NEW YORK CITY – August 7, 2012 – Rakuten LinkShare today announced the launch of the industry’s first comprehensive testing and certification program for affiliate marketing managers by a major affiliatemarketing network. The program was created with the goal of educating advertisers and empowering them to become expert affiliate program managers who are better equipped to drive results in today’s complex online marketplace.

The program tests the proficiency and knowledge of affiliate program managers within the Rakuten LinkShare network. It is initially being rolled out in the US and Canada, with plans to launch in the UK and Japan later this year.

Topics covered in the testing include basic affiliate marketing knowledge, best practices, and strategies for maximizing sales. Additionally, the exam covers knowledge specific to the Rakuten LinkShare network.

Go Daddy, the world’s largest[1] provider of Web hosting, domain names and new SSL Certificates, has been a Linkshare advertiser since 2010. “The Rakuten LinkShare certification program fulfills a long standing need in the industry,” said Janelle Clymer, affiliate marketing manager, Go Daddy. “It will drive a higher overall understanding of the channel and it will help program managers validate and promote their own knowledge and expertise.”

As part of the program, participants earning certification will have access to special educational tutorials, webinars and live events provided by Rakuten LinkShare. The certification is valid for one calendar year and program managers will be encouraged to renew their certification annually given the rapidly changing online digital landscape.

“As a leader in the industry, Rakuten LinkShare has become more than a technology and services provider for affiliate marketing,” said Deepa Sureka, senior vice president of global service operations. “We are a true partner in online marketing education for our clients and this certification program is yet another example of our commitment to the channel as we make plans to launch the test in other countries.”

Certified Rakuten LinkShare affiliate program managers will receive a badge that can be displayed on websites and other marketing materials as well as other benefits. For affiliate managers in the US and Canada the fee for taking the test is $250 for the first year and $50 for renewal. For more information, visit www.linkshare.com/certification.

About Rakuten LinkShare Corporation
Rakuten LinkShare Corporation provides e-commerce businesses with a vast, high quality pay per action marketing network, along with expert consultative services and patented technology. Rakuten LinkShare’s cost-efficient pay per action (PPA) affiliate marketing network, search marketing programs and lead generation campaigns acquire new customers, increase revenue and drive results. Rakuten LinkShare clients are Fortune 500 and prominent companies doing business online, including J.C. Penney, 1-800-Flowers.com, American Express and Avon Products. Rakuten LinkShare was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in New York City, with offices in San Francisco, Chicago, Tampa, London and Tokyo. For more information, please visit: www.linkshare.com.

About Rakuten
Rakuten, Inc. (JASDAQ: 4755), is one of the world’s leading Internet service companies, providing a variety of consumer- and business-focused services including e-commerce, e-reading, travel, banking,securities, credit card, e-money, portal and media, online marketing and professional sports. Rakuten is expanding globally and currently has operations throughout Asia, Western Europe, and the Americas. Founded in 1997, Rakuten is headquartered in Tokyo, with over 10,000 employees and partner staff worldwide. For more information, visit http://global.rakuten.com/group.

[1] Largest worldwide mass-market hosting provider by annual revenue. Source Tier1 Research, Mass-Market Hosting Report-Winter 2011.