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Today, we are thrilled to announce a major milestone that takes our strategic capabilities to a truly global stage: smec is officially certified as an active member of Google’s International Growth Agency Program (IGAP) — making us one of the very first partners in Europe to achieve this recognition.
As a Google Premier Partner and a three-time Microsoft Retail Partner of the Year managing over €650M in ad spend, expanding boundaries is in our DNA. This new certification unlocks an entirely new layer of global scaling capabilities for our global clients like THG, River Island, as well as ambitious retailers ready to cross their first border.
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Earning the badge: The high bar of IGAP certification
Becoming an IGAP certified partner is an elite recognition. Google reserves this exclusive program for a select cohort of top-performing international agencies that demonstrate advanced proficiency and verified scale in global markets.
To achieve this active certification, smec met rigorous, performance-led criteria:
- The Export Council & Curriculum: We established an internal council of growth experts who mastered an advanced international curriculum and passed Google’s strict International Growth Assessments.
- Proven Strategic Impact: We validated our expertise by submitting real-world, high-standard case studies demonstrating our ability to successfully navigate operational complexities and scale client revenue across borders.
Google thoroughly vetted our expertise, our AI-driven approach, and our strategic execution—giving us the ultimate green light to act as an official guide for global expansion.
What this means for our clients: Core benefits & capabilities
Crossing borders is complex. From shifting consumer behaviors to localized logistical hurdles, international retail is filled with unpredictable risks. Through the IGAP framework, we replace guesswork with data-driven, signal-based planning.
Here is how our certified IGAP status directly supercharges your international business results:
1. Unfair Advantage via Exclusive Market Intelligence
Instead of relying on surface-level metrics or gut instinct, we now leverage Google’s proprietary, country-level market data and advanced cross-border analytics. We can pinpoint exactly where your specific product categories have high untapped demand, map out local competition, and evaluate localized purchasing power to accurately prioritize your next profitable market.
2. Frictionless Go-to-Market & Operational Localization
True international expansion requires deep cultural and operational alignment, not just basic language translation. Through IGAP, we connect directly with Google specialists in international user experience (UX), localized payment preferences, and regional market frameworks. This ensures your brand looks, feels, and operates like a local native from day one, drastically optimizing your conversion rates.
3. Merging Predictive AI with Full-Funnel Global Execution
We align your unique business goals—whether that’s clearing inventory, pushing high-margin product lines, or scaling volume—with sophisticated cross-border tactics. By combining smec’s predictive AI software with IGAP playbooks, we build highly efficient, automated campaigns across full-funnel formats like Performance Max, Demand Gen, and YouTube. Smart automation reduces repetitive manual tasks, while budgets scale dynamically only when agreed performance targets are met.
4. A Direct 1:1 Pipeline to Google Consultants
As an active IGAP member, smec works hand-in-hand with dedicated Google International Growth Consultants. When complex market shifts or campaign hurdles arise, we bypass traditional support channels. Our clients benefit from bespoke optimization advice, custom growth narratives, and early access to exclusive alpha and beta Google Ads tools before they hit the mainstream market.
Ready to scale beyond borders?
Whether you are an established global enterprise looking to optimize your cross-border efficiency or a rising ecommerce brand eyeing your next international move, you don’t have to navigate the map alone.
With smec’s 18+ years of retail expertise, our smec Platform, and now the elite backing of Google’s IGAP framework, your international growth is in the most capable hands. Let’s turn your global ambitions into measurable, profitable reality.
