Buying A Network

Good Question,

You would probably look at the independents, public companies are much more difficult to buy.

Then you would look at the number of clients they have, and profitability.

Then technology, if it is any good? is it popular? trusted?

Which is probably why the sale of Affiliate window is a popular rumour at the moment.

Another question, who is going to do the buying?

Thanks for the comment Rob. I very much agree with your analysis.

So that would rule out TD, AF, DGM as they are public companies. (Although is DGM likely to be a target with the shares so low? )

Webgains and Affili.net are part of much larger European companies so they would be unlikely to be sold too.

As for who would do the buying. Perhaps any of the networks that aren’t selling

I’m sure there are companies who want to get more involved in affiliate marketing in the future even if they don’t do anything at all now.

I think affiliate marketing will develop to the next quality level. it simply can´t be based on tracking only clicks forever. to many products and service require more consulting and offline elements. most big networks (cj, zanox, etc,) are busy to expand into other regional markets - which means that smaller and innovative companies are still able to create added value for publishers and advertisers alike - look at http://www.callaffiliates.com - they do phone leads i was told. in germany zanox.com was bought by a big publishing house and they focus on asia and consolidate their european business. reason is probably that they want to bring together the reach of their print operations, with the performance based clients they have in zanox.

Nice question, I am agree with rob.

Only found this blog today but it seems filled with quality content. I just wondered what you think about promoting poker / gambling products in the UK and what you think the prospects are for the next few years.

Sorry Tony but it’s not a field I’m too active in. Maybe as over at the affiliates4u forum?

Tony,it is certainly an interesting point and we were talking to some players in this market already. For two reasons they are more than willing listening to innovative solutions - first is legal issues in the US/some parts of Europe particular, second is that a lots of educated and informed user are flying below their marketing radar - the still use the internet as a source of information, but are reluctant to use it for transactions, especially in the field of poker/gambling, since there are trillions of black sheep.