EMERYVILLE, Calif. – Lithium Technologies, the leading provider of Social CRM solutions to power the customer network, announced the preview of the industry’s first customer community platform optimized for mobile access during its Social CRM Virtual Summit on November 11. Developed with some of the world’s leading wireless and media companies — including MTV, Research In Motion Limited (RIM), T-Mobile, Univision and Verizon, Lithium Mobile advances the state of the art in the industry by providing the first tailored, interactive community experience accessible from any web-enabled mobile device.

“Mobile phones outsold PCs by four to one this year, but fewer than 10 percent of Fortune 500 companies have mobile-optimized Web sites,” said Lyle Fong, Lithium’s CEO. “One reason is that their customers don’t have a reason to regularly visit their sites on the go. Community gives users a reason for customers to interact with their favorite brands every day. Lithium Mobile gives them a way to do it from anywhere.”

Lithium introduced the product with a demonstration and a live conversation with the product team during the Social CRM Virtual Summit, which Lithium is hosting on November 11. The Virtual Summit features webcasts by industry leaders in an interactive exhibit hall, a resource center with extensive materials for download, and a virtual networking lounge to chat live with speakers and participants.

Participating in the summit are leading practitioners and analysts in the Social CRM market, including:

• Mike Fauscette (IDC)
• Paul Greenberg (The 56 Group)
• Bill Johnston (Forum One)
• Brent Leary (CRM Essentials)
• Kevin Ryan (Barnes & Noble)
• Jeremiah Owyang and Ray Wang (Altimeter Group)
Register: For more information, including a continually updated list of speakers and sponsors, and to register, visit http://bit.ly/vscrmreg. Hashtag: Follow the event on Twitter at #vscrm.

About Lithium Technologies

Lithium is the leading provider of Social CRM solutions to power the customer network. Working with market leaders such as Best Buy, Sony, AT&T, Research In Motion Limited (RIM), Univision, and PayPal, Lithium is delivering the next generation of customer relationships by unlocking the value of the social customer network. Lithium solutions combine the power of online customer communities with the broader social web and traditional CRM business processes to inspire customers to innovate, promote, and support on the company’s behalf. As a result, businesses measurably improve their marketing and sales, accelerate innovation, and increase customer satisfaction. Lithium’s platform is proven in high-volume, growth environments and provides the security, analytics, APIs, and multi-language support that enterprises demand. Founded in 2001, Lithium is privately held with headquarters in Emeryville, California. For more information, visit www.lithium.com.

LONDON – SES London, the leading global search marketing conference series announced today that a unique roundtable session will open proceedings on day two of the conference.

Brett Tabke, founder of WebmasterWorld, Rand Fishkin, founder of SEOmoz.com, Chris Sherman, Executive Editor, Search Engine Land, Jill Whalen, founder of HighRankings.com and Kevin Ryan, Chairman of the Search Engine Strategies Board of Advisors will, for the first time, join together for the Keynote Orion Panel, SEO, Where to Next?!, a special strategy session moderated by SES host, Mike Grehan, Global KDM Office at Acronym Media.

The all star line-up has collectively been responsible for generating £billions of business for some of the world’s most recognised brands through expert consultancy and creative digital marketing solutions. The Orion Panel on 18th February will enable members of the audience to share issues and problems faced by their own businesses with practical advice provided by the best and most respected minds in search on how SEO will develop this year. It’s a not to be missed session for any businesses looking to build an effective marketing plan to maintain stability and growth through a tough year ahead.

Each member of the panel has been monitoring the flow of conversation in the SEO world for up to ten years and has heard opinions on everything from Black hat/White hat SEO, dynamic delivery, Flash, Google index updates and universal search.

Matt McGowan, Publisher of the conference series in addition to its sister sites ClickZ and Search Engine Watch said:

“This panel has been brought together for the first time to give delegates the unique opportunity to seek business advice from the world’s most experienced experts in digital marketing. The key questions on everyone’s lips this year will undoubtedly be “where is SEO going? How will the market develop? And how can developments in SEO help my business?” The expert panel will discuss these issues, then throw the session over to the audience to help individual cases with valuable and practical advice for their business.”

SES London is Europe’s leading event for education in online marketing and advertising, including Search (SEM/SEO). Marketers, consultants and industry leaders from the world’s leading businesses gather to review the very latest search engine marketing and optimization techniques.

With more than 50 sessions and 60 expert speakers covering hundreds of topics on how Search Engine Marketing can grow your business, SES London is the definitive opportunity for delegates to learn most everything they need to know to help them maximize their business’s return on search engine marketing and optimization. SES attracts the recognised leaders in search marketing providing the largest forum for delegates to communicate and network with expert practitioners.

