Why promote Hollywoodaffiliates?

[archiehall]

SUMMARY REPORT

HollywoodPoker
Affiliate:XX
Impressions 700
Clicks 107
Registrations 1
First Depositors 0
Real Players 7
Gross Revenue $1,749.90
Bonuses $-1,360.25
Net Revenue $389.65
Revenue-Share [20 %] $77.93
Affiliate XX Commission $77.93

Total Commission $77.93

Here is a snapshot of recent results.

Anyone who has tried to clear the bonuses at the site will understand that to get your bonus you must generate a little rake. Doesn't seem to be the case and i have witnessed this on 0 generation days with a $250 bonus to wipe away revenue.

Staff are understandably unresponsive, so its a pointless task.

For a couple of thousand clicks to links on a review page, no real money players.

Im not here to complain or find a resolution, just pointing out my experience with the site and wondering why they have been accepted on a watchdog site?

I still send them a little traffic due to not being arsed fiddling around with an old site but consider that the charity they crave.

I do not consider the site reputable or honest.

 

[Guard Dog]

Im not here to complain or find a resolution, just pointing out my experience with the site and wondering why they have been accepted on a watchdog site?

I still send them a little traffic due to not being arsed fiddling around with an old site but consider that the charity they crave.

I do not consider the site reputable or honest.

Hey ArchieHall,

I can tell you our metrics for any program that has Platinum Certified status at AGD:

1. The program must have 'Affiliate-Friendly' terms and conditions - Meaning they must not have terms which can reduce commissions such as 'Minimum Player Rules' or termination clauses removing earnings.

2. The program must pay it's affiliates on time.

3. The program must have open and honest communication.

4. The program must NOT have any casinos listed at CasinoMeister as a rouge casino.


Hollywood Affiliates have met these 4 metrics without issue, which is why we certified their program.

However - they are notified upon posts in their forum. I believe someone will come by in short order to discuss this issue.

Thanks.

AGD

 

[Chris_Hollywood]

Hi archiehall,

I don't quite understand your post, can you please clarify?

Based on the stats you have provided it looks as though your players are clearing their bonuses now. You cant really blame us for the bonus amount given to your players as they pick which bonus to clear.

We have 8 first time deposit bonuses ranging from $25 to $2500.

As you see from your stats your on NGR. If a player takes for instance 60 days to clear a bonus you would of had a great previous month. It looks as though two or more of your players just happened to clear a bonus around the same time which is unfortunate from an affiliate earnings standpoint, but now they have another 60 days to clear a new bonus, which means next month you will see a drastic increase in revenue while your players are working through their current bonus.

I would be more than happy to take a look at your accounts to help you better understand. I can work on retaining your players through a CRM campaign, but would need your account information to do so. Who is your HollywoodAffiliates Affiliate Manager? Are you in direct contact with someone from here? If not I would be happy to take over your account, and work one on one with you to increase your revenue on a monthly basis. Keep in mind that's what we are here for.


I can assure you we are an honest, trustworthy brand, and I'm sorry you feel different. Let me help you to change your mind.


-Chris

 

[archiehall]

Based on the stats you have provided it looks as though your players are clearing their bonuses now. You cant really blame us for the bonus amount given to your players as they pick which bonus to clear.

We have 8 first time deposit bonuses ranging from $25 to $2500.

As you see from your stats your on NGR. If a player takes for instance 60 days to clear a bonus you would of had a great previous month. It looks as though two or more of your players just happened to clear a bonus around the same time which is unfortunate from an affiliate earnings standpoint, but now they have another 60 days to clear a new bonus, which means next month you will see a drastic increase in revenue while your players are working through their current bonus.

I would be more than happy to take a look at your accounts to help you better understand. I can work on retaining your players through a CRM campaign, but would need your account information to do so. Who is your HollywoodAffiliates Affiliate Manager? Are you in direct contact with someone from here? If not I would be happy to take over your account, and work one on one with you to increase your revenue on a monthly basis. Keep in mind that's what we are here for.


I can assure you we are an honest, trustworthy brand, and I'm sorry you feel different. Let me help you to change your mind.


-Chris

Thanks for clearing things up AGD.

Chris, this is not the case. I am a player/affiliate and understand what it takes to clear a bonus and understand that bonuses should be good thing in current/future rake generation, etc.

