1 Attachment(s)
Affiliate Interview Series: Paul Marton | northern
Attachment 2860
Age: 41
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Living in: Budapest
Favorite Food: Magyar
Must Read Book: Ball Four, by Jim Bouton
Sites:
livecasinodirect.com
liveslotsdirect.com
How did you become involved in this industry?
I was formerly a VIP player manager in Budapest for a casino group here that was sold in 2006; I had taken the job based on my informal experience in establishing cash poker tournaments in the city. That was my first taste of the online gambling industry, and after the sale I decided to strike out on my own as an entrepreneur.
You launched your first site, LiveCasinoDirect.com, over five years ago. When did you launch your other sites?
About two years after the launch of LiveCasinoDirect, we introduced the slot-specific sister site LiveSlotsDirect.com based on the experience gleaned from working the first site. Since then, we’ve launched quite a few other sites.
Your most-visited site seems to be LiveCasinoDirect.com. Why do you think it’s so popular? Also, why did you decide to create the more targeted Live Casino Direct UK and German-language Casino Direkt sites?
LiveCasinoDirect.com is in fact our most popular site. Obviously, we’ve put the most work into this site and the fact that it’s established goes a long way in terms of popularity. With the creation of country-specific sites, we’re hoping to get more direct with players in those markets.
What traits do you look for in an affiliate manager? How about in an affiliate program?
First and foremost, someone who knows more about the business than I do – so I can learn things. And that has happened: I’ve learned so much essential stuff from the managers I’ve worked with. In an affiliate program, transparency in terms of reporting is a must and a long, issue-free history is a serious plus.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry? “My advice is to do what your parents did; get a job, sir. The bums will always lose. Do you hear me, Lebowski?”
What prompted you to join the GPWA? How has it helped you?
Like just about everyone else in the organization, we joined GPWA for the networking opportunities. GPWA has helped us by providing these opportunities through shows and the online forums – I read that thing non-stop.
Last fall you warned GPWA members about someone who was pretending to work for LiveCasinoDirect and contacting various casino groups trying to make deals on your behalf. Were you able to track this person down before he could do any significant damage to your operation?
I’m glad you mentioned that because we hoped to show that we cared about the community. We didn’t want anyone to get hurt or lose money. I know this has happened to other groups as well. Ultimately, we were able to find his Skype and deactivate his account. There isn’t much chance of finding this guy but we did the best we could in damage control.
You’ve been a member of the GPWA for five years now, but only have 18 posts. How often do you visit the forums? As one of our many lurkers, what do you get out of your time on the forums? And what prompts you to make the rare post?
I only post when absolutely necessary and I’ve found sometimes that it’s best not to get involved with specific disputes among members and operators. However, as stated previously, I do read the forums basically every day to stay on top of current events in the industry.
What do you like about the industry?
Sex, drugs and power.
What don’t you like about the industry?
The stigma attached to gambling online in the minds of much of society. It’s often lumped with porn and Viagra pushers, which is totally unfair.
What surprised you most about the industry?
In the early days we of course were surprised by the UIGEA; this really limited the ease of work and expansion opportunities and left us scrambling for a while, but in the end made us stronger.
How long do you give yourself for answering e-mail? What e-mail tips can you offer?
I honestly try to answer as quickly as possible, especially the ones from Nigeria regarding the transfer of millions of euros into my bank account – I’ve just got a good heart and want to help those people so much.
How do you manage “to do” lists?
I don’t have “to do” lists, really. I just come into the office and know what to do.
Do you use any special software to help you out?
You mean, besides my brain?
How much time does it take to keep your sites updated?
Our work mostly consists of constantly updating our sites. We try especially hard to keep up on new game releases.
You’ve mentioned that chasing cats around your neighborhood is one of your preferred activities. How is that working out for you – and for the cats as well?
I’m happy to report the complete lack of cats in my immediate neighborhood and I’m now expanding operations in the city.
If someone were visiting you, what’s the one place you’d definitely take them to see?
It’s best translated as “Grandma’s Hooch Shack” – the drinks may make you blind, but they’re only about 20¢ each!
What’s your favorite vacation spot?
The floor of Grandma’s Hooch Shack. If you have to ask why, you’ll never understand.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
The ability to be Mel Gibson at will.
What’s your favorite TV show or shows?
It’s a tossup between "B.J. and the Bear" (a man and his monkey travel the highway – how can you beat that?) or "The Gong Show". Screw "American Idol" – "Gong Show" had real talent, but my family thought I was nuts for watching it. Who can forget Gene Gene the Dancing Machine, the Unknown Comic, etc.? They were all sauced and just seemed to be having a great time doing the show.
What’s your all-time favorite movie?
I could be typical and say The Godfather, but instead I’ll say it’s a tie between Citizen Kane and The Human Centipede.
If you were shooting your autobiography, who would you cast to play you?
Gary Coleman because we both lived in Colorado at the same time.
If you could invite any five people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be?
Jenna Jameson, Pete Best, Joey Buttafuoco, Walter Sobchak and Larry Walters. Guys like Hitler and Einstein are boring.
What are three things that nobody knows about you?
I was drafted in the 21st round by the Quebec Nordiques at the age of 14. I have been ordered by federal court to remain 100 yards from anybody remotely important. I believe in Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God.
