The Title Report is celebrating 25 years of providing title professionals with the information they need to navigate an evolving industry. For the last 13 years, October Research CEO and Publisher Erica Meyer has been continuing the vision of Joe Casa, who founded October Research and The Title Report.
In the late 1990s, Casa, a seasoned professional in the title industry with a dream of launching his own media company, decided it was time to turn aspiration into action.
Casa envisioned a platform to empower title professionals with the information they needed to navigate an evolving industry. His dream took root in 1999, when he founded October Research and The Title Report.
As a fan of U2 and the band’s iconic album “The Joshua Tree,” Casa took inspiration to create October Research’s tree logo that is still used to this day. Now, 25 years later, that tree continues to stand tall, much like the company Casa created, providing independent news and insight to title agents across the nation.
Joe’s son, Chris Casa, reflected on the journey that turned a “basement start-up” into an essential resource for the title insurance industry.
“It was a modern-day basement business success story,” Chris said. “What’s very cool about it is that it was literally started as kind of a basement publishing business. We didn’t know anything about publishing, but it was right at the time that personal computing and desktop publishing were taking off.”
The lack of initial experience, in some ways, was an advantage for Joe and his team.
“We didn’t know what we couldn’t do,” Chris adds, emphasizing the learn-as-you-go mentality that drove the business in its early days. “The fact that The Title Report today is still a household name within the title insurance industry is pretty cool. I’ve continued in the industry for 11 years since leaving October Research, and I haven’t come in contact with anybody who doesn’t know The Title Report and doesn’t have good things to say about it.”
Meyer purchased October Research in 2011.
“While I never had the opportunity to meet Joe, I am grateful for the vision and initiative he took many years ago, and it’s been an honor to carry on the legacy of independent news and knowledge for professionals in the real estate industry today,” she said. “We have taken a vision and expanded on it over the years to stay current and meet the evolving needs of our readers.”
The Title Report was only the first publication produced by October Research.
“While The Title Report is the backbone of the company, our coverage has grown exponentially to represent the end-to-end transaction. To be competitive in today’s market, the industry needs a comprehensive outlook, and we have been able to deliver on this promise by building strong relationships with all players involved in the real estate transaction. Our readers require this information to meet customer expectations, and we’ve been able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together for them,” Meyer said.
Just like it takes a community to raise a child, The Title Report and October Research have many people to thank for the last 25 years.
“There are lots of people who have proven instrumental in the success of the company over the years. We could not have done it without the support from industry experts who shared your knowledge with us, the advertisers and sponsors who allow us to take our coverage and events to the next level,” Meyer said. “A special shoutout to all the October Research team members who have been instrumental in supporting our mission over the last 25 years. As we like to say, we are small, but powerful. Thanks for making a difference and helping to protect the American Dream of homeownership.
“We are blessed to be part of an incredible title and settlement services community. We care about this industry, and look forward to helping our readers stay educated and informed to protect the consumer in their homeownership journey for the next 25-plus years.”
Filling a vital need
When Joe Casa founded October Research in 1999, there wasn’t a resource like The Title Report for title agents.
“You had industry publications and some private letters, but a lot of that was advertising-based,” Chris said. “October Research’s mission was different from the start. Its goal was to provide independent news on industry trends, legislation and emerging technologies. My dad was doing mergers and acquisitions within the industry at the time, and he saw a need. He was like, ‘These agents don’t know what agents across the country are doing. They don’t know what deals are being done. They don’t know what legislation is coming down the pike or what technologies are coming up and that’s going to affect their business.’”
What began as a small venture quickly turned into a full-fledged business.
“That first summer, we sent out a four-page marketing piece to a few thousand people, selling a $385 publication,” Chris recalls. “The fax machine rang for like four weeks straight. When the dust settled, we had about 450 subscriptions. All of a sudden, we had a business.”
The surprise success proved there was a demand for unbiased, in-depth industry news.
“The success was a surprise,” Chris said. “The need for the information wasn’t. The million-dollar question was whether people would pay for news and information to run their businesses, and the answer was overwhelmingly yes.”
Joe Casa passed away in June 2008, but his legacy lives on in the company he built and the impact it continues to have on the title insurance industry. Chris said he remains proud of what his father created, particularly Joe’s unwavering commitment to editorial independence.
“He was incredibly proud of the fact that The Title Report exists and would be incredibly happy to see that it still exists today, literally educating and providing independent news and information,” Chris said.
For Joe Casa, the company wasn’t just about business; it was about educating and mentoring people.
“He loved being a mentor and an educator,” Chris said. “He was very driven by helping and educating people, and I think anyone who was around when he was will tell you the same thing.”
Industry impact
Looking back on the past 25 years, one of October Research’s most significant achievements was the creation of the National Settlement Services Summit (NS3).
“In 2004, my dad and Mark McElroy, the president of RamQuest at the time, were having a conversation at an (American Land Title Association) event, and people kept coming up to my dad, saying, ‘You should start a conference that focuses on intensive learning and networking,’” Chris said. “That was how NS3 started in 2005, almost on a dare.
