Performics and Google to Offer AdWords Program for Grady Students

Grady College is pleased to announce that Performics, the performance marketing agency in Publicis, has teamed with Google to offer an opportunity to Grady students to get a head start on a digital media career by taking the Google Adwords Certification Program and Test. 

Dana Todd

This program was developed through the efforts of Grady alumna Dana Todd, SVP Marketing and Business Development at Performics in Chicago. UGA will be the first recipient of this official scholarship program, and 10 students will be chosen to become individually qualified in Google AdWords. Representatives of Performics will come visit Grady the week of January 21 to recruit in senior-level classes. Grady faculty Dr. Elaine Lin and Dr. Karen King will be working with Performics and Google to help set it up. 

Google's AdWords program is globally recognized as one of the most important qualifiers to enter the digital marketing industry. Knowledge in AdWords can be transferrable to almost any career in marketing, including ones involving optimization, keyword search and digital metrics. 

Benefits to completing this certificate program include: 

• Improved knowledge in keywords, bidded media systems and optimization strategies; 
• Globally-recognized stamp of approval certifying essential AdWords knowledge; 
• Showcase specialist knowledge through advanced exams covering search, display, reporting and analysis.

Applications to the program will be due January 31, 2013, and can be found here. Once chosen, students will be assigned a mentor and will complete modules on a regular basis during February and March. 

To gain qualification, students must pass both the Advertising Fundamentals exam and one advanced-level exam. Exam topics will include Google advertising, display advertising, search advertising, and reporting and analysis. Students will complete the modules by early April and take the exam, and Performics will cover the cost of taking the exam. Google/Performics will come to campus to award the certificates in late April. Students who pass the required exams to become Individually Qualified will receive a certificate verifying achievement. They'll also have an online Individual Profile page to share with interested parties.

Once qualified, individuals receive a Google-branded certificate and can add their Individually Qualified status to their CV to showcase their AdWords skills and knowledge.