GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 1 - May 2007

44 Affliate Program Manager Interview Series Tellusaboutyourprogram. G3Partner(currently merged with PlayShare and will soon be one program, www.PlayShareAffiliates.com) launched mid-2006, but is by no means a new program. Both Lawrence Wilson and I have been in the industry since 2000 when we built ReferBack, and we’re back together to create and establish another truly international powerhouse. Over the years we have gained experience across Microgaming, Playtech, RTG, and Parlay software platforms, allowing us a broad understanding of the industry. PlayShare has offices in London, Gibraltar, New York, Beijing, and Cape Town, with Macau soon to be added. Our global vision is to invite and welcome as many people from as many different countries to play at our casinos and be looked after personally in their own language. With features like no negative carryovers, a “20% higher than average” player value according to Microgaming, constant affiliate bonuses and incentives, and our unique $150 minimum payment guarantee, our affiliates are never out of pocket. Since passage of the UIGEA, what has changed and how has your program adapted? We have aggressively pursued any method of getting our players and affiliates paid, been in constant contact, and have been issuing regular updates to ensure clarity. We still accept U.S. players (apart from the 11 states) and are committed to assisting our affiliates in penetrating the European markets. You will notice this through our activity on the boards promoting free translation services, supplying content, and our constant development of new creative and marketing materials for these markets. We are currently focusing on the U.K., Germany, and France, with the following languages coming on board relatively soon: Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, among a host of other profitable languages. How do you approach working with portal webmasters? Keeping our affiliates current and informed is of the utmost importance, along with providing unique and fresh content, banners, and translated material regularly. And let’s not forget on-time payments, and reports that provide timely, useful information. What has the withdrawal of NETeller meant to the industry and your program? Higher charges, frustration in getting money to our affiliates and players, and of course, a reduction in U.S. business. NETeller still remains the favorite for the majority of affiliates based outside the U.S., and those within the borders elect either to receive checks or wires. This event separates those programs willing to go the extramile for their players and affiliate partners from those who aren’t willing or able to do so. We have maintained our payment period and are processing faster as each month goes by. What do you hope to accomplish being a GPWA sponsor? I do believe that I was among the first (if not the first) handful of affiliate managers to sponsor the GPWA back when it opened up to the programs. Right from the beginning, I have pushed for clarity on all issues, been actively involved, and flown the flag for affiliates and your side of the industry—ensuring fair treatment and fighting for a level playing field. I hope to continue with the friendships fostered here, and continue to provide more than what the GPWAmembers expect of us. What advicewouldyougive towould- be gaming affiliates? Consistency! Do the right things, stick to your goals, and you will be rewarded. This market is still very open to new affiliates who are willing to work hard and smart — there are plenty of opportunities out there and the market is growing every day. Whatdoyouseeasthemostessential things that an affiliate must be doing today to achieve long-term success? Targetspecificmarketsandconcentrate on what you know, or are interested in — no reason to do something you don’t enjoy! Create associations with many other webmasters, frequent the methods that you would want to be seen in and be wary of being tempted to the “dark side”! JON-JON KEEGAN IS WORKING HARD AND WORKING SMART Jon-Jon Keegan OVERVIEW G3Partner and PlayShare Affiliates offer programs focusing on making profit through partnership. They are going through a merger currently and will operate under PlayShare Affiliates in the near future. They provide a complete revenue generating platform across global markets enabling their affiliates to market gaming products to their visitors and earn maximum profits. G3Partner / PlayShare are operated by businessmen with a professional track record in serving customers, and ensuring a satisfying, rewarding gaming experience. The affiliate program uses modern marketing methods to ensure their affiliates’ efforts create returns, and the casinos endeavour to exceed customer expectations, which keeps players active for longer periods of time. Software Platform: Microgaming Earnings: Revenue Share Brands: Casino Share, Grand Monaco Casino, PokerShare.com Position: Affiliate Manager, PlayShare Affiliates Age: 33 Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa Favourite travel destination: Vancouver & California Favourite Sports: “Waterskiing, wakeboarding, kitesurfing, mountain biking, rugby, cricket – pretty much all sport activities, really – particularly sailing, or anything to do with the sea, and being outdoors.” Words of Wisdom: “ProgramManagers should be honest, reliable, trustworthy, and dependable. There’s no excuse for failure to please and for not providing the best service possible.” “Don’t know if I’m coming or going here, but it’s a pretty good picture, don’t you think?” GPWA TIMES | PLAYSHARE | Jon-Jon Keegan