WSI Digital Marketing in Sussex Joins Race Online 2012 in Bid to Get Everyone Online by the London Olympics

Etchingham, United Kingdom, July 27, 2010 --(PR.com)-- WSI Digital Marketing in Sussex today announced plans to join Race Online 2012, the landmark challenge led by the UK’s Digital Champion Martha Lane Fox which aims to get the UK 100% internet enabled by the London Olympics.

Following research conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLp (PWC) in October 2009, more than 10 million adults across the UK have never used the internet, and worryingly 4 million of this group are also socially excluded. All of them are missing out on the opportunities and cost efficiencies that the web has to offer.

Of the 4 million adults offline who are socially and digitally excluded:

· 39% are over 65 years old
· 38% are unemployed
· 19% are in families with children

For a full copy of the PwC report please visit http://www.raceonline2012.org

Martha Lane Fox said "When the UK is near 100% online, the benefits to society and the economy will be significant and mark a step change for the country as a whole. Race Online 2012 aims to show there is both a moral and economic imperative for the wider business community to take the issue of digital inclusion much more seriously."

As an official Race Online 2012 partner, WSI Digital Marketing joins BT, Google, Comet, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Skype, Moneysupermarket, Sky and Talk Talk whose remarkable vision and support has already resulted in a commitment to get a staggering 600,000 new users online.

Urging all contacts and clients to lay down a Digital Promise that will help inspire, educate and train the 4 million people in the UK who are currently offline, Anthony Burke, Digital Marketing Management Consultant from WSI said: "The macro-economic environment makes the Race Online 2012 challenge an issue of urgency for all business, no matter what the size. Getting the UK near 100% online will create significant efficiency savings, attract investment, open opportunities and improve work force skills."

Race Online 2012 wants any organisation of any size to get involved and help tackle the issue. From encouraging business partners to sign up, to teaching friends and family to get online, or by donating old IT equipment locally - there are opportunities for all businesses to make a difference. It’s simple to sign up and it only takes five minutes to register.

All Race Online 2012 partners are automatically entitled to access the Race Online 2012 partner toolkits which include a Race Online 2012 certificate, online media and communication materials to help promote their initiatives and spread the word, plus access to the Race Online 2012 news feed offering 24/7 digital inclusion news updates.

Please go to this link http://raceonline2012.org/get-involved to become an official Race Online 2012 partner, where you can explain what your organisation is doing or can do to help make the UK one of the first countries in the world to establish a fully online, internet enabled society.

For media enquires, images, interviews please contact:
Anthony Burke
Anthony@wsionlinebiz.co.uk
http://www.wsionlinebiz.co.uk
01580 819529

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· To find out more about becoming a Race Online 2012 Partner visit http://www.raceonline2012.org/get-involved
· For people who are already online and know someone who is not visit http://www.helppassiton.co.uk
· To find out more about getting online call 0800 77 1234 to find your nearest UK online centre where friendly staff are waiting to help you get started.

Notes to Editors

· PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) research was conducted between 16th September and 9th October 2009
· For a full copy of the PwC report please visit http://www.raceonline2012.org
· Martha Lane Fox was appointed as independent Champion for Digital Inclusion in June 2009. The Prime Minister asked her to broaden her role to become the UK’s Digital Champion in March 2010 see http://raceonline2012.org/sites/default/files/resources/martha_lane_fox.pdf
· Digital Inclusion Limited is government funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government (through the Community Development Foundation) but is an independent organisation
· Martha Lane Fox co-founded lastminute.com, Europe’s largest travel and leisure website, in 1998. She then went on to co-found and chair the private karaoke chain Lucky Voice. In 2007, she launched Antigone, a grant-giving foundation that supports education, health and criminal justice charities to reflect her commitment to social justice. She is non-executive director at Marks & Spencer plc, Channel 4 Television and Mydeco
· UK online centres provide millions of people with access to technology and support in using it. They offer free or low cost access to the internet and email, deliver online courses and encourage people to progress onto further learning. For more information, please visit www.ukonlinecentres.com

About WSI:
With the largest international network of Internet Consultants, WSI is the leading provider of Internet solutions to small and medium sized businesses the world over. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, WSI provides affordable Internet related services and technologies that deliver maximum return on investment for businesses. With the support and cooperation of its customers, franchise network, employees, suppliers and charitable organizations, WSI aims to help make child poverty history through its global outreach program. For more information about WSI’s offerings and business opportunities, please visit our website at http://www.wsionlinebiz.co.uk