Get ready for an insightful conversation about the evolution of affiliate marketing from the operator perspective to the affiliate side. Tero Paivarinta, Business Development Lead at humbl.ai joins host Lee-Ann Johnstone to share his fascinating journey from iGaming customer support in 2006 to becoming a key figure in affiliate relationship management. With nearly two decades of industry experience, Tero reveals how data transparency is revolutionising partnerships and why authentic relationships remain the cornerstone of successful affiliate programs.

Talking points include:

• How humbl.ai's data platform is cutting through industry misinformation by providing accurate SEO and PPC insights
• Why building personal relationships with affiliates goes far beyond business transactions
• The shift from chasing big-name affiliates to identifying and nurturing smaller, high-growth partners

Listen to find out more about:

• How to identify high-growth small affiliates using month-on-month data analysis
• Why paying affiliates early can accelerate partnership growth and loyalty
• Tero's upcoming platform developments that will further revolutionise affiliate marketing insights

Key segments of this podcast and where you can tune in to go direct:

[02:17] Tero's iGaming journey from 2006 and first glimpse into affiliate marketing

[23:00] Finding quality affiliates: why the ones who find you aren't always the best

[28:08] A round-up of top tips shared

Our thanks go to Mate Affiliates as this season's sponsor. Would you like to talk about sponsoring our podcast, or gaining a brand mention? Take a look here.

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From self-proclaimed "software engineer introvert" to confident industry connector, Julia Draghici, Co-Founder & CEO of CPV Lab and CPV ONE, has mastered the art of turning authentic relationships into business growth.

In this candid conversation with host Lee-Ann Johnstone, Julia reveals how she transformed from someone who believed "building good software and having good customer support would be enough" into a partnership-driven entrepreneur whose business thrives on genuine connections. Through her journey from nervously walking conference floors to building lasting friendships that generate multiple client referrals, Julia demonstrates that the most powerful marketing tool isn't technology—it's the human ability to help first, ask later, and treat partnerships like marriages rather than transactions.

Talking points include:

• How Julia overcame her introverted nature at industry conferences using simple conversation starters like "what do you do?" to build meaningful business relationships.
• The philosophy of "give first, ask later" and why small gestures like LinkedIn shares, mentions, and introductions create more lasting impact than big sponsorships.
• Why treating partnerships like marriages—with long-term commitment and mutual investment—generates sustainable competitive advantages in performance marketing.

Listen to find out more about:

• The specific red flags Julia watches for in potential partnerships and why asking "what do I get out of it?" in early conversations signals poor partnership potential.
• How CPV Lab's customer support reveals why humans still matter in an AI-driven world, with "I want to talk with an agent" being their most frequent chatbot query.
• The emerging partnership opportunities between content creators and affiliate managers that represent new collaboration models in performance marketing.

Key segments of this podcast and where you can tune in to go direct:

[08:44] Julia's first conference networking experience and overcoming introvert challenges

[15:45] The Joey Babineau partnership case study and building lasting business friendships

[26:52] Rapid-fire relationship advice including partnership red flags and trust-building strategies

Our thanks go to Mate Affiliates as this season's sponsor. Would you like to talk about sponsoring our podcast, or gaining a brand mention? Take a look here.

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Send me a text with your questions

This week, Lee-Ann Johnstone welcomes Alanas Ivšinas, iGaming Affiliate Marketing Expert, to the Affiliate Marketing Podcast for an insightful deep-dive into what truly makes partnerships thrive in one of the most competitive sectors of affiliate marketing.

With over a decade of experience working across both sides of the table - from affiliate networks to major operators like GG Media Group - Alanas brings a rare perspective on deal-making, negotiation psychology, and the art of building lasting commercial relationships.

Whether you're struggling with partner retention, looking to structure better deals, or want to understand how industry veterans navigate complex negotiations, this episode delivers actionable wisdom from someone who's seen it all. Essential listening for affiliate managers, network professionals, and anyone serious about elevating their partnership game.

Talking points include:

• The psychology of win-win deal-making and why most partnerships fail before they start.
• Real world case studies of deals gone wrong and the expensive lessons learned.
• How Google updates and AI are reshaping affiliate relationship strategies.

Listen to find out more about:

• Why the "thin line between bluff and lie" can make or break your reputation in affiliate marketing.
• The specific deal structure that cost one major partnership hundreds of thousands in negative ROI.
• How industry veterans are adapting their partnership strategies for an AI-dominated search landscape.

Key segments of this podcast and where you can tune in to go direct:

[05:40] The essential elements that separate successful partnerships from costly failures.

[10:20] A detailed breakdown of a streaming deal gone wrong and the expensive lessons learned

[21:52] Industry trends including Google updates, AI impact, and what's coming next for affiliate partnerships.

Our thanks go to Mate Affiliates as this season's sponsor. Would you like to talk about sponsoring our podcast, or gaining a brand mention? Take a look here.

Send me a text with your questions