LinkShare has announced that for the first half of 2011 it has doubled the number of signed brands for its search marketing division compared to all of 2010. New brands signed in 2011 include HMX Group, Nautica & Kipling, Samsonite and Kellwood.

The company reported that current client performance has been a key factor in winning new business. First quarter year-over-year performance for current clients delivered an average reduction in cost-per-click fees (CPCs) of more than three percent with an average increase in sales of 26 percent.

LinkShare’s search marketing platform uses technology from Kenshoo, a leading software provider for search engine marketing. LinkShare has been providing paid search management and consulting services since 2004.