Public outcry topples Colorado Advertising Tax

In a stunning victory for our industry, Colorado lawmakers today announced the removal of any mention of affiliates in a bill that once sought to establish nexus for affiliates in the state.

The Performance Marketing Alliance, the performance marketing watchdog group that is coordinating the offensive against such legislation nationwide, attributes this unexpected news to the large number of Colorado citizens who turned out en masse Thursday night to express their displeasure about HB 1193.

HB1193 is now solely focused on collecting use tax and no longer has anything do with affiliates.
This is not the amendment that has been under development, creating partial exemption for online affiliates.

For more information visit the Performance Marketing Alliance.

Good news for the affiliate marketing industry

We just got another indicator of the continued growth of affiliate marketing even in the face of a sputtering U.S. economy. ValueClick, Inc., which owns the Commission Junction affiliate marketing platform, has just reported that for the fourth quarter of 2009, the company’s display, affiliate marketing and technology businesses performed above the Company’s expectations with sequential revenue growth from the third quarter of 2009 of 30 percent, 20 percent, and 13 percent, respectively.

We take that as a sign that jibes with what we’re seeing industry-wide – confirmation that online sales continue to grow month over month, quarter over quarter, year over year even as brick and mortar sales continue to suffer.

PartnerCentric is a preferred agency that has worked with CJ since our company’s founding in 2004. At present 19 of the affiliate programs that we manage are part of the CJ network.

For more information about our top-performing affiliate programs, visit our Affiliate Resource Center.

Riolo debuts Impact Radius on Affiliate Marketing Insider

Lisa Riolo joins host Linda Woods for another edition of the Affiliate Marketing Insider podcast to discuss her newest project, Impact Radius, which just launched last month.

Impact Radius (www.impactradius.com) is a multi-channel performance advertising platform that is the first to connect advertisers and media partners directly for the delivery of performance campaigns across TV, radio, print and online media channels from a single platform. Combining an open, centralized directory with tools and technology, the Impact Radius Platform features online negotiating capabilities, multi-channel distribution of ad creative, and a highly flexible financial accounting system that delivers a new way for media partners and advertisers to discover and develop profitable performance advertising relationships.

Riolo developed Impact Radius along with Wade Crang, Todd Crawford and Roger Kjensrud and Per Pettersen of Estalea as a way to drive exponential growth for the entire performance advertising industry.

“As a group, we remain as passionate about performance advertising as we were when we first got into the business more than a decade ago. We think it’s time for the next ‘BIG’ thing in performance advertising,” Riolo said. “Performance advertising continues to gain momentum, but growth has been limited by out-of-date technology and business practices. With Impact Radius, we give media partners and advertisers direct access to the tools and technology that facilitate profitable relationships.”

The new multi-channel performance advertising platform centers around an open, centralized directory that lists the advertisers, media partners and agencies that are actively engaged in performance advertising, plus offers advanced tools and technology built specifically with advertisers and media partners in mind.

Now launched in public BETA, Impact Radius is open to agencies and businesses that provide technology solutions or services to media partners and advertisers.

Every week PartnerCentric President and CEO Linda Woods invites leaders and innovators in affiliate and Internet marketing to join her for a lively discussion about trends and technologies on her podcast, Affiliate Marketing Insider, which is broadcast at noon Pacific (3 p.m. Eastern) each Thursday on WebmasterRadio.fm. The podcast is now in its third year on the air, and previous podcasts are available in the online archive at http://www2.webmasterradio.fm/affiliate-marketing-insider.

Silhouettes Spring Trend Watch

Winter is almost over and Spring is just around the corner. Soon the grass will start to turn green again and flowers will start to bloom. It’s almost time to put away your coat and gloves and break out your capris and sandals. Silhouettes has got you covered with the latest Spring Trends:

Trend Watch: Safari Chic

Shimmer Cardigan $59.00

Ombré Kimono Blouse $49.00

Linen-Blend Safari Shirt $39.00 – $44.00

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Trend Watch: The Maxi Dress

Floral Maxi Dress $69.00

Crinkle Cotton Print Maxi Dress $59.00

Tie-Dye Maxi Dress $59.00

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More Trends

• Victorian Romance  Get HTML
• Bohemian Layers  Get HTML
• Casual Cotton Knits  Get HTML
• Relaxed Chambray  Get HTML

N-fini Shape hires PartnerCentric to manage Affiliate Marketing, Social Media Channels

PartnerCentric announced today that N-fini™ Shape has hired the company, a full-service Internet marketing agency, to manage its affiliate and social media marketing channels in order to increase awareness and attract new customers for the N-fini Shape line of women’s shapewear, body shapers, sports bras and playwear.

