So how did Next win best new merchant? Who voted for them?

[3wdl]

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Hope this doesn't come across as sour grapes as since moving jobs I don't have a program main stream enough to be included, but I really, really can't understand how Next won their A4U Award for two reasons.

1) They are not new
2) They cut their affiliate commissions just before Christmas

I just don't understand who voted for them - surely this is not the kind of message that affiliates should be sending out to merchants, almost validing them making this decision?

Would be really interested to hear who on here voted for them and for what reasons.

[Paul Wright]

Thought the same as you James. There were some very easy picks and well deserved winners overall but there were a couple of winners that I really couldn't get my head around as I thought others would be head and shoulders above them.

[purple]

who else was up for the award? I can't remember who i voted for, that said Next convert well, and do confirm sales quickly.
They lack a datafeed though and the cut in commission for xmas period was not move to make affiliate happy.

[sgpratley]

I thought this one was a bit off just on the basis that they're not really new.
They've had a lead programme on the directory for as long as I can remember.

[KevinEdwards]

Hi,

I've already covered this off but it's inaccurate to say the cut in commission coincided with Christmas. The programme EPC far outstrips competitors. As anyone with a commercial eye can appreciate you don't need to be paying the same/similar rate as your competitors if your site converts at multiples of their programmes.

As for a new programme, the transactional programme launched in January 2007.

[Frostie]

Lets be honest, everyone had the chance to vote and used their votes as they saw fit.

I was personally surprised by 2 of the awards however I do think this is the best way and only fair way, to run an awards ceremony, and not to go down to a judging panel. From memory Wickes were in the same category as Next, and I truely expected them to be the winners. Just goes to show, never count your chickens before they hatch.

Most of the other awards didn't surprise me at all. I think AWin summed it up when they scooped the award for Publishers Choice when they said that everyone involved in the industry has helped to make it what it is.

Instead of reflecting, those that didn't win should be looking forward canvassing ideas so they are in the running again next year. Instead of sitting back, asking questions and complaining (yes I heard a few) about who won what, channel that energy into improving a brand/service. Then in the next 12 months, this industry will come on leaps and bounds.