SES London will feature a number of sessions designed to help marketers maximize success in a Web 2.0. Intermediate workshops and panel debates consider applications such as video, podcasts and blogs while more advanced marketers can attend sessions on search advertising tools and advanced paid search tactics.

With all sessions uniquely ranked according to content and degree of understanding, SES London is a crucial event for beginners as well as experienced search marketers who return year after year to keep up to-date with new innovations.

The conference will be hosted by SEM expert Mike Grehan.

SES London will be held on 17-19 February 2009 at the Business Design Centre in Islington. See www.SearchEngineStrategies.com/london.

For more information about Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo Conference & Expo, the premier event for search engine marketing and optimization 2009 visit http://www.SearchEngineStrategies.com/london.

About SES

Incisive Media’s Search Engine Strategies is a leading global conference and training series focused on search engine optimization and search engine marketing. Other Incisive resources for interactive marketers include the ClickZ network for digital marketing news, information, commentary, advice, opinion and research and Search Engine Watch which provides news and information about search, analysis of the search engine industry and tools for improving search marketing effectiveness.

Incisive Media is a leading global provider of specialized business news and information, in print, in person and online. The company’s principal markets include financial services, legal services, commercial real estate, marketing services and risk management. Incisive Media’s market-leading brands include Accountancy Age, Computing, Investment Week, Legal Week, LegalTech, Post, Real Estate Forum, Risk, Search Engine Strategies and The American Lawyer. For more information, visit http://www.incisivemedia.com.

CHICAGO – Over 2,000 marketers scouting out sure-fire ways to boost their companies’ online presence are gathering to kick off this year’s Search Engine Strategies (SES) Chicago 2008 Conference & Expo . In its tenth year, SES Chicago (http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/chicago) gives attendees an unmatched combination of high-profile speakers, four-star rated sessions, and specialized educational tracks. The digital marketing conference takes place at the Chicago Hilton and runs December 8-11, 2008.

This year’s conference hones in on current issues facing marketers—from social media to search privacy to click fraud. Marketers will learn from noted search industry experts and gain practical knowledge for issues such as mobile search, web analytics, and global search.

SES Chicago highlights include:

* Keynote addresses by Professor Lawrence Lessig, an expert on law and technology, Omniture president and CEO Josh James, and Hitwise general manager of Global Research Bill Tancer.
* Introductory courses on Search Marketing, SEO Tools, Link Building Basics, and Search Advertising
* Intermediate sessions—including Universal and Blended Search, Igniting Viral Campaigns, Site Clinic, and Social Media Optimization
* Advanced sessions focused on issues ranging from Advanced B2B to Duplicate Content and Multiple Site Issues to Black Hat, White Hat & the Best Kept Secrets to Search

Organized and hosted by search authority Kevin Ryan, SES Chicago arms attendees with the latest knowledge in the search industry. The world’s most comprehensive gathering of search engine marketing and optimization-related providers, partners and affiliates, SES Chicago offers more than 60 sessions for everyone from newbies to the savviest marketers.

“Each year, marketers return and rave about how they’ve applied knowledge at our sessions to drive site traffic and vastly enhance conversion rates,” said Ryan, Chair of the SES Advisory Board. “We’re exceptionally proud of our 98 percent satisfaction rate year after year, based on the immense wealth of knowledge sharing at this unique event.”

For more information on SES Chicago and other shows in the series, see http://www.SearchEngineStrategies.com/chicago.

About Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC — A Division of Incisive Media PLC

Incisive Media’s Search Engine Strategies is a leading global conference and training series focused on search engine optimization and search engine marketing. Other Incisive resources for interactive marketers include the ClickZ network for digital marketing news, information, commentary, advice, opinion and research and Search Engine Watch which provides news and information about search, analysis of the search engine industry and tools for improving search marketing effectiveness.

Incisive Media is a leading global provider of specialized business news and information, in print, in person and online. The company’s principal markets include financial services, legal services, commercial real estate, marketing services and risk management. Incisive Media’s market-leading brands include Accountancy Age, Computing, Investment Week, Legal Week, LegalTech, Post, Real Estate Forum, Risk, Search Engine Strategies and The American Lawyer. For more information, visit www.incisivemedia.com.

CHICAGO – The 2008 SES Chicago Conference & Expo (http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/chicago) announces a lineup of sessions that cover intermediate-level and advanced tools and strategies to improve campaign performance, optimize website content, and take existing SEO and digital marketing knowledge to the next level. This year’s SES search conference takes place at the Chicago Hilton, December 8-12, 2008.

