Google to expand 'SME Partner' in south

In the light of growing demand for digital advertising from small and medium enterprises (SME), Google India is planning to expand its ‘Premier SME Partner’ programme across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Under the programme, premier SME partners will be trained in developing, launching and managing digital campaigns. Google will invest in helping these partners with dedicated marketing and sales support that includes direct access to Google, market research, training and joint sales pitches.

“Within 10 months of its launch, our partner programme model has gained significant momentum in India. Starting in September, we have partnered with 16 medium sized companies with over 3,000 sales people who have trained to help SMEs gain from digital advertising,” Google Inc Global Channel Sales managing director, Todd Rowe, said.

Rowe told mediapersons here on Wednesday that Google would significantly increase its presence in south India in the next one year by doubling its partner base and adding an additional 3,000 sales force through partners.

Jaspreet Bindra, chief executive of officer of  Getit Infomedia, one of the premier SME partners of Google, said with 1,000-plus sales force and presence in 150 cities, Getit had engaged over 3,000 SMEs to manage their digital advertising efforts. “We are now looking to become a premier supermarket for all digital advertising needs of SMEs across India,” he added.

Apart from the premier partner programme, Google has also launched 'Google Engage', which is focused on training and supporting smaller businesses that in turn help SMEs to create presence on Internet and advertise online. It also offers free websites and domains to SMEs and so far has developed over 200,000 websites for SMEs in the country. Its aim is to get 500,000 SMEs in India online with a website by 2015.