News

Marin Software and SMX West sponsor the first-ever SMX Biggest Search Geek Contest to recognize the most knowledgeable search marketers

San Francisco, Calif.December 08, 2008 – Google, Yahoo!, MSN – everyone searches on the Web and has clicked on those ubiquitous search ads on the top and side of the page. But how many people realize a legion of advertising experts is engaged in a fierce competitive battle every day to win at this very quantitative and complex form of advertising? Today, the Search Engine Marketing (SEM) experts who manage complex search campaigns for leading brands and advertising agencies are finally getting their day.

Marin Software, provider of the leading enterprise-class paid search management application for advertisers and agencies, and Search Marketing Expo – SMX West today announced the Biggest Search Geek Contest. The thought-provoking and challenging contest launches today at www.biggestsearchgeek.com.

“Compared with other forms of advertising media including display, TV, print, radio, and direct mail, search marketing is certainly one of the more complex and intellectually challenging, but when done well it’s also among the most rewarding,” said Chris Lien, CEO of Marin Software. “We wanted to recognize the top experts in the SEM industry with the first-ever award for those we fondly refer to as ‘search geeks’.”

“The SMX Biggest Search Geek Contest celebrates the unsung heroes of search marketing who make SEM campaigns successful for the brands and agencies they work for every day,” said Danny Sullivan, SMX West program chair and Search Engine Land Editor-in-Chief.

The SMX Biggest Search Geek Contest is open to anyone with the mettle to answer 20 tough questions about the ins-and-outs of search marketing. The winner will receive a free trip for two people to SMX West in Santa Clara, CA February 10-12, 2009. The prize includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, and passes to SMX West 2009 for the winner and a travel companion. The winner will also receive an award on stage from Danny Sullivan, and will gain nationwide recognition as the Biggest Search Geek.

The winner of the SMX Biggest Search Geek Contest will be chosen based on who answers the most questions correctly in the least amount of time. Search marketing experts have until the end of January to take the timed questionnaire and the winner will be notified on the first week of February. What’s more, the top 10% of contest entrants answering the most correct questions in the shortest amount of time will each receive a “Search Geek” recognition award from Marin Software.

About Marin Software

Marin Software provides an enterprise-class paid search management application for advertisers and agencies. Marin Software’s “No Black Box” methodology offers serious search marketers unprecedented control and transparency over their SEM programs. Marin Search Marketer® addresses the workflow, analysis, and optimization needs of large-scale advertisers and agencies, saving time and improving financial performance. Marin offers pay-as-you-go pricing and is designed for those who are spending at least $50,000 monthly on paid search. Customers include Razorfish, a division of Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), Zappos.com, and ZipRealty (Nasdaq: ZIPR). Marin is backed by Benchmark Capital and Amicus Capital.

About SMX West and Third Door Media

Search Marketing Expo – SMX West is produced by Third Door Media, Inc. Third Door Media’s mission is to empower internet and search marketing professionals by providing trusted content and community services they need to be successful. Other events in the Search Marketing Expo series include SMX East, SMX Local & Mobile, SMX Advanced, SMX Social Media Marketing, SMX Munich, SMX Sydney and SMX London. The full list is available at the Search Marketing Expo site.

Third Door Media also publishes the search marketing news and analysis site Search Engine Land, produces Search Marketing Now, a lead-generation marketing solution for suppliers of SEM-related products and services, and Sphinn.com, the place for web, online, search, interactive and internet marketers to share news stories, talk within subject-specific discussion forums, build a network and stay connected to hot topics in internet marketing.

Contacts:

For Marin Software
Kari Moe Straley
(415) 215-6423

For SMX West/Third Door Media
Claire Schoen
(203) 664-1350