Our profile feature takes a look at some of the global professionals working across performance marketing, shedding light on the varying roles and companies across the flourishing industry.
This week we’re turning our focus to affilinet and the European affiliate network’s new head of client services, Jonathan Reynolds.
Name:
Jonathan Reynolds
Job title and company:
Head of Client Services, affilinet UK.
Duration in current role:
Nearly 2 months
Where are you based?
Holborn, London
In fewer than 20 words, describe what the company does…
We are one of Europe’s leading affiliate marketing networks, providing publishers, advertisers and agencies with sophisticated and performance-driven solutions.
Take us through what you get up to on a typical working Monday.
My working day tends to start on the train into London from Kent, when I’ll check emails, read the news (both digital and the wider world) and update my to-do list. I get to my desk around 8.30 and I’ll run the latest numbers for the month, and ensure the forecasts are updated.
Throughout the day there are a few set meetings that I need to attend, including a senior management meeting, a catch up with the boss and a one to one with one or two of the management team. Aside from that, every Monday can be different. Currently we have some exciting new projects in place, and lots of work is being done to ensure that these are successfully rolled out across our advertiser and publisher base, so some of my day will include status updates, troubleshooting or coordinating project implementation.
As I’ve only been in the role for a couple of months, I find that a fair amount of time is spent meeting our advertiser and publishers, or learning about their objectives and how we are working. I’m currently carrying out a review of the team, our clients and their perception of us, so this can take some time, but the good news is that the results, so far, are good!
Finally, I’ll try to find five minutes in the day to check my Fantasy Football team to see if it’s still in the same dire position as it was the last time I checked.
Favourite go-to websites/blogs for news on your industry/technology…
The main sites I visit are Econsultancy, The Drum, and PerformanceIN, of course, as well as Linkedin, which is becoming a useful curator of industry news.
I’ll also listen to the ‘This Week in Google’ podcast, which covers developments in the digital world as a whole, whilst out for a run.
Which other companies do you admire and why?
I’ll start by heaping praise on Lego. By re-focusing on its core product and using smarter ways to sell them – including a Hollywood movie – Lego has reinvented itself to become one of the world’s biggest brands which appeals to all generations.
I’m also a big fan of Vice Media, which has gone from being a small print magazine to a multi-million dollar media empire whilst retaining its values of being genuine and authentic, and understanding its audience. In a world where quality journalism is under threat, Vice is a refreshing alternative.
Finally, we have Brompton [bike manufacturer]. I love the fact that Brompton hasn’t compromised on quality and throughout its growth has continued to manufacture its bikes in the UK. All the bikes are hand built and the company doesn’t shy away from the fact they are not cheap – you get what you pay for.
Its success has been a result of an unrelenting focus on the principles of making a great product and looking after its customers. I really want one!
The best business advice you’ve ever received?
I’m not sure who told me this, or even if it was business-related initially, but I think it’s relevant for all aspects of life: when making big decisions, consider the worst that can happen, and if you can handle that then go for it!
What do you think would really surprise people to learn about you?
Well, for one, I was the school breakdancing champion. That’s kind of a big deal in rural Buckinghamshire.
Would you like to put someone forward to feature in our profile? Fire a message over to content@performancein.com for more info.