What a way to kick off PI LIVE and co-located Influencer Marketing Show! Today (Tuesday, October 22) saw over 2,500 attendees flock to London’s iconic Old Billingsgate for a day filled with insightful discussions, copious amounts of networking and panel sessions.
With seats full to the brim, hot topic conversations and celebratory compliments aplenty, we’ve rounded up some the best highlights of Day 1.
Affiliate marketing manifesto
Returning for the 13th year as headline sponsor, Awin’s content analyst Robert Davinson set out a new framework for the future of affiliate marketing on the Main Stage. He highlighted transparency, tracking, innovation and adaptability are just some of the key considerations which will encourage partners to trust network while ensuring the longevity and value of the affiliate channel.
Meanwhile, in the Kindred Theatre, influencer partnerships manager Carina Toledo joined Tagger at the Influencer Marketing Show as they discussed the boundaries needed to form when utilising data in our influencer marketing activity.
Acceleration Partners founder and CEO Robert Glazer brought the talent gap into the spotlight as he suggested us to find smart people and bringing them into the industry. Other advice he shared included: screen for values, test for aptitude, standardise the process and of course, operating remote working.
Transformational workplace culture
Day 1’s Keynote session by visionary speaker Ronan Harrington brought maximum attention has he engaged and delivered inspirational advice on the developmental perspective and how this can culturally and psychologically transform workplace culture.
Elsewhere, the Digital Disruptors final took place on the main stage as the next generation of talented digital marketers faced the dragons. Congrats to winners Chang3!
Throughout the day, PI LIVE sponsors Adtraction and Impact hosted various networking events, including the What Affiliate Marketing Issue Keeps You up at Night and Travel Networking Session. These saw experts gather to discuss the challenges they are facing, how they overcome common issues and share advice to help them move forward.
Measuring affiliate customer value
With two-thirds of the day done, the afternoon sessions delivered some key themes from the industry. CJ Affiliate’s Siobhan Williamson and Blair Birmingham discussed what customer value truly meant for the affiliate channel, sharing actionable tips to businesses to ensure clarity into the right value of each affiliate partner.
Then on the Dome Stage, Increasingly’s Sri Sharma panel session which saw startup founders Simon Bird (RevLifter), Emma Bowkett (Convertr Inc) and Mark Smith (Adhoc Media) share their knowledge and journey on how they began and grew to where they are today in the hub of innovation.
Lastly, Clare Gore and Dan Watt of The Groupon Reach Network closed the show with a reflective review of consumer behaviour and the voucher ecosystem. They showcased key stats into discount codes, how they’re used by consumers and how marketers should best analyse the channel’s influences and incorporate appropriate strategies to effectively target audiences.
At the end of the day, attendees gathered under the oversized outdoor yurt for the Mix & Mingle over beverages and food, which included competition and prizes to wrap up what was indeed a grand day.