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2. Might I suggest maintaining the same look and appeal on all sites, then if there is a need to duplciate - instead of duplicating "link" to the page(s) that both (or all) sites need. (less of course you have the time to writing unique copy for each site).
3. Also remember that 1 company owns all sites thus if you design merely for "Link Popularity" and develop great ranks you will still lose in visitor usability, site credibility and ownership trust.
Further is it better the "brand" the company not the domain e.g.
Don't have plastered on each site
widget-blues.com
london-widgets.co.uk
toronto-blues-widgets.ca
cheap-widgets.com
The domain itself does not instil trust the company behind the domain does.
I (and most people) buy from "Widgery Inc." regardless of what domain name they use.