Are GPWA Sponsored listings misleading?

[Chalkie]

But..

These aff programmes aren't "sponsoring" the GPWA. They are buying access to webmasters for a reason, and post they are GPWA "sponsors" on thier aff programme mainpage, which links from a GPWA badge to these.Cheers.

Well they are sponsoring the GPWA, but yes they are also buying access to affiliates and the right to the seal.

Then we have the seal and the sponsors rules which are printed there:

Affiliate programs are run by people, and people sometimes make mistakes, so GPWA sponsor affiliate programs may sometimes fail to comply with the code of conduct. Good affiliate programs act in an ethical fashion, take responsiblity for their mistakes, and work hard to ensure they are corrected. The GPWA operates independent forums for sponsor affiliate programs to create an environment where there is visibility around the interactions between affiliates and sponsor affiliate programs. This transparency enables affiliates to review the experiences of their peers and factor that information into considering whether they wish to work with a particular affiliate program.

So the seal is covered if people care to read up at some point.

All it takes is a little homework tbh, however, i can understand the people saying that a notice in full view would not hurt too!

All i am saying is that i would not expect the GPWA to jeopardise its income and risk its future by implementing something that would upset sponsor programs which in the main are pretty decent! Well, at least there are no real baddys amongst the sponsors.

[Chalkie]

GRRRRRR i gotta start writing quicker!

[Nandakishore]

One of the conditions for a program to be a sponsor of the GPWA is that they sign a contract that incorporates the GPWA code of conduct.

Agreed, but how do you differentiate between Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsor regarding the code of conduct?

I think the best way to make the whole thing transparent would be to state that all sponsors MUST accept the GPWA code of conduct, but they are then classified according to their sponsoring grade.

[penny-slot-machines]

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, and NO. Oh, and also NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, and NEVER

Abides by all laws, regulations, and license requirements of the jurisdictions within which they operate.
Is truthful in all promotions and publishes only accurate information about their operations.
Publicly discloses any rules and registration procedures affecting affiliates or the public.
Uses only ethical means of promotion either directly or indirectly through others.
Pays both affiliates and players promptly in accordance with published terms and conditions.
Promptly responds to complaints either by affiliates or by affiliates on behalf of their players.
Accepts responsibility for compliance with the terms of the sponsor code of conduct.

So, basically, the GPWA has a very strict standards criteria for any program that wants to appear in their listings and get space on the forum

It's easy to see why people see it as an endorsement

If I go to the GPWA homepage and click on the top listed program, with the heading "Platinum" (sounds good, sounds like a ranking given to them by the GPWA), then I get through to this page:

http://www.gpwa.org/affiliate-program/23partners-8618

The url says "partner", which suggests they work closely together with the GPWA (an endorsement?) and the page comes up with what looks like a very good review (again, is this an endorsement?) for the program

Yes, if you look closely, you will see the word "sponsor" dotted around, but the text isn't exactly prominent in bold red 24pt text, is it? It's not even clickable to take you through to an explanation as to what that term means...

[penny-slot-machines]

So, given the strict criteria that has to be satisfied to become a sponsor, perhaps a better question might be:

"would you feel more comfortable promoting a casino program that sponsors the GPWA, over one that doesn't?"

I certainly would.


(and that is despite the fact I know they are only sponsors, rather than endorsed/certified programs ...)

[Chalkie]

Agreed, but how do you differentiate between Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsor regarding the code of conduct?

I think the best way to make the whole thing transparent would be to state that all sponsors MUST accept the GPWA code of conduct, but they are then classified according to their sponsoring grade.

If a uniform price was involved, perhaps that would work!

Set the figure the represent the average price paid as i am sure the bronze are only bronze due to the price?

However, how would the classification work? Thinking about it though, the fact that classification was represented by performance etc maybe it would lead programs to be a little better.

Nice shout Nandakishore

[Anthony]

I looked at this thread and thought – “Really”. After the entire ordeal with CAP certification and clearly stating GPWA’s position on Sponsorship. All of a sudden everyone is confused. Come on, we are all smarter than that.
As a former competitor of GPWA I can tell you for a fact GPWA has always operated in the best interest of the affiliates, even when it was a bad business decision. Michael has always been upfront and honest on how GPWA operated. We are not dealing with sheep here, we are dealing with affiliates. Some of the smartest business savvy people in the world. You are your own boss and make your own decisions. No one here runs their business or their life based on a sponsor or advertisement. I don’t care if Pepsi sponsors the super bowl half time show and has commercials every 10 minutes, I still won’t drink it. I don’t like it, my choice, nothing will change my mind. I won’t promote Grand Prive, I don’t care if they offer me 90%.
If you want to be helpful to the confused, then be here participate and help your fellow affiliates make smart choices, but still the choices are theirs. Suggestions are always welcome, just don't attack the place that is here for YOU.
GPWA operates above board and quite frankly I am shocked at some of the disingenuous things I’m reading. I usually don’t get involved in GPWA matters, but I could not stay quite when it came to the character of Michael and GPWA.
Carry on…

[MichaelCorfman]

Agreed, but how do you differentiate between Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsor regarding the code of conduct?