This year’s program, developed with feedback from SES alumni, provides intermediate and advanced attendees with new ways to boost their organizations’ profitability, which is more important than ever in the current economic climate. SES also provides the ultimate atmosphere to network with peers, connect with clients and prospects, and share compound strategies to strengthen their business’s visibility online. For the intermediate attendee, SES offers the following sessions:

* Universal & Blended Search – Industry gurus will describe how search, marketing and information seeking is changing the industry that follows the search. This ongoing series on universal search will include research data available only at SES.
* Igniting Viral Campaigns – In a world dominated by behemoths like MySpace and YouTube, small- and mid-sized companies must break through to generate online destinations that create buzz, encourage word of mouth and establish relationships with buyers. This session unveils the secrets of Web 2.0 techniques that enable companies to stand out.
* Social Media Optimization – Community-built web sites, Facebook, YouTube, Microsoft Tagspace, Wikipedia and new sites allowing content to be shared through “tagging” can be a great way to tap into links and search-driven traffic. Hear tips from search marketers who have discovered what works today and what to avoid.

Advanced search marketers will whet their craving for fresh insights by attending:

* Advanced B2B – This seasoned panel of B2B marketing professionals will share the latest tips and trends in using search to find those niche decision-makers that drive your business.
* Duplicate Content & Multiple Site Issues – More and more site owners are concerned that they might get penalized accidentally or overtly because of duplicate content. If you run mirror sites, will search engines ban you? What if you have listings that are similar in nature? What happens if you syndicate content through RSS? Will other sites be considered the “real” site and rob you of a rightful place in the search results? This session looks at the issues and explores solutions.
* Advanced Link Building – How far is too far in optimizing your internal link structure? If you operate a network of sites, can natural interlinking be perceived as link spam? How should you handle affiliate links? Advanced linking issues like these and more will be explored during this session.
* Black Hat, White Hat & the Best Kept Secrets to Search – Some say that “black hat” search marketers will do anything to gain a top ranking and others argue that even “white hat” marketers who embrace ethical search engine optimization practices are ultimately trying to game the search ranking system. This no-holds-barred interactive session will include an exploration of the latest black and white issues.

Organized and hosted by SES Advisory Board Chair Kevin Ryan, SES Chicago delivers new, actionable information needed to grow your site’s online visibility immediately. Intermediate and advanced attendees at SES will quickly learn how to enhance their existing search engine marketing and search engine optimization knowledge and to ensure they are well-versed in the most complex and advanced search developments.

For more information on SES Chicago and other shows in the series, see http://searchenginestrategies.com/chicago.

About SES

Incisive Media’s Search Engine Strategies is a leading global conference and training series focused on search engine optimization and search engine marketing. Other Incisive resources for interactive marketers include the ClickZ network for digital marketing news, information, commentary, advice, opinion and research and Search Engine Watch which provides news and information about search, analysis of the search engine industry and tools for improving search marketing effectiveness.

Incisive Media is a leading global provider of specialized business news and information, in print, in person and online. The company’s principal markets include financial services, legal services, commercial real estate, marketing services and risk management. Incisive Media’s market-leading brands include Accountancy Age, Computing, Investment Week, Legal Week, LegalTech, Post, Real Estate Forum, Risk, Search Engine Strategies and The American Lawyer. For more information, visit www.incisivemedia.com.

LONDON – Incisive Media announced the agenda for the Search Engine Strategies London 2009 Conference & Expo, the premier UK event for search engine marketing and optimization. To view the agenda, visit www.SearchEngineStrategies.com/London.

SES London will be held on 17-19 February 2009 at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

The SEM and SEO conference is being organized by Kevin Ryan, recognized globally as a leading authority on search engine marketing, and hosted by SEM expert Mike Grehan. All sessions are uniquely ranked according to content and degree of understanding, which is why SES London is recognized as a crucial event for beginners as well as experienced search marketers.

With businesses facing difficult challenges and having to make tough decisions in the current economic climate, SES London 2009 has developed a programme designed to help search engine marketing decision makers maximize their search engine marketing and optimization projects. In addition to the popular and must-have sessions covering online marketing, the agenda has been devised to help businesses explore, understand and consider new marketing opportunities. Intermediate workshops and panel debates with leading experts will consider a range of applications, including:

* Online video. As more people are watching, sharing, and finding online videos, this session will provide tips on how to navigate the new wave of online video.
* Mobile search. This session will enable search industry professionals to understand opportunities in mobile search.
* Blogs and feeds. Attendees will learn more about the unique advantages blogs and feeds offer to search engine optimization.
* International search marketing. Eastern and Western companies are pushing out internationally, but does anyone really understand the marketplace? Leading experts will discuss the marketplace and the impact it is having on the world.

