GTBank, Nokia in mobile partnership

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has entered into a partnership with Nokia on its new mobile platform, reports The Nation.

The deal, which is the first of its kind in West Africa, will allow the GTBank Naira MasterCard to be accepted as the preferred local payment option on Nokia's premier Mobile Application store - OVI store and open a vista of opportunities for GTBank on the OVI platform.

Deputy managing director of the bank, Segun Agbaje, says the agreement is in line with the bank's aim to leverage the emerging possibilities of mobile marketing as the bank seeks to expand its already robust electronic banking platform while bringing to its teeming customers, cutting edge innovative and services at all levels with Nokia will help satisfy their vision.

The Wisconsin Specialty Cheese Institute (WSCI) is organising a workshop that will help small businesses in the cheese industry learn how to effectively marketing themselves electronically, says Wisconsin Ag Connection.

Planners say social media and online marketing have fast become critical ways to communicate a company's message and build sales, but many small business owners don't understand how to get started.

A panel of experts will share insights on important e-business and communication strategies, from Facebook and Twitter, to website design and marketing, to e-commerce. Panellists will provide actionable ideas for using the web to boost brand awareness, grow website traffic and build community.

According to Jean-Francois Van Kerckhove, e-Bay's vice-president, corporate strategy, India is among the fastest growing e-commerce markets in Asia, notes CIOL.

“75% growth in e-commerce is outside Japan, North America and Western European Union,” said Jean-Francois, while addressing the third National Conference on Digital Commerce in Mumbai.

However, he stressed that India needs to take some key steps over the next couple of years to set the pace in the field of innovation and e-commerce.