recently, Santos led sales and marketing at Boulder Insight and taught as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University. 

“I am excited to be working with such an incredible team and luxury brand,” Santos said in a LinkedIn Post. 

“Santos has the unanimous support of the CHALK Digital Board. He brings extensive digital marketing, product advertising, and technology experience, capable of driving growth across our Unique Homes Media platforms for years to come,” Chalk Digital Chairman and CEO Craig Hagopian said.

“We conducted a thorough search process with the mandate to appoint a next-generation leader for our flagship luxury real estate and lifestyle marketing company.”

Chalk Digital acquired 53-year-old Unique Homes in mid-2023.

According to Chalk Digital, Santos will be expected to expand Unique Homes’ suite of products. 

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Flagship Magazine

The company’s flagship product is Unique Homes magazine, which has been around since the 1970s. 

“I’m excited to help expand upon the strong legacy of Unique Homes Media to bring a new digital-first approach to our services and products, enabling our luxury customers and partners to win in this ever-changing marketplace,” Santos said in the appointment announcement. 

Here is how the magazine describes itself on its LinkedIn page. “Launched in the early 1970s, it quickly became a must-read for affluent individuals interested in high-end real estate. Today it is easily the most recognized magazine of its kind in the world.”

So given Santos’ “digital first” comment, we wonder if a significant change in strategy is in the making. Especially now that the newly acquired business has chosen as its leader an executive steeped in digital-first media. 

This is what Hagopian said back in June when Chalk acquired Unique Homes. 

“The addition of digital technology will significantly broaden our ability to bring awareness to the thousands of luxury property listings showcased in these magazines,” Hagopian said.  

“[The magazines] are a key resource for real estate brokerages and agents marketing properties for a very selective, and discerning, clientele.”