The full agenda can be seen at www.SearchEngineStrategies.com/London/agenda.html.

Kevin Ryan, Chairman of the Search Engine Strategies Board of Advisors, said, “Businesses must not lose sight of the importance of online marketing. It’s highly targeted and accountable with scope for tremendous return on investment. We have developed a programme for London which not only advises on the fundamental levels of search marketing but also helps attendees understand the applications made possible through Web 2.0. We have selected leading experts to help delegates make informed and considered decisions about the future of their business marketing strategy.”

Register early and save money. For more information about Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo 2009, visit http://www.SearchEngineStrategies.com/London

For sponsorship and exhibition information, please call Chris Lucas at +44(0)20-7316-9609 or +44(0)7834-849-957. Outside of Europe please call Matt McGowan at +1 (212) 925 6990.

About Search Engine Strategies

Incisive Media’s Search Engine Strategies is a leading global conference and training series focused on search engine optimization and search engine marketing. Other Incisive resources for interactive marketers include the ClickZ network for digital marketing news, information, commentary, advice, opinion and research and Search Engine Watch which provides news and information about search, analysis of the search engine industry and tools for improving search marketing effectiveness.

Incisive Media is a leading global provider of specialized business news and information, in print, in person and online. The company’s principal markets include commercial real estate, financial services, legal services, marketing services and risk management. Incisive Media’s market-leading brands include Accountancy Age, Computing, Investment Week, Legal Week, Post, Real Estate Forum, Search Engine Strategies and The American Lawyer. For more information, visit www.IncisiveMedia.com.

NEW YORK – Search Engine Strategies (SES), the leading digital marketing conference series geared toward search engine marketing (SEM) and optimization (SEO), announces that Kevin Ryan, chairman of the SES Advisory Board will bring his principled approach and insights in online marketing to ad:tech New York, an interactive marketing conference, taking place this week. The panel, “Search Marketing Tactics and Strategies: Best Practices Across Current and Emerging Digital Search Platforms,” will profile some of the most useful online advertising marketing tactics and best practices across current and emerging digital platforms.

Conference coordinators from the SES advertising marketing conference are preparing for the Midwest’s only search marketing conference and expo, taking place at the Chicago Hilton on December 8-11, 2008. SES Chicago (http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/chicago) will feature an intriguing lineup of sessions and new content covering search marketing, interactive advertising, social media and the best kept secrets in search. Led by the industry’s most notable visionaries, SES Chicago draws thousands of marketers each year, and boasts a 98 percent satisfaction rate from attendees.

This year, SES Chicago offers up-to-the-minute, practical information in over 60 sessions that marketers can use immediately to grow their businesses through search marketing and interactive advertising. Additionally, the interactive advertising conference is followed by a full-day of search engine training sessions. These thorough workshops take place in a small classroom setting, giving attendees the opportunity to work closely with instructors, who provide the practices, applications, and hands-on exposure needed to become – and remain – a top performer in the field.

SES Chicago attendees who stay one day or the entire week will walk away with the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful search engine marketer, and will enhance their professional know-how by keeping their marketing acumen up-to-date with the latest developments in search engine marketing and optimization.

For information on SES Chicago or to view the 2008 Chicago conference schedule, see http://searchenginestrategies.com/chicago.

About SES

Search Engine Strategies (SES) is the leading global conference series focused on search engine optimization and search engine marketing (SEM). SES, ClickZ, Search Engine Watch, and their associated conference series ClickZ Events are part of the Interactive group of Incisive Media.

About Incisive Media

Incisive Media is a leading global provider of specialized business news and information, in print, in person and online. The company’s principal markets include commercial real estate, financial services, legal services, marketing services and risk management. Incisive Media’s market-leading brands include Accountancy Age, Computing, Investment Week, Legal Week, Post, Real Estate Forum and The American Lawyer, in addition to ClickZ, Search Engine Watch and their associated conference series. For more information, visit www.incisivemedia.com.

CHICAGO – Search Engine Strategies (http://www.SearchEngineStrategies.com) educates tens of thousands of delegates each year. With more than 60 sessions designed for every skill level, SES Chicago 2008 provides the ultimate atmosphere for those seeking opportunities to grow their knowledge of SEO/SEM, network, further their career development and strengthen their business’s visibility online. The SES event takes place at the Chicago Hilton, December 8-12, 2008.

