With three days of networking, thought leadership and fun, it was wonderful connecting with prospective and current partners to discuss how Awin and ShareASale can elevate their performance marketing activity across our trusted networks. Read our highlights from the conference below.
Awin + ShareASale Coffee Lounge
The Awin US Group was thrilled to once again invite attendees to brew up a successful affiliate program with us at the Awin + ShareASale Coffee Lounge.
Our teams discussed strategic growth initiatives for advertiser and publisher affiliate activity across both networks, with brands demonstrating an increased interest in the new technology partnership opportunities afforded on the Awin network. We also chatted on the newly-released Performance Marketing Association’s inaugural US industry survey – which Awin and ShareASale proudly sponsored and we further highlighted in our ASE session with PMA Executive Director Tricia Meyer – and spoke on how we’re addressing hot topics like browser cookie blocking and data privacy regulations, how it’s impacting publisher payments, and the solutions we have to address this.
Sessions
Top minds from Awin and ShareASale spoke on the latest affiliate marketing trends. Our sessions included:
How, What & Why – The Top 10 Affiliate Marketing Essentials
“How do I choose merchants? Why should I optimize my site? How can I understand the metrics?” These are just some of the talking points Awin’s Jeannine Crooks and her panel cohosts Mike Allen and John LoBrutto covered in their publisher-focused introductory session.
Additional topics covered that are must-know for affiliates looking to find success in the channel included:
- The marketing concept of the Golden Circle
- Technology best practices
- Understanding metrics and why Google Analytics isn’t always the best choice
- Consumer loyalty and why it matters
Successes and Challenges in the Affiliate Channel
Awin’s Group Marketing Director Lisa Hammond sat down with Groupon’s Client Services Director Chris Johnson and JLab Audio’s Ecommerce Manager Warren Fosse Jr to discuss their views on best practices in the affiliate channel, and how the perspective of a publisher with a long history in the channel (Groupon) compares to that of an advertiser new to the affiliate space (JLab Audio.) They also reviewed lessons learned throughout their time in the industry and explored views on the innovations, challenges and opportunities in performance marketing in North America and worldwide.
“One of the biggest innovations I’ve seen in the affiliate channel has been watching campaigns perform that are entirely non-technical.” Chris Johnson | Client Services Director, Groupon
The $6 Billion Report: Latest Insights from the PMA’s US Industry Survey
Released just ahead of Affiliate Summit East, the Performance Marketing Association's US Industry Survey represents the very first formal assessment of the shape and scale of the US affiliate market. With contributions from some of the biggest affiliate businesses in the US and from 8 networks successfully operating in the US market, the survey provides an in-depth measure of the channel's popularity and success.
Awin's Content Analyst Rob Davinson sat down with PMA Executive Director Tricia Meyer to discuss key findings of the survey and what they mean for the performance marketing industry.
“We can definitely say affiliate marketing is worth over $6bn in the US, greatly outpacing where individuals thought the industry would be in 2018, with return on ad spend 12:1.” Tricia Meyer | Executive Director, Performance Marketing Association
Awin VIP Breakfast
At this Affiliate Summit, Awin US President Alexandra Forsch invited a select group of partners to discuss the need for futureproofing affiliate marketing in a changing digital landscape. In an environment rife with advertisements and consumer data breaches, Alex urged that it is critical for our industry to respond to changing consumer attitudes and behaviors online. More specifically, failure to take privacy concerns seriously will put confidence in affiliate marketing at risk and see us lose an opportunity to differentiate what we do from other digital channels.
In direct response to these challenges, Alex offered an exclusive look at the proactive steps we have taken as a network in prioritizing consumer data privacy and protection. While hybrid tracking is a still valid method in minimizing tracking prevention today, Alex also shared how our tracking innovation will provide increased levels of visibility and more importantly, make us fully independent of browser privacy and adblocking changes in the future. In the wider concept of future proofing our industry, Alex further described the benefits of our own evolution from a network to an ecosystem that offers our partners easy access to trusted, innovative third-party technology technologies. To exemplify how these forms of innovation power growth, Alex was joined by R.O.EYE CEO and Founder Mark Kuhillow to spotlight SingleView, a dynamic attribution solution exclusively available through Awin’s MasterTag.
Pinnacle Awards
Highlighting leaders in the space, Affiliate Summit hosted their annual Pinnacle Awards ceremony that recognizes innovative companies and individuals with vision and influence providing best-in-class service and solutions. In 2019, Awin was immensely proud to have been shortlisted in four categories, and win as this year’s ‘Network of the Year.’
Competing alongside Rakuten Marketing, CJ Affiliate and FlexOffers, we are truly honored to be receiving this recognition that reaffirms the passion we have for our industry and to offer our partners innovative and flexible solutions for success across the trusted Awin and ShareASale networks.
Awin + ShareASale Party
As always, we had a blast kicking off another Affiliate Summit with our clients, partners and friends at the Awin + ShareASale Party. Guests enjoyed craft cocktails, a DJ, and ample networking for a night to remember in New York City.
To see all photos from the Awin + ShareASale Party, please click here.
Affiliate Summit East was another fantastic event for the Awin US Group. We look forward to seeing everyone at other conferences and events throughout the remainder of 2019.
Miss your chance to connect with us at ASE? Contact our new business team.
