London, United Kingdom (25th April 2022) – Camdenist, part of collaborative media and events company TheLococo, and Google today announced a strategic partnership focused on accelerating digital transformation and helping local businesses become more advanced, data-driven and sustainable.

Camdenist and Google will apply their expertise in digital marketing, data and analytics to support local businesses, gain new insights and drive revenue growth. The pilot project will focus on digital training and transformation in the borough with the aims of fostering economic recovery after Covid and improving environmental outcomes at a hyperlocal level.

The project will feature a designated group of High Street businesses invited to participate in Google workshops and training sessions designed to accelerate knowledge and skills. Camdenist will work closely with a cohort of local businesses to better understand digital skills needed to curate a dynamic programme that meets the particular needs and challenges of each Camden business.

As a Google partner, Camdenist will focus on developing capabilities and business outcomes using Google learnings and solutions and the expertise of its team. The program is designed to contribute to Google’s goal of upskilling local businesses through Growth with Google; they have a unique focus on Camden because its where the company is based. The project forms part of Google’s ambition to fill the ground floor of their forthcoming HQ at King’s Boulevard in King’s Cross with local makers and entrepreneurs as well as charities and spaces for community events. Read more about the project in this blog post by MD of Google UK & Ireland Ronan Harris.

“We’re excited to partner with Google and look forward to working together to foster local success stories, encourage environmental best practice, and build a strong community network for the long-term,” said Tom Kihl, Managing Director of Camdenist parent company TheLococo. “Footfall on our High Streets has dropped significantly since Covid-19 and many small businesses will operate more efficiently by having a solid digital strategy to drive growth. This pilot project will provide the skills and guidance to help local businesses navigate out of the downturn experienced over the past two years.”

“The partnership between Google and Camdenist represents a step forward as local businesses seek sustainable growth,” said Amy Brown, Head of Creative Strategy, EMEA, Events & Experience at Google. “Bringing together the Grow with Google programme with a successful local media company will help us build relationships and collaboration with businesses in Camden. We’re based in the borough and looking to invite a selection of small businesses to take part in our retail space when our new offices in King’s Cross are complete.”

To further the collaboration, Camdenist and Google are focusing on several key solution areas, including:

  • Grow with Google – a free programme designed to help accelerate economic recovery using Google technology, tools and training so that local businesses can grow stronger, faster and more resilient. 
  • Digital Garage – a free series of workshops and certificates; that promote digital skills designed to help businesses become better equipped with strategy and growth.
  • Data & Analytics: help businesses enable data mobility and use analytics to achieve their data and digital transformation strategies by combining Camdenist’s data management services with Google’s analytics platform.

For more information about the Camdenist and Google partnership, please contact Tom Kihl, Managing Director of Camdenist at tom@theloco.co

Project Partners

Why this excites us

  • It’s a long-term project to support Camden’s brilliant local independent businesses and really make a difference to their successful use of digital tools
  • Google are showing real commitment to their neighbours and communities in the LB Camden 
  • It allows TheLococo to demonstrate a new model for local media, engaging directly with SMBs to produce genuine commercial results

NOTES FOR EDITORS

About TheLococo & Camdenist

TheLococo engages local communities and their businesses via a mix of digital and print media, hospitality events and outreach programmes. It currently operates two platforms in London: Camdenist and The Wick, (which similarly fosters creative and commercial connections in and around the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park). TheLococo aims to continually innovate in the local media space, addressing the challenges of today and helping to imagine the neighbourhoods of the future. 

 About Grow with Google

Grow with Google helps ensure that the opportunities created by technology are available to everyone. Since 2014, the programme has helped millions of people find a job, grow their career or business. Now it is focused on helping accelerate economic recovery through our technology, tools and training; so that businesses, communities and people can grow stronger, faster and more resilient. To learn about Grow with Google partners and available tools and resources, visit google.com/grow