For those professionals new to search engine marketing, SES provides a lineup of introductory sessions that aim to cover the most basic tactics, answer questions, and provide insight on must-have SEO skills. New in this year’s agenda is the First Timer’s Guide to SES and SEM. This session will walk attendees through the “SES experience,” including the logistics, networking opportunities and special event details, thoroughly preparing participants for a whirlwind week. Additionally, this session will present a sneak peek to the Introduction to Search Engine Marketing session that will be held on Tuesday.

Additional sessions geared toward newbies include:

* Landing Page Testing & Tuning: This session looks at ways to test and tweak landing pages to convert visitors into buyers. The session is designed for those who are already familiar with how paid placement works.
* Link Building Basics: Discover how search engines rely on link analysis as an important component for rank web pages, and how building quality links appropriately will increase traffic to your site.
* SEO Tools: This session will outline the tools to help search marketers accomplish tasks including indexing, competitive analysis, site ranking, diagnosing and remedying problems, page level information, site level information, on-page optimization and much more.
* Social Media Optimization: Community-built web sites, Facebook, YouTube, Microsoft Tagspace, Wikipedia and new sites allowing content to be shared through “tagging” can be a great way to tap into links and search-driven traffic. Hear how-to’s and tips from search marketers who have discovered what works today and what to avoid.
* Search Advertising 101: Every major search engine offers a paid placement program. Learn what’s available in this session that is especially geared toward beginners, with details on programs from major providers and advice on how to succeed.
* Search Advertising Tools: In order to get a leg up on the competition, successful search engine marketers need to be armed with the latest tools of the trade. This session will explore a range of popular search engine advertising tools – both free basic tools and advanced paid offerings – along with some important features to be aware of.
* Site Clinic and Contextual Ads & Ad Sense Clinic: These interactive sessions take volunteers from the audience and examine their web sites live to provide general feedback about improving them to do better from Google AdSense and other contextual ad placements, and to gain more traffic from search engines.
* Ad Copy Continuity Clinic: Ad copy and landing page content must be in alignment with each other to ensure a smooth and profitable visitor experience. This clinic will examine actual ads and landing pages offered up by volunteers from the audience.

Organized and hosted by search authority Kevin Ryan, SES Chicago delivers real-time actionable information you need to grow your business. SES beginners will quickly learn how to maximize the search engine marketing and search engine optimization opportunities to ensure they are well-versed of the latest search developments and solutions in this area.

To register for the conference and pay the early bird rate of $1,795 by November 21, visit www.searchenginestrategies.com/chicago/registration-details.html. SES Chicago Expo-only passes are free in advance.

For more information on SES Chicago and other shows in the series, see http://searchenginestrategies.com/chicago.

About SES

Search Engine Strategies (SES) is the leading global conference series focused on search engine optimization and search engine marketing (SEM). SES, ClickZ, Search Engine Watch, and their associated conference series ClickZ Events are part of the Interactive group of Incisive Media.

About Incisive Media

Incisive Media is a leading global provider of specialized business news and information, in print, in person and online. The company’s principal markets include commercial real estate, financial services, legal services, marketing services and risk management. Incisive Media’s market-leading brands include Accountancy Age, Computing, Investment Week, Legal Week, Post, Real Estate Forum and The American Lawyer, in addition to ClickZ, Search Engine Watch and their associated conference series. For more information, visit www.incisivemedia.com.

See www.SearchEngineStrategies.com/london.

SES London is Europe’s leading event for education in online marketing and advertising, including Search (SEM/SEO). The SES Conference & Expo will teach delegates everything they need to know to help them maximize search engine marketing and optimization for their business and provide a forum for delegates to communicate with the search engines themselves.

SES London will feature a number of sessions designed to help marketers maximize success in a Web 2.0. Intermediate workshops and panel debates consider applications such as video, podcasts and blogs while more advanced marketers can attend sessions on search advertising tools and advanced paid search tactics.

With all sessions uniquely ranked according to content and degree of understanding, SES London is a crucial event for beginners as well as experienced search marketers.

The conference will be organized by Kevin Ryan, recognized globally as a leading authority on search, and hosted by SEM expert Mike Grehan.

Kevin Ryan, vice president of global content for Search Engine Strategies and Search Engine Watch, said:

“Businesses around the World are facing some challenging times ahead. Clever marketing, particularly online which is so accountable, is crucial to any business success. Without the tools, techniques and understanding of how to use them effectively companies and brands will undoubtedly struggle. SES London is a must attend event for any business looking to develop in their market sector or push into new areas.”

