LinkedIn launches Company Status Updates and Certified Developer Program to enable stronger engagement between brands and their audiences
New York and Mountain View, Calif. — Oct. 6, 2011 — LinkedIn, the world's largest professional network, with more than 120 million members worldwide, today announced two developments that give brands powerful new ways to engage with LinkedIn members: first, the ability to share direct updates with their Company Page followers via Company Status Updates; and second, the LinkedIn Certified Developer Program, which connects marketers and agencies with experienced developers who can develop custom social programs and applications leveraging the LinkedIn platform.
The announcements came at Connect:11, LinkedIn’s premier annual event for marketers, close to the anniversary of the successful Company Pages launch at Connect:10 last year.
Building on the success of Company Pages, which today make up a robust ecosystem of more than two million businesses and tens of millions of followers, these developments accelerate brands’ ability to engage directly with their audiences in a professional context and a social environment they trust .
“At LinkedIn, we want professionals to be able to interact and build relationships with the brands and companies they value in the way that’s most relevant to them,” said Mike Gamson, Senior Vice President of Global Sales at LinkedIn. “Our members engage on the platform to create and strengthen business relationships, share and gain knowledge and opportunities, and make faster, smarter decisions. LinkedIn is the only place marketers can connect with influential, affluent and highly-educated audiences in this context.”
Company Status Updates allow administrators of Company Pages to share professionally relevant updates directly with their Company Page followers, including content such as company news, videos, jobs, industry articles, and more. In an environment where millions of professionals are turning to their networks for help making critical business decisions every day, giving companies a vehicle to communicate and engage with their followers will allow them to strengthen those relationships, build brand advocacy and attract new and repeat customers.
The LinkedIn Certified Developer Program is a best-in-class network of developers to help marketers, agencies and companies leverage the LinkedIn platform to drive engagement with their audiences. Launch partners - which include AKQA, Buddy Media, HootSuite Media, Inc. and Wildfire - have a range of social media marketing capabilities, including campaign management, social promotions, enhanced analytics, custom applications and more.
Companies interested in learning more about amplifying their social marketing efforts through the LinkedIn Certified Developer Program can visit developer.linkedin.com/certified-developer-program.
About LinkedIn
Founded in 2003, LinkedIn connects the world's professionals to make them more productive and successful. With more than 120 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 revenue coming from member subscriptions, marketing solutions and hiring solutions. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, LinkedIn also has offices across North America, as well as throughout Europe, Asia and Australia.