iGB Affiliate 72 Dec/Jan 2019 | Page 29

FEATURE TRIGGER HAPPY BATTLING WITH COMMISSION BASELINES In the world of high stakes business negotiations, Phil Blackwell reckons the deals struck between gambling affiliates and operators are more Del Boy than Dragon’s Den IN LIFE 90% OF NEGOTIATIONS broom, a baseline can alter and affect consist of two parties naming a price so many factors of a deal that its and racing towards the middle – no original state is recognisable only on Disturb’ (not that it makes a difference), questions asked, no discussion of the surface. put that exclusive revenue share offer terms and no chance to dig deeper into In terms of definition, a baseline is commission loopholes and restrictions. a threshold attached to a data metric require a specific wagered amount. So set your Skype to ‘Do Not on hold and join me as I explore the good and the bad of baselines. One of the most common tactics that affiliates must meet in order to employed by brands is the addition of earn commission. In this article, I’ll Dealing with mistrust a baseline. Perhaps it’s no coincidence be referring to the two most common At Lindar, I work primarily affiliate- that this is also sometimes referred types of baseline: those that require side with OnlineBingo.co.uk and to as a trigger as, just like Trigger’s a certain deposit value and those that Casino Top Ten, but as a business we also negotiate deals as an operator for “Operators asking for assurances from affiliates are just as guilty of compromising a relationship as affiliates that openly promise them” our white labels and MrQ. Baselines are a regular topic of office conversation, with the same arguments for and against their use asserted but never acknowledged. Underlying every affiliate-operator iGB Affiliate Issue 72 DEC 2018 / JAN 2019 25