Mike Grehan, global KDM officer of Acronym Media, says:

“Search has continued to make the headlines on a global scale as more businesses explore the opportunities provided by online marketing. We have developed a programme of sessions to help marketers understand what’s available to them, presented by speakers who will help them decide what’s right for their business.”

Register early and save money. For more information about Search Engine Strategies Conference & Expo 2009 visit http://www.SearchEngineStrategies.com/london

For sponsorship and Exhibition information please call Chris Lucas at +44(0)20-7316-9609 or +44(0)7834-849-957. Outside of Europe please call Frank Fazio at +1 (203) 295-0052.

CHICAGO – Search Engine Strategies (http://www.SearchEngineStrategies.com) returns to Chicago this year with an exciting line up of popular sessions and new content at SES Chicago 2008. The SES event, taking place at the Chicago Hilton, December 8th – 12th, draws not only a large Chicago and Midwestern crowd, but also delegates from across the country and the world, as 30 countries were represented last year.

Opening the show with the first of three keynotes will be Lawrence Lessig, who is Professor of Law at Stanford Law School and founder of the school’s Center for Internet and Society. Lessig focuses on the intersection of law, internet and technology, particularly as it relates to copyright.

Second in the keynote lineup will be CEO and co-founder of Omniture, Josh James. Josh is passionate about helping organizations worldwide leverage the internet and the on-demand services business model to increase revenues and customer loyalty and maintain a competitive edge. Under Josh’s leadership, Omniture has evolved from a groundbreaking idea into one of the fastest-growing publicly traded software companies with more than 4,700 customers across 75 countries and over 1,100 employees.

The SES conference’s third keynote will be Bill Tancer, General Manager, Global Research with Hitwise. In his role, Bill provides cutting-edge research and insight into online consumer behavior and the application of online competitive intelligence. Bill’s analysis of the online landscape has been quoted extensively in the press and he authors a weekly online column for TIME, “The Science of Search.” He was also named Television Week’s “12 to Watch” for 2008 and is currently on the advisory board for the PEW Internet and American Life Project.

SES newbies and alumni alike will quickly learn how to maximize the search engine marketing and search engine optimization opportunities to ensure they are well-versed of the latest search developments and solutions in this area. Organized and hosted by world-renowned search authority Kevin Ryan, SES Chicago delivers real-time actionable information you need to grow your business. Additionally, Search Engine Strategies Chicago grants access to the Midwest’s most comprehensive gathering of search engine marketing and optimization-related providers, partners and affiliates.

“Our intent in bringing Professor Lessig, Mr. James and Mr. Tancer here is to rejuvenate the industry’s thinking,” said Kevin Ryan, Chairman of the SES Advisory Board. “The search industry continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and in a time of economic uncertainty, we must continue to take chances. But, in doing so, our audience needs to hear from these individuals to truly value search’s place amongst other internet disciplines.”

To register for the conference and pay the early bird rate of $1,795 by November 21, visit www.searchenginestrategies.com/chicago/registration-details.html. SES Chicago Expo-only passes are free in advance.

For more information on SES Chicago and other shows in the series, see http://searchenginestrategies.com/chicago.

bout Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC — A Division of Incisive Media PLC

Incisive Media PLC is a specialist business information provider, based in the UK with offices in North America, Hong Kong, India and Mainland China. The company’s activities are currently built around ten core industry sectors – mortgages; marketing services; financial technology; retail investment; capital markets; risk management; insurance; legal services; private equity and photography. Information is provided via a wide range of channels–in print, in person and online. Funds advised by Apax Partners, a leading global private equity group, recently completed the successful de-listing of Incisive Media from the London Stock Exchange alongside the existing management.

Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC is the marketing services division of the company and incorporates leading websites Search Engine Watch, the ClickZ Network and their associated events series including Search Engine Strategies. These properties were acquired in 2005.

CHICAGO – Search Engine Strategies, the Midwest’s only search marketing conference and expo, celebrates its 10th year in the Windy City later this fall. Returning to Chicago on December 8-11, 2008, at the Chicago Hilton, SES Chicago (http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/chicago) will feature an intriguing lineup of sessions and new content. A “recession special” of $600 off is in place for all who register by September 26, 2008.

This year’s event will explore hot topics such as search around the world, search advertising, universal and blended search, viral campaigns, social media optimization, plus geo-targeting and the best kept secrets in search. Led by the industry’s most notable visionaries, SES Chicago draws thousands of marketers each year, and boasts a 98 percent satisfaction rate from attendees.