I think the best way to make the whole thing transparent would be to state that all sponsors MUST accept the GPWA code of conduct, but they are then classified according to their sponsoring grade.

I fully support incorporating changes into the GPWA website to help make it clear that higher sponsor levels are based on the level of support provided to the GPWA by a sponsor program and that sponsorship levels do not correspond with some sort of recommendation level for a particular program.

Michael

[Betpartners]

I looked at this thread and thought – “Really”. After the entire ordeal with CAP certification and clearly stating GPWA’s position on Sponsorship. All of a sudden everyone is confused. Come on, we are all smarter than that.
As a former competitor of GPWA I can tell you for a fact GPWA has always operated in the best interest of the affiliates, even when it was a bad business decision. Michael has always been upfront and honest on how GPWA operated. We are not dealing with sheep here, we are dealing with affiliates. Some of the smartest business savvy people in the world. You are your own boss and make your own decisions. No one here runs their business or their life based on a sponsor or advertisement. I don’t care if Pepsi sponsors the super bowl half time show and has commercials every 10 minutes, I still won’t drink it. I don’t like it, my choice, nothing will change my mind. I won’t promote Grand Prive, I don’t care if they offer me 90%.
If you want to be helpful to the confused, then be here participate and help your fellow affiliates make smart choices, but still the choices are theirs. Suggestions are always welcome, just don't attack the place that is here for YOU.
GPWA operates above board and quite frankly I am shocked at some of the disingenuous things I’m reading. I usually don’t get involved in GPWA matters, but I could not stay quite when it came to the character of Michael and GPWA.
Carry on…

A bit too defensive really, the point of the poll and the comments thereafter was too highlight an issue that does confuse people, comments have been made in other threads with regards to this and the poll results to date indicate that the opinion does veer towards confusion.

To basically say that some people on here, myself included according to your words are not acting or being smart for pointing out what some of us feel is a misleading sponsors list is in my opinion an unfair characterization.

No one is having a pop at GPWA, we are on here airing our views are we not? no one has attacked GPWA and this form of debate serves to better GPWA not undermine it.

You bring the CAP debacle in to this and GPWA statements about certification, well that is not splashed across the front page is it? but the listings are in categories, any new visitors to this forum that are new to affiliation may not even know CAP exists nevermind GPWA stance on certification.

GPWA is here for the better of the affiliate community is it not?, well some of us think that some improvement is possible or are you suggesting that GPWA have the perfect set up here.

If that is the case then maybe we are not that smart or maybe you have taken this too personal.

This is and i repeat this is not a personal attack on GPWA but a debate between clued up affiiliates, i thought you would have welcomed that

[Nandakishore]

GPWA operates above board and quite frankly I am shocked at some of the disingenuous things I’m reading. I usually don’t get involved in GPWA matters, but I could not stay quite when it came to the character of Michael and GPWA.
Carry on…

I think you are overinterpreting certain statements. I don't think anybody has questioned in this thread the character of Michael and GPWA. It is legitimate for the forum members to discuss and also think a little bit loud about certain aspects of GPWA without questioning its integrity.

[penny-slot-machines]

I don't think that 'all of sudden everyone is confused' here, Anthony

It looks to me like there is a common opinion - that is, that people know the GPWA works very hard for the affiliate and is totally straight. Also, it seems to me that everyone here thinks that Michael is 100% honest and upfront. I certainly do.

I don't see anyone questioning Michael's character, either, so I'm confused why you are making that assumption.

It's simply that the sponsors on the site APPEAR as if they are endorsements. Nothing more than that. Nothing personal.

It's difficult to understand why you are being so defensive - Is there more to this than meets the eye that we should know about?

I looked at this thread and thought – “Really”. After the entire ordeal with CAP certification and clearly stating GPWA’s position on Sponsorship. All of a sudden everyone is confused. Come on, we are all smarter than that.
As a former competitor of GPWA I can tell you for a fact GPWA has always operated in the best interest of the affiliates, even when it was a bad business decision. Michael has always been upfront and honest on how GPWA operated. We are not dealing with sheep here, we are dealing with affiliates. Some of the smartest business savvy people in the world. You are your own boss and make your own decisions. No one here runs their business or their life based on a sponsor or advertisement. I don’t care if Pepsi sponsors the super bowl half time show and has commercials every 10 minutes, I still won’t drink it. I don’t like it, my choice, nothing will change my mind. I won’t promote Grand Prive, I don’t care if they offer me 90%.
If you want to be helpful to the confused, then be here participate and help your fellow affiliates make smart choices, but still the choices are theirs. Suggestions are always welcome, just don't attack the place that is here for YOU.
GPWA operates above board and quite frankly I am shocked at some of the disingenuous things I’m reading. I usually don’t get involved in GPWA matters, but I could not stay quite when it came to the character of Michael and GPWA.
Carry on…

[Chalkie]

In all fairness to all involved:

No one has attacked anyone and it is all reasonably constructive critisism too!

That said, there is no issues with people supporting both Michael and the GPWA either.

