London ON - (September 22, 2009) Today, E&B Data released its findings for its benchmark study, "Web 2.0 and Business Attraction - Canadian Cities Online Marketing Index" and recognized London for their progressive online marketing initiatives to attract new investment.
The study measures how well Canadian cities economic development agencies are marketing their regions to potential investors through the web. The uses of various Web 2.0 tools were assessed and the availability of relevant information sources for site selectors on the agency's website were considered as a part of the ranking process.
The London Economic Development Corporation shared first place with the Greater Halifax Partnership and received top accolades for its multilingual functionality on its website, its level of current and customized content, its high search engine ranking through google.ca and use of videocasts.
Peter White, President and CEO of the London Economic Development Corporation is very pleased with the recognition by E&B Data. "We have implemented a very strategic approach with our marketing efforts to ensure we are reaching our target audiences through a variety of online mediums including our monthly and quarterly newsletters, and the use of Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and videocasts. Our website is also available in Korean, Chinese, Italian, French, German, and Japanese and is helping to raise our profile internationally."
"The country of origin of capital investments in Canada has fundamentally changed. The majority of the investments no longer come from the United States. To remain competitive, major Canadian cities must rethink the means and the networks taken to promote their regions to new markets," says Isabelle Poirier, investment strategist at E&B Data.
The full report is available at www.ebdata.com. The study highlights the top 20 Canadian cities based on the usage of social media tools.
The London Economic Development Corporation is in its 11th year of operation, influencing the growth of London's economy through the attraction of new investment, and supporting the growth and development of existing businesses.
E&B Data is a North American leader in the supply of economic and business information. In additional, E&B Data performs benchmark analysis for economic development initiatives. Equipped with proprietary databases and information systems, D&B Data operates the largest business capital investment monitoring activity in Canada since 2000.
For more information, please contact:
Lesley Cornelius
Director, Marketing and Communications
London Economic Development Corporation
519-661-5009
