706srz0 Next: A Disappointing DayLast Friday Next, iLevel and Buy.At held a voice conference in order for them to explain the recent ‘behaviour’ of the Next affiliate programme, allowing affiliates with concerns about the programme, to be heard. As many know, I have been somewhat outspoken about my recent concerns and despite no longer being involved with the merchant, decided to join to hear what they had to say. The intention wasn’t to stir up a hornets nest, but to hear from all 4 corners (affiliate, agency, merchant, network) and what they proposed for the future of the programme.

I have to say that once on the voice conference I was disappointed by the turn out from fellow affiliates. I know some were unable to make it due to prior commitments as a few apologies were read out at the beginning, some like myself work fulltime and therefore were never going to make it and some people had no intention of joining, for which I whole-heartedly respect their decision.

BUT… 2 affiliates – myself being 1 of them?…. and I’m no longer an affiliate of theirs!

My blog post got 112 backs, Next was blogged about by many other affiliates in the following days, and a simple search on the A4U forums shows that Next threads are by far the most hotly debated. This was a chance for affiliates to hear what Next propose to do in coming months, why they took certain decisions in the past and a chance to raise any issues. Yet no one took the opportunity?

I’m not going to blog about what was discussed in detail, as iLevel will be producing minutes which I’m sure will be made available shortly to anyone wanting to read them. Sadly I came away feeling that Next and iLevel heard what I said, but with some of the counter arguments, I am not too sure if they listened.

An example of this was when I stated that a 7 day cookie was being poor. My gripe was countered with the argument that M&S also offering a 7 day cookie. Granted, however M&S however offer 5% flat rate commission, somewhat more than what we have come to expect from Next. There was however mention of the introduction of tiered commissions, similar to Dixons, where it’s dependant on the product purchased.

I just wish more affiliates had been on the voice conference, even those that still believe the programme is acceptable as it is. I honestly believe this was a chance where the industry really opened up for the good, and I think it’s a prime opportunity that’s been missed by many to raise concerns, and hopefully steer a merchant in the right direction.

Anyway I also wanted to thank Next, Buy.At and iLevel for the chance of having the discussion. Whether I agree or not with what was discussed, it was a move in the right direction.