Affiliate Manager Interview Series: Lloyd - BrightShare

[casinocitymatt]

In this sixth installment of our Affiliate Manager Interview Series we talk with Lloyd, Affiliate Program Director for Brightshare. These fun and informative question and answer sessions are an opportunity to get a personal feel for the people who run the affiliate programs, and we hope they will foster rewarding and productive relationships between GPWA members and sponsors. Please Welcome Lloyd!<o></o>

Lloyd, please tell us a little bit of your background:
My background is in accounting, investment banking, finance and marketing management. In my previous position, I was the VP Marketing and Finance for an Israeli manufacturing and export company. I have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and a Master's degree in Business Management. I have been managing Brightshare for four years and I'm excited about working with our Affiliate Partners to drive our client, the Jackpot Factory, into the center of the international online gaming arena, just as we did in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1>US.

</st1></st1:country-region> Could you tell us a little bit about BrightShare?
BrightShare is the exclusive affiliate program of the Jackpot Factory Group, one of the most respectable and established gaming groups on the Internet. The Jackpot Factory Group was established in 1999 and is comprised of All Slots, All Jackpots, First Web Casino and the Wild Jack Gaming Portal offering Wild Jack Casino, Wild Jack Poker Room, and Wild Jack Mobile Casino all in one. The Jackpot Factory boasts over $5 Billion in payouts to date, over 300 download and 135 flash games per casino and the most exiting promotions on the Web!

BrightShare Affiliates can choose from either a six-level revenue earnings model earning up to 40% life time commissions (the highest commission in the Microgaming world) on the gross revenues (i.e. before Microgaming and processing fees and overheads ~ 35%) or receive their own tailored CPA program.

Since the passing of the UIGEA – what has changed and how has BrightShare adapted?
While we are continuing to support our Affiliates in the market, we are working aggressively to enter other markets. Currently, we have a full-service German casino www.wildjack.de and are working with our Affiliate Partners to get into the next three strongest markets which are the other English-speaking countries - Canada, the UK and Australia. In the next few months we will have multiple roll-outs of other language websites, software, and support. We are continuing to work with our existing market Affiliate Partners by supporting them in all our current markets of activity, while we also giving them all the tools they need to enter new markets.

How do you approach working with portal webmasters?
Simply and without too many words. Letting them know that we are interested in exploring the possibilities of working with them, and then waiting for them to reply and taking it from there

What percentage of your business is directly attributable to affiliates?
1/3 and growing. Affiliate marketing is the most natural and effective way of doing business online and will continue to grow becoming more and more an integral part of how we do business online.

What has the withdrawal of Neteller meant to the industry and BrightShare?
The Neteller pull-out was a big blow, but the market is still quite active. We are of course watching carefully for all new developments and will keep our Affiliate Partners posted of any and all changes.

What do you hope to accomplish being a GPWA sponsor?
Support the GPWA and the online gaming affiliate community. Increase the brand awareness of BrightShare and the Jackpot Factory casinos. Communicate openly with Affiliates with the goal of increasing our client's and the Affiliates' business opportunities and revenues. I think it is very important for Affiliates to communicate to us their needs. From this we interpret the market needs and will always try to act on them.

What advice would you give to new would-be gaming affiliates?
Focus on what you are good at and outsource the rest. Go for one country/languages at a time and systematically cover all major countries/languages. Start by focusing on the languages and cultures that you feel that they understand the best. But first, first, first, decide where and how you are going to get players before you start building websites. Get used to very little sleep and, of course, best of luck.

What advice would you give to gaming affiliates who have been in the industry for a while?
I have learnt that top, experienced Affiliates have more to offer than they have to receive. I think that these top guns need to use their abilities and knowledge to leverage themselves and the business. Knowledgeable Affiliates have been our greatest asset. We listen to them and see them as the spearhead of our business.

What sports do you enjoy?
Hiking, mountain biking, tennis, soccer and I used to play rugby.

If you could go back in time, what era would you go to?
The beginning of time. I would love to see how it all happened. Life is amazing and I believe that we have a very important contribution to make to our Universe, but we live in very confusing times, so maybe going back to the beginning would help make things clearer.

What has been your favorite place to travel to (for business or pleasure)?
The river valley underneath my home with my two dog friends. The Greek Islands are absolutely amazing, the best place by far. I love visiting places where people have colorful cultures and show their pride in the beauty of their unique styles of living.

<u1> </u1>

[big fish]

If you could go back in time, what era would you go to?
The beginning of time. I would love to see how it all happened. Life is amazing and I believe that we have a very important contribution to make to our Universe, but we live in very confusing times, so maybe going back to the beginning would help make things clearer.

that is an original answer and i would expect nothing less from lloyd. he is an amazing guy!

