Having established a strategic partnership two years ago, Awin has announced it has acquired an equity stake in affiliate network Commission Factory to further cement its presence in both Australia and the Asia Pacific (APAC).

Since working together in 2017, the relationship between the two companies has grown significantly. September 2018 saw both Awin and Commission Factory align operations in Sydney’s business district, with staff in Australia and APAC moving into a more central reporting structure to better facilitate business relationships across the region.

Furthermore to the announcement, Commission Factory has launched its operations in Singapore and hired three staff in Kuala Lumpur as part of the firm’s continued drive into South East Asia. It is known that an APAC commercial director will be appointed in due course to support the expansion.

Favourable economic conditions

The acquisition and expansion plans couldn’t come at a better time as South East Asia has been ranked as one of the world’s largest economies in 2020, according to the World Economic Forum.

Additionally, affiliate marketing has become an integral part of marketing activities in Australia with over 70% of the top 100 retailers now operating an affiliate programme (Power Retail) and seeing up to 20% of new customers coming from the channel (IAB Australia).

“After closely collaborating over the past two years to build a successful and mutually beneficial partnership with Commission Factory, it gives us great pleasure to welcome the team to the Awin family. The addition of Australia’s largest affiliate network provides the ideal foundations to continue growing our footprint in Australia and APAC, increasing the opportunities available in these regions for our advertisers, publishers and technology partners,” said Mark Walters, CEO of Awin.

“The time our companies have spent together over the last two years has exhibited such great synergy and cooperation between our brands and our teams, that this next step to formalise that relationship is an exciting one. To be part of something bigger and join the global stage is a goal that the founders of Commission Factory always aspired to and to be welcomed into the Awin family is a massive step forward, not only for the company and our team but for an industry that we love,” commented Zane McIntyre, CEO of Commission Factory.