iGaming
Affiliate Interviews: Sirp de Wit of PokerListings.com (HighLight Media Group)
Today you get the chance to meet Sirp who is the Managing Director of PokerListings, the world’s most comprehensive online poker guide with in-depth reviews of online poker sites and exclusive bonuses, promotions, tournaments and freerolls, Sirp is active in Igaming since 2009.
Name: Sirp de Wit
Age: 34
Hometown: The Hague, THE NETHERLANDS
Living in: Sliema, MALTA
Favorite Food: Italian/French cuisine
Must Read Book: Papillon (Henri Charrière)
Job title: Managing Director at HighLight Media Group
GAV: Hi Sirp, first of all tell us and our readers as well, a little bit about yourself, we want to know who Sirp really is. How did your career start in the iGaming industry? Since when are you active at PokerListings?
SDW: I graduated in 2008 in the UK and moved straight over to Stockholm, SWEDEN, after receiving a call to join a Lead Generation company (HighLight Media Group) that is active primarily in the iGaming vertical. My career started as a Site Manager for the Dutch Market and I have been with the company ever since, taking on different roles throughout the last 8.5 years and currently the Managing Director running the Poker side of the business. We control many different poker affiliate sites that generate traffic from Europe to North/South America and Asia. The biggest brand in my portfolio is PokerListings.
Out of office you will find me a lot in the park, spending time with my 2.5 year old baby girl. Other than that I will try to watch as much football as possible and enjoy good food/drinks with my better half.
GAV: Do you still remember when you first heard about poker or played it?
SDW: Yes, this was during my time as a under graduate student in the USA. We played quite some poker on campus and around that time I also got introduced to the online version.
GAV: Since there are thousands of websites and portals in this niche out there, where do you think PokerListings stands at this moment and what is that plus that the other poker portals don’t have?
SDW: PokerListings is up there with the other big players. We still hold a leading position in the industry while looking at traffic numbers, returning visitors, and value per lead. With the latter being the most important KPI.
PokerListings has a true identity which is the key to lasting in this industry. There are more poker portals that have one, but the majority of the websites don’t. They focus only on the business side, while not catering for the primary need of the customer. We, as well, are running a Poker portal that focuses on the business side in order to exist, but we do focus more on delivering for the true need of the customer, even though in most cases this is not directly connected to our business model. We cater for all different types of poker players, delivering the best strategy articles to introduce players to the game, bring the latest industry news, have the most in depth reviews, the rules covering all the different poker games, an extensive video section and even have our own annual live tournament, The Battle of Malta, taking place in Malta with a guaranteed prize pool of 500k EUR. From a business perspective we could deliver the same bottom line without half listed above, but we don’t, as we know that we fill a gap that nowadays others are leaving behind which gives us the opportunity to take on a leading role.
GAV: How do you see the online poker market/industry at this moment?
SDW: Poker industry is not what is was, and for smaller affiliates a tough environment to gain market share. However, there will always be a place for online poker affiliation within the iGaming vertical and it is now all about adjusting to a new level of normal.
GAV: What are the strong points of PokerListings and what makes it stand out from the other niche websites/guides?
SDW: Identity, history, value. We are a poker guide that is over 14 years old and has something to offer for all kinds of poker players.
GAV: We have analyzed PokerListings and found some great content. Are you writing it by yourself or do you have a team of people writing for you? How about the blog section?
SDW: We have a Content Team in place in HQ in Malta and have freelancers located all over the world. In order to be top of the game in poker affiliation, you need to deliver top notch content. You won’t survive long enough to tell the tale if you try to do this with half work. Content is King in the world of SEO. In order to keep the visitors engaged and thus the Search Engine valuing you, you need to see this as an investment rather than a cost.
GAV: Tell us about the online marketing and SEO of PokerListings, do you have someone inhouse for that our you outsourced it?
SDW: Also the marketing team is situated in HQ in Malta. We focus primarily on onsite SEO strategies. On top of that we spend time on email marketing, social media marketing, and PPC where allowed.
Our Marketing/SEO strategy has changed over the years, as we needed to adjust due to updated guidelines from the biggest Search Engines. Important to keep up to date with the latest trends as no strategy last forever and you need to keep adjusting.
GAV: How do you manage to keep the website fresh and relevant, when a lot of fluffy and nonsense appear on the Internet non-stop?
