Google is accelerating a test of corporate accounts on Google+ after “thousands upon thousands” of businesses applied for a place in the program, a Google executive said.
The company plans next week to choose who’ll get into the test and announce their names soon afterward, Christian Oestlien, a Google product manager, said in a Google+ post last night.
But if you want your company, brand name, school, or celebrity pet to have a place on Google sooner rather than later, you’d better act fast. Google is closing down its applications form on Friday, he said.
“To the thousands upon thousands of businesses that applied to be a part: thank you!” Oestlian said. “We won’t be able to accommodate everyone, but your interest has got us very focused on accelerating our development plans.”
Last week, Oestlian said Google had planned to launch corporate accounts later this year. He didn’t say when they’d arrive under the accelerated plan.
Corporate accounts are a big deal these days as companies try to tap into the vibrant, fast-growing world of social networking. Facebook and Twitter, the two incumbent powers in the area, both offer corporate accounts.
Every now and again, a company through luck or skill enjoys a promotional perk as a viral video blazes from friend to friend across social networks. Probably more important in the long run, though, will be customer support, friends’ recommendations, and other relatively mundane interactions involving companies and consumers. Either way, a corporate presence online is necessary.
Google says Google+ isn’t yet ready for corporations, though. That hasn’t stopped many from trying, but Google has been deleting corporate accounts.
Some, such as Ford Motor Co. on Google+ are apparently shoo-ins for the corporate test; their corporate accounts on Google+ remain unscathed even before the test participants are announced.
Oestlian said that team members including himself and business profiles product manager Dennis Troper “will focus next week on selecting a diverse set of business partners for the test period. We will be communicating with these partners next week, and will let the world know who they are soon thereafter.”
Those with a personal brand have an easier time. Among celebrities on Google+ today are Wil Wheaton, Felicia Day, Alyssa Milano, and 50 Cent.

Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30685_3-20079382-264/google-hastens-google-corporate-account-launch/#ixzz1SCSm3Ogv

DecoGraphic Marketing Joins the Constant Contact Partner Program

Solution Provider Program Delivers Effective and Affordable Online Marketing Tools
to Win Customers and Build Strong, Lasting Relationships

Miami, FL — April, 2011 — DecoGraphic Marketing – Digital Marketing Solutions today announced it has joined the Constant Contact Partner Program (NASDAQ: CTCT) as a Solution Provider Partner. DecoGraphic Marketing will now be able to provide its clients with easy-to-use: email marketing, social media marketing, event marketing, and online survey tools to help them create and build strong, lasting customer relationships.

“This new alliance will allow us to offer our clients the best service available for email marketing,” said Fabrizio Colombi. “The Constant Contact online marketing tools give our clients a valuable addition to our core services. Because of the tools’ ease-of-use and affordability, membership in the Constant Contact partner program provided a great solution to meet our clients’ marketing needs.”

DecoGraphic Marketing will now use Constant Contact’s online marketing tools, which are specially designed to help small businesses and organizations drive participation and strengthen relationships. These tools include:

-       Email Marketing for quickly creating professional-looking emails, managing contact lists, measuring campaign results, and reviewing new list members;

-       Social Media Marketing for turning fans, friends, and followers into customers. Harnessing digital word of mouth from Facebook, retweeting offers on Twitter, or posting a review on Yelp keeps the conversation going and generates a powerful buzz for small business;

-       Event Marketing for efficiently promoting and managing registrations and RSVPs for meetings, functions, seminars, and events; and

-       Online Survey for gathering feedback that helps meet customer needs, generate new ideas, and help grow a business or organization.

“Our tools are all proven to help small businesses connect with customers and build successful relationships with them,” said Steve Johnson, vice president, Partners, Constant Contact. “We are pleased that DecoGraphic Marketing chose Constant Contact to provide its clients with our online marketing tools and we look forward to working together to be an even bigger factor in their customers’ success.”

About DecoGraphic Marketing

With more than 10 years of experience with DecoGraphic, Inc, we now bring you DecoGraphic Marketing! A full digital marketing service so you can complete your marketing strategy and efforts, and once and for all, target your correct audience. Take a look around; you should be able get an idea of what we offer. Should you have any questions, we are here to help. Call us or write to us to get estimates on pricing for all our services.

About Constant Contact, Inc.
Constant Contact is revolutionizing the success formula for small organizations through affordable, easy-to-use Engagement Marketing™ tools that help create and grow customer relationships.  More than 400,000 small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and member associations worldwide rely on Constant Contact as their engagement hub for starting and driving ongoing customer dialogs through email marketing, social media marketing, event marketing, and online surveys.  All Constant Contact products come with unrivaled know how, education and free coaching with a personal touch, including award-winning customer support.

Learn more at www.ConstantContact.com.

Constant Contact and the Constant Contact Logo are registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All Constant Contact product names and other brand names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Please direct all press inquiries to:

DecoGraphic Marketing

Fabrizio Colombi

Owner

info@decographicmarketing.com

+ 1 (305) 454-8548