Everyone is buzzing about N-fini Shape, which has earned rave reviews in such media outlets as Casual Living, Women’s Wear Daily (known in the industry as WWD), Splendicity.com, The Capital Fashionista blog and The Lingerie Post. The company’s new affiliate program will enable web site publishers to promote the N-fini Shape line to customers and earn commissions for sales.

“We’re excited to be able to introduce the N-fini Shape body shaping line to a wide audience,” said Stephanie Lewis, Director of Client Services for PartnerCentric. “N-fini Shape has everything affiliates are looking for – in-demand products that you can’t get anywhere else – of exacting quality and with an excellent pedigree.”

After coming across line after line of shapewear and body shapers that didn’t fit the wearer’s needs, N-fini™ creator and 20-year industry veteran Martha Istefanidis decided to launch her own line that the average woman could wear all day, one that tones the body without sacrificing comfort.

As Martha explains: “I want the wearer of N-fini to be able to wear any of our styles all day, and be so comfortable that she doesn’t want to rush home and take it off when she walks in the front door.”

Following two years of product development, design and testing, N-fini™ debuted in August 2007 to rave reviews in the fashion and apparel industry, becoming an instant success. Clearly this is NOT your grandmother’s girdle!

“N-fini Shape is going to be very attractive to affiliates because it meets the needs of such a large segment of the population – namely women who are looking for shapewear solutions for virtually every part of the body – from the utmost lift, shape, support and comfort,” Lewis said. “We look forward to bringing this amazing brand and its large line of products to the affiliate space.”

PartnerCentric will also manage the N-fini Shape brand presence on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in order to open new avenues of communication and interaction between the brand and its customers.

N-fini Shape manufactures all of its products in-house at the brand’s Tampa Bay, Florida plant. The high-end shapewear brand offers a wide range of flattering styles, ranging from strapless, tank, thong, scoop neck, and cami styles to shaper bras, bustiers, torso trimmers and long-sleeve tops. For the lower half of the body, thigh shorts, capris and leggings come available in both regular and high-waisted styles.

Innovative features such as Non-Invasive Micro-Fiber Elastic Trim, Breathable Upper-Arm Plush Adjustable Straps, Upper-Arm Trim Shapers and All Day Comfort Wear can be found throughout the collection. Made with LYCRA®, freshFX® fabric and LYCRA® fiber, each style comes available in S/M, M/L, L/2XL, 2X/3X, and 3X/4X to fit every body type, in black and nude to be worn unnoticed under any garment. All shapewear products have been tested and certified by Invista. LYCRA® freshFX® fabric and LYCRA® fiber are trademarks of Invista.

About N-fini Shape
N-fini™ Shape Creator and Owner Martha Istefanidis is a garment business veteran with more than 20 years in the business. After receiving a Business Management education from the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University and a Fashion Design degree from the Arturo Tejada Cano School of Design, both located in Bogotá, Martha attended the International Academy of Merchandising and Design in Tampa, Florida, receiving yet another Fashion Design degree as well as a scholarship award for graduating first in her class. After honing her skills at various internships and assistant positions at prestigious design houses, Martha founded MGI Graphics, Inc. in 1995. The vertical apparel manufacturing company located in Largo, Florida, with an impressive in-house design team who have previously designed and developed lines for various major designer brands.

In 2001 Martha added Santoni (seamless) technology to the mix, making MGI Graphics a leading manufacturer in the seamless business, and the N-fini™ brand was born. Its first line, N-fini™ Playwear, launched in 2001, consisting of seamless, colorful mesh cover-ups that many customers purchased and wore as lingerie. It only seemed natural to continue in this direction, and in August 2007 N-fini™ Shape arrived on the marketplace, becoming an overnight success and already rivaling top shapewear competitors. Realizing there was a need in the marketplace for truly functional undergarments, Martha made it her mission to identify the customer’s needs and wants in her approach to the design and creation of N-fini™ Shape, spending two years developing and testing the line on women of different ages, shapes, and lifestyles. For more information, visit http://www.n-fini.com.

