Moose on the Loose

Opening The Brown Envelope .. Oops Sorry .. I Mean The Gold Envelope … drum roll …

Farcical, that is the only way I can describe the nominations for the Publisher (Affiliate) of 2008. Lets not hold back the expletives please with false pleasantries.

I’ll come onto the other more respected categories a little later, but the aforementioned one, left me lacing my football boots, grabbing the ball bag & heading down the park to burst a couple of footballs whilst kicking them against the crossbar.

The nominations for this category seems to have been left in the hands of the inept, who’s drinks I can only assume had been laced with something hallucinogenic. However, on a serious note it amplifies & underlines the incestuousness there is between the Praetorians in ensuring that the brand bidding groups remain within closely controlled circles with secret rituals in order to gain entrance into the inner sanctum and the clear divide between these parties (networks & agencies) associated with brand bidding groups & the majority of normal affiliates. Basically they are scared, and more attractive propositions which are presentable in-front of them more notably … Sharing the Wealth – The Solution to Brand Bidding Groups … puts the wind up their pipe.

Note: We have our first merchant coming on board which will be announced later this month. Estimated annual prize pool maybe about £30,000 (based on previous figures)

This category partially explains the lack of innovation from a few networks, brand bidding is easy so there is no need or requirement to innovate since life is just bliss down on Easy Street where it seems there is a clear divide between affiliates. Though there is gradually similar opinion and concessus for which networks & merchants we should shun and leave to their ways. A few of last years nominations indicated this, this category just reaffirms. It’s incredulous to say the least.

“Not sure who got to nominate for the “Publisher (affiliate) of 2008”, but it looks like a “who’s who” of brand name bidding + Quidco. Nice choices for the bloggers award though.” – Ian

I won’t bother listing the nominees for the Publisher (Affiliate) of 2008 Award, as I don’t even wish to even soil my blog by putting it type. There is one cashback site called Quidco amongst them, I don’t know much about cashback sites and there are friends & colleagues with very mixed opinions, perhaps is better that they won the award rather than any BBG affiliate or company. I will enquire though why is it companies that have been nominated & not individuals?

Now, I was quiet vociferous when it was initially announced there would be a voting panel for the awards, and I still am, if this particular one was one of those that was relinquished to a public vote, then I openly apologise to Matt and the Existem team, because i’ll reiterate again the nominations for the Publisher (Affiliate) of 2008 is Farcical.

Though this has laid down the challenge for other traditionally content affiliates to aggregate skills into a synergy to develop something spectacular, though they won’t have the easy cash from BBG’s to finance it.

Let’s not beat about the bush on this one … It’s unhealthy & not good for image of the industry!!!

But on a brighter note lets look at the other categories.

Affiliate Manager of 2008

• Chris Bishop (Hotel Chocolat)
• Chris Clarkson (Sunshine.co.uk)
• Daniel Morley (Alpha Rooms)
• Graham Keen (Buy a Gift)
• Jasper Van Der Bliek (Jackpot Joy)
• Zak Edwards (Prezzy Box)

I don’t know Chris “B” or Jasper, but this category represents class & quality, illustrating affiliates voting with their brain. I was surprised on a couple of omissions like Adam from JustHom & Naomi from Firebox to name just a few, I don’t know the latter but they are always proactive on the forum.

Publisher’s Account Manager of 2008

• Jonathan Erwin (OMG)
• Julie Wood (AW)
• Kier Marston (Webgains)
• Thuy Pham (AW)
• Vicky Long (OMG)

I only deal with a c couple of managers here, but many congratulations to them all & thoroughly deserved. I was hoping Julia Stent from Affiliate Window (who got rid of 0% on Dixons products) would be a nominee, and again surprised at a couple of omissions which again illustrates some of the quality staff there is around on the favoured networks, there must have been some good competition. Well done.

Affiliate Marketing Agency of 2008

• Equator
• Existem AM
• Media Vest
• Quantum BLM
• R.O.EYE

The usual suspects here, we need more candidates, a couple of these I associate with BBGs (Brand Bidding Groups) so disappointed to see them there. Personally I think Sean “Hong Kong Phooey” Carter from Media Vest are on the verge of being fan-riffic, so I’ll give them the nod together with the ever so nice chappies Bruce & Mark over at Existem AM.

Publisher’s Choice Of Network 2008

• Affiliate Future
• Affiliate Window
• <expletive removed>
• OMG
• Paid On Results
• Webgains

I am not surprised with a few of the obvious missing candidates, it’s not the time & the place to elaborate now as I could dedicate a whole blog to each one, but its curious how times have changed on the networks which used to be the so called big three, notably Commission Junction, Deal Group Media & Tradedoubler. Though I would have substituted one of these for the nominee with the <expletive removed> 😉

Affiliate Marketing Blog of 2008

• Jason Dale (www.onelittleduck.co.uk)
• Kieron Donoghue (www.here.org.uk)
• Kirsty McCubbin (www.affiliatestuff.co.uk)
• Lee McCoy (www.leemccoy.co.uk)
• Paul Wheatley (www.mooseontheloose.co.uk)

I will have to demand a recount on this one, I think my vote should have the decimal point moved to the left a couple of notches. I am not one for the limelight so I really don’t have much to say except I am quite surprised with my nomination & quietly chuffed to be amongst a group of respected peers & friends. There are some excellent affiliate blogs out there which I read regularly, so there must have been some stiff competition in this category. Enough said on that & cheers kindly for the vote.

Have you noticed how its mainly the affiliates who have been both around the block and not in the BBG inner sanctum who have blogs?

For more details about the nominations and the wonderful efforts by those at Existem in the events they organise … Please Click Here

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 11:13 PM and is filed under Affiliate Marketing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.