Google Acquires Jaiku

Earlier this year, we announced that my company, Vineberg Communications, was retained by Jaiku to handle U.S. and international public relations efforts and drive awareness and users to their microblogging service.

From a press release issued at the time, Jaiku's co-founders noted, "Our objective is to enhance our communications with users, build greater awareness of Jaiku in secondary and trade markets and build a strong brand identity in the consumer market. After interviewing many U.S. public relations firms, it was Vineberg’s long-term experience, extensive industry knowledge and out of the box approach that were ultimately the deciding factors in our decision to retain their services.”

Over the course of several months, we sought to engage in productive conversations with bloggers and journalists and help raise awareness of Jaiku as a technology leader. They earned it by consistently delivering innovative tools and services to their loyal user base.

Today that paid off big time. I'm pleased to report that Google acquired Jaiku and we're absolutely delighted. It's a terrific deal for both parties. We've been fielding media calls all day!

Jaiku plugs into a truly global network that can leverage their brilliant creation. Google acquires a terrific platform and the leading mobile networking application in its class. Using compatible Nokia S60 mobile devices, you can see what friends are doing right in your phone’s contact list. You can also post Jaikus and have them show up on the Web and in your friend’s phone. And you can share presence (your availability, location and calendar) publicly, or only with selected contacts. Google can now integrate Jaiku's technology into their growing eco-system. Jaiku also has an iPhone app that I use daily. Maybe we will see Jaiku mobile on a Google mobile phone? I'd bet the farm on that.

Props to co-founders Jyri Engeström, Petteri Koponen and their terrific team of developers. Good things happen to good people.