Google launches AdWords program for Malaysian SMEs

• Premier SME Partnership Program to bring digital marketing to more Malaysian SMEs by fostering a network of partners
• Three partners already on board: Yellow Pages by TM Info-Media Sdn Bhd; PanPages by CBSA Online; and Activa Media

GOOGLE Malaysia has launched a new initiative to get small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into digital advertising.
 
The Premier SME Partnership Program is designed to bring digital marketing to more Malaysian SMEs by fostering a network of partners dedicated to providing specialized services that help SMEs grow, the company said in a statement.
 
Malaysia has over 18 million Internet users, and more than 60% of Malaysians search online before purchasing a good or engaging a service, Google Malaysia said.
 
The opportunities for SMEs who go digital are significant, but out of the roughly 700,00 SMEs in the country, only slightly more than 100,000 are online and active, and only a small fraction of those advertise on the Web.
 
Many SMEs want to do more online, but feel they lack the time, resources, or expertise to get started. The Premier SME Partnership Program addresses that need by connecting such businesses with experienced AdWords providers.
 
These partners can provide SMEs with the expert help they need to reach new customers online, by creating, managing and optimizing their online advertising campaigns, the company said.
 
“Malaysians are coming online – and -- they’re turning to the Web to meet their business needs,” said Sajith Sivanandan, country head for Google Malaysia. “Digital isn’t a future trend; it’s happening today, and SMEs need to catch up to their customers.”
 
Google Malaysia said that three premier partners had already joined the program: Yellow Pages by TM Info-Media Sdn Bhd; PanPages by CBSA Online; and Activa Media.
 
“Transforming from a purely paper-based Yellow Pages publication to now being present in digital forms, our own story is a classic example of how the Internet is rewriting the present and shaping the future of doing business in Malaysia,” said Alfian Abu Talib, CEO of TM InfoMedia.
 
“We have a well-trained team who are able to assist other businesses in using the Internet for their marketing needs, thanks to training programs of Google Malaysia,” he added.
 
H.K. Song, CEO of CBSA Online, said, “The Internet is changing the landscape of how a customer finds a business. … At CBSA, we have more than 20 years of experience with SMEs and (have been) active in digital advertising for the past five years.”
 
Google said it has already started working with CBSA and TMIM to help them ramp up their sales force through training programs, and will provide these partners with dedicated marketing and sales support, such as co-branded marketing collateral, market research, and training, as well as technical and operational support, and joint promotions and sales pitches (click chart to enlarge).
 
The Google Premier SME Partner Program is a global initiative of Google and is operational in 37 countries worldwide.