WelcomeTo Search Engine Hires Brodeur Porter Novelli

Vancouver, BC-based WelcomeTo Search Engine Inc., a provider of Internet business directories and e-commerce solutions, signed high-tech public relations firm Brodeur Porter Novelli.

Brodeur will develop a strategic consumer and industry campaign targeted at small businesses and consumers to promote WelcomeTo’s regional business portals and e-commerce development tools. Billings were not disclosed.

WelcomeTo began beta testing of its portal on March 31 in the Vancouver region. A full product launch and North American roll-out is anticipated in the third quarter.

“We selected Brodeur as our agency because we were impressed with their strong consumer technology expertise. We are confident in Brodeur’s ability to communicate our messages to businesses looking for e-commerce solutions as well as to consumers seeking relevant business information in their communities,” said Phil Dubois, CEO and president of WelcomeTo.

WelcomeTo will offer online consumers access to accurate, localized business listings, in addition to providing merchants the tools to create electronic storefronts and the ability to target their online promotions and advertising.

WelcomeTo’s Xpress/Sites e-commerce offering is a scalable suite of three products that allow vendors to build online stores themselves or through one of WelcomeTo’s Xpress commerce partners. WelcomeTo hosts vendors’ sites for a monthly fee.