As this year draws to a close, the NetRefer team is busily working at full steam to prepare for some exciting projects in the New Year. Over the last 12 months the business has made a significant amount of achievements in terms of product development, an ever expanding clientele list, not to mention some key awards and accreditations.

At the start of 2012, NetRefer attended and exhibited at the LAC and ICE conferences in London. Both conferences have been of strategic importance to the business as it provides a showcase to demonstrate the key capabilities of the latest solution, engage in important meetings with existing clients as well as meet with prospective clients interested in NetRefer’s products, services and affiliate marketing in general. Both conferences were a resounding success, and the plan is to do the same – and more – in 2013.

In February, NetRefer issued a new product update ‘Release 4.2’ delivering a number of new features and functionalities, including the newly enhanced Geo Targeting feature. The Geo-Targeting feature enables new advanced advertising campaigns that target a specific country, region or even city. This enhances the functionality that targets adverts according to the customer’s browser language and locale.

At the end of March, NetRefer’s Professional Service team launched the Dedicated Account Management service to its client base. Dedicated Account Management (DAM) complements the current services suite provided in helping to leverage clients Affiliate Programs in the ever expanding and fast paced field of Performance Marketing.

All the hard, smart and tireless work put in by the team paid off greatly, when in May, and for a third consecutive year, NetRefer was awarded “Affiliate Software of the Year”. This showed the clear dedication and enthusiasm of the team as well as the stability, integrity and functionality of the affiliate marketing program.

In June, NetRefer reiterated commitment to its clients by becoming a Microsoft Certified Partner to deliver cutting edge performance marketing solutions, enabling its clients to better manage their ever-growing affiliate programs, through strategic partnerships with the leaders in software development.

NetRefer in August delivered another new software update, “Release 4.3”. Whilst including various performance and functionality improvements on the Administrator interface, this release also offered a number of enhancements aimed to improve the Affiliates’ experience and ease the analysis of key performance statistics now accessible directly from the dashboard. The software development was designed around clients and affiliates feedback, helping to consistently meet requirements, and reaffirm the position as market leaders in affiliate management and performance marketing.

In November EGR presented the annual Operator Awards ceremony, with NetRefer being the sponsor for Affiliate program of the year. These awards celebrated genuine innovation and excellence across the online gaming industry. NetRefer’s clients demonstrated excellency yet again by picking up a range of awards during the event, with Paddy Power picking up 3 awards.

To end the year in style, all of Team NetRefer was treated to a weekend trip in Rome in December. All the team visited some of Rome’s famous sites such as the Vatican, Coliseum, Spanish Steps and many more. It was the perfect way to conclude the year, and for NetRefer to show the team their appreciation for all the hard work during 2012.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our clients and their affiliates all the very best for festive season, and a Happy New Year! See you all in 2013!

Interesting facts were revealed from the Annual Affiliate Advertiser Survey carried out by the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) in October, 2012. Its figures show that Brands of various verticals are investing a larger proportion of their digital marketing budgets in the affiliate marketing channel. Affiliate’s increased share of marketing investment is a clear indication of the channel’s strengthening role within the marketing mix.

The survey shows a 45% uplift in investment from brands in their affiliate programmes, increased commission payments and confidence in year ahead.

Particularly interesting for the Online Gaming industry may be the fact, that indicates a declining majority ( 59% in 2011, 52% in 2012) of the Advertisers still have a deal with one affiliate network, while users of 2 or 3 networks growing significantly.