Ektron Announces New Partner Methodology, Delivers Unique Web Software and Solutions for Social Media-Influenced Brands

NASHUA, N.H. and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Ektron Inc. announced today an agreement with Solsbury Partner Group, a managed alliance consulting firm, that will augment Ektron's current partner program.  Solsbury's initiatives and methodology will support Ektron's established Best Practice Solutions for global partners and customers, while building opportunities with new systems integrators, digital agencies, and technology, training and translation partners.  

"Ektron powers some of the most demanding web sites for many of the biggest brands. We've found at the top of 'wish lists' for the developers and marketing executives creating these sites is the recurrent need for solid web strategies that mitigate risk while addressing the positive and negative impact of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social networks," said Bill Rogers, founder and CEO of Ektron.  "As a result, many Ektron partners confirm that they don't only want a web content management platform for their developer and design toolset -- they also want a true collaborator to offer joint technology solutions that address evolving web needs.  The Ektron-Solsbury alliance, allows us to align more seamlessly with our partners, extend our expertise, create unique web software solutions and ensure web project success."

As part of the alliance, Solsbury will uncover unique technology requests, so together Ektron and its partners may provide everything companies and brands need to deliver tailored, integrated and compelling sites.  "Applying the Solsbury methodology, partnering is now a 3-way street between Ektron, the services-providing partner, and the customer," said Savas Gunduz, managing partner, Solsbury Partner Group. "The pendulum has swung and social media marketing now reaches a global market faster than any other marketing tool.   Ektron chose to work with Solsbury Partner Group because as technology continues to evolve, so must existing partnerships and other relationships."

Ektron Partner and Customer Metrics

When digital agency partners such as MRM Worldwide are developing web strategies with CMO-levels of large brands, Ektron has become the web solution of choice.  "Ektron's integrated technology harnesses the power of social networking, improves operational efficiency, drives revenue growth and builds customer loyalty," said John Running, senior vice president of technology at MRM Worldwide.  "I've used Ektron since 2007 on many brands with great success."

Ektron has impacted web site strategies including NASDAQ's, who is tracking and recognizing success using Ektron's software to link with social media outlets, provide tailored content and analyze the interactions with NASDAQ.com visitors.  Other recent relative Ektron-customer metrics include:

• 20% decrease in call center costs by enhanced website self-service at healthcare institutions
• 30% increase in engagement for content providers
• 10% increase in productivity per day with financial services customers
• 34% increase in online revenues for retailers
• 100% increase in online donations and membership registrations for many non-profits and associations

Ektron Partner Program

Ektron works with a select group of highly qualified and trained partners. The Ektron Partner Program consists of a comprehensive set of programs and services to help existing and new partners develop and promote their solutions with enhanced enablement and greater alignment to Ektron's software and services.  The new methodology added to the Ektron Partner Program has been designed with customer satisfaction in mind, and delivers business value across a wide range of companies, small and large, across a broad set of industries, including healthcare, media and entertainment, financial services, manufacturing and non-profits.  Among the benefits of the Ektron Partner Program are:

• Ektron sales, marketing and engineering support
• Accreditation training and mentoring
• Professional services and staffing support
• Software discounts
• Partner communication and updates
• Access to Ektron community for partner support
• Annual user group conference and product training meeting

"In this marketplace, no web strategy or partner truly is created equal. We are impressed with Ektron's analysis of lessons learned and innovative approach to ensure project success, partner by partner, project by project, innovation by innovation.  Ektron is a trusted, behind-the-scenes brand with big-brand technology and project success," added Gunduz.

Additional information about the Ektron Partner Program may be found at http://www.ektron.com/partners/.

About Solsbury Partner Group

Solsbury Partner Group is a nationally managed alliance consulting firm and a leading advisor for technology centric alliance strategy and management. They selectively work with innovative technology industry clients across the globe to identify their highest-value teaming opportunities, and help them grow exponentially by leveraging strategic alliance programs to support their product and channel programs. Their strategic advantage comes from a group of Principals with a combined 40 years of industry alliance management experience from Accenture, PwC, HP, CA and a host of other successful technology partners. They have used this experience to create a formal set of methodologies Align & Drive to strategically define an Alliance program that aligns the goals of both the technology company and their Partner, and in turn drive revenue for both sides, and comprehensive solutions for the end clients that drive real business value.

About Ektron

Ektron Inc. has innovated web technology since 1998. By combining web content management (WCM), marketing optimization and social software, Ektron has a single web platform that improves operational efficiency, drives revenue growth and builds customer loyalty. Ektron empowers marketers to create, publish and optimize web content that engages, converts and retains customers. Developers benefit from Ektron's extensibility and commitment to the Microsoft .NET framework. Headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire, with offices in Australia, Canada, Singapore and the United Kingdom, Ektron has more than 8,000 customers worldwide including AMC Theaters, Carnegie Hall, Kodak, Microsoft, NASDAQ, Texas Children's Hospital and the University of Notre Dame.  For more information, please visit www.ektron.com.

Ektron and the Ektron logo, are trademarks of Ektron Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Ektron, Inc.