Revisited : Affiliate Association - Who should the membership consist off?

Qui Gon Jinn · 10-12-07

It has been over 2 years already it seems since the first poll was conducted & orginally discussed and wanted to asercertain had peoples views remained the same, apathetic or whether a joint effort was required, or hopefuly the IAB will address or whether affiliates need to professionally address matters themselves as a group.

If an affiliate association / union / bureau was formed...Who should the membership consist off?

Is it a fundementally important question anymore? to ascertain how a body acts & responds to issues within the industry or any recommendations made to the marketplace & any codes of conduct which are incorporated for affiliates interests at heart. Or have opinions changed & any lack of involvement indicative of the way industry currently is or moving forward or something which is simply not needed.

Archive discussions can be found here:

http://www.affiliates4u.com/forums/b...-applications/

morleymouse · 10-12-07

Hi,

Pretty sure a lot of the same sort of debate will crop up but thought it was interesting how you labelled the options:

Affiliates & Networks & Merchants/Agencies and Affiliates & Merchants/Agencies Only

As thought merchant/agency its one and the same? No affiliate & network & merchant option

anyway, probably just me reading into it too much

id always say these are the main parties and if you want change then these are the ones that need to be involved. Yes networks can educate merchants, but a network rarely knows the precise circumstances of the merchant. From what I know a lots happened *in the background* but from my point of view, 2 years on, nothings changed.

I know some affiliates would vote for an affiliate union, for affiliates, by affiliates with affiliates involved. But surely that just leads to an isolated view of the industry? Someone there would then at any meeting need to play devils advocate for the other parties.

Then what if you get a merchants union, and they all commission fixing on cheese and milk.

Affiliate marketing’s a powerful tool, but if everyone came together and got a bit more organised it could easily turn into the tool big brands look at first in the run up to any merchants busy season rather than press, tv, google etc

drivetowin · 10-12-07

I'll stick to the same standpoint I've always had - that it should be fully inclusive of everyone in the sector.

hpops · 10-12-07

My view is unaltered in that a fully inclusive association is the most appropriate format

Elaine · 10-12-07

and I'm even more adamant that it should be just affiliates - especially after this latest batch of merchants/networks have proved that they only have contempt and disdain for the majority of affiliates - why would any of you want to share a 'bed' with folk like that! and, I really don't see the point of letting all and sundry into an Association as nothing will be acheived because everyone, obviously, will be batting for their own 'side'.

ian · 10-12-07

I'd like to see the AMC drive things forward for the industry as a whole, and an 'affiliate association' pushing the interests of publishers, with representation on the AMC.

90% of affiliate grumbles are to do with networks and merchants 'taking advantage' so their aims aren't perfectly alligned with ours. A coordinated professional association from our side of the fence backed up by some serious revenue would help drive things forward.

renegade · 10-12-07

My views remain the same, it should be affiliates only. AFAIKT the IAB is irrevelant to me and my business and the membership prices preclude most of us from even entertaining the thought of funding a QUANGO. We're no further forward, in fact with the IAB I feel a step further back and more remote from the industry for which I have been a pioneer.

drivetowin · 10-12-07

Joe

You would be more than welcome to attend the IAB affiliate council - there is no charge for affiliates (or merchants) to participate in the IAB affiliate council - the only people who have to pay are networks and agencies.

morleymouse · 10-12-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elaine

and I'm even more adamant that it should be just affiliates - especially after this latest batch of merchants/networks have proved that they only have contempt and disdain for the majority of affiliates - why would any of you want to share a 'bed' with folk like that! and, I really don't see the point of letting all and sundry into an Association as nothing will be acheived because everyone, obviously, will be batting for their own 'side'.

I guess my only reply to that would be that you have an issue with Merchant A on Network A, they've had some tracking issues, their decline rates gone up and commissions been cut.

What would help resolve that?

A select group of affiliates all sitting together, many of which probably wont promote that merchant and all agreeing is disgraceful.
… or …
A senior representative of the network, a senior representative of the company and yourself with some like minded people sitting down and thrashing it out.

You could call it ‘battling’ but in scenario 1 you might walk away thinking “yes im right” and have the ideal solution, but from scenario 2 you would walk away knowing that whats been agreed would be actioned. If nothings been agreed then review your relationship with that merchant and/or network

kungfumobiles · 10-12-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by morleymouse

I guess my only reply to that would be that you have an issue with Merchant A on Network A, they've had some tracking issues, t