Event Highlights

This year’s Symposium brought over 400 Advertisers and Publishers to New York’s Chelsea Piers to put their networking skills to the test, and to celebrate the best and brightest managers of performance marketing.   A combination of learning and deal making, LinkShare Symposium East provided Advertisers and Publishers with incredible opportunities to strengthen relationships while obtaining key industry insights that can be used to drive results. There were several changes to this year’s event that had attendees talking. 

LinkShare University

First, the day prior Symposium East, there was LinkShare University held at the American Management Association (AMA) facility in Times Square.  Over 30 Advertisers participated in a full day of best practice sessions designed to help affiliate program managers increase revenue while understanding the needs of Publishers.  What better way than with hands on training combined with lively panel discussions with Publishers.  Based on great reviews, you'll be seeing a lot more learning opportunities from LinkShare University in the weeks and months ahead.

Symposium East Keynote Address

Symposium East started bright and early the next day at the standing room only general session where LinkShare Co-President, Yaz Iida, kicked the day off by welcoming the Golden Newbies (those attending LinkShare Symposium for the first time). Yaz also announced two new services from  LinkShare: Search Marketing Services and Creative Services. Advertisers were buzzing around the DealMaker table for these new services as they considered how they can be used to enhance their program and supplement their own internal resources.

The audience then heard from LinkShare Co-President, Jonathan Levine who explained how LinkShare's three guiding principles for enhancing the Advertiser and Publisher interfaces: Easy, Fast and Open.  Jonathan provided examples of how these simple yet powerful principles are ever-present as we continually finding new ways to provide excellent service, service, support and solutions to our partners.

Hiroshi Mikitani, founder CEO of Rakuten, LinkShare's parent company, shared with the crowd how Rakuten is the leading Internet services provider in a full range products and services. Mikitani also emphasized the importance of LinkShare in the context of Rakuten's global strategy and its committment to the long-term success of LinkShare partners.

Trendwatch 2009

Keynote speaker Jonah Leher, Author of How We Decide and Editor at Wired, entranced the audience with his presentation on “The Neuroscience of Online Shopping”. Mr. Lehrer presented the science of how the brain handles decision-making while shopping online.  The basics of neuroscience research were presented in context of specific shopping related examples such as the endowment effect and paradox of choice.

Wendy Hutter, Vice President at Penn, Schoen, Berland Associates, Inc. presented our TrendWatch 2009 market research results on “The State of Online Shopping… From Recession Shoppers to Value Hunters.” Attendees learned about the latest in online shopping behavior and what Advertisers and Publishers should consider in their efforts to increase conversion rates.

Golden Link Awards Luncheon

After a busy morning, the audience made their way to the beautifully appointed ballroom for the 6th Annual LinkShare Golden Link Awards. All Symposium attendees attended the award ceremony this year making making more exciting than ever! Following lunch, the one and only Joan Rivers kicked things off with a riotous monologue that included commentary on everything from online shopping, to beauty pageants, to the challenges of growing older in the Internet age.

Many of last year's winners were in attendance and helped present the awards this year. Joan graciously handed out the awards and took pictures with each winner as they exited the stage.  Many attendees were Twittering the results as the event unfolded.

New award categories included Best Communications Strategy.  There was wild applause for all the winners and nominees as the The Performance Marketing Association wrapped things by collecting the award for Performance Marketing's Most Vocal Advocate.

Check out the complete list of award winners.

DealMaker Tradeshow

Another change this year was holding the DealMaker tradeshow in the Lighthouse Room of Chelsea Piers.  This change provided attendees with a great view of the Hudson River as they put their networking and deal making skills to the test.

There were over 50 DealMaker tables this year - more than ever before! A great mix of Advertisers and Publishers new to the network as well long established partners provided for an exciting and vibrant afternoon of discovery, information sharing, and of course DealMaking!

Even after 3 hours of DealMaker the room was still full at 6:00pm as several sponsors closed the session by raffling off some fantastic prizes including phones, software and lots of gift certificates for great products and services.

Celebrating in Style at the Hotel Gansevoort

To wrap-up a fantastic day, attendees gathered on the stylish rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel in the meatpacking district of Manhattan. The fabulous skyline views and the cool DJ vibes became the perfect ending to a great day.

Many attendees commented that LinkShare Symposium continues to impress year after year. In surveys thus far, 100% of sponsors said they would sponsor again!  Not only did the event meet the expectations of sponsors and attendees, it was also a lot of fun. 

One attendee comment summed it up best: 

"It was AWESOME with a capital A"

- Erik Lautier, EDUN                              

The entire LinkShare team would like to take this opportunity to thank our generous sponsors for their support, enthusiasm, and dedication to making LinkShare Symposium East and the LinkShare Golden Link Awards the premier Performance Marketing event in the industry.