SDW: We run our own content agenda. Yes, from time to time stories need to be covered as they are too big to skip, but most of the fluffy nonsense we don’t touch. The online media landscape is changing to focus primarily on clicks and traffic in order to justify the media budgets. We keep it simple, focus on the world of poker, strategy, bonuses and a bit of fun. So far this has been serving us well.
GAV: We are pretty convinced that you receive messages from Affiliate Managers on a daily basis showcasing their best products. You, of course select them by the brands they work with. What are your thoughts on how a real Affiliate Manager-Affiliate relationship should be built, and how not?!
SDW: Yes, we do. I think –honesty- is still most important. We have worked with almost all poker brands available. And no matter how good your product pitch is, sooner than later your real performance will be public.
GAV: How does the online poker affiliate ecosystem look at this moment, how about the future? Let us in on a few secrets…
SDW: The affiliation part has seen a negative market trend over the last 7 years. However all about adjusting and setting a new strategy with new goals to reach. Still big upsides on the horizon: US market to open, South America/Asia is emerging, possible liquidity sharing between some Southern European countries etc.
GAV: Tell us one change that you want to see in the online poker industry?!
SDW: I would like to see the US open up and get the ball rolling with California. This will happen eventually and this will give a boost to the industry. Politicians should to stop talking BS, and start doing their jobs. Too much talk, too little actions. It does not make sense to me that now in 2017 the fast majority of the US landscape is blocked from online poker. Not only are you depriving the US citizens from such a fun game, you are also missing out on extra income you can strike up on a state/federal level. This so called land of the free is not so free after all.
GAV: Do you have any advice you would like to offer to newbies who are looking to venture into this majestic industry!?
SDW: Whatever segment within iGaming you go into, keep the full focus on the visitor. Keep adding value to the chain. It might be a slower and more costly path to success, but once you are there it will last way longer.
GAV: How about iGaming/online casino conferences, do you attend any of them? If so, which one is your favorite and what is your most fun experience?
SDW: I myself only go to those in London and Berlin. I normally skip Amsterdam, Barcelona and the Nordic Conference but then have my Account Managers on the ground. London and Berlin both are special cities. I enjoy coming down every year for some days.
GAV: What do you think the chances are for Eastern Europe to become a potential gaming hotspot in the near future? Where do you think the region must still improve upon?
SDW: It will take time. These things won’t just happen overnight. Not only does the IT infrastructure need to be in place but capital as well. This is still lacking in most of these countries on a scale that it would be interesting to invest. We always set up products in new places where we see potential in the future so that we are ready when needed, but for now keep the marketing spend to a minimum.
GAV: Where would you like to travel in Eastern Europe, any favorite country or region?
SDW: Big fan of Prague. Still has the vibe of a medieval town while excellent place to party and enjoy good food.
GAV: Where you wouldn’t want to travel in Eastern Europe 
?
SDW: No place comes to mind.
GAV: How about a favorite celebrity or a mentor, do you have one?
SDW: Tommy Cooper
GAV: Tell us your opinion about the Gambling Affiliate Voice?
SDW: Fine site. I check the site from time to time for industry latest news headlines.
GAV: Thanks for your time Sirp, we really value it.
If you would like to suggest subjects for future affiliate interviews, be sure to send your suggestions to: [email protected] .
The post Affiliate Interviews: Sirp de Wit of PokerListings.com (HighLight Media Group) appeared first on The Gambling Affiliate Voice.
Source: GamblingAffiliateVoice
Salsa Technology has unveiled Gina Macheri as Strategic Alliance Manager to spearhead the company’s expansion across Latam markets. Arriving with a wealth of iGaming experience, Macheri will focus on amplifying Salsa’s presence in key LatAm jurisdictions.
Salsa Technology’s Strategic Alliance Manager, Gina Macheri commented: “I’m joining Salsa Technology at the perfect time given the business’ prolific growth and as Latam continues to expand thanks to regulation. I cannot wait to play a core role in increasing Salsa’s presence in our main target markets.”
Leveraging her impressive background in strategic business development and integral growth, she’ll play an influential role in striking strategic partnerships. This week Macheri will be attending SAGSE Latam in Buenos Aires where the company will exhibit its cutting-edge technology and flexible solutions designed specifically to meet the demands of local markets. Besides being personally in charge of increasing Salsa’s footprint in Latam, Gina will also lead the setting up of a team of trade representatives to pave the company’s way to new markets such as Africa and Asia, among others.