This is not the case and there has been a consistency over the last couple of years. I am stating that even if the players generated the minimum playthrough requirements and cashed out, the sums still dont add up.

If we have to go into this, I requested I be moved onto a flat 20% rev share, a few years on several occasions. This was ignored. Since, the 25% rev share was dropped to 20% (- bonuses) etc.

Thanks for the offer Chris but I can no longer confidently support Hollywoodaffiliates. I used to play on the site myself but it has left a bad taste in my mouth and feel my effort are best spent elsewhere.

I could give you a little background and explain when my stats became flagged for a monthly bonus review but its pointless. I have no interest trying to build up a player base anymore & to be honest if I did I would get someone else to register an affiliate account for better results.

Dont forget, this is a site that moved away from live stats to the new manual one. That itself produced terrible results for affiliates. Each, and every new improved upgrade to the site hit us in the pockets.

I am just blowing off steam. The main reason for my post was to ask why this site is approved by a watchdog site. If I had my old database I would have explained to the forum why HP shouldnt ever receive any accreditation under the shield of any watchdog site.

 

[archiehall]

Impressions 109
Clicks 42
Registrations 1
First Depositors 0
Real Players 3
Gross Revenue $554.56
Bonuses $-819.70
Net Revenue $-265.14
Revenue-Share [20 %] $-53.03
Affiliate XX Commission $-53.03
HollywoodPoker Commission $-53.03

This is the latest report. My new question to Hollywoodaffiliates is why bonus costs bear no relation to generated income?

Its fine to lure new affiliates in with honest reporting but they need to ask themselves how long this honesty will last.

To further the case against trusting HP, here is another reason not to trust their reporting.

Impressions 14,843
Clicks 1,494
Registrations 9
First Depositors 0

The site is geared towards real money players. It is a poker site. I cannot imagine how this could be possible.

No wonder hollywoodpoker has dropped like a lead baloon last couple of years.

 

[Adrian-LiveCasinoPartners]

I have never promoted this program, but I will comment on my experience with my traffic. I remember about two years ago I was sending tons of traffic to a certain casino, and had similiar stats. I changed to another brand, and BOOM! revenue. My lesson was that every program performs differently with your traffic.

If after a 1000 or clicks, and I did not get any revenue I would change to another property. Now you know your traffic does not work with them, then move on to another program.

Best of luck to you!

 

[Chris_Hollywood]

archiehall,

Bonuses are earned in periods up to 90 days... so it is very possible that a player could earn 1 point in the period generating 28 cents in revenue but get paid on a single increment $1k bonus... This is how Poker bonuses work.

In addition clicks and impressions do not isolate out what is legit or not from your side... in that we don’t know what is US or not... or a pop up on a no related page, etc.

If you are getting better conversion with other sites, so be it, but please do not question the legitimacy of our company. We work very hard with all of our affiliates to help conversion via promos, bonuses, etc. I've told you I would do the same for you, but this went on empty ears.

-Chris

 

[WCD Admin]

I requested I be moved onto a flat 20% rev share, a few years on several occasions. This was ignored.

Chris: Can you move him to revenue share? looks like he states he has been asking for this. That would be the good thing to do here I think. By the way, I have Hollywood Poker on my site because I saw your terms and conditions are accepted here at Guard Dog... (just so you know)

He posted his stats, and for sure, I value that. It looks to me at first glance the bonuses keep eating up his revenue.

I have yet to find a good Playtech casino and I get results like Archie's on both EuroPartner and Cpays. So we don't promote them anymore. In my stats you can go back years, and although I've generated dozens and dozens of real players, somehow, I'm in the negative... and everytime I talk to them, they give responses quite similar to yours which are, looks like you are JUST about to get positive revenue, you should start making money soon! Also, some Playtechs I used to make xx,xxx a month, but ever since UIGEA it just won't return - and I still send players. Can't retain and make us money for some reason. It's understandable that he is upset.

Archie: Like Adrian said, promote a different program. It's good advice. Even if you aren't making money, you can't really say this program is dishonest. You can say "as a player, the bonuses are ridiculous, and also, look at my stats, I am sending real depositing players and I can't make money" then Chris nothing to be upset about. You'd be better just to post your stats and opinion as a player (which I really value) - you'll find a lot of us can read between the lines.

