LeadStream Taps Online Search Industry Veterans for Senior VP of Sales and VP of Search Engine Marketing Positions to Accelerate Local Search Growth for SMBs

Business Wire,  May 21, 2007  

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Former Google and DoubleClick Executive Andy Jacobson and Internet Marketing Expert Kevin Keller to Enhance Leadership Expertise and Bolster LeadStream's Unique Vertical SEM Approach

VIENNA, Va. -- Continuing to raise the bar on its aggressive growth strategy, LeadStream, a performance-based online lead generation solution for small-to-medium businesses (SMBs), today announced the addition of two senior executives to its leadership team. Andy Jacobson, a former Google and DoubleClick executive, will serve as senior vice president of sales, and Kevin Keller, an Internet marketing authority with specialized experience in the business-to-consumer sector--most recently with GMAC Insurance--will serve as vice president of search engine marketing. LeadStream is a new business unit of local search pioneer Innovectra.

"Andy's and Kevin's highly successful track records in sales and Internet marketing leadership with world-class organizations is impressive," said Chris Scotton, president and CEO of Innovectra. "We are confident that their sales and product execution strategies will dramatically increase our market share and product performance in the widely untapped and growing local search SMB space."

Jacobson will oversee the development and implementation of LeadStream's category-specific direct sales strategy, building upon an existing solid foundation of SMB customers. Bringing more than a decade of Internet advertising sales experience, Jacobson spent the past two years spearheading sales and business development efforts for ContextWeb, a leading online contextual ad network. In 2003, Jacobson consulted for Google to help build the company's AdWords and AdSense sales teams. Previously, Jacobson served in various senior management positions for both ValueClick and DoubleClick, where he developed and implemented business strategies to grow sales revenue.

Keller will be responsible for traffic generation, optimization strategies and oversight of SEM campaign management to maximize SMB campaign performance. Prior to joining LeadStream, Keller served as vice president of Internet marketing for GMAC Insurance and helped grow the business through the development of advanced search engine marketing techniques. Previously, Keller was director of database marketing at Service Merchandise and managed customer analytics, targeting systems and direct mail production for all acquisition and retention marketing activities.

LeadStream's business model utilizes vertical keyword analysis, testing and tracking methodologies, as well as segment-specific search engine marketing tools and products that help drive motivated buyers to SMBs. From offering multiple ways of receiving and tracking leads, including online landing pages with pay-per-call, LeadStream is building a strong base of SMBs that rely on its performance-based Internet marketing solutions.

About LeadStream

LeadStream, a business unit of local search pioneer Innovectra, is a performance-based online lead generation solution for small-to-medium businesses (SMBs). Utilizing a broad mix of search engine marketing tools and techniques, LeadStream is tailored to SMBs seeking a Web presence or increased sales leads in verticals and geographic markets most sought by online consumers. With SMB-experienced management and a vertically-focused in-house ad sales and customer support team, LeadStream is an effective distribution partner for vertical directories, search engines and Internet Yellow Pages seeking significant advertiser penetration and revenue growth. Founded in 2001, Innovectra is the only full-service local search software and services company and the first to offer an integrated online Yellow and White Pages directory platform for SMB advertisers. A privately held company, LeadStream is headquartered in Vienna, Va., with direct sales offices in Albany, N.Y. For more information, please visit www.leadstream.net.

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