What has been your favorite place to travel to (for business or pleasure)?
The river valley underneath my home with my two dog friends. Venice is amazing, so is London and Amsterdam. I love visiting places where people have colorful cultures and show their pride in the beauty of their unique styles of living.

so will we seeing each other again in Amsterdam this year? i already have my flight booked. hope to see you there lloyd!

[bb1web]

Hi all,

Just a note that I agree Lloyd is an outstanding personality who though we've had slight (very) disagreements in the past ... he was one that I always felt held nothing against for that and it has truly kept their programs in the list of sites I promote.

Before I go I also would like to say that Marcia and Shelli help keep Lloyd in my higher opinion because I know he's grown to a point where such help is required to cover the ground acquired by their company.

And yes, I agree that was a totally original answer about the time thing. Not so bad a shot at originality from the interviewer either to give credit.

[Former Member 14]

Hi,


Lloyd has always been both courtesy and respectful to me.

For whatever reason, I have trouble converting with Brightshare. However, that doesn't stop Lloyd treating me like a person. I'm not just some number on a stat graph!

IMHO Lloyd is the genuine article.





Cheers


Dave

[Lloyd]

Big Fish, I should be seeing you for sure in Amsterdam - we have stand at CAC and we'll organize some fun activity as well

bb1web, you're so right - Shelli basically runs Brightshare today and Marcia is managing all the marketing, after having herself run Brightshare for a year and a half! So, yes, it's all about team work and Shelli and Marcia are great to work with. Good point and sorry I missed this myself - and that brings me to your first point: You have actually given us plenty of good advice and some of the most important improvements to our program and affiliate agreement terms are to your credit, so thank you and please continue letting us know what we should and shouldn't be doing.

Cheers Dave, I sincerely hope we can do some business, please email me and let me know what isn't working...

Thanks for the very kind words! You guys are great!

Best regards,
Lloyd

[sharpgambler]

Definitely, Lloyd is one of the best in this industry. It's a pleasure to deal with Lloyd and all the team at Brightshare.

[kenonut]

Lloyd, you are one of the BEST affiliate managers I have ever had the privilege of working with. You always answer your emails. I don't think I have ever sent you an email that I did not get a response and in this business, that is a #1 priority. It has been great working with you and hope to continue for years to come.

Cheers
Sandra Maul

[Webzcas]

I hold Lloyd in high esteem. Many affiliate programs and affiliate managers should follow his example. A great guy and a pleasure to work with always.

[universal4]

Thanks Lloyd for running such a great Program.

Rick
Universal4

[Jan]

<DIR>

<DIR>How do you approach working with portal webmasters?
Simply and without too many words. Letting them know that we are interested in exploring the possibilities of working with them, and then waiting for them to reply and taking it from there
</DIR>

Just the way I like it - lot's of programs call on the phone constantly and all it does is waist my time. Thanks Lloyd.
</DIR>

[Former Member 14]

lot's of programs call on the phone constantly and all it does is waist my time.

No one calls me...Maybe it's time to change my cologne...


Cheers

Dave

[helpyou]

Hello

What percentage of your business is directly attributable to affiliates?
1/3 and growing. Affiliate marketing is the most natural and effective way of doing business online and will continue to grow becoming more and more an integral part of how we do business online.

I am little curious.

I'd like to know this :

if for 1/3 is with the affiliation, the other 2/3 is with ?

What is % otimal of business with the affiliation for you ? [ 1/3. Right ? or of more or of less ? ]

[ I don't hope to be off-topic ]

[Lloyd]

Thanks. You are all to kind.

It's a pleasure and a privilege working with you all and I'm very glad to hear the great feedback - thank you!

Regarding the question - the other 2/3 is from advertising, CPA traffic, type in traffic, direct mail, etc. The only rule of thumb is that a casino shouldn't ever be totally dependant on just a few sources of new players.

Have a great day.

Cheers, Lloyd

[helpyou]

Thank you.

Hello I am checking new affiliation, I think that brightshare can be ok for me......

[Lloyd]

Thank you and I look forward to working with you.

My email is lloyda@brightshare.com and my MSN is lloyd_apter@hotmail.com

Shelli handles all the sign ups and support and her email is info@brightshare.com

Speak to you soon.

Cheers, Lloyd

[Jaxpot]

Has anyone tried promoting Wild Jack mobile on wap sites? The affiliate tracking does not seem accurate?

Jaxpot

[WinYourWayKyle]

Just wanted to say thank you to casinocity and GPWA for doing these interviews. They are very informative and helpful for us affiliates.

I have recently become an affiliate of BrightShare, and although I have not got around to getting them up on my sites yet, I have received personal e-mails from one of their support staff, asking how they could be helpful in my affiliate efforts.

I look forward to working with BrightShare in the near future. Keep up the good work.