In this episode of the Affiliate Manager in the spotlight, we’ve asked David Schweitzer, Affiliate Manager at EuroKingAffiliates(Gold Sponsor)
Name: David Schweitzer
Age: 37
Hometown: Montpellier
Living in: Montpellier
Favorite Food: Cuttlefish on the plancha
Must Read Book: Fifty shades of grey
EEG: Hi David, first of all, tell us and our readers a bit about yourself. How did your career start in the industry? What determined you to engage and become one of the Affiliate Managers of EuroKingAffiliates?
David: After my studies which go a little in every direction (chemistry high school – history-geography at the University) and not very serious, I did not know what I would do in the future. It was the babbling of gambling on the Internet (before 2000), this is where I started to create a site and then got gently embarked on affiliation. After years spent in this environment, I established many contacts, developed partnerships that have made me grow and know the different aspects of the industry. Then I learned that Euroking was looking for an affiliate manager and I applied again to discover another face of the environment.
EEG: EurokingAffiliates has certainly been in the industry for a while now, what do you think is the key aspect affiliates appreciate regarding your affiliate program?
David: I think the affiliates mostly enjoy that the program is constantly evolving with new offers (games, bonus and promotion), but also that the whole team pays attention to the expectations of the members and responds quickly. The key of success for this type of program is to have a constant exchange with the affiliates because it is them who have the best feedback on user experience of players, who have the information live on players’ expectations and demands of the market.
EEG: What is your personal opinion about fair gaming? Do you think there is room to improve the view of the gambling industry? I mean, is there a new generation prepared to do that? Both Affiliate Manager and Affiliates.
David: Game equity results on serious main program as game providers offer reliable products. Now brands need to prove that they offer a fair method of entertainment, on their website, directly to the players, but also via their programs. We have seen programs that were scams for both affiliates and players.
Today, this type of programs will disappear because they are no longer viable, players are becoming better informed by the work provided by affiliates on their websites. But this work on trust and fairness must also be done at our level (affiliate manager), to create a climate of trust and respect in the industry healthy. It is true that a new generation is presented with a different view of the market, and the feeling that it casts, shows us that this industry will evolve towards a healthier and respectful future. The affiliate managers, like me, who have been affiliates in the past, already have to offer a new vision and new ways of development : both on the affiliate relationship – program, on the future development which the market should be moving to.
EEG: EuroKingAffiliates is a one of our sponsor programs that we offer b2b services to, do you think that we are on the right path to correct the beliefs that were created by our main competitors?
David: As we talked before you offered me this interview. Earlier, the market was mainly held by some small closed groups (like mafia), as they are all good managers, saw a dim view of the arrival of new programs, a new way of working … In my view, it has harmed the industry, creating a healthy climate where some evil jeopardizes were only done in order to affect proper competitors.
Unfortunately this type of climate, some mix different information, or focus too much on loyalty of the people involved in the industry, creating confusion in the minds of some, or even in creating a confusion for the understanding of the information.
Luckily now, sites such as yours dare to talk and get to the front of the stage, to propose a development that will lead us towards a more healthy and respectful way of working for everyone in the industry.
I hope that this is something that others will start doing as well, and this can be done at any level in the industry.
EEG: There has been many rumors regarding the software you guys use for your casinos and some of the specialized portals have indicated and even blacklisted Skillonnnet casinos and affiliate programs that use the software. Do you see this as a problem to the industry? The attacking of industry brands by professionals that might have been indicated to perform such an act, maybe?
David: As I said before, the information is sometimes misinterpreted. This is not because in the past, affiliates and even players have had experienced issues with casinos using this software, as if all the casinos which use this program are shitty programs, or thieves … If the software was so bad, the reputation of the new casinos would not be seen today and the players do not play in these casinos either. And more, the software provider would never come to develop new partnership with us. If you need information on our program, you will see that we have always respected our word to offer a serious program. It is this kind of information that just harms a program, even the industry. Now take this literally, write responsibly and test before giving an opinion.
Now, it is also feared that such accusations are sometimes done by scrupulous professionals as well, such practices are known.