“The fact that NS3 and The Title Report are still educating people in the title insurance space and that there’s still a place for independent news and information is a pretty good legacy to leave. To leave the industry with a household name—that’s a pretty cool thing.”
“That’s all it takes sometimes; people coming together with some good ideas and deciding to not just talk about it, but actually make it a reality,” Meyer said. “Every year, I can’t describe how much I love sitting in a room with so many industry leaders and hearing about what’s really going on. We all talked about TRID when it came down. We’ve all talked about AI, automation, all the new technology. We went through a pandemic and came out the other side.
“Whatever comes next, we’ll be ready for it. We’ll be ready to share that knowledge and make sure everyone is equipped to thrive in any environment.”
Making lasting connections
Jim Hollerbach, co-founder, president and CEO of Hollerbach & Associates, has been a subscriber to The Title Report since day one.
His connection to October Research began not with a subscription but through a personal connection with Joe Casa.
“I had known Joe back in his days at TRW,” Hollerbach said. “There really wasn’t anything in the market other than what the trade groups provided. So, having a company that could publish on all aspects of the industry was something Joe saw was needed.”
Reflecting on Joe Casa’s vision, Hollerbach highlighted the diversity of coverage in The Title Report and October Research’s other publications.
“He came up with the idea of, ‘Let’s publish something that speaks to everybody,” he said. “I have been a Title Report guy from early on, and I took The Legal Description too because I’m more in the legal side of things. I use them as our compass as to what’s going on in the industry and what are the pitfalls to be concerned about.”
The birth of NS3
Hollerbach’s first real introduction to the broader October Research community came when he received an invitation to attend the first NS3.
“I got this invitation to come to Cleveland and I was like, ‘OK, this is kind of cool,’” he said. “When I walked into NS3, it was all the power hitters from the settlement services industry. You had lawyers, title people, appraisal people, and more. It was a who’s who of the industry. It was really, really impressive and I’ve never missed an NS3. It’s very important for me to make it out every year.”
Hollerbach also credited NS3 with fostering deep industry connections that have benefited his business over the years.
“It was at NS3 where we all met,” he said. “I have some great stories about what has transpired over the years, and it’s all because of Joe Casa and him building The Title Report.”
Continuing the legacy
Hollerbach offered high praise for Meyer’s leadership at October Research, noting the challenges she faced when taking over after Casa’s passing.
“I think she’s done a hell of a job and,” he said. “She’s kept up what I feel, and I think others like me who’ve have been around for a while, are the important issues. She’s also always looking for new ways to get the word out and to be a publicist in this space. She also remembers that there are people, there are trends that go back 25 years or more. She’s kept the core of the publication alive while adapting to changes in the industry.
“The Title Report tells me what I need to know on a more global perspective. That’s what I like about it. You guys pick stuff up that I can’t find anywhere else. We like to think we’re pretty on the ball, but there’s so many times where I see something in (The Title Report) that we didn’t know about.”
As October Research celebrates 25 years, Hollerbach reflected on what the future holds for the company and the industry at large.
“So much changes with technology and everything in the industry, but you’re still going to need the information The Title Report provides no matter what. It covers everything I need,” he said.
Stewart Morris Jr., president of Stewart Security Capital, Inc., reflected on the impact that independent news and commentary from The Title Report has had on the industry.
He said The Title Report has become an invaluable tool for professionals, especially those new to the field.
“The industry reads (The Title Report) and it gives you ammo,” Morris said. “There are new people coming in, and it helps them in understanding. Then there’s certain articles in there about unusual claims and things going on in the industry, companies growing and acquisitions, and occasionally, changes in regulation. It all comes in handy for all of us in the industry. Since insurance is regulated at the state level for the most part, things are a little different all over the country and you need to find all the information you can.”
Morris’ extended family established Stewart Title in 1893. His 50-year-plus company service tenure has also included a 20-year stint as president of Stewart Information Services and Stewart Title and working for nearly 13 years as senior chairman of Stewart Title Guaranty Co.
Keeping everyone on the same page
Reflecting on the industry’s growth over the past quarter-century, Morris remembers a time when the lack of centralized news and updates posed challenges for professionals trying to stay informed.
“Before that, we didn’t have much,” he said. “But as the title industry advanced, so did its need for a consistent flow of reliable, up-to-date information, especially with technology. Back when I started, it was all manual. I was there to watch as all the title data in Harris County, Texas, went online. It was a great thing, you know, to automate the geographic index. It’s been great to watch the industry continue to move along in the years since.”
Technology has come a long way since then, and Morris played a significant role in helping Stewart Title and the wider industry embrace these changes. His focus on innovation made Stewart Title a leader in streamlining processes, a theme that resonates with the ongoing efforts of The Title Report to highlight technological advancements.
Morris discussed how technological coordination across companies became vital, and how The Title Report played a role in documenting these industry-wide discussions.
He recalled a meeting with eight of the largest underwriters where they gathered to discuss technology standards at the Denver airport.
“We called a meeting and said, ‘OK, we’re the leaders in the industry, and we want to talk about coordinating on production systems,’” Morris said.
