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What do you get when you take online marketing extraordinaires and drop them in the Mirage Hotel & Casino in the one and only Sin City? You get lights, cameras, action and LeadsCon! This blog may be a little behind schedule, but it's due to an intense two week travel regime that our President, Kimberlee White and myself have been following. Put down the remote control shark for a second and read up on the most recent industry conference.

Top 4 Reasons to Attend Leadscon:

1. Quality Attendees:

Most attendees are the actual decision makers within companies, making business meetings and prospecting new clients incredibly fulfilling. It's rare for a company to send an entire army of staff to LeadsCon, providing quality over quantity and less ladders to climb up the corporate food chain.

2. Less Distractions:

Granted this is Las Vegas were talking about – So wild nights, red eyes, scratchy throats and missed morning meetings are expected. However, due to less network-sponsored {dudefest} parties and a more mature audience, business actually gets done and deals are made at LeadsCon. The chance of your 11:00 AM meeting bailing because they lost their Rolex/wallet/phone/dignity the night before are much slimmer as opposed to other affiliate marketing conferences. Bonus: All the attendees at Leadscon are also over the age of 21!

3. Well Planned Out Exhibit Hall:

While smaller than an Ad:Tech or Affiliate Summit, the exhibit hall isn't littered with booths that are not relevant to the online marketing space. LeadsCon does a great job of only allowing established businesses to exhibit, which makes walking the floor actually worth your time. Also, since attendees have to pay to walk the exhibit hall floor, you run into less folks just trying to sell you some random software or data that's 5 years old. If you look really hard, you can still spot a booth babe or two though!

4. The Night Life:

Remember waiting in line at Affiliate Summit West for 2 hours so you could get a table and spend $4k on Vodka bottles you could get at the grocery store for $30 each? Well, that's not the case at Leadscon. Granted, it's still difficult to get in the clubs without table service, but less attendees means less gentleman pay for at the door and less waiting in line. We had a great time attending Hyde and Lavo on Monday and Tuesday nights, especially because we didn't have to deal with a hectic front door situation – and because we were with guests that actually took stock in personal hygiene.

We did drop by 1Oak in the Mirage for the LeadsCon closing event, which was a great time for networking and prospecting, but as the night went on, there was a desire to get them dancing shoes on. I'm pretty sure those photos should be popping up on the LeadsCon home page any day now for those of you who didn't attend!

So there you have it, in a nut shell – why to attend LeadsCon, and most importantly, why you should always plan a meeting with AKMG, after all – we are hard not to like. Especially in Vegas.

Out with the old and in with the new!  2011 came and went almost as quickly as Kim Kardashians's recent nuptials!  AKMG was blessed with another strong year in business, and memories that will last us an affili-lifetime!

Check out our recap of our favorite events at the ever-so-stylin' AKMG headquarters in 2011.  You may want to grab some popcorn or some tissues as we take a quick scroll through affiliate memory lane.

5.  January 2011 - AKMG moves into the Encore Wynn Hotel for 5 Days!

Love Vegas?  Love AKMG?  Well what's better than hanging with AKMG in Vegas?  (Let us know if you think of anything, because we are having a hard time!)  AKMG was proud to exhibit at Affiliate Summit Las Vegas for a third year in a row, complete with red carpet and director chairs - After all, we are the celebrities of affiliate marketing. 

4. March 2011 –  AKMG Acquired by Neverblue, April 1st, 2011!

3. April 2011 - AKMG  hits Ad:Tech San Francisco with a So Cal BOOM! 

Weeks following acquisition by Neverblue, the AKMG team rolled out the red carpet in the Golden Gate City.  Not only did AKMG bring one swanky looking team, but we were also hosts of the memorable Mailer Meetup.  If that isn't enough excitement for one conference, our very own Kimberlee White and Amber Paul spoke at Ad:Tech about the benefits of email marketing, while still managing to host not one but TWO nights at the place-to-be-seen: RedWood room in the Clift Hotel.  Mazal Tov!

