‘Succeed: Small Business Network’ Group Will Provide Small Businesses
Access to Advice, Connections, and Networking Opportunities
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2012--
Staples
Inc., the world’s largest office product company and second largest
internet retailer, is partnering with LinkedIn, world’s largest
professional network, to launch SUCCEED: Small Business Network. This
online forum will serve as a platform for networking, advice and content
specifically for small business professionals.
In SUCCEED, Staples and LinkedIn are creating an online community that
enables small businesses to connect and collaborate. The group gives
small business professionals the opportunity to network and discuss
important issues, as well as share success stories and professional
hurdles in an online forum created especially for them.
SUCCEED will offer valuable information and content in a variety of
ways, including a small-business oriented Special Edition of
LinkedIn Today, an editorial platform that aggregates and
curates highly relevant and targeted news from one million publishers
across the web.
“At Staples, we’re always providing new ways to help our small business
customers succeed,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president
marketing, Staples Retail. “Together with LinkedIn, we have the
opportunity to develop a vital small business community and build on our
relationships with this important segment through the leading social
network for professionals.”
To engage members, the managed group will offer benefits such as
industry expert profiles, targeted events, incentive awards, spotlight
Q&As, and weekly polls. The content will be managed, and monitored by a
dedicated editorial staff at LinkedIn.
“We are pleased to work with Staples to create an environment which
offers content that matters to small business professionals,” said
Jonathan Lister, vice president, North American Sales, Marketing
Solutions, LinkedIn. “Through SUCCEED, we aim to give our members the
resources they need to be more productive and successful within the
digital and social context that is most relevant to them.”
Staples branding will be visible throughout the group’s page, including
a “Powered by Staples” tag and four areas of branded content on the
right rail. LinkedIn has also placed measurement tools on the group’s
page for administrators and members to gauge performance using on-site
analytics.
Both companies aim to engage existing Staples customers as well as
capture the attention of new small business professionals. As such, both
companies will amplify insights from the group through a combination of
member-facing e-mails and e-newsletters, messaging on the Staples
LinkedIn Company Page, and posts on social media channels.
To join the SUCCEED: Small Business Network, visit www.linkedin.com/succeedsmallbiz
About LinkedIn
Founded in 2003, LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals to make
them more productive and successful. With more than 187 million members
worldwide, including executives from every Fortune 500 company, LinkedIn
is the world’s largest professional network on the Internet. The company
has a diversified business model with revenues coming from its talent
solutions, marketing solutions and premium subscriptions businesses.
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, LinkedIn has offices across the globe.
About Staples
Staples is the world’s largest office products company and a trusted
source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and
expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and
breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept
in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the
world in eCommerce sales. With 88,000 associates worldwide, Staples
operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe,
Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes and
consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information
about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20121204006383/en/
Source: Staples Inc.
Staples Inc.
Carrie McElwee, 508-253-1405
Carrie.McElwee@Staples.com
or
LinkedIn:
press@linkedin.com
