Affiliate Leaders Awards 2025

Affiliate & Digital Marketing Campaign of the Year

Affiliate Account/Community Manager of the Year

Anna Arakelyan, Websa Ltd

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Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Anna Arakelyan has redefined what it means to be an exceptional Affiliate Account Manager. As Head of Account Management at Websa Ltd., she has led with strategy, consistency, and vision — onboarding 79 new operators in under a year, renegotiating over 50% of existing deals, and delivering 12 new partnerships for a new market in just one week. Anna introduced game-changing tools and structures — from Voonix integration and affiliate link tracking systems to transparent workflows and templated reporting processes. Her work has streamlined operations, enhanced data visibility, and empowered her team to scale partnerships with precision. A true relationship-builder, Anna fosters long-term collaboration through trust, responsiveness, and proactive communication. Her approach combines agility with accountability, making her a go-to partner for operators and a cornerstone within Websa. Beyond operations, Anna mentors her team with structure and care, running internal training, one-on-ones, and knowledge-sharing. She is a culture driver who inspires confidence and growth. Externally, she represents Websa with pride — as a returning SBC Awards judge, an industry speaker, and a public advocate of affiliate excellence. From strategic innovation to hands-on problem-solving, Anna consistently delivers value, clarity, and results. Her leadership elevates everyone around her — and she is more than deserving of the title Affiliate Account/Community Manager of the Year.

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Chris Humphries, FTD Digital

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ftddigital.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Chris Humphries is our Commercial Manager at FTD Digital, helping to drive up our revenues while forging new and ever closer relationships with our partners. A fixture at every major industry conference (as well as on MS teams and Telegram all hours of the day), Chris has revolutionised our internal commercial processes as well as our partner relations. In his own words: "We have adopted quite an intense process of communication with our partners, which they are also benefiting from, with constructive feedback and suggestions from ourselves to further enhance the brand/offer. We have become agile in assessing the brands' performance and we also take great care to ensure that both parties benefit from the deal and it isn’t one sided in either direction. We have never worked more intensely and closely with partners." Here are just some examples of the incredible partnerships he's fostered: - Exclusive relationship with BingoPlus - we're the only UK SEO affiliate to list the most exciting bingo launch in years. Chris organised for us to visit their office in Hull to seal the deal. - Lottogo £5 Campaign (see Affiliate Campaign of the Year) - Winlandia: Formed a personal relationship with co-founder Christoffer Grönlund , we helped launch the brand in the UK with an exclusive welcome offer and supporting content. - Slots Temple - Chris made sure we were one of the first affiliates to carry Slot Temple's unique new platform. - Maxi - Exclusive affiliate launch of Panda Bingo. - BetWright launch

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Danielle Burrows, Catena Media

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www.catenamedia.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Danielle Burrows exemplifies what it means to be a trusted partner, strategic leader, and brand ambassador. In her current role as General Manager at Catena Media, Danielle has been instrumental in overseeing key operator relationships and delivering exceptional value, and launching and scaling a new sub-affiliation business. Specifically, Danielle has driven meaningful expansion of our sub-affiliation program by securing high-value operators, optimizing existing deals, and increasing revenue through strategic account management. She also continues to manage our highly valued partnership with BetMGM – one of the most high-profile relationships in our network with precision and professionalism, demonstrating an unmatched responsiveness and commitment to our partners. Known for hands-on support, Danielle excels in problem-solving and navigating complex challenges with a calm, solutions-first approach. Her deep product knowledge and regulatory fluency make her a go-to advisor for partners and team members alike. She’s also a frequent presence at industry events, not just representing Catena Media with trust and credibility, but also actively contributing to industry conversations and knowledge exchange. Internally, the Catena Media Team knows Danielle as a mentor – supporting junior team members by sharing information and leading by example. Her collaborative spirit, consistency, and strategic foresight have made her a trusted voice and a critical link in the affiliate ecosystem. In short, Danielle doesn’t just represent Catena Media, she’s the embodiment of our core values. With unmatched innovation, dedication, and relationship-building expertise, she is not only a deserving nominee but a model for excellence in Affiliate Account Management.

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Gary Connolly, GDC Media Limited

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gambling.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

As Senior Key Account Manager at Gambling.com, I pride myself on building and nurturing strong, trust-based relationships with our operator partners, with a particular focus on the highly competitive UK market. Over the past year, I have successfully onboarded all major new brands, ensuring a seamless and efficient integration process that lays a solid foundation for long-term collaboration and growth. I’ve had the privilege of guiding several brands from their initial onboarding stage to becoming tier 1 partners, reflecting the strength and strategic value of these relationships. Notably, this includes some of the UK’s most promising new brands such as BetMGM, Pub Casino, Mr Vegas, Mega Riches, and Neptune Play. Alongside these emerging partners, I continue to maintain and deepen partnerships with well-established operators including Entain, Buffalo, and Mr Q, ensuring ongoing engagement and mutual success. The Gambling.com Group’s recent record revenue growth, fueled by strategic acquisitions and market expansion, underscores the impact of effective partnership management. My role in optimizing deal structures, negotiating commission terms, and providing proactive, solutions-focused support has been instrumental in driving commercial performance and partner satisfaction. Additionally, my strong industry knowledge and regulatory insight empower partners to confidently navigate market complexities. I actively contribute to community engagement initiatives, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the affiliate network. Through clear communication, integrity, and a relentless focus on delivering results, I have helped elevate Gambling.com’s reputation as a trusted, professional leader—making me a deserving candidate for Affiliate Account / Community Manager of the Year.