Organized and hosted by search authority Kevin Ryan, SES Chicago offers up-to-the-minute, practical information that marketers can use immediately to grow their businesses through search. Seasoned practitioners and search newcomers alike will benefit from more than 60 engaging sessions geared toward attendees of all learning levels – beginners, intermediate-level marketers, and advanced professionals. The research, expertise and tactics presented by top search experts and the search engines themselves will arm attendees with actionable information they can apply to their business immediately upon leaving.

As the industry evolves exponentially, SES Chicago aims to capture the most current educational needs of attendees by incorporating fresh and exclusive content. Multiple keynotes and Orion panels add to the learning opportunity by providing attendees with insights from industry luminaries, often from outside the search realm, who bestow a well-rounded vision of search’s role in today’s marketing spectrum.

SES Chicago is followed by a full-day of search engine training sessions. These thorough workshops take place in a small classroom setting, giving attendees the opportunity to work closely with instructors, who provide the practices, applications, and hands-on exposure needed to become – and remain – a top performer in the field. In the end, attendees will not only walk away with the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful search engine marketer, but will also enhance their professional know-how by keeping their marketing acumen sharp and in tune with the latest developments in search engine marketing and optimization.

“Whether you’re looking to get organic traffic, explore the best free and paid placements, calculate the ROI of your search efforts, or be the first to hear about what’s coming next in the ever-changing world of search, SES Chicago is the place to be,” said Kevin Ryan, Vice President of Global Content for Search Engine Strategies, an Incisive Media property. “This year’s conference will be no exception, with an impressive array of renowned speakers and a stimulating educational environment.”

For more information on SES Chicago and other shows in the series, see http://searchenginestrategies.com/chicago.

About Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC — A Division of Incisive Media PLC

Incisive Media PLC is a specialist business information provider, based in the UK with offices in North America, Hong Kong, India and Mainland China. The company’s activities are currently built around ten core industry sectors – mortgages; marketing services; financial technology; retail investment; capital markets; risk management; insurance; legal services; private equity and photography. Information is provided via a wide range of channels–in print, in person and online. Funds advised by Apax Partners, a leading global private equity group, recently completed the successful de-listing of Incisive Media from the London Stock Exchange alongside the existing management.

Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC is the marketing services division of the company and incorporates leading websites Search Engine Watch, the ClickZ Network and their associated events series including Search Engine Strategies. These properties were acquired in 2005.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Recognizing innovation in the search industry, the first annual Search Engine Strategies (SES) Awards were announced this week at Search Engine Strategies (SES) San Jose http://www.searchenginestrategies.com/sanjose). The SES conference, which wrapped up today at the San Jose Convention Center, is an international event series for online marketers, digital agencies, webmasters and corporate decision makers.

The SES Awards, presented at keynote and Orion panel sessions throughout the four-day event, celebrate the event’s 10-year anniversary and were created to inspire innovation and encourage new ideas. Judged by a panel of industry experts and the SES editorial staff, the SES Awards honor outstanding search marketers.

The 2008 SES Awards winners are:

Best Search Engine Ad Platform: LookSmart AdCenter

Search Engine with Most Relevant Search Results: Yahoo!

Most Innovative New Search Engine: YellowBot (Young & Associates)

Technology Platform Search Marketers Can’t Live Without: Enquisite (Maven Communications)

Best SEM Technology Platform for SMBs: LocalLaunch; Marchex

Most Innovative Use of Search Engine Optimization: NikeStore (Range Online Media)

Most Innovative Paid Search Campaign: SearchAdNetwork; Building Blocks for LEGO’s Paid Search Media (iCrossing)

Best Social Media Marketing Campaign: Beaches of South Walton (USDM.net)

Best Business-to-Business Search Marketing Campaign: Microsoft Small Business Center (iProspect)

Best Multi-National Search Marketing Campaign: iCrossing Integrates Global Search Campaign for LEGO

Best Use of Local Search: US Small Business Administration-Business Gateway Initiative

Best Integration of Search with Other Media: The Tudors/Showtime (Outrider)

Most Effective Use of Web Analytics: Four Seasons Hotels and Resort (Acronym Media)

Best Web Analytics Platform: Omniture

Most Advertiser-Friendly Search Engine: Matchpoint.com

Editor’s Choice: Matt Cutts, Software Engineer Guru, Google

Led by search authority Kevin Ryan, Vice President, Global Content Director, Search Engine Strategies and SearchEngineWatch.com, SES San Jose is the preeminent source of practical knowledge for search marketers.

“Innovation is the name of the game in this industry as it continues to evolve,” said Ryan. “By recognizing those who are developing extremely effective and creative work, we know we’re inspiring others to drive this industry toward excellence.”

