Join the GPWA at iGBDown Under March 24-25

[Muppet]

Gooner you're right it sounds a little light on like last year, but I've been to a few conferences and pretty much never bothered with any of the workshops or speeches etc. I tried to last year and only lasted about 10 minutes. Hopefully there are a few more affiliate programs & managers than last time.

A problem I see with focusing on the local market is that many local affiliates aren't really interested in it because of 1. the relatively small size and 2. the legalities. And it doesn't sound like 2 will be changing any time soon with Nick Xenophobe holding sway.

We're local so we'll drop by for a beer or two though (got to help out ... last year poor old Renee couldn't spend all the bar tab heheh), so if anyone wants a chat let me or my little mate Josh know.

[Muppet]

Forgot to add, anyone know if Party Gaming will be making an appearance given they are currently on a head hunting mission for Australian staff?

[alexpratt]

They haven't registered yet so we will have to see....What kind of presence do they have in oz?

Re content - I agree it was a bit basic last year but interested to hear why you think this year is basic? Many of the speakers speak at high level conferences such as Traffic, SES, SMX etc plus we have . There is still some "introduction" type sessions there but teh majority will be middle to advanced - If you could give me any advice on sessions you think aren't worth looking at please let me know

Day 1 http://www.igbdownunder.com/content/programme-day-1

Day 2 http://www.igbdownunder.com/content/programme-day-2

[Muppet]

It was in the papers here last week that Party are trying to set up shop in Australia and are recruiting for a director of marketing. Its still technically illegal for them to accept Aussie players so it raised a few eyebrows. So it would be good to hear from them why they think now is a good time to be doing this.

Before I answer the conference bit let me say that they are great for meeting people you work with, I just have very little interest in the other stuff. Looking at the schedule, the SEO, link building, site optimisation etc aren't really worth it for experienced affiliates and there is a wealth of that information online that is far more detailed than half hour presentations can ever be. PPC sounds interesting, as does the legal situation here. I'd give the whole 2nd day a miss. I'm not dismissing the value of the presentations for everyone, just for me, so don't let that turn you off if you haven't been before and you intend to go!

[Helene]

LOL

You know, I have a phobia of being stuck under water... So when I have to use the harbour tunnel instead of the harbour bridge, I speed through that thing like a mofo.

The bridge isn't scary.. at least if it collapsed you'd have a chance of swimming.. If you got stuck in the tunnel you're basically screwed.

Makes me shiver just thinking about it...

Nee - What would be worse? the bridge to get to the other part of the city or being stuck in a plane for more than 24hours???

See you all Down Under !

[Renee]

Nee - What would be worse? the bridge to get to the other part of the city or being stuck in a plane for more than 24hours???

See you all Down Under !

This is true... although at least if the plane went down I'd still have a tiny chance at survival... My mother is batman afterall

See everyone next month!

BTW - If anyone has ANY questions about anything whatsoever: transport, hotels, money, tourist stuff, etc etc, please DON'T hesitate to email me.. Renee@RewardsAffiliates.com

One of the best things about Oz is that we generally don't tip here (unless you want to, it's not expected) and all of our prices include GST. So you don't have to add in your head extra taxes to the price. So if something says it's $50, that means you pay $50, not $55.

Cheers

[Lee-Ann]

Hi Guys - We'll be there, since it's in our home town, I'll be over from the UK and If anyone would like to meet up at the event, give me a shout!

We're really looking forward to this event and to meeting face to face with our Aussie partners and other operators based Down Under ...(as well as enjoying the SUNNY WEATHER that Sydney is renowned for)

26 days and counting... yeeehaaa!

Lee-Ann Johnstone
Global Affiliate Manager
Centrebet
www.centrebetaffiliates.com
e: lee-ann.johnstone@centrebet.com

[casinobonusguy]

This is true... although at least if the plane went down I'd still have a tiny chance at survival... My mother is batman afterall

See everyone next month!

BTW - If anyone has ANY questions about anything whatsoever: transport, hotels, money, tourist stuff, etc etc, please DON'T hesitate to email me.. Renee@RewardsAffiliates.com

One of the best things about Oz is that we generally don't tip here (unless you want to, it's not expected) and all of our prices include GST. So you don't have to add in your head extra taxes to the price. So if something says it's $50, that means you pay $50, not $55.

Cheers

cheap bastards lol ,here we have 15-20% tip and most establishments will add it to bill .The hotels we are looking at for our event in August every one of them are 30-33% on top of cost by time they add TAX and MANDATORY TIPS!

[Renee]

cheap bastards lol ,here we have 15-20% tip and most establishments will add it to bill .The hotels we are looking at for our event in August every one of them are 30-33% on top of cost by time they add TAX and MANDATORY TIPS!

I wouldn't call it cheap.. We don't have to tip because the companies here pay their employees a lot more.. The average amount someone who works in a bar here makes is about $22/hour I believe... And that's about $10 more per hour than in North America, right? So I would say the companies here are rather generous... and not cheap at all..

I didn't say people can't tip, they just generally don't because it's not expected here.. Unless you go out to a bar, then most people will leave their silvers on the dish when they get their change...

You're welcome to tip if you want... but I think the reason people tip in other countries is because the person gets paid much less than what would be the minimum wage here for the same job.

[Helene]

This is true... although at least if the plane went down I'd still have a tiny chance at survival... My mother is batman afterall

Go Batman!

[Marit VS]

Hey everyone! Just wanted to keep you all updated on what is going on with iGB Down Under - we have finally announce our keynote speaker!

Meet Your Keynote Speaker
Marc Phillips, one of Australia's top affiliates, operates various global and local Australian sports betting websites including Sportbets.com.au and Bets.com.au - two leading sports affiliate betting websites which generate over 500,000 visitors per year. Marc is also the CEO of SearchForecast.com - a global online marketing firm with clients including St.George Bank, BBC, AOL, Golden Casket, Harrah's Casino, 888, Sportingbet and EuroPartners.

Here is a little Q&A to wet the appetite:

- How long have you been in the industry? Since 1994

- How has it changed in this time? More banner ads sizes, more payouts, greater profit sharing compared to cost per lead.

- If you were to give advice to a rookie affiliate, what three things would be the most important?
Be passionate about the content, don't litter the website with banner ads and lead generation. Focus on 1 website not 15 websites. Don't rely on search engine optimization 100%.

- What can rookie affiliates and webmasters pick up at conferences like this that they don’t get online? Sharing tips and insights from real affiliates that treat their websites as businesses. Meeting affiliate managers from the networks - putting a face to the name! Understanding the gaming landscape and opportunities and challenges not written about in blogs and forums.

- Regarding your session at iGB Down Under on “The State of the Industry: Sports Affiliate Marketing in Australia” - The industry has been through quite a lot in its short lifespan, how would you assess its adolescence so far? And it’s future? The sports affiliate marketing industry is expanding as corporate sports bookmakers look for new channels of distribution whilst affiliates use new technologies to reach sports enthusiasts. The future is bright as betting exchanges emerge to compete against Betfair and the Australian racing industry becomes more sophisticated in their marketing across state lines.

- Who and why should delegates attend your session? Commercial people who need to understand the connection of technology and commercial issues. Those looking for a global perspective on affiliate marketing, the latest high level tends and opportunities.

Marc will be speaking at 12:30pm on Wednesday 24th March.

Maybe I am bias but I'm looking forward to hearing him out.