Quick search shows she's likely an employee and doing the linkbuilding legwork to produce SEO results. Good practice, though I'd prefer a bit more of a personal touch in the email myself. - AJ Kohn

Might have something to do with the fact that after leaving Google, Vanessa Fox worked there for a while. Not implying pulled strings. If anyone knows how to get to the top, she does. BTW - Those letters are automated. Lots of programs to do it. - Charlie Anzman

I didn't know Vanessa was there at one stage...would explain a lot. - Duncan Riley

For quite a while, then went onto speaking, search engine land, and resident at Ignition Partners. One of the few .... I read almost everything she writes (See Charlie's blogroll :) - Charlie Anzman

@Charlie: are you talking an end-to-end program? (e.g. - ID link prospects, get contact info, send dynamic generated email.) I've never seen one do it that well. Portions of it yes, but the total package, not so much. If you know one, give me a holler. - AJ Kohn

AJ - I don't use the technique anymore because I always felt it was borderline. There are plenty of ways to get real, relevant links. So, I'm a little out of touch ... but did test a few several years back (I don't remember the names) that had almost everything built in. Kinda spoils the fun :) - Charlie Anzman

@Charlie: Interesting. I always recommend doing it far more manually. It's relationship building really, not drive-by linking. And I'd rather have quality links (being in the right neighborhood is how I put it) over quantity. (Though both are even better!) - AJ Kohn