Affiliate Manager Interview Series - Daria Maichuk

[GPWA Daniel]

(This interview was originally published in the January 2026 issue of the GPWA Times Magazine.)

Please tell us a little about yourself. How long have you been working in the industry and in N1 Partners?
I’ve been working in affiliate marketing for over six years. For a year and a half now, I’ve been a member of the N1 Partners team in the role of Affiliate Manager. Even though I have a technical education, I’ve always been drawn to marketing because it’s a nice mix of creativity, communication, and partnership.

I work remotely and regularly attend industry conferences. In 2025, that included iGB L!VE London, SBC Summit Lisbon, and Sigmar Central Europe in Rome. N1 Partners operates globally, and our team brings together professionals from all over the world. At the moment, I live and work in Warsaw.

Recently, I’ve also taken on a new responsibility outside of work. My boyfriend and I got a pet dog – our wonderful Rooney, who makes every day a little more fun and a lot more active.

How did you first get started in digital marketing, and what led you to the iGaming space?
I entered the industry back in 2019, starting as an Account Manager in an ad network. We worked with different ad formats like push, pops, and native, so I had a chance to test almost every vertical.

Over time, the gambling vertical interested me the most. Here, you can dive deeper into the product itself and understand player behavior. I see how even small changes in funnels, creatives, and retention mechanics affect real results. That mix of analytics, psychology, and speed is what fully pulled me into iGaming — and hasn’t let go since.

I see many opportunities for growth at N1 Partners because the company has a strategic, analytics-driven approach and builds long-term relationships with partners. It’s a setting where it’s genuinely interesting to develop – testing new hypotheses, launching joint advertising campaigns, tracking results, and continuously growing.

You’ve held positions in customer success, support, marketing, and now affiliates. How have those experiences shaped the way you work with partners today?
My experience in customer success and support taught me how important it is to build trust and listen carefully. You start hearing not just what people say, but what they really need, and how to solve potential problems before they become critical.

In affiliate marketing, these skills help a lot. At N1 Partners, we’re more attentive to the goals and context of each partner. I try to anticipate possible challenges, and I focus on solutions that will move us both forward. It’s never just “here’s your offer,” it’s “here’s how we can grow together and why this setup makes sense for your traffic today.”

What do you know now about the iGaming affiliate world that you wish you understood when you first joined the industry?
Today, I clearly understand how important critical transparent analytics, long-term relationships, and adaptability are. In the beginning, I underestimated how much these three things influence real numbers and the stability of partnerships.

Without clear data, you’re basically driving blind. If there’s no long-term perspective, you’re always in “quick win” mode and miss bigger opportunities. And if you can’t adapt to market changes, even the best offers stop performing. I wish I had realized that from Day 1.

What do you enjoy most about working in iGaming and being part of a program that operates across so many markets and brands?
I think it’s the pace and the variety. iGaming is never static: new regulations, new traffic sources, new player habits. You’re constantly learning and adjusting.

Working with multiple brands and markets means I’m never stuck in one pattern. I can see how different audiences in different GEOs react to products, promos, and communication styles, and then translate those insights into better strategies for partners.

That’s exactly why I found such a good match with N1 Partners. It’s a multi-brand affiliate program with a strong presence in Tier-1 markets, which gives a lot of room for testing and scaling. From the first days I felt that the rhythm, the expectations, and the culture here fit me perfectly.

N1 Partners is known for its multi-brand structure, localized products, and strong retention tools. How would you describe the program to affiliates who may be learning about it for the first time?
I’d describe N1 Partners as a reliable, data-driven multi-brand affiliate program with strong localization and a thoughtful approach to player value. Affiliates get access to 14+ in-house casino and sportsbook brands with high LTV, built-in retention mechanics, and a focus on Tier-1 GEOs.

For partners, this translates into stable conversions, transparent reporting, and flexible deal structures — re-share up to 45%, CPA and Hybrid models where it makes sense. On top of that, there’s a strong focus on player retention.

At N1 Partners, we treat our affiliates with great attention and offer personalized deals tailored to their traffic type, GEOs, and the products they promote. This individual approach consistently delivers strong results for our partners.

From your perspective, what sets N1 Partners apart from other programs in terms of transparency, communication, and partner support?
For me, the key qualities are openness, speed, and consistency. N1 Partners has always set itself around reliability, transparency, and security in partner relationships, and you can feel that in everyday communication. We build long-term win-win relationships with our partners and foster a strong partner community. We give maximum attention to our partners’ needs and offer flexible conditions along with the opportunity to receive fully customized deals.

And the most important part is that if something goes wrong, we don’t hide it — we discuss it, fix it, and adjust the strategy together.

Besides this, our main USPs are top brands you can trust, guaranteed and fast payouts, flexible deals, VIP service, and ready-to-go unique promo materials. N1 Partners places great focus on product development – our portfolio includes brands with a high Reg2Dep rate of up to 70%, strong retention, and solid LTV. All of this allows our partners to achieve maximum results.

What are the key ingredients of a strong working relationship between an affiliate manager and an affiliate?
A strong working relationship between an affiliate manager and an affiliate begins with trust, transparency, and fast communication. Open expectations, clear KPIs, stable tracking, and timely payments create a foundation where both sides feel secure. When communication is fast and proactive, issues are solved before they become problems, and the partnership moves forward naturally.

The second essential ingredient is a data-driven approach combined with personalization. Successful partnerships grow when both sides openly share analytics, diagnose weak points together, and build hypotheses based on numbers, not assumptions.

Finally, the strongest partnerships are built on a mutual growth mindset. When a manager supports the affiliate with insights, optimization tips, new opportunities, and strategic guidance – and the affiliate is open to tests and feedback – both sides scale faster. This combination of reliability, analytics, and long-term collaboration is what turns a simple deal into a real partnership.

