Poker Heaven ...gone from sponsored programs

CAZ · #1 06-25-2006, 02:45 PM

Among others gone as well it seems. I am pleased that the "field" has been culled somewhat...it was starting to get a little thick.
I think there should be a process to be included rather than just a "pay for entry". Can anyone let us know what has happened for the list to be cleaned up?

But why Poker Heaven?

Jeremy · #2 06-25-2006, 05:49 PM

I was waiting for someone to bring that up.

We had to clean up the sponsored programs list and see who had expired, renewed, up for renewal, ect.

If a program was removed it has nothing to do with integrity or quality. In fact some will probably be back up before you know it. The sponsored programs is a very important aspect to this community. One of my goals in the coming weeks is to get our sponsors more involved as well as active in the forums.

The best affiliate managers in the industry are the ones who keep an open line of communication and are accessible. In a perfect world I would love to see all of our AM's taking an active role in the community, not just some.

gumbajohnny · #3 06-25-2006, 11:11 PM

"I think there should be a process to be included rather than just a "pay for entry".
That is a great point Caz.

Jeremy · #4 06-25-2006, 11:43 PM

I will look into that. However if there is going to be a process, it will not be some make believe process or certification that fleeces affiliates into thinking it is something it's not.

The problem with having an actual process to be included in an affiliate forum is that everything is subjective. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen an affiliate flame an affiliate department in a thread only to find out from the AM that this affiliate has sent 1 total player over the lifetime of their account. All it takes is one idiot with an agenda to place into question the integrity or ethics of an affiliate program.

Likewise if we had a "certification process" that would make us the judge and jury of the industry to determine who is worthy of being promoted. I am not perfect and quite frankly I like to give affiliate departments and AM's a chance to prove themselves first. Of course any rogue program would not be allowed to advertise here, but most rogue programs aren't in the market of recruiting new affiliates either

I understand the rationale here, I am just thinking of the dynamics of it. I don't think it's a big secret that I'm not fond of the competitions process. I'd be curious to hear some of the vetrans opinions on this.

checkingout · #5 06-26-2006, 02:34 AM

I would like to see sponsored programs have someone who actually responds on their boards on a regular basis.

CAZ · #6 06-26-2006, 03:57 AM

Perhaps part of the inclusion process would be discussion by the members of PAW regarding current/past experience with the room that is being considered.

I think an active AM should be something that we could really hope for, but i am not SO sure that could be a realistic requirment. Perhaps with the aquisition by Poker News, the level of leverage and influence PAW may NOW have on the industry could almost make it a requirement.
We are Blessed to have an AM like Stephen from Paradise, if only we could get all the AM's as involved as he.

After all where else would these rooms really go for affiliate exposure?

Brandon · #7 06-26-2006, 09:52 AM

Caz, do not forget about Mark from SunPoker.com/Focal Click. Steven and Mark are both great AM's and have always been around the forums to help, even if it has nothing to do with their site. I guarantee they have more affiliates promoting them from PAW for that reason alone.

Jeremy · #8 06-26-2006, 10:01 AM

Shenaz, Scott...................there's a bunch of great AM's here. Regardless if you're a sponsor here or at any other place. If you're given a forum to interact with your customers, it is best to take advantage of it.

It's no different than if you as an affiliate buy paid advertising on another site and get a forum to chat about poker and recruit players............You'll make a hell of alot more money if you show up to the forum and well..................chat about poker and recruit players.

Like any business, you get out of it what you put into it.

Brandon · #9 06-26-2006, 10:23 AM

Your 100% correct Jeremy, all of them are extremely helpful, and always their for our members. Hopefully more AM's in the future will see the benefits of being a daily member of our forum.

Kyle · #10 06-26-2006, 01:39 PM

They are only hurting themselves and their companies' programs by not showing up around here. The poker sites should make it a requirement for their affiliates to be active in PAW.

The only reason I started promoting SunPoker is because of Mark's participation in this forum and his dedication to helping affiliates - more AM's should take some lessons from Mark, Stephen and a few others here.