Since 1999, SES has guided search marketers of all skill levels through the fast changing and complex world of search — the single fastest growing marketing sector. The conference provides attendees with more than 80 sessions designed for every skill level.

For additional information about the San Jose event and other conferences in the series, visit www.SearchEngineStrategies.com.

About Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC — A Division of Incisive Media PLC

Incisive Media PLC is a specialist business information provider, based in the UK with offices in North America, Hong Kong, India and Mainland China. The company’s activities are currently built around ten core industry sectors – mortgages; marketing services; financial technology; retail investment; capital markets; risk management; insurance; legal services; private equity and photography. Information is provided via a wide range of channels–in print, in person and online. Funds advised by Apax Partners, a leading global private equity group, recently completed the successful de-listing of Incisive Media from the London Stock Exchange alongside the existing management.

Incisive Interactive Marketing LLC is the marketing services division of the company and incorporates leading websites Search Engine Watch, the ClickZ Network and their associated events series including Search Engine Strategies. These properties were acquired in 2005.

WebTrends bases this estimate on results of its new service, WebTrends Ad Director, which will formally debut at the Search Engine Strategies (SES) conference in San Jose, Calif., Aug. 18-21. WebTrends Ad Director utilizes self-learning technology to optimize millions of combinations of keywords, landing pages and ads across the major search networks to achieve maximum results. Companies using the solution have seen their return on ad spend increase an average of 44 percent.

“Search engine marketing is one of the most critical acquisition channels for many companies, but it is clear that a significant portion of these investments are being wasted or underutilized,” said Kevin Ryan, vice president and global content director of Search Engine Strategies and Search Engine Watch. “As search marketing becomes even more competitive, marketers would be smart to investigate automated methods for increasing SEM returns.”

“We have customers that are realizing over 1,500 percent return on ad spend after switching from their old bid management tools,” said Alex Yoder, WebTrends CEO. “But more importantly, all WebTrends Ad Director customers have seen substantial gains over bid management, while reducing the manual overhead associated with these outdated solutions. With WebTrends Ad Director, we have struck the optimal balance between what machines can do best — repetitive analysis, testing and updates on a massive scale — and the insight and perspective humans bring to search marketing decisions.”

Some of the clients who have realized substantial improvements in their SEM advertising results since switching from bid management to WebTrends’ automated optimization solution include Safelite™ AutoGlass, who increased daily sales by 42 percent after two months, and Orion™ Telescopes and Binoculars, who increased quarterly SEM revenues by 35 percent in one year, without increasing average CPC costs.

“We were able to achieve a much higher conversion rate and broader coverage of the online space while reducing staff hours dedicated to search campaign management by 50 percent,” said Alicia Albo, PsPrint (http://www.psprint.com).

In addition to significantly improving search advertising results, WebTrends Ad Director is the only automated solution that enables companies to override the system to achieve goals outside of normal parameters. For example, a company may wish to set minimum bids on certain terms, such as brand terms, regardless of the observed return.

To view our online press kit for SES San Jose: http://www.virtualpressoffice.com/kit/WebTrends

About WebTrends Inc.

WebTrends provides web analytics and online marketing solutions to optimize marketing campaigns and customer engagement. WebTrends Marketing Lab delivers the industry’s most recognized analytics, SEM, and visitor intelligence solutions to enable companies to understand their customers, drive customer engagement, and enhance marketing and brand awareness. Thousands of leading global organizations, including HSBC, Microsoft, Reuters, General Mills, and Ticketmaster, have chosen WebTrends business solutions and client services expertise to optimize their customers’ online experiences.

For more information, visit: www.webtrends.com.

WebTrends is a registered trademark of WebTrends Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

- WebTrends Appoints New CEO: the Board of Directors of WebTrends Inc. today announced the immediate appointment of Alex Yoder as the company’s new president and chief executive officer following the resignation of Dan Stickel. Yoder was also appointed to the company’s Board of Directors.
In naming Yoder as CEO, the board turned to a WebTrends insider with seven years of experience at the company, and who most recently led WebTrends to its most successful quarter in history as its vice president of sales. He also has been one of the key executives leading the company’s long-term strategic planning, and has over 20 years of global business experience.

- MIVA Direct Signs Co-Branded Toolbar Distribution Agreement with Comercio Mas
The agreement has seen the development and launch of a co-branded ALOT Esmas.com toolbar that features buttons providing users with one click access to different channels of the Esmas.com portal. The new toolbar also includes site search and full web search functionality, displaying both algorithmic results and sponsored links. The new toolbar is being promoted across the Esmas.com portal; it is expected that the new toolbar will also be promoted by MIVA Direct through its ongoing direct response marketing program.