Your comments are insightful and very important, I have encountered first hand on occasions the disdain for the affiliate channel and lack of reverence for the affiliates relationship with a brand. It is difficult as an intermediary between the parties to keep a firm objective and positive relationship growth approach to the channel when higher ups show a lack of respect completely for affiliates in general, I can not work with companies like this nor will I.

The industry as a whole needs more positive reinforcing messages concerning the brand value, extension value, and traffic value that affiliates impart to a companies overall online portfolio. Affiliates can encourage mass reach and brand growth when the program is managed properly. As well affiliates offer an extension into niche markets that merchants otherwise not venture into. The positive aspects of having an affiliate program far out way the one or two stories that are propagated concerning the issues within the channel.

I am truly looking forward to your additional posts on Revenews!

There was a similar high-profile quote regarding affiliates in the UK market a few months ago. I think you are right about the bottom-feeder mentality many traditional ad agencies have of affiliates.

Of course there are some bottom-feeding affiliates. Likewise there are also bottom-feeding ad agencies in "traditional markets." You're right about more being needed to get our success stories to see the light of day.

Most of us are too busy working and growing to put on such a show. Maybe some creative people will see the opportunity to fill this void and scale a solution that serves our entire industry.