Reflections and Revelations: Unwrapping the Evolution of Affiliate Marketing

After years of hiding demurely behind terms like “partnership marketing,” affiliate marketing is proudly taking the spotlight. It’s always been an effective way to grow sales, but with the growth of the creator economy, it’s finally getting the respect it’s always deserved. YouTubers, Instagram influencers, and podcasters are all reaping the benefits of affiliate links.

Meanwhile, mobile affiliate marketing is coming into its own, opening doors for more opportunities for brands and affiliates to succeed.

AppLovin’s Simon Baptist takes the opportunity to observe this moment in affiliate marketing with Kelly Merkel, Senior Vice President, Global Publisher Development at CJ Affiliate. Merkel is an industry veteran who will have an informed, “been-there-done-that-got-the-t-shirt” perspective on the evolution of the affiliate space.