LinkShare, Leading Pay-Per-Action Marketing Network, Acquires Online Lead Generation Firm Traffic Strategies.com

NEW YORK, June 4  /PRNewswire/ -- LinkShare Corporation, a leading pay-per- action marketing network, announced today that it has acquired Traffic Strategies.com, a privately held Tampa, Florida-based online lead generation firm.

The acquisition expands LinkShare's lead generation capabilities, continues the international expansion of Rakuten-LinkShare's parent company- and accelerates the growth of LinkShare's online lead generation business. LinkShare will incorporate Traffic Strategies.com's lead generation expertise into the company's existing business and extend its lead generation service offerings.

"LinkShare's pay-per-action marketing expertise across affiliate, search, and services will be complemented by Traffic Strategies.com's expertise in online lead generation," said Stephen R. Denton, President of LinkShare. "In addition to the high quality traffic generated by our network, LinkShare will now be able to offer our clients a multi-channel distribution platform for online lead generation."

Established in 1996, LinkShare Corporation provides its clients with a platform that integrates high quality direct response digital media, services and technology. The company's products and services span affiliate, search and other online marketing programs. LinkShare clients are Fortune 500 and prominent companies who want to maximize their marketing on the Internet.

Founded in 2001, Traffic Strategies.com develops and implements custom lead generation programs that leverage industry expertise, proprietary technology and consumer-facing channels to help clients achieve their online customer acquisition goals.

"By joining with LinkShare, a firm with global operations, Traffic Strategies.com will gain access to new markets," said Mark McClure, President of Traffic Strategies.com, "as well as broader technology and service resources."

While Traffic Strategies.com Chairman William C. McClure plans to retire after a 30 year career, Traffic Strategies.com's senior management team including Mark McClure, will remain with the company to help drive the growth of LinkShare's lead generation business.

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, Avon Products and Dell. LinkShare was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in New York City, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago, London and Tokyo.

LinkShare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rakuten, Inc. 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). 

LinkShare Corporation


CONTACT: Mark Kirschner of LinkShare, +1-646-943-8359,
mkirschner@linkshare.com; or Dan Dent of Blanc & Otus for LinkShare,
+1-617-451-6102 x216, ddent@blancandotus.com    



Web site:  http://www.linkshare.com/