E&Y inks partnership deal with online networking platform LinkedIn

Specialist online networking platform LinkedIn has partnered with Big 4 firm E&Y in a move that marks a big step for the internet company.

The announcement of the strategic partnership with E&Y (formerly Ernst & Young) followed the recent release of LinkedIn's Q3 earnings.

Largest deal

According to LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner, it is the “largest single deal in our history”, and both companies hope that the new partnership will have a big impact.

An E&Y spokesperson said it was designed to “accelerate business-to-business growth by bringing cutting-edge social selling technology and data analytics to market around the globe.”

“Together, EY and LinkedIn will help more companies around the world leverage technology, social networks and innovative sales techniques to get their products and services to market more quickly and effectively,” the spokesperson added.

Social and data analytics

The pact aims to use social and data analytics to help companies develop deeper and more trusted customer relationships.

E&Y will integrate LinkedIn’s Sales Navigator tool into its own business development efforts and encourage the use of social channels amongst its workforce.

Global Chairman and CEO of the Big 4 firm Mark Weinberger said, “This will be a powerful relationship. EY and LinkedIn are both driven by a sense of purpose. At EY, we continually strive to build a better working world by bringing our clients the tools and services they need in a rapidly changing business environment. Data analytics and technology have transformed the way companies operate, and together, EY and LinkedIn will provide organisations with leading-edge tools to navigate those changes.”