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Katrin Petersen, MegaList Affiliates

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megaaffiliateslist.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

In industry, which is so fast developing and constantly changing, it's crucial to stay on top of everything when it comes to affiliation and what's new on the market. Katrin Peterson has been a great example of what an affiliate marketer should be! She started working in the industry in 2019 as an affiliate manager and just for 6 years she managed to become one of the most recognizable people in the industry. Having a lot of expertise in the industry, she is now leading a project, which just for 3 months showing promising results, that could lead to major success. Another thing I want to flag is her ability to pick people who can join the team and instantly become a part of it. She is a lady, that knows how to lead and execute tasks simultaneously.

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Laisvė Mikonė, Media Troopers

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www.media-troopers.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Laisvė Mikonė joined Media Troopers in 2020 and has since played a key role in the establishment and leadership of the company’s rapid expansion across the US-regulated sports betting and iGaming markets. Prior to that, she served for nearly 5 years as a sales team leader in iBus Media, a large iGaming and Poker affiliate. Laisvė has become known for her integrity, leadership, and ability to motivate teams and drive measurable, performance-driven results. As an Affiliate Account Manager and team leader at Media Troopers, she’s been instrumental in helping operators break into and grow within the highly regulated U.S. iGaming and sports betting markets. Over the past year alone (June 2024 to May 2025), Laisvė has onboarded more than 10 new operator partners, each with tailored strategies that set them up for long-term success. Her hands-on approach and deep market knowledge contributed to a 20% increase in revenue from her portfolio. She’s helped partners optimize their campaigns, restructure deals, and, in one case, double first-time depositors in just 8 weeks. Her impact goes beyond numbers, Laisvė is a trusted leader within her team, mentoring junior staff and improving internal processes that now support stronger partner relationships. She’s also a true ambassador for Media Troopers, representing the brand at industry events, championing responsible affiliate practices, and always putting long-term relationships first. Laisvė doesn’t just manage accounts, she builds partnerships, solves problems, and drives growth. Her results, leadership, and professionalism make her a deserving choice for Affiliate Manager of the Year.

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Nataliia Lavruk, MelBet Partners & Affiliates

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melbetpartners.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

In 2025, my team and I brought in around 400 new partners to the MelBet affiliate program. The onboarding process is fast, structured, and personalized - from setting up tracking and postbacks to launching campaigns within hours. The goal is maximum speed without compromising the quality of interaction. One of the most successful partnerships was with a new affiliate running worldwide traffic. In just one year, they generated over 17,000 FTDs with a 95% ROMI using a RevShare + Fixed model. We worked closely, analyzing weekly results, adapting offers, and providing constant support. Long-term relationships are built on honesty, consistency, and attention to detail. We always pay commissions on time, never shave accounts, fulfill our promises, and help partners scale. We offer bonuses, gifts, contests, and regular in-person meetings at industry conferences. I take initiative when I see potential. One case involved a partner with high-quality mobile traffic from Mexico, but we had no suitable iOS app. I initiated the development of a custom app with the product team. The result: +15% to conversion, +20% to traffic from that GEO, and stronger partner retention. Among my initiatives: a centralized payout rate sheet by GEO and traffic source, a partner hub with creatives and terms, and an internal traffic evaluation system based on retention, ARPU, churn rate, and ROMI. I’m active in the affiliate community - as a speaker at Asean 2023, SBC Barcelona, SiGMA Malta, AffPapa Malaga; and featured in Sigma Brazil, iGB, Focus Gaming News, G&M News. I also

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Ricardo Terrinha, Alts Digital

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altsdigital.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

I nominate Ricardo Terrinha for “Affiliation Manager of the Year” because of his exceptional ability to combine strategic thinking, technical knowledge, and outstanding communication. At ALTs Digital, Ricardo has successfully onboarded over 70 partners across LATAM and Europe, spanning more than 10 traffic sources, with a 100% retention rate. This speaks volumes about his commitment to long-term value and partnership success. Ricardo is a standout communicator who bridges the gap between commercial, SEO, and technical teams, while effectively managing external partners across time zones and cultures. He adapts his style to fit the situation. He is analytical and data-driven when needed, but always clear, empathetic, and solution-focused. Internally, he ensures alignment across departments and balances client needs with team capabilities. With a strong background in marketing and data analytics, Ricardo brings clarity to complex affiliate programs. He stays ahead of compliance developments, especially in regulated LATAM markets, and uses this knowledge to guide partners with confidence. His deep product understanding allows him to set realistic expectations, building mutual trust and enabling informed decision-making. Ricardo’s impact also includes mentoring junior account managers, streamlining onboarding processes, and improving tracking and CRM systems. His leadership has contributed to significant commercial growth and stronger internal collaboration. As a public representative of ALTs Digital, Ricardo regularly speaks at major events and participates in industry panels. This strengthens the company’s presence and credibility. His professionalism, insight, and dedication make him an outstanding candidate for this award.

