Staples and LinkedIn Launch New Small Business Group on the LinkedIn Platform

‘Succeed: Small Business Network’ Group Will Provide Small Businesses Access to Advice, Connections, and Networking Opportunities

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--()--Staples Inc., the world’s largest office product company and second largest internet retailer, is partnering with LinkedIn, world’s largest professional network, to launch SUCCEED: Small Business Network. This online forum will serve as a platform for networking, advice and content specifically for small business professionals.

In SUCCEED, Staples and LinkedIn are creating an online community that enables small businesses to connect and collaborate. The group gives small business professionals the opportunity to network and discuss important issues, as well as share success stories and professional hurdles in an online forum created especially for them.

SUCCEED will offer valuable information and content in a variety of ways, including a small-business oriented Special Edition of LinkedIn Today, an editorial platform that aggregates and curates highly relevant and targeted news from one million publishers across the web.

“At Staples, we’re always providing new ways to help our small business customers succeed,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president marketing, Staples Retail. “Together with LinkedIn, we have the opportunity to develop a vital small business community and build on our relationships with this important segment through the leading social network for professionals.”

To engage members, the managed group will offer benefits such as industry expert profiles, targeted events, incentive awards, spotlight Q&As, and weekly polls. The content will be managed, and monitored by a dedicated editorial staff at LinkedIn.

“We are pleased to work with Staples to create an environment which offers content that matters to small business professionals,” said Jonathan Lister, vice president, North American Sales, Marketing Solutions, LinkedIn. “Through SUCCEED, we aim to give our members the resources they need to be more productive and successful within the digital and social context that is most relevant to them.”

Staples branding will be visible throughout the group’s page, including a “Powered by Staples” tag and four areas of branded content on the right rail. LinkedIn has also placed measurement tools on the group’s page for administrators and members to gauge performance using on-site analytics.

Both companies aim to engage existing Staples customers as well as capture the attention of new small business professionals. As such, both companies will amplify insights from the group through a combination of member-facing e-mails and e-newsletters, messaging on the Staples LinkedIn Company Page, and posts on social media channels.

To join the SUCCEED: Small Business Network, visit www.linkedin.com/succeedsmallbiz

About LinkedIn

Founded in 2003, LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful. With more than 187 million members worldwide, including executives from every Fortune 500 company, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network on the Internet. The company has a diversified business model with revenues coming from its talent solutions, marketing solutions and premium subscriptions businesses. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, LinkedIn has offices across the globe.

About Staples

Staples is the world’s largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 88,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes and consumers. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.

Contacts

Staples Inc.
Carrie McElwee, 508-253-1405
Carrie.McElwee@Staples.com
or
LinkedIn:
press@linkedin.com

Release Summary

Staples Inc. is partnering with LinkedIn to launch SUCCEED: Small Business Network. This online forum will serve as a platform for networking, advice and content for small business professionals.

Contacts

Staples Inc.
Carrie McElwee, 508-253-1405
Carrie.McElwee@Staples.com
or
LinkedIn:
press@linkedin.com