LinkShare Doubles Number of Brands Signed YoY for Search Marketing Services within First Half 2011

Service, Technology and Strategy Drive New Signings

NEW YORK--()--LinkShare today announced in the first half of 2011 it has doubled the number of signed brands for its search marketing division compared to the full year 2010. The company attributes its success to a three-pronged approach offering a balanced dedication to client services, advanced technology and expert-level strategy.

New brands signed in 2011 include: HMX Group, Nautica & Kipling, Samsonite, and Kellwood.

The company reported current client performance has also been a key factor in winning new business. First quarter year-over-year performance for current clients delivered an average reduction in cost-per-click fees (CPCs) of more than three percent with an average increase in sales of 26 percent.

“LinkShare's team has dramatically increased our results in pay-per-click search. Not only is our account performing at a level previously unseen, but it is managed by a team that is second to none,” said Cathleen Jacobson, divisional vice president, media buying, Bon-Ton. “Their dedication to my business and our needs is exemplary.”

LinkShare’s search marketing platform uses technology from Kenshoo, a leading software provider for search engine marketing. This partnership has enabled LinkShare to offer advanced campaign management tools and bid algorithms that can ensure ads appear in the most profitable position on the most profitable search engines for the most profitable keywords.

LinkShare’s certified experts also work closely with account teams from leading search engines to optimize client campaigns according to the latest changes, enhancements, and new features available in each search engine.

As advertisers strive to reach their year-end objectives, LinkShare’s search marketing division is helping them profitably expand into new search marketing channels such as Display, Retargeting, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

“For the past three years, our search marketing client list has grown significantly,” said Amy Solomon, vice president of client development, LinkShare. “Our approach to managing search marketing investments helps advertisers stay on top of trends while maximizing every search marketing dollar by lowering cost-per-click while increasing sales.”

LinkShare has been providing paid search management (pay-per-click or PPC) and consulting services since 2004. “Our search marketing specialists are certified experts and understand the latest search marketing trends, channels and techniques that drive results for clients,” said Kim Read, senior director of search marketing services at LinkShare.

About LinkShare Corporation

LinkShare Corporation provides ecommerce businesses with high quality online marketing services for affiliate marketing, lead generation and pay-per-click search marketing. LinkShare’s expert services combined with innovative technology enables advertisers to acquire new customers, increase revenue and drive results. LinkShare clients include Fortune 500 and other prominent companies doing business online, including J.C. Penney, 1-800-Flowers.com, American Express and Avon Products. LinkShare was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in New York City, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago, London and Tokyo. LinkShare is the performance marketing network for Rakuten, one of the world’s largest Internet service companies. For more information, please visit: www.linkshare.com.

About Rakuten

Headquartered in Tokyo, Rakuten is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive Internet service companies, providing leading services in ecommerce, portal & media, travel, financial services, and professional sports. Rakuten focuses on new business development and increasing its scope in order to improve and diversify service offerings. Rakuten is a publicly traded company in Japan (JASDAQ: 4755).

Contacts

LinkShare
Scott Allan, 646-943-8231
scott.allan@linkshare.com
or
Blanc & Otus
Kathy Keating, 617-451-7355
kkeating@blancandotus.com
or
Additional Resources
Check out the LinkShare Blog
Follow us on Twitter @LinkShareblog

Release Summary

LinkShare reduces CPC. Boosts online ecommerce revenue.

Contacts

LinkShare
Scott Allan, 646-943-8231
scott.allan@linkshare.com
or
Blanc & Otus
Kathy Keating, 617-451-7355
kkeating@blancandotus.com
or
Additional Resources
Check out the LinkShare Blog
Follow us on Twitter @LinkShareblog