The UK affiliate marketing sector is booming, but a lack of standards and unethical practices among rogue individuals still blight the industry. This week, key members of the sector gathered to discuss the burning issues in affiliate marketing, and look at the trends that could shape its future.
Roundtable Chairman: Dan Brewer, Head of UK Select Network, Advertising.com
Guests attending:
Robin Caller Goallover
Paul Wright Blue Barracuda
Nick Chapman Leadpoint
Stephen Pratley ipoints
Chris Tradgett Buy.at
Tyson Pearcey AffiliateMarketing.co.uk (AM.co.uk)
David King Apco Worldwide
Felicia Jackson New Energy Finance
Sarah Escott TradeDoubler
Natalie Luthra Price Advertising.com
Michael Peralta Advertising.com
James Rothwell Advertising.com
Nichola Halford Advertising.com
Alex Holm Advertising.com
Naomi Lay Advertising.com
Brendan Condon Advertising.com
Mukhtar Hudda Netimperative
Robin Langford Netimperative
Omar Shah Netimperative
Dan Brewer, head of the UK Select Network at Advertising.com, began the debate with a brief overview of the affiliate sector. He said affiliate campaigns generated sales for merchants of some 1.3bn in 2005, up from 600m the previous year. This in turn lead to 83m in commission being paid out to affiliates during 2005, up from 46m in 2004. Despite this growth, Brewer added that significant issues and challenges remain in the sector.
The following podcasts cover both sessions in the debate. To hear both sessions for free, click on the attached WAV files below.
Topics Discussed:
Session 1 (50 mins)
Policing the industry
The negative perception of affiliates among merchants
Rogue affiliates and merchants
How can you block rogue affiliates?
Is it possible to produce an affiliate blacklist
Should affiliates be allowed to bid on Brand terms?
Open and closed networks
Session 2 (30 mins)
Cookies-What is the best payment model?
Should the industry even be using cookies in the future?
Payment on a lifetime basis?
Is affiliate marketing a viable option in the B2B world?
What sectors will we see most growth from affiliate marketing in the near future?
Coupon redemptions and offline affiliate campaigns
Can affiliate marketing cater for brand awareness campaigns?
Frequency capping
Is more research needed?
The value of auditing standards
Difficulty in getting merchant information
Future trends
Cost-per-call
http://www.netimperative.com/2006/06...oundtable/view


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