LinkShare Press Releases

LinkShare Announces Speakers for Symposium West 2009

Authors and market researchers to highlight the rapidly changing habits of online consumers

New York -- January 9, 2009 -- LinkShare today announced the speakers for its Symposium West 2009, to be held January 21-22nd in San Francisco.

LinkShare, a leading pay-per-action marketing network provider, each year brings together members of its network – advertisers and publishers that work together to bring online shoppers quality brands and products – to exchange ideas, network, and discuss industry trends. For 2009, LinkShare has assembled industry experts to help its members understand, and take best advantage of, the ever changing habits of online consumers.

This year, LinkShare welcomes as the event’s distinguished keynote speaker Bill Tancer, a world renowned expert of online behavior and author of the New York Times bestseller Click: What Millions of People Are Doing Online and Why It Matters – Unexpected Insights for Business and Life. In response to the evolving and tenuous economic landscape, his address will focus on consumer buying trends, and how those trends are changing the face of the online retail industry.

“The current state of the economy has changed the way consumers are shopping,” said Jonathan Levine, co-president of LinkShare. “It’s important for industry leaders to start the discussion about this changing landscape and understand the opportunities and challenges it creates. The online world is always evolving. We see events like this as a way to prepare our clients so they can continue to succeed.”

Symposium attendees will also hear from David Ginsberg, Vice President of Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, Inc., a market research and consulting firm specializing in microtrends. The firm, whose research is featured regularly in the Wall Street Journal, will reveal the findings from a recently completed market study analyzing online shopper segments. The report will highlight customer sectors that online retailers may be overlooking, and, based on these trends, what they should know about their behavior.

As retailers adapt their practices in response to the changing economy, finding measurable solutions are more important than ever, according to Yaz Iida, co-president of LinkShare. “Companies are looking for ways to maximize their online marketing ROI. This annual event brings together members of our extensive network to share best practices that they can apply to their own programs in response to the changing environment.”

In addition to the event’s distinguished speakers, LinkShare Symposium West 2009 will once again feature LinkShare DealMaker, a networking event that brings hundreds of advertisers and publishers together in one place, to meet face-to-face, build relationships and finalize deals. A full conference agenda may be found by visiting www.LinkShare.com.

LinkShare wishes to thank its Symposium West 2009 sponsors, which include Fleurop-Interflora (www.fleurop.com), The North Face, and LinkShare Japan.

About LinkShare Corporation
LinkShare Corporation provides ecommerce businesses with a vast, high quality pay per action marketing network, along with expert consultative services and patented technology. LinkShare's cost-efficient pay per action (PPA) affiliate, search and lead generation campaigns acquire new customers, increase revenue and drive results. LinkShare clients are Fortune 500 and 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.  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 e-commerce, 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).

Media Contacts:

Mark Kirschner
LinkShare
646-943-8359
mkirschner@linkshare.com

Kristin Parran
Blanc & Otus Public Relations
617-451-6070
kparran@blancandotus.com