Though the idea of collaboration wasn’t immediately embraced by everyone, Morris and his team knew they were on the right path.
“We were trying to tell them, ‘No, we need to get together and coordinate on production systems and including the Realtor, lender and consumer in the process so everyone knows the market out there,” he recalled. “The Title Report has helped keep everyone on the same page, and I would hope that the industry, including The Title Report, would continue to focus on the overall real estate transaction process, rather than only the title insurance piece.”
Like Morris, First American Title Insurance Co. national agency division vice president Don Kennedy has been around the industry his entire life. He said The Title Report has proven to be invaluable in an industry affected by change from numerous directions over the past two decades.
“The Title Report plays a vital role in making our industry better,” he said. “As an independent media outlet and one of the few that specialize in our industry, The Title Report provides a well-informed and neutral third-party view of the industry. It also provides a forum to advance important industry dialogue on complex and important issues, such as post-Great Recession regulation, TRID, digital transformation and now title insurance alternatives.
“Over the next 12-to-24 months, the industry should continue to utilize its technology, expertise and ability to build strong coalitions to enhance the consumer experience during real estate closings. The Title Report should continue to be on the cutting edge by highlighting the latest developments in technology and always looking at them through the lens of consumer satisfaction.”
Seeking and finding buy-in
Patrick Stone, chairman and founder of Williston Financial Group, recalled the pivotal moment when Joe Casa presented the vision for his budding company.
“Joe came and saw me in Santa Barbara, and we had lunch and discussed his idea for a title industry-related publication,” Stone said. “It resonated with me, as like all management in the industry, I was relying on rumors and interaction with our agents.
At the time, Stone was working to expand Fidelity National Financial (FNF) into a national company, and he understood the challenges of making informed decisions in an industry that lacked consistent reporting.
“Like all management in the industry, I spent an unusual amount of time trying to determine what was factual and what was speculation,” Stone said. “There was little or no media understanding of how the industry varied by state and locale, and most news sources did not regard the title industry as worthy of coverage.
“Joe thought the title and real estate industries would benefit greatly if news and information were shared in a professional and consistent manner.”
The challenge for Casa, however, was convincing the industry to support his fledgling publication. He needed buy-in from title professionals and companies, and subscriptions were crucial to launching The Title Report. According to Stone, Casa’s passion and vision struck a chord with him.
“He was struggling to provide proof that the concept would work and needed to have subscriptions and buy-in by the industry,” Stone said. “His idea truly resonated with me. FNF stepped up and made a significant commitment for subscriptions, and that helped Joe launch the effort.”
With the backing of companies like FNF, The Title Report quickly became an essential resource for title agents across the country. For the first time, the industry had a unified, national reporting vehicle that provided consistent, trustworthy information, regardless of geographic location.
Stone reflected on how this transformed the industry.
“The Title Report has enabled the industry to have a unified and consistent perspective despite the significant differences in business practices geographically,” he said. “The title industry is unique in its state-by-state regulation, meaning that practices, data resources, and even document filing methods vary widely depending on the location.”
These geographic differences, coupled with varying levels of automation in different markets, created a fragmented landscape in which title agents struggled to share information and learn from each other’s experiences.
“Without a third-party national reporting vehicle, the ability to share information, experiences, and outcomes with certitude and believability would be non-existent,” Stone said. “In a field where understanding the latest legislation, technological advances, and industry trends is critical, The Title Report provided the lifeline the industry needed to stay connected and informed.”
Meyer said she and Stone have formed a very strong bond across her career.
“He has often served as a mentor to me and I’ll never forget that or be anything less than incredibly thankful for that,” she said. “From the moment I stepped into the door of this industry, Pat Stone has been a welcoming friend and someone eager to be a teacher and colleague. Having the chance to hear his kind words about the work we do is just the ultimate payoff. I really can’t put into words how much it means to me.”
Making sure events such as NS3 and the Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) are engaging and inclusive has been a huge strength under the leadership of Meyer, Stone added.
“I have been absolutely delighted with Erica’s leadership, as she has made the events sponsored by The Title Report more interactive, informative, and fun,” Stone said. “Her attitude and personality make all participants feel welcome and encourage a level of interaction and information sharing you don’t see in most real estate industry events.”
As October Research and The Title Report celebrate this milestone anniversary, the legacy of Joe Casa lives on through the vital role the publication plays in the title and real estate industries.
“Joe’s concept for October Research was to bring professional reporting to our industry on a national basis for the first time,” Stone said. “The fact that The Title Report has stood the test of time and continues to provide valuable, independent news is a testament to his vision and dedication.”
Twenty-five years later, the tree that Joe Casa planted, a symbol of growth, resilience, and community, continues to flourish, providing the industry with the insight and support it needs to navigate an ever-changing landscape.
“This tree isn’t going anywhere, just like the title insurance industry,” Meyer said. “At October Research and The Title Report, we can’t thank everyone enough who’s helped us hit the ground running and keep up that pace for all this time. Time sure does fly. Here’s to the next 25 years.”