(Yicai Global) July 13 -- Shares of Guangdong Advertising Group, also known as Global Integrated Marketing Communication Group Holdings, soared after the Chinese advertising firm became an authorized sales partner for Facebook parent Meta in China.

Guangdong Advertising [SHE:002400] closed up 10 percent at CNY5.13 (72 US cents) today, resulting in a 20 percent increase so far this year.

Through the upgraded partnership, Guangdong Advertising can make use of Meta's powerful social platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger to provide more diversified marketing solutions for Chinese firms to expand overseas, the Guangzhou-based firm said on WeChat today.

The pair is deepening cooperation as early this year, Guangdong Advertising became an agency partner of the California-based internet behemoth. Besides Guangdong Advertising, Meta has 11 authorized sales partners in China, including Beijing-based software developer Cheetah Mobile, according to the American firm's Chinese-language website.

Founded in 1979, Guangdong Advertising reported a net profit of CNY213 million (USD29.7 million) last year, up 16 percent from 2021, according to its annual report. Meanwhile, revenue rose 12 percent to CNY14.6 billion (USD2 billion), and more than a fifth of that came from abroad.

Editor: Emmi Laine