Affiliate tax one step closer to reality in CO

The Colorado House Finance Committee has passed language for an affiliate tax as part of HB 1193 by a 6-5 vote and with only a slight amendment, mostly in reference to appropriation. The bill isn’t law yet but if ratified could be in effect as soon as March 1, 2010.

The Performance Marketing Association is leading our industry’s fight against such legislation in Colorado and other states. It’s not too late to get involved and turn this around. For more information, visit the Performance Marketing Association online.

Multi-Channel Marketing drives success in 2010

By 2012, 50% of customers will be using multiple channels – including retail stores, land line and mobile phones, catalogs and websites – for shopping and buying. Businesses that effectively manage multi-channel marketing marketing will gain customers who are 25 to 25% more profitable than single-channel customers. Learn more from our White Paper, Managing Multi-Channel Marketing to Increase Customer Acquisition.

Overstock threatens to drop Colorado-based affiliates

As it has done in the past, Overstock.com is threatening to terminate all Colorado-based affiliates in an attempt to stall advertising tax legislation now being considered in the state of Colorado.

Colorado state bill HB 1193, introduced on January 22nd, 2010, would establish responsibility for collection of sales tax for out‐of‐state retailers if those out‐of‐state retailers use Colorado‐based affiliate relationships as a method of advertising. The bill is set to be heard by the Colorado House Appropriations Committee this morning.

Overstock’s tactic has inspired others to act similarly in the past, and some affiliates have actually
been dropped only to be brought back later. This seemed to work in California when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed that state’s version of the bill. In fact, the Governator even mentioned Overstock when explaining his mindset prior to the veto.

To find out more about what’s happening in Colorado, visit the Performance Marketing Association.

What follows is Overstock’s letter, issued yesterday:

January 25, 2010

Dear Affiliate:

Overstock.com values your advertising efforts on our behalf, and we hope to be in a position to continue our business connection for years to come. However, we are writing to inform you the Colorado state
legislature has introduced a bill which puts our continued relationship in jeopardy. HB 1193 (Concerning the Collection of Sales and Use Taxes on Sales Made by Out‐of‐State Retailers) was introduced on January 22, 2010. We are told the bill is moving quickly. This bill is modeled on a bill first passed in New York. The legislation attempts to establish responsibility for collection of sales tax for out‐of‐state retailers if those out‐of‐state retailers use Colorado‐based affiliate advertisers. We believe such bills are not only harmful to business, but unconstitutional and contrary decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court.

More importantly, if HB 1193 passes, Overstock.com will have to sever relationships with Colorado Affiliates before the bill becomes law. We have done this in each state where such legislation has passed: New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island.However, in at least 3 states last year, the voices of local affiliate advertisers were heard. They pointed out that such legislation was unconstitutional, would be bad for local business and would not increase state revenues. Those bills were either not passed or vetoed by informed governors.

You may want to make your voice heard on the matter. Currently, we have information that the bill is on the agenda of the House Appropriations Committee for hearing Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at
8:30AM. It is uncertain if the Committee will hear public comment at the meeting, but they may, and you may want to attend the hearing. If you cannot, but would like to voice your opinion, you may do so by contacting the bill’s sponsor Rep. Jack Pommer (jack.pommer.house@state.co.us; (303) 866‐2780) or your local legislator.

Again, Overstock.com values your work, and we are confident that, like other states recently examining and rejecting this legislation, Colorado will also see that this bill is bad for business and bad for Colorado.

Respectfully,

Jonathan E. Johnson III
President
Overstock.com, Inc.

Update yourself on the affiliate tax situation

When was the last time you read about the affiliate tax debate? If it’s been a while, you owe it to your business – and the affiliate marketing industry – to catch up on the latest news. We’re referring all questions about the affiliate tax to the Performance Marketing Association, which is leading our industry’s response to this legislation as it develops state-by-state.

Seven states are currently considering affiliate tax legislation, including:
* Alabama
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Hawaii
* Maryland
* Minnesota
* Tennessee

For more information, or to get involved in the fight to stop such legislation, visit the Performance Marketing Association website.

eBay wins Exceptional Merchant Pinnacle Award

The eBay Partner Network was awarded the Affiliate Summit Pinnacle Award in the Exceptional Merchant category on Jan. 19 at Affiliate Summit West 2010, which took place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The Affiliate Summit Pinnacle Awards are affiliate marketing’s most prestigious, competitive honor for the leaders in the space. Award winners are recognized because they are innovative leaders with vision and influence. Also nominated in the category were Amazon.com and BowlingShirt.com.