Tell us about winning an International Performance Marketing Award?
Sean Sewell: When our company was recognised for the 2018/19 Performance Marketing Technology of the Year, there was a buzz across our offices that is really hard to describe. For our team, it was recognition of the tremendous work that had been done to transform our offering and develop industry-leading features that were recognised as game-changers. The IPMAs represent some of the most important recognition in our industry, and our wins reinforce our commitment to being the best.
Where does the value lie in winning Best Performance Marketing Technology?
SS: I think it’s three-fold. First, it helps galvanise the team because it shows that every individual’s hard work has helped us achieve something unique and very special. Second, it raises the bar for every team member to continue to deliver outstanding work that helps our clients get better results day after day. And third, it gave dozens of companies a reason to consider switching to Partnerize because we offer something better. We can say we’re the best all we want, but there is just no substitute for industry validation.
Has anything changed for your company since winning the award?
SS: Our win was the result of a remarkable year of product development and team commitment. I think it has also made everyone anxious to do even better so we can win again. The competition in this industry is quite fierce, and winning takes that sort of extraordinary commitment. Our people are achieving more than ever.
We’re always excited when the IPMAs come around because they invariably inspire other companies to understand how they can do better. We view every client engagement as a journey where we learn together what works for each business and then apply those learnings for future results. The IPMA show always seems to stimulate brand leaders to rethink what they are doing so they can deliver better performance in the future.
In your opinion, what kind of attributes stand out in succeeding in such regions including, US, APAC, LATAM, and MENA?
SS: The partnerships industry is at different stages in various regions around the world. This demands a versatile and flexible solution that is just as good at getting people early results as it is at powering incremental growth from mature programs. At Partnerize we also believe that in-region customer and strategic support are critical. No one in one market should have to wait for hours or a day for help because their provider supports the world from just one or two locales. In-region support also means that clients get to work with local market experts. People who know the landscape, understand the partners that matter most and can help develop and deliver programs that drive extraordinary results domestically and internationally.
In almost every case, award-winning results come from rich strategic insights and planning. That’s true in markets like the US that have had active partnership sectors for decades, and in certain markets that are in their partnerships infancy. It provides ample proof that strategy and data-driven insights are the paths to growth everywhere.
What’s your take on the IPMAs as a vital aspect of driving the industry forward on a global scale?
SS: The IPMAs and their impartial judges help us all understand what matters most now, and will matter in the future. There is no richer market feedback than the perspective of people who are focused on results. It also points to how outstanding work is taking place in every region on earth, and that we can all learn and recognise the great results of companies in our own countries and beyond.