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Two North East firms are among the first in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ to join a new project with global internet giant Google.

Gateshead-based digital marketing agency Mediaworks and e-commerce firm Visualsoft, which has offices in Stockton and Newcastle, have both been accredited Google’s International Growth Partner Programme.

The accreditation will give the companies access to exclusive Google data which they say will help clients access new markets, particularly in overseas markets.

Mediaworks chief executive Brett Jacobson said: “One of the biggest challenges that most exporters face is obtaining accurate market insights. Analysing your products and service demands, category growth, competition by category costs, and seasonality power is a challenge for any business moving into multiple new markets.

“Access to Google’s global data and market insight tools will further enhance our ability to support our clients by analysing and benchmarking these critical market insights.”

He added: “International growth is important for our clients and future economic growth. The contribution of online international trade continues to grow — last year 23% of all European e-commerce sales were reported to be cross-border purchases and we expect this trend to continue to grow.”

Liam Higgins, Google International Growth Specialist for the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and Ireland, said: “It’s really pioneering stuff, and the first time we’ve done something like this. We’re delighted to have Mediaworks on board as one of the first º£½ÇÊÓƵ partners.

“The programme will be a huge benefit to Mediaworks and its exhaustive client list and we hope by delivering these additional services and insights to trusted and skilled partners like Mediaworks, we can fuel continued growth through International expansion.”