LUXEMBOURG -- Skype today announced the launch of its affiliate program that will reward online communities, website publishers, bloggers and Skype enthusiasts with commissions of up to 10% for promoting Skype on their websites. Managed by Commission Junction, a ValueClick company and provider of advanced affiliate marketing solutions, Skype has already expanded its online presence to a growing network of websites, allowing affiliates to participate in Skype's tremendous growth by receiving commissions resulting from Skype Store purchases made by visitor click-throughs.

"We look forward to rewarding our most ardent online evangelizers by creating an avenue to increase profits from their websites," said Skype CEO and co-founder Niklas Zennstrom. "A strong affiliate program not only opens up a revenue stream for Skype devotees, but also provides an interactive communications tool for website publishers to engage in dialogue with their audiences."

Social networking and community websites with user forums will particularly benefit from the open, multi-mode communication Skype enables. Any website or blog seeking stronger communications with its audience and community will benefit from joining the Skype affiliate program. The affiliate program will help extend the referral power that has made Skype the fastest-growing voice communications offering worldwide with more than 39 million users.

Registered sites link to both Skype's home page and the Skype Store, where customers can purchase Skype's premium services from the affiliate website. The referral period credits publishers for all purchases made from return visits to the Skype Store for up to 30 days after the original click. The program, which has been in a test mode for the past two weeks, has generated more than 1,800 affiliates and proven demand for Skype participation across the global Internet community.

Skype has partnered with a select group of super affiliates, sites with millions of registered users, including: 192.com, aSmallWorld, Firstream, LunarStorm Sweden, LunarStorm United Kingdom, MyFamily.com, Passado, Spymac and SuperEva. Super affiliates integrate Skype into their online products and services, increasing value for their customers and maximizing their affiliate relationship with Skype.

"With such considerable benefits for all parties, the Skype affiliate program has incredible growth potential and is already developing at a fantastic rate," said Jonathan Forster, Commission Junction's UK Country Manager. "Websites of all sizes are able to attract new clientele as well as sustain visitor loyalty by enhancing their customers' online experience with the Skype brand and value-added functionality."

Skype Technologies SA