LinkShare UK appoints managing director to drive growth

Liane Dietrich appointed as managing director, LinkShare UK

LONDON – February 20th, 2008 – LinkShare, a global online advertising services provider, announced today the appointment of Liane Dietrich as managing director of LinkShare UK. Dietrich will lead day-to-day operations management and will drive the ongoing development of LinkShare’s offer to the UK market.

“We have an ambitious strategic plan for the growth of LinkShare throughout the UK and are looking to Liane’s industry experience and past successes within LinkShare to lead the delivery. The UK market is central to our expansion outside the US and is a key priority for LinkShare” comments Stephen Denton, president of LinkShare.

Dietrich joined LinkShare in 2004 as director of Shared Services before becoming vice president of Merchant & Advertiser Services where she was responsible for leading the US services team in enhancing the services operation. Prior to joining LinkShare, Dietrich was at GE Capital where she also began her career. Here she held a range of positions that included product manager for the Financial Services Direct Marketing business, e-business manager in the Financial Services division as well as quality analyst in Six Sigma quality methodology. While at GE, Dietrich won a Pinnacle Award for being at the top 1% of the business. Dietrich holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mathematics and Business from University of Notre Dame.

“Since the UK launch of LinkShare 18 months ago the business has experienced significant growth with over 40 new customer wins, 25 of which have been exclusive. Affiliate marketing in the UK, and throughout Europe, is developing quickly, driven primarily by the demand for accountable, pay per action online marketing channels. Developments such as these throughout the European market make this an exciting time to join the UK team.” says Dietrich.

LinkShare is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Internet leader Rakuten.

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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.

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).

UK Media Contact:

Reva Seth
Blanc & Otus UK
020 7413 3338
rseth {at} blancandotus(.)com

Simon Corbett
Blanc & Otus UK
020 7413 3334
scorbett {at} blancandotus(.)com