The only Playtech program I generate a positive revenue on in Casino Blasters, which I think told me sometime ago the reason is because they calculate the revenue share differently. They also give you 36%. I personally don't have a lot of time to deal with the ins-and-outs of each program. So if they don't make me money, that's the final call.

No offense to anyone is intended.

 

[Chris_Hollywood]

Hi WDC,

He currently is on rev-share, and I'm open to making changes for him. As you will see from my earlier post in this thread, I tried reaching out to find something better for him, and he declined my offer.

Thanks for having us up on your site, AGD has been a great help and sends though many great affiliates.

Just to be clear he is posting is Poker stats not Casino.

Without having his affiliate account name, I can't be much help. I have tons of different ways to help affiliates out which I do on a daily basis. If an affiliate has lots of bonuswhore (I'm not saying he does) this can sometimes hurt not only affiliates, but us as well. We have steps in place to make changes to certain players bonus programs so affiliates don't get effected.

I come from an affiliate background, I understand affiliates wants and needs. Ask any affiliate who deals with me and they will tell you, I'm on the ball and will go the extra mile for every single one of them. Archie hasn't given me the chance. It's hard to help someone who doesn't want to be helped.

The casino affiliates (whom I won't name) that AGD has sent us, are all earning decent money right now. I went and looked up 3 that I know off the top of my head, and none of them have had a negative month yet. I'm not about excuses, and don't beat around the bush. We have nothing to hide, and its my job to make you money.

ClubHollywood is part of the Playtech network, but that doesn't mean we all do business like the programmes you mentioned below. I'm told time and time again that affiliates won't promote us because of some affiliate programmes on our network. I tell them all the same thing, give me 2 months, if your not happy with your results cut us off. I'm yet to have one affiliate who has broken ties with us.

We also just launched affiliate specific tournaments which is a HUGE selling point for affiliates and players a like. I'm open to running some for any affiliates who can guarantee some players. This will show you we aren't just one of those affiliates programmes on Playtech, we are the affiliate programme.

-Chris

 

[WCD Admin]

The casino affiliates (whom I won't name) that AGD has sent us, are all earning decent money right now. I went and looked up 3 that I know off the top of my head, and none of them have had a negative month yet. I'm not about excuses, and don't beat around the bush. We have nothing to hide, and its my job to make you money.

That's awesome news Chris. Keep up the good work. Hopefully next month after the conference we can try a carefully monitored boost for your brand and be one of the $$ earners, too. I haven't gotten around to really pushing your program yet, but if you want to work closely to see what we can do - I'm definitely interested to work with any motivated AMs here. Sometimes time is limited but there are definitely ways to motivate me ;D

 

[archiehall]

Bonuses are earned in periods up to 90 days... so it is very possible that a player could earn 1 point in the period generating 28 cents in revenue but get paid on a single increment $1k bonus... This is how Poker bonuses work.

Here is the last 90 days.....

Gross Revenue $1,336.42
Bonuses $-1,199.70
Net Revenue $136.72
Revenue-Share [20 %] $27.34
Affiliate Commission $27.34

Now how does that work?

In addition clicks and impressions do not isolate out what is legit or not from your side... in that we don’t know what is US or not... or a pop up on a no related page, etc.

No popups, 100% hollywood poker related pages. 99% search engine traffic.

If you are getting better conversion with other sites, so be it, but please do not question the legitimacy of our company. We work very hard with all of our affiliates to help conversion via promos, bonuses, etc. I've told you I would do the same for you, but this went on empty ears.
-Chris

I am questioning the legitimacy of the program. This would fall on deaf ears if it was not on a public forum.

Hi WDC,

He currently is on rev-share, and I'm open to making changes for him. As you will see from my earlier post in this thread, I tried reaching out to find something better for him, and he declined my offer.

Without having his affiliate account name, I can't be much help.

Yes, I declined. A solution would be honest reporting which has not been the case. I dont see why a user name would make a difference other that cause me more issues as it has in the past dealing with hollywood poker.

We can resove this if Hollywood Poker can deal with my issues raised on a general level, not on an individual basis.

I still have a little daily traffic going to HP but letting it die.

 

[Guard Dog]

Yes, I declined. A solution would be honest reporting which has not been the case. I dont see why a user name would make a difference other that cause me more issues as it has in the past dealing with hollywood poker.

We can resove this if Hollywood Poker can deal with my issues raised on a general level, not on an individual basis.