We could go into more details about riding in Bentley's, networking at it's finest and how real "closers" do business - But you will just have to come see us at Ad:Tech SF in April of 2012.

2.  April 2011 - AKMG Brings the Party to El Segundo!

After 3 plus years on the Third Street Promenade and witnessing almost every street performer act known to man - it was time the AKMG office pack up their beach shoes and move from the West Side down to the industrial war zone known as El Segundo. (Yes, I did leave my wallet there)  We were sad to say good bye to our old school brick walls, beloved parking structures and favorite Starbucks baristas who made it extra hot and snappy --- but also very excited to have more space and new digs on California Street!  If you're in the LA area, stop by anytime to check out our growing skate deck collection or hang out in our comfortable third story lounge!

1. Dec 2011 - AKMG 2011 Holiday Party!

What do you get when you combine a solid group of marketing execs dressed to the nines, an open bar and swanky photobooth? You get one of the best nights of 2011 - Also known as the AKMG Holiday Party!  The champagne was flown' and the music was bumpin' as the team of AKMG invited some of their VIP clients to join them for an evening of celebration and cheer!   Who could forget all the laughs and hilarious photo ops that took place at Chelsea's Pub & Lounge in Hermosa Beach on December 3rd? 

So Facebook lowered your daily spend and Google gave you the slap after such a long love affair together... What to do next?  What verticals should you focus on since the days of ripping an Acai Berry landers are gone and Mary's days of internet riches from home have dwindled?  That's where WhatRunsWhere comes in, a service for publishers made by publishers.  Haven't heard of WhatRunsWhere and it's capabilities you say?  Well for your reading pleasure, below are some details and a quick Q & A from COO Max Teitelbaum, an industry veteran with a flair for all things related to media buying and a love for making affiliate managers earn his traffic.   

AP: Max, can you give me your elevator pitch on WhatRunsWhere?

MT: Whatrunswhere provides intelligence for media buying online. Not only did the founders use it to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for their personal campaigns, but now anyone can use the same powerful information to help boost their businesses ROI and buy media online in a more intelligent way. Whatrunswhere show's the A-Z of anyone's online advertising campaign, from what creative they use, to where they're buying their media.

Whatrunswhere provides you with the data to see where sites are being advertised, what networks to buy the ads through, what's working and so much more. They're the most comprehensive and best media buying intelligence tool in the world. They also allow you to track advertisers and see when they launch new ads as well as historical split test variations (keep an eye on your competition today).

AP: That's quite the elevator pitch. SOLD. I'll take one in every color.  So Max - tell what inspired the creation of WhatRunsWhere?

MT: Well my partner Mike actually made it.  He identified a huge need for data, that wasn't too easy to do and then spent 1+ years doing nothing but developing a solution to fix it. I'm just a pretty face.

AP: And a humble one at that.

MT: Very.  I mean, while it was being developed I just used it to run campaigns (through AKMG where I could) using the data I got from using the system.

AP: So this project started as something to use to help grow your own business - and then you decided since you have a need for it, every other media buyer must need this too?

MT: Sort of, we originally intended to have a limited member base, but decided to be generous and let everyone use it.  It's a long term thing for us, we want to provide the best service possible, after all the best businesses (like AKMG) are based on customer service and support.

AP: Let's start with the basics here, if you were just getting into media buying and about to launch your first campaign post continuity mayhem – how would you start with WhatRunsWhere?  Give me the run down.

MT: Well, I'd research via keyword or url the competitors in the niche. Look at their placements and use quantcast and alexa to figure out what demographics they're going for (and the site they advertise on are catering for). I'd then look at similarities between ads being run by the different advertisers. The point here isn't to just rip data, its to figure out what everything has in common, incorporate that into your advertising to limit risk and find new profitable things to test. So for example, if you saw animated gifs in a ton of banners, it may be worth getting your own done and seeing if that boosts your ROI. We're all about helping our users make more and spend less.

