GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 5 - May 2008

50 GPWA TIMES | GPWA Affiliate Interview Series But beyond the legal climate, the industry still needs to move toward greater safety and le- gitimacy. Without government regulation, it’s up to us to de- liver this to the customer – the affiliates and the affiliate pro- grams. Affiliate programs and managers should be stricter on their qualifications for new af- filiates. Increased security and background checks should be re- quired. We see numerous shady affiliate sites popping up, steal- ing copyrighted content, hijack- ing affiliate links, etc., with very little repercussions coming from the affiliate programs them- selves. And on the flip side, the big affiliates should stand together when facing improper treatment from an affiliate pro- gram. What is your favorite movie? And why? Favorite movie is “Fight Club,” because of its re- bellious spirit, anti-corporate sentiment, and overall badass attitude! If you could have one “super power,” what would it be? And why? My super power would be to slow down time. There are so many things to do, with so little time. And I don’t mean work-related things, but life- related things. I wish I had the power to slow everything down so I could enjoy and make the most of every fleeting moment. Assuming you could pick any- one in theworld (alive or dead), who would be sitting at your dreampoker table? Andwhy? I would like to take on Abraham Lincoln. Not only would the table talk be fascinating, con- versing with one of the greatest presidents of all time, but also . . . could Honest Abe bluff me out of a pot? And finally, what are three things that nobody knows about you? Here are some not so well known things about me: 1. I’ve read every Harry Potter novel…some twice. 2. I believe kangaroos are the scariest, most vicious, most deadly animals on the planet. 3. King, Five suited in late posi- tion is my lucky hand! Laurie Lewicki | Continued from page 18 What’s surprised you the most about players? Players are tough to figure out. So far I’ve found they like to try different casinos with free offers and in the end they generally stick to one casino in particular. What advice would you offer someone who has just started in the industry? To all new af- filiates my advice is join GPWA, ask questions and have mem- bers check your site and give advice. If you want to be a suc- cess, then don’t give up and you will reap the rewards. If you had to pick 5 keys to suc- cess as an affiliate, what would they be and why? 1. Always check out a casino’s reputation before adding it to your site. Otherwise you may lose players and respect. 2. Never be afraid to ask the top affiliates questions. They have the best insight. 3. Join a successful forum (GPWA). Invaluable information for affiliates and players. 4. Keep your site clean and fresh with lots of rich new con- tent. This will keep your players coming back. 5. Remember, nothing worth- while happens overnight, so just keep swinging! You will be surprised in the end. What traits do you look for in an affiliate manager? How about in an affiliate program? Af- filiate managers should always respond in a timely fashion and answer all questions no mat- ter how small they may seem. Affiliate programs should have fast, correct stats and new ban- ner content on a regular basis and keep all their advertising fresh. What prompted you to join the GPWA? And how has it helped you so far? The GPWA is fan- tastic. When I first started to advertise Casino Latte I received a lot of bogus information, and being new to the industry I really didn’t know anything. When I came across GPWA I noticed instantly that the in- formation in the forums was excellent. I have had amazing feedback from forum members on how to improve the quality of my site and how to adver- tise. I highly recommend that anyone who is working in the online gaming industry become a part of the GPWA. If you could change one thing about theonlinegaming indus- try, what would it be, and why? The one thing I would like to change is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Af- filiates and players should have their own rights, and this bill should be scrapped. What’s your favorite game to play online? And why? I have a few favorite games I love to play: Polar Dash, Mardi Gras, Hitman. I love the bonuses in these games. I have always had a good outcome playing them. In the forums, you’re a noted hockey fan and avid Toronto Maple Leafs supporter. If you had to place a bet,whenwill To- ronto win its next Stanley Cup? Lol. Yes, I am a diehard Maple Leafs fan, with the emphasis on the “die.” I would love to see the Leafs win in my life- time, but as it stands right now I will be happy if they make the playoffs. Montreal has a young goalie with a ton of potential and I believe in the next three years the Canadiens can go the distance. What is your favorite movie? And why? My favorite movie has to be “What Lies Beneath.” Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford are a great combination with a very surreal atmosphere that turns the movie into a per- fectly believable story. If you could have one “super power,” what would it be? And why? I would like to be able to make myself invisible in any given situation. Just think of the things you could learn if no one knew you were there. lol And finally, what are three things that nobody knows about you? Lol. Boy, I could get into some trouble here! Just kidding. Hmmm, three things people don’t know about me…. I use a dream board to motivate me to get the things I want. I used to practice in White Wicca for years. I always wanted to be a sports writer, so I could in- terview the male athletes in the locker room. lolololololol.