GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 12 - April 2010

We’re in the market to make a differ- ence, andour currentmembers andaf- filiates already see and treasure that. We are a private company owned by very experienced gaming guys.We are not a big faceless plc constantly trying to grind down affiliate payments be- cause they see these as anegative cost. We believe in affiliates and will work creatively with themwhile paying our partnerswhat theyareworth. In your mind, what’s more difficult, at- tracting players or retaining them? They’re both difficult and challenging. Offsidebet’s daily efforts are 100% de- voted to both player acquisition and re- tention. We work very closely with our affiliates and players and always treat everyone personally – no matter if he wagers$1 or$1million. Weoffer special VIPplayer treatment, andwe’re commit- ted to this. However, the keyhere is that we treat everyone as aVIP. Most of theaffiliatemanagerswe talk to say building trust with their affiliates is critical to success. How do you go about building trust with your affiliates? We know most of our affiliates personally – face-to-face, byemail, skype, chats, etc. –wearealways looking for away tokeep in touchwith our affiliates on an almost dailybasis. Weare 100% local. Youdon’t deal with a central office inLondon. You deal with local guys who speak your lan- guage. Our dedicated affiliate managers ineachof ourmarkets are constantly try- ing to improve their relationships with affiliates, asweknowhow important that is for everyone’s sake. Besides trust,what are thekeys tobuild- ing successful relationships between af- filiates and affiliate programs? Trust is importantbutnotenough.Afterall,we’re in business here, and in this businesswe value prompt and accurate information flow, fast and easy affiliate payouts, and easy access of affiliates to their affiliate managers. What are the threemost important attri- butes an affiliatemanager must have in order to be successful? A successful af- filiatemanager needs tohave a thorough knowledgeof his product, be very friend- lyand– lastbutnot least–havea terrific businesspersonality. 3. 4. How long have you been in the online gambling industry?Why did you decide toenter the field? I entered the industry by accident back in early 2001. Well, 10 years in online gaming definitely means I love it! I actually used to be an affiliate myself and I know the business on both sides – I know what is important and crucial to an affiliate and hence affiliates receive the treatment they really deserve atOffsidebet. Doyougambleyourself?Ifso,whatgames do you like to play?Were you an online player before getting into the industry? No, Inever gamble–ononehand I don’t haveagamblingmindset, on theother– I trynot tomixbusinesswithpleasure. :) If you wish you knew one thing about the industry before you entered it,what would it be? I wish someone would have advisedmeof theendlessweekendsatmy desk, aswell as advisedmeof theendless fun it is after all. What advice do you have for someone just starting in the industry? The gaming industry is still developing andblooming – keep a very openmind and be innova- tive. If youcouldhavedinnerwith threeother people, living or dead, who would they beandwhy? WinstonChurchill (I would love to get one of his cigars), Leonardo Da Vinci (I would like to touch his ge- niuseven fora littlewhile;whoknows– I might get somegood ideas) andAngelina Jolie (we need someone pretty at the ta- ble as otherwisewe riskbeingboring). What is the last book you read? Did you enjoy it?Whyorwhynot? I just finished a trilogyonBulgarianhistory–an enjoy- able read. It’s amazing how little people know about this country and its fabulous history. Still, I didn’t really get all of it as I was checking email on my Blackberry toooften. If you had a theme song, what would it be? “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – it really matchesmyownpersonality. If someone isvisitingyou,what’s theone placeyouhave to take them tosee? I love the seaside– that’swhere I grewup, and just watching and listening to the crash- ing waves is such a battery-charger. The coast ofHalkidiki,Greece isone themost tranquil places I love to revisit asoftenas possible. What are three things thatnooneknows about you? I would love to answer this one but we need to leave some questions open for the next interview. Still, I will give a sneakpeakby saying that I used to run an online arbitrage service as an af- filiate, so I knowall the tricks. : ) 61 AffiliateManager Interview Series