Macheri steps into Salsa from Betconstruct, where she held the position of Regional Director, overseeing the comprehensive growth of the business. A proven track record and a deep understanding of the nuances of the iGaming space make Macheri a valuable addition. Prior to her time with Betconstruct, Gina excelled at esteemed gaming entities such as Ainsworth Game Technology, JVL Gaming Labs, and IGT.
“Gina’s talent and experience in strategic business development make her the ideal person to drive our progressive expansion efforts,” said the company Founder, Peter Nolte.
Soft2Bet, a leading B2B casino and sportsbook platform provider, made its forthcoming U.S. launch known last week at NEXT.io’s premier North American iGaming and Sports Betting Summit, NEXT Summit New York 2024. At the event, which was attended by some of the biggest names in the industry, Soft2Bet showed off its Motivational Engineering Gaming Application (MEGA) solutions and met with some of the biggest industry players in the United States.
Ahead of Soft2Bet’s expected New Jersey license later this year, members of the team including David Yatom Hay, General Council; Martin Collins, Chief Business Development Officer; and Ohad Straschnov, Senior Compliance Director, met with operators, regulators, and potential partners who expressed great interest in bringing MEGA solutions to the U.S.
“It was great to get some facetime with those helping us bring our offering to the States,” said Yatom. “Since we are first bringing our B2C product into the state as a proof of concept for future B2B partners, there seems to be quite a bit of excitement around seeing how our MEGA solutions and localization features will translate in the US.”
On Wednesday March 6, Collins participated in a fireside chat with Business Insider Media Editor Ashley Rodriguez. The presentation, titled Redefining the North American Online Gambling Experience, covered the need for operators to switch strategies from heavily investing in acquisition and promotional activity, to focusing more on better ROI tech innovations, such as MEGA, which boost retention and screen time.
“We believe proper gamification can be a true game changer within this market,” said Collins. “It’s not your traditional tournaments and awards we’ve seen across the market the last five to ten years. Within the industry, the user experience is fairly weak compared to other verticals, so we looked at what’s offering the best customer experience, and that’s coming from casual gaming. This is why we started developing solutions that match these incredibly engaging user experiences.”
“So it’s essentially trying to recreate the experience you’d find in free mobile games and use that to keep people in the ecosystem and keep them coming back,” replied Rodriguez.
Following a successful NEXT Summit, Soft2Bet will once again be returning to the U.S. to showcase its new innovations and meet with partners in the market at SBC Summit North America from May 8 to 9, 2024. Martin Collins will be presenting a keynote at the iGaming stage on May 8 at 2:40 p.m.
The year 2024 represents a revolution for the Brazilian iGaming market, one of the largest on the planet, due to the implementation of sector regulations. The expectation is that the main players in the world will seek to enter or expand investments in the country from now on. Thinking about meeting a growing demand, Influx Solutions was created, aiming to offer the best and most comprehensive coverage and advice to groups interested in gaining visibility and space in the competitive national market. Influx Solutions aims to become a powerhouse in the online and offline media management scenario. The mission is simple: drive your business to success through validated strategies focused on conversion and revenue.
From media management, paid traffic to legal aspects and specialized consultancy, the new player in the Brazilian market offers a wide range of services that complement each other, guaranteeing exceptional results on all fronts.
The new player was born in the hands of industry veterans, who over the last two decades have worked in the sector with a focus on performance and affiliation, but occasionally also meeting other demands in the digital market.
To meet this demand, professionals Alessandro Valente and Gabriel Moreira came together to deliver solutions for the regional iGaming market, through their knowledge and important network of contacts. With extensive experience in the sports marketing sector, Gabriel Moreira is one of the directors of Influx Solutions and believes that the company will be essential to the success trajectory of its clients in a dynamic market that requires the best practices to quickly achieve their objectives. “We are ready to help our customers through a successful journey in a sector that demands agility and constant innovation. Influx Solutions is the ideal partner for those looking to not only meet, but exceed expectations in such a competitive market”, explains Gabriel Moreira. Alongside Gabriel, Alessandro Valente, with years of experience on the national scene, also highlights the importance of a company with definitive solutions to shorten distances and boost results for those who are or intend to enter this market.
“Super Afiliados already served some customers who were looking for something beyond our core business, which is affiliation, but with this new front, we will have specialized and personalized service that should further improve our customers’ results and enable the acquisition of new business. ”
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