Affiliate Manager Interview Series: Davin Jacobson - EuroPartners

[GPWA Aaron]

All right. Let's start with the hard stuff. You've been on the job at Euro Partners for a short time, so you were not in charge when Euro Partners moved to new reporting software for its affiliates. The change did not go as planned, and Euro Partners was slow to respond to the frustration of the community. As a result, there is a reservoir of ill will among some affiliates when it comes to Euro Partners. What have you done to try to repair relationships with affiliates? How much work remains on that front? And what steps are you taking to build trust with the affiliate community?

Following the transition of our new software for affiliates we are working more closely with affiliates on and off the forums. We have addressed all bug-related issues, which have now been rectified. We are confident that all system-related bugs have been resolved. Following feedback from our affiliates we are in the process of upgrading our affiliate backend system to better suit their needs. We have been communicating openly with our affiliates and we are confident that trust has been restored.

One of the chief criticisms of Euro Partners through this process has been that the program has been entirely too slow address and fix problems, and that even now, problems still exist with the stats, like campaign tracking. You are relatively new with Euro Partners. What sort of institutional issues have you seen with Euro Partners in terms of addressing these sorts of issues? And what steps have you taken in terms of fixing them?

Since starting with Euro Partners all technical and stats-related issues have been resolved immediately. In relation to campaign tracking there are no such issues and all is in working order. I am positive and optimistic when it comes to our backend system.

Affiliate Guard Dog has rated your terms and conditions as predatory. There are three clauses added in the last year that have really bothered affiliates. Let's look at these terms one at a time.

"Processing Fees. Processing fees of 4% are applicable on all Players' Deposits and Withdrawals, and will be deducted from the calculations of your Revenue Commission."

This is a term that is not seen often within in the industry. What is the rationale and thought process behind this? Why did you include it, especially since this effectively reduces commissions you pay out? Many affiliates already pay bank or wire fees to receive their earnings. Why should they absorb operator payment processing costs as well?

A large majority of affiliate programs have processing fees and we are one of the first affiliate programs who have chosen to be completely transparent and directly inform our affiliates about the coming change. Our terms and conditions were updated as of July 1, 2011. At this point in time the 4 percent fee is not set by default and no affiliate is directly charged. If we choose to implement the fee we will most certainly contact the affiliate directly and discuss the fees/charges before proceeding.

"Minimum Activity Qualification. Your Revenue Commission will decrease to a rate of 12.5% following a 3 month period of affiliate inactivity, during which time no players have been referred."

Affiliates are generally not fans of inactivity clauses. While they understand affiliate programs want their brands promoted, they also know that online casinos/poker rooms/bingo rooms, etc., are a critical part of the conversion process. And they don't want to see their revenues reduced by a site's inability to convert players. What was the thought process behind implementing this term? And how do you address affiliate concerns that their income could be dramatically reduced through no fault of their own?

The clause is stated in our t/c; however, it is not set by default. Each case is assessed individually and at this point in time I have not come across any particular case to date where an affiliate has received a decrease with no activity.

"Players referred from the following countries will be excluded from CPA revenue deals: Italy, Netherlands, Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, India, Bolivia, Latvia, Costa Rica, Lithuania, Dominican Republic, Moldova, Ecuador, Nigeria, El Salvador, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and Brazil."

If an affiliate has a CPA deal with you, and refers a valid player from one of these countries, how is the affiliate compensated? Does the player get placed into a rev-share plan for affiliates?

Definitely – affiliates who refer players from these countries do have a revenue share plan.

Euro Partners offers five casinos, two poker rooms and a sportsbook. What are the advantages and drawbacks, if any, of having gaming offerings across this range of verticals?

Having the wide range of verticals provides us with added value as an affiliate program. It enables our affiliates to grow their business with multiple brands.

Euro Partners has been in business since 2002. What have been your keys to success over the last decade?

The keys to our success all center around our ability to offer a wide selection of customized solutions, whether it be the expansion of our gaming verticals (casino, poker, sports) to provide affiliates with cross-promotion opportunities; a professional marketing team with dedicated account managers per country; multi-lingual services; and, of course, our competitive commission model and award-winning Playtech software.

How long have Euro Partners casinos used Playtech software?

Since 2002 when we launched Casino Tropez.

How big a draw are the huge progressive jackpots? Are they more important than the traditional "fruit machines" that may pay out at a higher frequency for smaller amounts?

Our progressive jackpots have hit $10 million at a given point in time. The progressive jackpots are definitely more important and more highly profitable than the traditional fruit machines. The progressive jackpots are extremely beneficial to our affiliates; it's a fantastic marketing tool which enables affiliates to generate new, high-quality acquisitions.

How do you ensure that payments are sent out on time? And when do your payments go out?

Affiliates receive their monthly statements by the 11th of every month. Once signed and returned affiliates receive payment within five business days.

Where do you think the industry will be in five years?

We truly believe that the future direction is heading towards a fully regulated industry. It is evident as we monitor the current market trends. The future market share will be split among the "big industry players."

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?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I enjoyed it thoroughly, an action-packed thriller. I don't like the e-reader, I am old school in that sense and I much prefer the physical book.

You list tennis, golf and water skiing as your favorite activities. Have you always been an active person? Why water skiing? And outside of the obvious health benefits, what do you find exercise does for you, especially at times when you are most stressed?

I have always been an extremely active person. As I lived all my life in Australia I was always outdoors and loved my sport. As a child I traveled frequently with my family. I was raised on the water; hence I started water skiing at a very young age. Exercise relaxes me and it is most certainly a stress release for me. When I'm stressed I find swimming really does it for me; it takes me away to another place. I forget about everything and simply connect with the water.

What is your favorite movie?

Pulp Fiction.

What's the best movie food?

Popcorn.

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

The Flintstones.

If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go?

Thailand.

What would you do if you just inherited a pizzeria from your uncle?

Sell it!!!!!

If you could have dinner with three other people, living or dead, who would they be?

Adriana Lima, Jim Morrison, Bob Marley.

What are three things that no one knows about you?

I lived and worked in Japan (2002).
I own a 45 kg black Russian terrier.
I'm a professional water skier.

[Maria F]

Nice interview Davin!

[Muppet]

Our progressive jackpots have hit $10 million at a given point in time. The progressive jackpots are definitely more important and more highly profitable than the traditional fruit machines. The progressive jackpots are extremely beneficial to our affiliates; it's a fantastic marketing tool which enables affiliates to generate new, high-quality acquisitions.

From Casino Tropez terms:

8.4.4 You are aware of and agree that players are allowed to withdraw not more than $9,990/£9,990/€9,990/AU$9,990/R99,900/DKK74,990/NOK74,990/SEK99,900/CHF9,990/ZAR99,900 per month. if the amount to be withdrawn is greater than $9,990/£9,990/€9,990/AU$9,990/R99,900/DKK74,990/NOK74,990/SEK99,900/CHF9,990/ZAR99,900 the remaining amount will be placed back to the player's account, allowing the player to withdraw additional funds the following month in accordance with this term. the foregoing applies also to withdrawals of progressive jackpots. withdrawals depend on all conditions specified above and the verification of all required documents as set forth in clause 9.4 below.

Gday Davin, if they are so important perhaps you could convince your owners to pay them out in full immediately instead of 9990 per month for the next 20-30 years which is ridiculous. Why would we recommend someone to play progressive games at your casinos when they could play at other Playtechs and get paid in one go if they win?