What are some of the most effective things affiliates can do to keep players active after the first deposit?
One of the most effective ways is regular and relevant communication. Players should feel that they’re part of a live product. That means fresh campaigns, personalized offers, reminders about tournaments, jackpots, and special events.

N1 Partners also invests heavily in engaging mechanics and high-performing creatives that help partners increase conversion and player activation. Our products include advanced retention systems designed to keep users involved through personalized offers, gamification elements, and consistent value-driven communication. All of this – combined with strong product metrics and a strategic approach – ensures that partners receive not just traffic performance, but a full ecosystem that maximizes their long-term results.

On our side, we prepare updated push notifications, email templates, creatives, and other promo materials that affiliates can plug into their funnels. The goal is to help partners build a communication flow that keeps the player curious: “What’s next? What can I get if I come back today?” When that feeling is there, retention grows naturally.

N1 Partners assigns personal managers to every partner. How do you approach working with affiliates in different geos and verticals to help them maximize results?
First, I start with context. What GEOs the partner is working with, what traffic sources they use, what their current KPIs and limitations are. Based on that, we select the most relevant brands and offers for each GEO. The example is focusing on specific Tier 1 markets where N1 Partners historically shows high Reg-to-Dep and LTV.

Then we move to formats and creatives: which funnels fit this audience, what kind of messaging usually converts, which bonuses or mechanics work best for their traffic type.
And finally, we stay in close contact. I track performance, suggest tests, share insights from other markets (without revealing sensitive data, of course), and provide updated materials. The more we treat each partner as a separate “project,” the easier it is to scale.

What advice would you give someone who is just getting started in the iGaming affiliate business today?
My first piece of advice is to think long term from the very beginning. Don’t focus only on quick wins and money — invest time into understanding products, compliance, and player behavior in your GEOs.

Second, learn to prioritize analytics. Look at funnels, compare brands, test creatives, track cohorts. This is where the real growth happens.
And third, be ready to adapt. iGaming changes quickly: regulations, traffic costs, user expectations. Patience, attention to detail, and curiosity will get you much further than any secret hack you might see in a Telegram chat.

As you mentioned, you’re a regular attendee at industry conferences. What do you appreciate most about these events, and what's your best advice for making them productive for affiliate managers?
What I value most at conferences is the atmosphere and the chance to finally meet people in person. Seeing colleagues, partners, and long-term friends face-to-face move deals forward much faster than weeks of chats.

To make events productive, I always prepare in advance. I build a schedule of meetings, prioritize key partners and new contacts, and set clear goals for each day. During the event, I write down every important agreement or idea immediately. Otherwise, after ten meetings in a row, something will definitely be lost.

And one more tip: don’t underestimate informal networking at side events. Many of the best ideas and partnerships start there.

Let’s talk about the community. This year, you’ve invested a lot into building a strong affiliate community around N1 Partners. What key principles guide you in this field?
Community for me is definitely not a chat or a channel. It’s a space where partners feel noticed, heard, and supported. We strive to provide N1 Partners’ affiliates with everything they need to achieve top results and stay among the industry leaders – high-converting products, in-depth analytics, strong creatives, and our constant support at every stage, from initial testing to full scaling.

The first principle is openness: we’re honest about product performance, market changes, and challenges. Treat affiliates as real partners, and trust will grow much faster.

The second principle is value first. We try to bring something useful to the table even when there’s no immediate deal attached. It can be market insights, case studies, content about choosing the right offers, or practical tips from our team. N1 Partners regularly shares how to choose the right iGaming offers, work with Tier 1 traffic, and build sustainable funnels.

The third is involvement. Our N1 Puzzle Promo is a big community story: affiliates run traffic, collect puzzle pieces, climb the leaderboard, compete for luxury prizes and the real Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter as the main reward. Along the way, we add extra challenges and special lotteries, so partners feel they’re part of a real shared journey, not a payout table.

And finally, accessibility is key. I want partners to feel they can always write to me, ask “small” questions, or share doubts and ideas. Sometimes one honest conversation in a private chat does more for the community than a hundred generic posts.

Walk us through a typical workday for you. What does an average day look like as an Affiliate Manager?
I’m used to starting my day by reviewing the previous day’s performance. I check campaign results, highlight products and GEOs that performed especially well, and mark where we can test and scale.

Then I look at partners with whom there haven’t been launches or updates for a while. I reach out to discuss new terms, fresh brands, or formats that might fit their current traffic. Throughout the day, I’m in constant communication: answering questions, adjusting deals, preparing materials, and coordinating tests. Of course, there’s also internal work like syncing with the team on product changes, promos, and market updates so that partners always receive current and accurate information.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working? Any hobbies, interests, or personal projects that help you recharge?
I recharge through movement and people. Sport is a big part of my routine — I usually train three times a week, and I add yoga whenever I feel I need more balance than intensity. Long walks with our dog also help a lot: they clear my head and give me time to think without a screen.

Warm time with family and friends is equally important to me. A simple dinner, a weekend trip, coffee and conversation — all helps me switch off from work, refill my energy, and come back on Monday with a clearer mind.

Tell us one thing about yourself that people reading this magazine would never guess.
Not many people know that I’ve worked both as a volunteer and as a counselor in a children’s camp. In that environment, communication is everything, because you have to find a way to connect with very different personalities, handle conflicts, and keep everyone engaged and safe at the same time.

That experience taught me to listen, to be patient, and to look for an individual approach to each person. These skills turned out to be surprisingly useful later in affiliate marketing, just with slightly older “kids” and higher stakes (Laughs).