Powerhouse affiliate marketing network Awin invests in leading APAC network Commission Factory after a successful strategic partnership.
Global affiliate marketing network Awin has acquired an equity stake in Australia’s leading affiliate network Commission Factory, to further cement its presence in Australia and Asia Pacific.
In May 2017, Commission Factory and Awin formalised an alliance never before seen in the industry that saw what would traditionally have been fierce competitors, work together for the common good of the industry and their exhaustive lists of enterprise brands. This relationship saw the two networks develop go-to-market strategies for their respective clients that wished to break into the European, US and Australian markets respectively.
Operations became more closely aligned in August 2018 when the two companies came under the one roof in their new home on Martin Place in Sydney, in the heart of the Australian business and financial district. With staff in Australia and APAC aligning into a central reporting structure to better facilitate business relationships across the region.
Favourable economic conditions in the regions offer a wealth of opportunities for digital advertisers with South East Asia set to become the world's 5th largest economy in 2020 according to the WEF, encompassing ten countries with a population of over 635 million and a collective GDP of $2.5 trillion (source: IMF). Additionally, affiliate marketing has become an integral part of marketing activities in Australia with over 70% of the top 100 retailers now operating an affiliate programme (source: Power Retail) and seeing up to 20% of new customers coming from the channel (source: IAB Australia).
Left to right: Adam Ross, COO AWIN, Zane McIntyre, CEO Commission Factory and Mark Walters, CEO AWIN
The formal equity stake in Commission Factory by Awin gives both networks a wider spectrum of technology and service offerings to their clients along with the geographical reach of each respective network . Aligning teams, operations and strategy across all regions will allow for a cohesive and seamless growth strategy for partners.
Zane McIntyre remains CEO of Commission Factory, and day-to-day operations are unaffected.
“After closely collaborating over the past two years to build a successful and mutually beneficial partnership with Commission Factory, it gives us great pleasure to welcome the team to the Awin family. The addition of Australia’s largest affiliate network provides the ideal foundations to continue growing our footprint in Australia and APAC, increasing the opportunities available in these regions for our advertisers, publishers and technology partners.”
Mark Walters, CEO AWIN
The time our companies have spent together over the last two years has exhibited such great synergy and cooperation between our brands and our teams, that this next step to formalise that relationship is an exciting one. To be part of something bigger and join the global stage is a goal that the founders of Commission Factory always aspired to and to be welcomed into the Awin family is a massive step forward, not only for the company and our team but for an industry that we love.”
Zane McIntyre, CEO Commission Factory