GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 22 - October 2012

our personalities are so diverse. It makes for an interesting and en- tertaining mix. We’re a big team and still growing, yet I’m busier now than I’ve ever been, which I like to think is a reflection of our success and proactive approach. The fly on the wall would soon be an expert on affiliate marketing strategy and have a strong opin- ion on sport, football in particu- lar, as the upcoming matches are always a hot topic of discussion. What do you know about the in- dustry now that you wish you’d known when you first started? Hindsight is a wonderful thing and it’s easy to look back and say, “I wish I’d done that differently,” but I wouldn’t change a single thing if I were starting out again. It’s been a massive learning curve for me (still on it!) and I’ve made some mistakes along the way, but that’s all part of the process and has made me the person I am to- day. I think that holds true for most people in the industry. How do you ensure that pay- ments are sent out on time? And when do your payments go out? We have a dedicated accounts team in place and this ensures a seamless payment experience for affiliates. Affiliates are entitled to one payment per month and can put in a payment request at any time from the start of the second day of the calendar month. We have three payment options: wire transfer, check or payment into your bet365 betting account, which is the option most affiliates choose as it’s most convenient for them. Payments by this method usually take place on the same day we re- ceive the invoice, while electronic payments are processed three times per month and can take a few days to reach an affiliate’s account. Where do you think the indus- try will be in five years? If only we knew, we’d all be millionaires! Well, I’m hoping to still be part of it and I’m sure bet365 will still be at the forefront as we’re always looking to break into new territo- ries and invest in new technolo- gies. I’m sure the growth in mobile betting will continue apace and the time will come when virtually everyone will own a smartphone or tablet (or whatever else is on the market in five year’s time?!). Affiliates without tablet-optimized websites as well as mobile sites will be left in the starting stalls if they don’t act now. What’s the best movie food? It has to be pick ‘n’ mix sweets, es- pecially the sour-tasting ones and cola bottles, which aremy favorites. What is the last book you read? Did you enjoy it? And did you read it on an e-reader? Or do you need to have a copy of the physical book in your hand? I’ve just finished Savages , by Don Winslow, which was a great read and has been made into a must- see film by Oliver Stone, and I’m looking forward to picking up the prequel, The Kings of Cool . I’m old school, so it’s books for me ev- ery time. What is your favorite movie? I’m a big Tarantino fan so Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill would be right up there, but my guilty pleasure is camp horror and anything with Vincent Price is worth a watch. My favorite would be The Abominable Dr. Phibes , which is both grisly and hilarious at the same time. If you had a theme song, what would it be? Ha! It used to be “Anarchy in the U.K.” (Sex Pistols) back in my youth and “Blinded by the Lights” (The Streets) during my clubbing years, but as I mellow with age it’s more about the “Good Life” (Inner City). If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go? It would have to be some- place where I could combine my love of sports with some serious chilling, so I choose Hawaii in early January for the first two PGA Tour golf events of the season. If you could have din- ner with three other people, living or dead, who would they be? I’m a family man so it would be my girlfriend and two kids (well, they are hardly kids anymore at 20 and 24), but I would insist they washed the pots afterwards. What would you do if you just inherited a piz- zeria from your uncle? Assuming that auntie wasn’t out to get a slice (sorry) of the business, I’d turn it into a cool bar with a dj booth, in- vite all my friends over and throw a huge party, remembering to toast my dear departed uncle, of course. What are three things that no one knows about you? 1. I used to be a croupier and I still know my 35 and 17 times tables by heart. 2. I’m a red belt in Tae Kwon Do and the five tenets – courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self- control (still working on that one!) and indomitable spirit – have stood me in good stead throughout my life. 3. I was in the same class at school as Nigel Clough, the former England player and current Derby County Manager. My son, who is a Derby fanatic, met him at a book signing recently and mentioned this fact, to which Nigel replied: “I remember your dad well. When the teacher asked him what he wanted out of life, he said he just wanted to hang out with friends and play a little golf, which had us all roll- ing around in stitches.” I was pretty easygoing then, and still am, although the golf handicap is still a work in progress. Affiliate Manager Interview Series “Affiliates without tablet- optimized websites as well as mobile sites will be lef t in the starting stalls if they don’t act now.” 6 5 Affiliate Manager Interview Series