iCrossing Partners With Russian SEM Firm

I recently wrote about Eastern Europe's growing appeal for global digital players, so news that iCrossing has partnered with a Russian SEM firm comes as no surprise.

The Moscow-based outfit, Ingate, will help support Russian-focused campaigns for the firm's global clients. iCrossing alsostruck a similar deal with Chinese SEM agency Beijing Gridsum Technology Co. late last year, and said at the time it plans to open its own Asian office by 2010.

As Western firms look for ways to offset slowing revenues from established markets, heading East appears to be the order of the day. Aegis, WPP and Google invested cash in Eastern Europe in 2008, and SEO competitors such as Webcertain claim to be actively pursuing opportunities abroad.

Ingate itself currently serves global brands including Procter & Gamble, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Peugeot, and Honda.