Retroactive anything

[WCD Admin]

Tradeshows: Negotiations and talks should not be held in a trade show setting, especially on sensitive matters that effect all affiliates. The persons who will be effected the most are going to be the smaller affiliates and they are not represented there. The idea that extravagant parties are being thrown in a time they are claiming is so dire that they must change our contracts to continue operating is of course a slap in the face and a bald face lie. These parties will now be funded in part by the money being taken via retroactive T&Cs and affiliates should consider boycotting them.

Why not increase their spend on player retention and conversions instead? Maybe then these programs would not have to screw the little guy to throw big parties. Maybe their bottom line would even increase because the focus had returned to business instead of travel and party.

To be honest I think most of this is caused by bad management. Some programs, like Focal Click, are no longer holding over negatives, etc. Why is it that some programs are loosening things up and others are having to tighten things up? Is the economy somehow different for these companies? The only difference is the way the companies are run.

If you have not noticed, the affiliate model is under threat right now. Many larger affiliates will be landing flat media contracts and sweet deals but not the small affiliates. My prediction is that the smaller affiliates will be run out of business with bigger affiliates and casinos themselves swallowing these sites for pennies on the dollar as it becomes harder and harder to work in this model. Many peoples years of hard work will be swallowed up for next to nothing.

Life disasters: I think this is VERY important as many of these deals were made with the intention of lifetime revenue, no bundling, some with no negative carry-over, etc... This is the "compensation" part of the contract they are changing. To me this is the single most important reason for these programs to be stopped. Our money is for our family's health and survival not for casino advertising, branding campaigns, paying their staff, or having parties at conferences.

Summary: I understand that programs have to make changes to survive. My point is that the only changes that I see being made are to the compensation portion of our contracts. There are too many conferences with piles of money being wasted and this is now going to be partly funded by our revenue. Times are tough, indeed.

Disclaimer: These are my opinions only. Not an attack on anyone or any program. Feel free to disagree but please don't attack me. I'd be interested in other peoples thoughts. My mind is open, so don't think I'm all closed down, I'm just looking at what seems to be pretty obvious to me.

[inspiration]

If you have not noticed, the affiliate model is under threat right now. Many larger affiliates will be landing flat media contracts and sweet deals but not the small affiliates. My prediction is that the smaller affiliates will be run out of business with bigger affiliates and casinos themselves swallowing these sites for pennies on the dollar as it becomes harder and harder to work in this model. Many peoples years of hard work will be swallowed up for next to nothing.

Just disgusting to see big affiliates take flat media deals for programs like grand prive, redhotrevenue also.

You are absolutely right seeing them spending the same level of (our) money on conferences and big parties and showing you the happy pics afterwards makes the little guy puke. When times are bad you need to keep your program running by saving costs and take care about your affiliates who brought you the customers not screwing them.

[WCD Admin]

I actually came in here because I was tossing as I tried to sleep. I felt like I was being a bit of an alarmist, although those are real fears I have.

There are good programs out there. So I am not giving up hope. However I do have a question for you Inspiration, do you mention GrandPrive and RHR because they have done absolute theft? For me I would never do business with any of the above.

But I am in a situation where I won't do the affiliate program anymore with one program, but am considering flat media. It's controversial I know but I also rank on this program and their player sides are clean. The program has not done the outright theft, but has done retroactive changes.

I am hoping for some peer advice here, because I think that's the only way I can deal with this program is if my peers aren't angry with me.

Anyone with advice actually, I'd love to hear it. And I am sorry too if my note was to alarmist for anyone I was in a dark mood earlier after reading some of the current events (I've been out for a few days) and this stuff is very gloomy and clearly I think my thoughts are a grim possibility but I don't want to be writing in the sand yet. (if that makes sense)

[greek39]

I think you are right WCD. But if I may ask on question, what is flat media?

greek39

[WCD Admin]

Hi Greek!

Flat media just means you charge a "flat" fee, for example $1000 a month (or any amount) but there are no guarantees on how much the casino makes. They might make 900, or they might make 1900.

The advantage is that you get it in advance, and its not depending on player signups or revenue generated.

[greek39]

The advantage is that you get it in advance, and its not depending on player signups or revenue generated.

I do favor the rev share model but this also seems pretty good. I mean being paid in advance would certainly take care of payment problems. Plus making your monthly budget a whole lot easier to manage.

Just a thought still learning...

greek39

[bonusgeek]

I actually came in here because I was tossing as I tried to sleep. I felt like I was being a bit of an alarmist, although those are real fears I have.

There are good programs out there. So I am not giving up hope. However I do have a question for you Inspiration, do you mention GrandPrive and RHR because they have done absolute theft? For me I would never do business with any of the above.

But I am in a situation where I won't do the affiliate program anymore with one program, but am considering flat media. It's controversial I know but I also rank on this program and their player sides are clean. The program has not done the outright theft, but has done retroactive changes.

I am hoping for some peer advice here, because I think that's the only way I can deal with this program is if my peers aren't angry with me.

Anyone with advice actually, I'd love to hear it. And I am sorry too if my note was to alarmist for anyone I was in a dark mood earlier after reading some of the current events (I've been out for a few days) and this stuff is very gloomy and clearly I think my thoughts are a grim possibility but I don't want to be writing in the sand yet. (if that makes sense)

I say if things are good on the player side of things, then be fair to yourself and your company and do what is best for you. It's not an easy call though. You hate to support programs who take advantage of affiliates with retroactive terms, yet your literally just throwing money out the window when you have those rankings and don't capitalize on them.

Your not the only one, I remember a couple of threads where many affiliates are staying put after a program implemented retroactive terms. I don't think anyone is judging anyone there. Good luck with your decision, the fact that your agonizing over this decision says enough imo.