[MichaelCorfman]

I looked at this thread and thought – “Really”. After the entire ordeal with CAP certification and clearly stating GPWA’s position on Sponsorship. All of a sudden everyone is confused. Come on, we are all smarter than that.

I think the right way to look at it is that the sponsorship levels are confusing to some of the people some of the time. I believe you're absolutely right that any experienced webmaster will understand these things. So it is easy for me, or you, as an experienced webmaster, to look at the site and feel like everything is crystal clear, and there is nothing I should be that worried about doing, especially after I always answer questions on this front in a way that anyone who reads the answer should understand things perfectly.

However, my goal for the GPWA is for it to be a good site for the newbie also, and I think it is correct to think of the issues being raised here as being raised on behalf of the newbies out there.

I believe very much in trying to understand where the GPWA could do a better job, in learning from that process, and in making improvements based on what is learned. I think the criticisms here show there is an opportunity to do a better job with respect to providing clarity to new members.

And one thing I am definitely about is embracing opportunities for the GPWA to do a better job. I suppose if I were satisfied with the status quo, then I might take criticisms of it personally, but I'm not satisfied, so help getting to a better place is most welcome.

Michael

[pompeyrayuk]

How about we change the "sponsor" tag to "BENEFHANDY"

BENEFicial for the affiliate programs to pay Michael who will find the $$$$ well HANDY

[mojo]

I don't think there is any question that Michael and the GPWA strive to do the right thing. While there are similar circumstances with CAP, there is certainly not a comparison to CAP and GPWA on this (or anything for that matter) IMO.

The reason there are sponsers in the first place is that they want ROI, Return on Investment. They want to be where affiliates are and affililates also want to be where the sponsers are. It's a win win. However, what they don't want is scrutinization on their program. The downside (for programs) is that they will see the complaints and bitching (as seen on other posts at the gpwa). It goes with the territory. If a program is well run, affiliates will stand behind them and they have nothing to worry about. Renee can tell you that. If not, then it is up to the affiliate manager to fix things and take the heat, hopefully in a constructive way.

The GPWA is trying to do the right thing here and it takes a lot of thought on how to be fair to all parties. But yes, there needs to be disclosure on the programs that pay to be here. Full disclosure on the good, the bad and the ugly. But we also don't want rouge affiliates to run wild as well and try to hurt a program that doesn't deserve it. I have confidence that we all can figure out a solution.

Good to see you back Betpartners and getting to the heart of things.

[AK]

Hold on a second, Are You telling me the programs that pay to advertise here are not endorsed by GPWA ?

What's the point of this place if its just a place for The Corfman brothers to collect cash and suck innocent webmasters into scamming affiliate programs. Wasn't GPWA the place itself that accused CAP of doing some dirty business themselves?

I hope I'm misreading this entire thread but it would appear a company is pointing fingers at another while doing there own little mischievous stuff. What's really going on around here Chalkie.. Feed me the news.

No one here runs their business or their life based on a sponsor or advertisement

Not True, I signed up with several programs here clearly with the intentions my players and account was protected here at GPWA including giving GPWA the Referral on signup.

On the other hand, BetPartners it was a pleasure finalizing are deal and thanks for bringing this thread up to my attention. If You ever need anything You have my info.

AK

[matted]

I voted yes... But as has been started earlier - I think the GPWA does a decent job of saying things outright.

There are a couple programs that many affiliates have a problem with... I'd even say a majority have overwhelmingly negative opinions of them. Are we talking about a general thing or just 2 or 3 current sponsors who have time and time again screwed over the average affiliate?

[AK]

I voted yes... But as has been started earlier - I think the GPWA does a decent job of saying things outright.

There are a couple programs that many affiliates have a problem with... I'd even say a majority have overwhelmingly negative opinions of them. Are we talking about a general thing or just 2 or 3 current sponsors who have time and time again screwed over the average affiliate?

Sounds all fair and dandy.. But when push comes to shove is GPWA going to back a webmaster when they have been wronged or are they going to look the other way? I'm having a hard concept of the fact these programs are not actually endorsed in which they are just Promoted/misleaded on the site.

[mojo]

Hold on a second, Are You telling me the programs that pay to advertise here are not endorsed by GPWA ?

What's the point of this place if its just a place for The Corfman brothers to collect cash and suck innocent webmasters into scamming affiliate programs. Wasn't GPWA the place itself that accused CAP of doing some dirty business themselves?

I hope I'm misreading this entire thread but it would appear a company is pointing fingers at another while doing there own little mischievous stuff. What's really going on around here Chalkie.. Feed me the news.



Not True, I signed up with several programs here clearly with the intentions my players and account was protected here at GPWA including giving GPWA the Referral on signup.

On the other hand, BetPartners it was a pleasure finalizing are deal and thanks for bringing this thread up to my attention. If You ever need anything You have my info.

AK

Wait Wait. Hold on a second. Are you telling me that AK was born yesterday?

[AK]

Wait Wait. Hold on a second. Are you telling me that AK was born yesterday?

Dude, I must have!