In iGaming, sustainable growth is never accidental. Strong performance, scalability and long-term partnerships are built on structured processes, strategic thinking and the ability to adapt quickly in an ever-changing market.
In the latest edition of N1 Faces, the N1 Partners team speaks with Dmitry Filippov, Affiliate Team Lead (SEO)—a specialist operating at the intersection of strategy, leadership and partner relations. Having evolved from hands-on traffic roles to managing a full affiliate direction, Dmitry is responsible not only for performance metrics, but also for building trust-based, long-term relationships with partners.
Dmitry Filippov
Affiliate Team Lead (SEO), N1 Partners
How did you get into affiliate marketing, and when did you realize this was the field you wanted to grow in?
I first discovered affiliate marketing while I was still at university. I joined as a junior buyer in the nutra vertical and, over time, created what felt like thousands of creatives for “miracle pills”—from potency and joints to blood vessels.
After graduating, I applied to nearly 400 jobs and eventually landed a PR role in the Forex vertical. Even during my probation period, though, I knew I wanted to develop the affiliate direction inside the company.
Affiliate marketing combines everything I truly enjoy: marketing, creativity, speed, people—and, of course, the freedom to travel.
What brought you to N1 Partners, and what was the deciding factor?
At the time, I was exploring new opportunities while working as Head of Affiliate at a gambling affiliate network. From the first conversations, N1 Partners felt like love at first sight.
What really stood out was the mindset and communication style of our Head of Affiliates, Alexa Bond. After those initial discussions, I knew this was the place I wanted to be—and I haven’t regretted the decision for a second.
I’m grateful for every team I’ve worked with, but this one is on a completely different level.
As a Team Lead, what’s harder: scaling performance or scaling the team?
In reality, they go hand in hand. As the team grows, performance grows with it.
What matters most to me is that people develop both vertically and horizontally—expanding their skills, responsibility and confidence. The market is full of strong talent, and new team members often bring fresh ideas and valuable experience.
Both challenges are demanding, but also exciting—especially with a strong product foundation. Our brand portfolio and GEO coverage continue to expand, which gives affiliate managers powerful tools to succeed.
How do you support the growth of managers within your team?
I pay close attention to soft skills, starting from the interview stage. Energy, initiative and the ability to absorb information quickly are critical in the early months.
The onboarding phase is especially important. Motivation and adaptation go hand in hand—without a solid foundation, strong results simply won’t follow. That’s why I invest heavily in structured onboarding and early-stage support.
How do you give tough feedback while maintaining motivation?
Objectivity is key.
I give tough feedback regularly, but always in a constructive and friendly way. In most cases, it acts as motivation rather than pressure.
Mistakes are part of the job—only people who do nothing never make them. What matters is how someone reacts and improves. A leader’s role is to guide without killing initiative or the desire to grow.
How do you stay balanced during high-pressure periods?
Travel and sports.
I played football for 10 years before an injury forced me to stop. Now I occasionally compete in amateur mixed martial arts and play padel in my free time.
As for travel—it’s an addiction. I plan my next trip while I’m still on the current one. Without something on the calendar, the world feels about 10% less bright.
If you weren’t in iGaming…
To be continued.
But realistically, I’d still be close to this world—either in a related industry or in marketing. I thrive in fast-paced environments where things evolve constantly and every month brings new challenges.
Top-3 Blitz
Which skills will increase the value of an affiliate manager the most in the coming years?
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Speaking multiple languages
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Using AI as a practical working tool
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Strong analytical and numbers-driven thinking
What should affiliates consider when choosing an affiliate program?
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Public communication and media presence
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Product quality and GEO performance
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The team behind the brand—strong people matter
Which trends will shape iGaming in 2026?
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AI as a powerful assistant, not a replacement
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Growing importance of smaller, flexible GEOs
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Continued market consolidation and holding structures
Join N1 Partners
Affiliates interested in launching new campaigns, testing offers or discussing tailored terms can reach out to Dmitry Filippov directly.
N1 Partners provides everything affiliates need to stay competitive: high-converting products, data-driven analytics with optimization insights, and hands-on support focused on long-term performance.
As a multi-brand affiliate platform and direct advertiser, N1 Partners unites 14+ casino and betting brands, operates across Tier-1 GEOs, delivers Reg2Dep rates of up to 70%, and offers competitive deals including CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45%. Trusted by 14,000+ partners, N1 Partners is known for transparency, flexibility and a partner-first approach—where strong communication remains the foundation of sustainable success.