I still have a little daily traffic going to HP but letting it die.

I can understand not wanting to give your details. Chris, however, is a stand-up guy. He will help you if he has the proper information.

In order to see WHY bonuses were given - he needs to know which players bonuses were given to

I would give him a chance to find out what the problem is before writing him off or casting doubt upon a program that has many satisfied affiliates.

I agree problems should be resolved and even in public.... however, if you are not willing to give him details - there is no way this will ever be resolved - and that is a true disappointment.

All affiliates should be able to see this case through completion so that they can decide if Hollywood Affiliates is a program they want to work with. Your affiliate id will help Chris move forward so that WE CAN ALL find out what the story is.

 

[Guard Dog]

Archiehall -

I've got another request I am having a difficult time with this one. Can you at least post your stats with an image so that we can see your stats?

HA has been good for every affiliate I have talked to. If you are the only affiliate with problems - then I am sure it is an easy resolution. However - I'd like to see the full stats image to take a deeper look at it.

Thanks!

 

[Engineer]

I received my first payment from Hollywood Affiliates the other day. (Thanks, Chris!) Hopefully it won't be my last.

I don't know what to make of archie's comments. If there really is a reporting issue, it should be fixed. I think we need more info from archie about why he thinks there could be an issue.

 

[archiehall]

My problem isnt really a bonus issue. It goes way back.

I have added an attachment for clicks v signups.

My issue is with HP manipulating stats.

OK, I stopped promoting HP a couple of years back but still have the odd review page.

Once they snag you with the residual income, its difficult to question. Once you do, rest assured your stats will stutter dramatically.

No offense Chris but Ive heard it all from the HP team and its a no go. My point of posting was to question AGD's policy on accepting HP as a certified partner (Answered), the other was to inform people of potential issues further down the line.

I draw the line at selective tracking.

 

[Chris_Hollywood]

To say we manipulate stats is unreal.

How would we possibly do this? You are the first person I've ever heard say this, and your statement couldn't he more far from the truth.

How many of your clicks are from US traffic? You haven't answered this yet. Knowing how many of your clicks are coming from relative traffic is very important and could be the problem.

You won't let me help you, so I don't know what else to say..

Please don't accuse us of manipulating stats. We have spent many years building trust and honesty into our affiliate relationships.

-Chris

 

[archiehall]

To say we manipulate stats is unreal.

How would we possibly do this? You are the first person I've ever heard say this, and your statement couldn't he more far from the truth.

Others have agreed with me. I do not know what is fact other than the stats HP spews at me. I have posted. I am a legit affiliate with legit traffic so I dont have to explain the stats. Others may question my traffic, fair enough, but it is purely search engine targeted & the results are a farce.

Chris, you may be a stand up guy but I cannot take the chance knowing the group you are involved with.

How many of your clicks are from US traffic? You haven't answered this yet. Knowing how many of your clicks are coming from relative traffic is very important and could be the problem.

roughly 60%. I ensure players know that HP does not accept american players and give them alternatives.

With the stats I displayed, I shouldnt even have to tell you what country they came from. Having experience in affiliate issues, do you agree?

If not, I will open my account to an observer, not to HP. If lots0 agrees, we can discuss this further, openly.

You won't let me help you, so I don't know what else to say..

I read your posts more than you do mine. I told you no deal.

Please don't accuse us of manipulating stats. We have spent many years building trust and honesty into our affiliate relationships.
-Chris

It sounds generic, many years is 2005. You used to have stats that updated instantly, you changed. As an affiliate who was with you from the beginning, the removal of instant stats was an overnight setback.

New affiliates, be careful.

 

[Engineer]

I've only been promoting Club Hollywood for a few months, so I never saw the old stats. When did they switch to the current system? I wonder if maybe the switch to the new stats happened around the same time Playtech pulled out of the U.S. market in late 2006.

 

[archiehall]

I've only been promoting Club Hollywood for a few months, so I never saw the old stats. When did they switch to the current system? I wonder if maybe the switch to the new stats happened around the same time Playtech pulled out of the U.S. market in late 2006.

To be honest, Im not sure. It was before the UIGEA but mid to late 2006 sounds a good mark.

All I asked for was honesty. Never got it. HP, those pennies count and when you cut, we notice. Stick to your newbies and old friends. Others dont buy your integrity, although you do pay on time (whatever).