A leading internet company from Eastern Europe has opened a new UK division based in Lincoln.
Ukraine-based Promodo specialises in raising the online profile of companies in Russian-speaking countries – a growth market for UK business.
Promodo, set up in 2004, now employs more than 60 staff across two offices in Kharkov and Moscow and has a turnover of $5million.
As well as expertise in the US and UK search industries, the company has a growing reputation in the field of Russian-language search engines and is increasingly being used by firms to grow online presence in Eastern Europe.
Now it has decided to press ahead with its plans to break into the UK market by opening up an office in Lincoln.
Promodo clients include a travel company in Barcelona, a US web hosting company and online betting site bwin.com
It is a leading provider of internet marketing via the Yandex search engine and Google.ru in countries where traditional SEO via Google.com is less effective.
This helps their clients drive web traffic and sales on e-commerce sites.
The economy in the UK and Europe may be suffering but the markets in and around Russia are recovering quickly.
The Federation of International Trade Associations reported that the economic upturn in Russia has been strong during 2010 and 2011 – with 4% growth.
Russian imports grew from $24 billion per month to $29 billion between October 2010 and 2011.
Promodo believes this strong recovery can offer huge potential to suppliers in the East Midlands and wants to help them grow their presence.
Roman Viliavin, Promodo’s Vice CEO, said: “We are increasingly being asked by UK companies to help them break into the Eastern European markets and we want to build on that.
“The market for imports of both goods and services is strong here and the UK has a reputation for quality and innovation which is highly valued in Eastern Europe.
“Russian-speaking countries want to buy UK brands, but these UK companies often don’t reach their potential because they don’t realise how differently the internet works here. We can help them solve that problem and reach the right markets.”
The UK office will be headed by Phil Kelsey and Miles Scudamore (correct) and they will be working from offices in The Terrace, Lincoln.
“The potential for UK companies is really exciting,” said Phil.
“With our search specialists based in the Ukraine it allows us to keep prices extremely competitive and our office in the UK allows us to now deal face-to-face with clients.  So opening a UK operation allows us to provide an even better service.
“From my visits to the Ukraine I know how highly UK brands and expertise is valued. There’s huge opportunities if you understand how best to reach customers. We can provide those skills.”
For more information visit www.promodo.co.uk or contact Phil Kelsey on +44 (0) 20 31376681