EEG: I always say, that there are two sides to every story and faults appear to be repaired and create a better environment. How do you think that this issue can be repaired?
David: I think the best way to solve this problem is to discuss it, but only between people who created it and had problems. Ex: the casinos for which these problems have been raised, shall exonerate the other brands using the same software publicly. Affiliates that are spitting at the program, to come test it. If each of them takes these responsibilities, there is room to may advance. And as they say: a fault confessed is half redressed.
EEG: EuroKingAffiliates is the affiliate program for EuroKing Casino and Paris Vegas Casino. What markets does the casino target, and what makes it stand out in the huge crowd of online casinos? It has certainly got style.
David: Both brands were launched primarily for the European market and, more precisely, the French market. Specifically ParisVegas which has a strong co-notation to the French market: “Paris” the capital of France, but also by the French design by the use of icons.
Our casinos appeal to European players because we provide offers and games adapted to the cultural characteristics of each country.
EEG: Since the Berlin Affiliate Conference is almost here, we would like to ask your opinion on these event, are you guys attending these conferences or are you going to be in Berlin?
David: Personally I would not for various reasons. But our team is involved in almost all the conferences because it is important for us to have direct contact with our affiliates. By working online, we work a lot in anonymity and it is always good to put a face to a person. But also these conferences are important to know the general climate of the industry, discover new products and new people. This industry is a pretty small world and I think, therefore, it is important to know the different actors of the industry more personally and to exchange all together to evolve.
EEG: Where do you think the industry will be in 3 years, and of course, where do you see EuroKingAffiliates in 3 years?
David: I hope it will not be to the point where she is now! I think right now we are at a turning point of the industry. Some youth and freshness is happening while some dinosaurs tend to disappear. So if this shift is negotiated, we should appear a more respectful and equitable industry, promoting a reliable and secure world of entertainment for players, the industry can play a role in the economy in fair way.
EEG: Tell us a bit about your team? As we know it’s quite huge and well positioned in the industry with some skilled and experienced affiliate managers.
David: Yes, we have a team who benefits a strong experience, with an average of over 10 years of experience in the casino industry. Some part of the first affiliate programs available and others with less experience but also offering a different vision of the business and other experiences. Allowing the team to have a more comprehensive view of the industry from different angles, allowing for different angles of reflections on brand development but also on future partnerships. This mix of experience is the strength of our team, we often exchange our experience so that each and every one can increase their knowledge.
EEG: Since Central and Eastern Europe offers a large pool of successful affiliates in the industry, do you think that this region is somehow overlooked by brands that are not applying for licenses in the demographic and are there many super-affiliates that you managed coming from this region?
David: I think these markets are still in their stammering and their geo-political history does not necessarily work in their favor. Speaking from the inside of it all, I can say that many of their eyes are now turning to these markets. But as in all countries, with the implementation of legislations for online gambling, the operators observe, await the first results of competitors who have entered the market to see how to act. Also we must remember that many European markets have opened up and were “priority” as deemed more cost effective but induced a large investment by the operator, which can be a little difficult to absorb the costs, to the detriment of the markets in Eastern Europe. But we are certain this this has strong potential and that it will not be ignored for long…
EEG: Who is your favorite celebrity and if you’d have to a pi k destination in Eastern Europe, where would you travel?
David: I will choose as a personality, François Damien, a Belgian humorist, the sketch and hidden camera, causing huge home laughters and love to the second degree humor a bit heavy, which often will bring out the true personality of people and it trapped me, forget about my computer for a while.
A trip to East Europe? I would like to visit several countries mainly for their culture, but now, I’ll tell you, one relaxing cruise with my wife on the Danube.
EEG: Where you wouldn’t want to travel?
David: To the South Pole, it’s too cold for me.
EEG: What is your opinion about EEG(eegaming.org)?
David: I love what you do and you do it with integrity. You finally proposed a useful tool for affiliates but also for the operators and I know that you offer and will offer many other services and development paths to that young platform with a promising future, I wish you all the success in the world.