AP: So from the affiliate  manager stand point – Tell me what benefit WRW brings to AM's and working with their affiliates?  

MT: For an AM it allows you to see whats out there and running, it helps you give better tips to your affiliates and share better information than what's promoted on the network that week. It gives you a different view into what your affs should be running.

AP: Last question, give me your top 3 tips for any affiliate manager who is striving to achieve stardom in the AM Hall of Fame, other than to not wake you up from a nap?  (Not that I have ever been cursed out by you before... lol)
For AMs, top 3 tips would be:

1. Don't push offers to your affiliates just to push offers to your affiliates, actually get to know them. Don't just show them what's doing best on the network, give them personalized recommendations based on your relationship with them, figure out what they like.  They have a business to run like you, so treat it as that, and your affiliates will respect you more for it.

2. Even if I don't push traffic with you, reach out and be cool. Chances are I may in the future and showing me you care even if I'm not making cash with you is a great way to get me to start running traffic with you.

3. Don't call me when I'm napping... ever...

AP: Well thanks Max – I think we all learned a lot today about WhatRunsWhere and why only so few affiliate managers have been able to make it on your "acceptable to talk to” list.  For all you readers out there, you can hit up your AKMG AM on WhatRunsWhere and they will glady give you all the details and make sure you get taken care of by Sir Teitelbaum.  Just more proof that "big brother” is always watching =]

AKMG would like to welcome three new employees to our team! We are very excited with our growth and the expansion of the Los Angeles office.

First up is Lysander Pavlou. A Finance graduate from Loyola Marymount, with an analytical background and ambition to grow in Internet marketing, he is excited to join the AKMG team. Lysander grew a strong passion for marketing early on in school. His main responsibilities are campaign setup/maintenance and managing assets and data within our tracking platform.

Next we have Laurie Hall. Laurie started with us in March, however she has recently been transitioning to the account manager team, helping us with our ever-growing advertiser list and campaign management. Laurie comes to us from an event planning company, where she has over five years experience in account management and throwing killer party's!!! She has been working as our office manager for the last 5 months and has recently stepped up into the advertising side!

Finally, our most recent addition (this week) is Jessica Chan. Jessica comes to us from Webjuice and has many years of experience working closely with advertisers and publishers on a CPA and CPC basis. Her main responsibility will be bringing in advertiser deals for both the AKMG and Neverblue networks and she will be based out of the Los Angeles office. She has the exciting task of sourcing deals for both networks and we are very excited to have her develop this position.

Aside from connecting advertisers to online customers, Jessica enjoys globe trotting to different countries, trying amazing food then working it off with yoga, and dancing the night away. Feel free to reach out to her directly to congratulate her and find out whats going on here!

Marty and Brian from Neverblue visited our LA office today for the first time. Our Canadian counterparts are happy to have a sunny LA destination to visit.

On a final note, don't forget to join in our affiliate contest, you have until November 15th! You can win a free trip to Affiliate Summit Vegas or a 55 inch Sony TV just for running your offers from us. Don't hesitate!

That’s right – it’s that time of year again.... No not Back to School – but Back to the Affiliate Summit East for year 3 in the big apple.  Just like any scholar student would show up for the first day of school with a fresh box of crayons, AKMG is planning on showing up to ASE with our most polished team to date.  Most of our affili-friends are used to looking for the booth with “all the girls” on the show floor, but we like to switch things up a bit and are bringing Cory Gilleland and John Cody to represent AKMG in addition to Layne Kennedy, Cathy Zandueta and Wendy Adams.  Of course, Kim and myself will be present on the exhibit and dance floor!   The team of AKMG is planning on hitting ASE harder than a heat wave hits The Hamptons, so it’s only necessary we put together a preparation list to survive the upcoming marketing mayhem.  Make sure to take notes on the below, because these are words of wisdom from trade show veterans that can run marathons in 6 inch heels.  To aid in your reading (and aesthetic) pleasure, Miss Layne Kennedy is going to highlight everyone’s favorite part of any trade show: the buzzing party scene. From there, I am going to circle back around and go over the “must attend” keynote sessions and speakers of the conference.   After all, ASE could best be compared to the forever adored mullet hairstyle circa 1985 >>> All business in the front and party in the back!

