Local online marketing companies band together in BEE deal

The merger joins together two of the country's most talented and knowledgeable internet minds. incuBeta is the brainchild of Vinny Lingham (Founder and Chief Strategy Officer) and Rob Stokes (CEO) is the mastermind behind Quirk eMarketing. Both have a dynamic passion for the Internet and have been fundamental in encouraging massive growth for South Africa's online industry. Together Quirk eMarketing and incuBeta employ over 80 staff and the complementary nature of their areas of expertise is set to create further job opportunities for local web savvy enthusiasts.

incuBeta is internationally recognised for their work in the paid search arena with web-based technologies and web architecture and software as another major focus. Paid search is the general term used for online advertising campaigns such as the sponsored listings on Google that operate on a keyword bidding system. In contrast, Quirk eMarketing offer a complete online marketing solution to their clients. A particular focus is on natural search which refers primarily to designing and optimising websites that are "Google-friendly" and easily recognisable by search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN. Paid search and natural search are the key elements of all e-commerce strategies and represent a billion dollar industry. While Quirk eMarketing and incuBeta's areas of expertise differ, they are highly complimentary and their modus operandi follows a similar ethos. Both have seen the value in strengthening their local base as a platform for aggressive global expansion. Furthermore, their proudly South African attitudes ensure that they perform their work in South Africa while providing ROI-driven marketing services on a global scale.

"This deal makes so much sense, it addresses Quirk eMarketing's empowerment strategy and also adds a huge base of skills and resources which our large client base will really see the benefit of," said Stokes.

The deal makes Quirk eMarketing the largest BEE eMarketing agency in the country and the two companies now represent some of the world's biggest brand names such as Hilton, Sun International, Sabi Sabi, Thomson and eBay. The two companies both have offices in the UK and with South African business being slow to jump onto the online "cyberwagon" they have concentrated on the international market.

"The South African business climate is finally seeing the potential of e-commerce and we endeavour to encourage responsible growth in this rapidly expanding business sector," said Lingham. "The collaboration between Quirk eMarketing and incuBeta will enable us to set much needed industry standards in this emerging industry."

With Quirk eMarketing's comprehensive eMarketing services and incuBeta's global connections alongside their new AJAX based web development platform, Synthasite, to be released internationally in the next few months - the two companies will be able to offer a holistic e-commerce solution to any business.