A
n Australian publication has reported that Damian Eales, CEO of Realtor.com, is being considered for the top job at REA Group, which operates realestate.com.au. The company's current CEO, Owen Wilson, announced his retirement plans last year. Eales, who moved from Sydney to New York in 2020, is reportedly one of two frontrunners for the position.

    Eales has a connection to REA Group through his previous role as executive vice president at News Corp, which owns Move and holds a majority stake in REA Group. During his tenure, Eales worked closely with REA Group, helping realestate.com.au maintain its position as Australia's top digital real estate site.

    Melina Cruickshank, REA's chief product and audience officer, is also being considered for the CEO job. However, an external candidate may also be in the running. When asked about the reports, Eales stated that he is focused on Realtor.com's growth in the US market.

    CoStar Group, a rival of Move, has taken notice of the potential leadership change. During their recent earnings call, CEO Andy Florance mentioned media reports about Eales possibly leaving Realtor.com and returning to Australia. If this were to happen, it would be seen as a positive development for CoStar, which operates Homes.com and is acquiring Domain Holdings in Australia.

    Eales' tenure at Move has been marked by controversy, including a lawsuit against CoStar over alleged trade secret theft. News Corp's financial filings have also raised questions about Eales' success, with revenue falling at Move over the past two years.