As with every year, you’ve found yourself in the same life-altering predicament. You have now RSVP’d to a dozen parties for Sunday and Monday night.  The same go-to venues, all your favorite companies, promising the best DJs and open bars all over the city. Well it’s time to make the hard decisions - which events to attend, and which “parties” to leave to the ASE newbies. 

On Sunday night head to the meatpacking district and hit up Neon in NYC at Dream Downtown for cocktails with EmpYre Media. Mix and Mingle for a late-night happy hour at the swanky rooftop pool and “beach” (boasting real sand), surrounded by the NYC Skyline.  Once you’ve gotten your fair share of Downtown, follow our stilettos back to Midtown to the Neverblue party on top of the Roosevelt Hotel at Mad46.  Elevate your NYC experience at this private soiree hosted by AKMG’s parent company (PM us if you haven’t yet made the cut), sipping dirty martinis while rubbing shoulders with the “who’s who” of the industry.  Dance the night away, as with all things AKMG, this chic and sexy exclusive event promises not to disappoint. 

On Monday evening, stroll over to the Affiliate Ball at the undisclosed location near the Hilton (admit it, the mystery is alluring enough in itself).  Cultivate your business while dancing to the beats of DJ Doug-E-Fresh, with an abundance of sponsors including Wicked Fire, CPA Trend and PlentyofFish.  Then it’s time to head off to the main event at the Greenhouse in the South Village, one of Manhattan’s best spots for nightlife. Take advantage of this networking opportunity with some of our favorites from A4D and EngageBDR, who definitely know how to throw a party….(Flashdancers 2010 anyone?)

So there you have it, you know where to be, when to be there, and most importantly, where to find all of us!

Thanks Layne... Make sure to bring an extra phone battery because I have a feeling you will be getting of texts from your many adoring affili-fans and industry colleagues. 

So after you pop a few Advil and get those bumpin’ house beats out of your head – you will want to make sure to attend some of the promising key note sessions at the Hilton. Feel free to stop by the AKMG booth, number 217 in between these sessions to tell us how much fun you had hanging out with us an how excited you are to do more business with us, as those are our favorite booth visitors! 

One of the most important sessions to attend is being held is 9D Tuesday the 23rd at 2:00 PM in the Sutton, in which the main topic is educating those on the proposed new privacy laws that will not only diminish user’s internet experience, but also devastate all online advertising.  If you want to be able to keep poppin’ bottles at each tradeshow, I highly recommend you attend to learn more about how to rally, educate and fight these misguided efforts.  Our very own Kimberlee White will be one of the speakers, along with Sarah de Diego, attorney at law, Peter Hamilton from HasOffers and Brad White, the Director of Business Development for uSamp.

For all you tech buffs, sink your fangs into the Mobile Marketing Campaign Optimization session.  The main speaker will be Gregg Stewart, the VP New Media Platforms at Neverblue. We all know the mobile revolution is changing and Gregg is going to speak about what it takes to be a successful mobile publisher and the key components to making a successful campaign.  Sounds digitally stimulating and since this event is taking place on Tuesday at 11:30 AM, you will have plenty of time to recover from the ultra-elite Neverblue Party on Sunday.  If you need more tips on how to make the most out of your ASE trip – or be added to the VIP list, be sure to follow @kymbrla, @laynekennedy511, or @ambspaul for real time reporting. 

See you all in NY... Make sure to look for the red 6 inch soles ;)