Google, Quirk to host gadget event for marketers

Gadgets are increasingly being used as effective marketing tools by companies who mix creativity with the required development skills. Gadgets enable companies to attach their brand to a helpful tool and to reach a wide audience, appear on affiliate websites and reach people on their personalised homepages.

Rob Stokes, CEO of Quirk eMarketing says, "The use of gadgets expands the way businesses interact with their customers online. Your website is no longer the one and only platform to engage customers and as online marketers it is critical that we understand how to leverage new technologies appropriately to build our brands. This Google initiative aims to give both marketers and technologists the knowledge they require to make these decisions"

The Google gadget event will take place over four hours, from 4.30pm until 9pm on 25 August 2008 in Midrand, Gauteng. The first part of the event will cover what gadgets are and the benefits of using gadgets as marketing tools. This component is aimed at decision makers in business, marketing, communications, design and development.

The second part of the event will focus on how to build a gadget, with guidelines on best practice and technical demonstrations. This part of the event is aimed at creative agencies, web developers, web masters and technical leads.

The event is free, but seats are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. In order to register for the event, send an email including your name, job title and website URL to .

Google has also launched the Google Qualified Gadget Ads Expert programme that is aimed at professionals who currently develop or want to develop Google Gadget Ads. The programme focuses on improving the skills and success of developers, and is offered free of charge. For more information, go to www.google.com/adwords/gadgetads/qualification/.