In a significant digital marketing partnership milestone, Hibu earned Microsoft Advertising’s 2024 Channel Partner of the Year award. The recognition caps off months of strategic collaboration between the two companies and highlights how strong partnerships can drive innovation in local business marketing.

The Evolution of a Partnership

The relationship between Hibu and Microsoft Advertising began with a shared vision: making powerful advertising tools accessible to small businesses. While many marketing companies focus solely on large enterprises, Hibu recognized that Microsoft’s advertising platform could bring exceptional value to local business owners.

This partnership took a significant step forward in October 2024 when Microsoft named Hibu an Elite Partner. This exclusive designation opened up specialized resources and direct access to Microsoft’s product teams, allowing Hibu to weave emerging advertising technologies into its services. The Elite Partner status proved crucial in helping Hibu refine its approach to local business marketing.

Strategic Integration That Made the Difference

Hibu’s technical team worked closely with Microsoft to integrate advertising tools seamlessly into its existing platform. Rather than simply offering Microsoft’s services as separate options, Hibu created an integrated experience where business owners could manage their entire online presence, including Bing Search and Microsoft Audience Network campaigns, from a single dashboard.

The integration went beyond essential advertising management. Hibu developed custom reporting tools that helped small businesses understand their advertising performance in plain language without requiring them to become marketing experts. This approach resonated with business owners who were looking for clear insights without the technical complexity.

Hibu’s Chief Product Officer Nick Hopkins emphasizes how this integration sets them apart: “Being named the 2024 Microsoft Advertising Channel Partner of the Year recognizes the great work from everyone here at Hibu in expanding our partnership with Microsoft to integrate Microsoft Ads, including Bing Search, the Microsoft Audience Network and other emerging channels, into our Hibu digital marketing platform and solutions and our commitment to our clients’ success.”

A Look at the Competition

The Channel Partner of the Year category attracted numerous strong contenders, including several larger marketing firms with national reach. However, Hibu stood out for its focus on making enterprise-level advertising accessible to small businesses.

Katherine Eills, Global Partner Marketing Director at Microsoft Advertising, notes that Hibu’s nomination showed exceptional dedication to client success. While other nominees demonstrated technical excellence, Hibu’s combination of technical innovation and practical small business solutions proved compelling.

The award recognizes more than technical achievement – it acknowledges Hibu’s success in bridging the gap between advanced advertising technology and local business needs. As digital marketing grows more sophisticated, this ability to make complex tools approachable becomes increasingly valuable.

Looking ahead, Hibu plans to build on this recognition by developing even more integrated solutions for its 70,000+ small business clients. With continued access to Microsoft’s latest advertising innovations through its Elite Partner status, Hibu is well-positioned to continue leading the way in local digital marketing.