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Affiliate Campaign of the Year

Affiliate Content Manager of the Year

FTD Digital, Sue Dawson

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ftddigital.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Sue Dawson is much more than an Affiliate Content Manager... literally. She's now Operations Director at FTD Digital because of her wealth of experience and huge impact in driving the business forward. Sue is one of the most knowledgeable and respected figures in our industry. She is FTD Digital's greatest ambassador. However, the real reason why Sue should win this award is because as Content Manager and Head of BestNewBingoSites.co.uk, she has managed to orchestrate a remarkable comeback for FTD's flagship SEO Affiliate site, or BNBS for short. There were times where it seemed like BNBS was down and out. In June 2024, the first month of the judging period, the site was at a low ebb, generating barely three digit monthly FTDs. Fast forward to May 2025, Best New Bingo Sites' monthly FTD numbers were up an astonishing 600%, and revenue was up 200%. For the first time since 2023, BNBS was our top site, overtaking WDW Bingo. Sue methodically achieved this growth by: - Implementing a new content strategy: Evaluating a new pool of external writers and commissioning quality content including reviews, bingo card generator content and long form content - Editing and fact checking to make sure it aligned - Researching and writing bingo related content - Planning future content - Managing the content calendar for the highly successful bingo card generator tool - Revitalising our link building strategy by liaising with digital PR agencies to create link-worthy content - Plus just keeping BNBS high quality!

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Game Lounge, Christoffer Söderlund

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sveacasino.se

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Christoffer Söderlund has turned SveaCasino’s Swedish content into a genuine growth engine between June 2024 and May 2025. His first move was to craft a refreshed tone of voice, confident yet friendly, that now threads through every article, review and email. The impact shows best in our monthly newsletters, the toughest channel to win. Using personalised openings, clear value statements and punchy calls-to-action, Christoffer lifted average open rates to 33 %-36 % and pushed CTR to a peak of 5.09 % in May 2025, well above igaming benchmarks. He backs creativity with data. Each send is A/B-tested for subject lines and layout; insights feed directly into on-site copy, review pages and social posts, creating a feedback loop that keeps traffic rising and churn low. Collaboration is central: Christoffer partners daily with SEO, design and CRM to ensure every piece is mobile-first, keyword-optimised and responsibly framed for the Swedish audience. His strategy scales across channels. The same brand language now drives blog guides, operator landing pages and co-branded promos, giving Game Lounge a consistent, trusted voice in its core market. By setting reusable templates and workflow rules, he has cut production time while raising quality, freeing the team to test new formats like interactive odds calculators and short-form video. In short, Christoffer combines storytelling flair with performance discipline. He knows what engages Swedish players, what converts, and what earns their long-term trust. That blend of creativity and results makes him the standout Affiliate Content Manager of the Year.

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Game Lounge, Kayleigh Cassar

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gamelounge.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Kayleigh Cassar has driven CanadaCasino’s transformation into Canada’s leading iGaming destination through a data-led content strategy tightly aligned with both SEO and commercial objectives. Under her leadership, the site’s visibility more than doubled year-over-year (Impressions ↑109%, Clicks ↑130%), while the homepage saw a 711% surge in impressions and 1,133% boost in clicks. The Rewards page similarly exploded, delivering a 579% lift in both impressions and clicks. Kayleigh has been the strategic linchpin—setting editorial direction, defining KPIs and continually optimizing based on user behavior, market shifts and localization best practices unique to the Canadian market. She established robust processes for a globally distributed team of writers and freelancers across Canada, Costa Rica, Malta, South Africa and the EU, ensuring every piece of content was culturally resonant, on-brand and performance-driven. Her leadership was instrumental in positioning CanadaCasino—and now Game Lounge—as the dominant Canadian gaming authority. By marrying engaging, localized content with rigorous SEO discipline, Kayleigh has not only met but far exceeded growth targets, delivered sustained commercial impact, and set a new benchmark for excellence in affiliate content management.

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Hub Affiliations, Anna Maria Baccaro

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hubaffiliations.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Anna Maria Baccaro has redefined affiliate content by seamlessly blending editorial strategy, innovation, and celebrity storytelling to amplify Hub Affiliations’ brand voice and performance across all channels. As Head of Content Innovation, she led a high-impact content strategy rooted in SEO excellence, user-intent alignment, and multimedia execution across sportsbook, casino, and lifestyle verticals. Her work drove organic visibility, reduced bounce rates, and improved FTD conversion by up to 29%. Her most celebrated achievement was creating original celebrity interview formats, producing end-to-end branded content with Italian football icons including Francesco Totti and Fabio Capello.These campaigns generated millions of impressions, viral traction, and co-branded activation with tier-one operators. Beyond content, Anna Maria has become the public face of Hub Affiliations and a recognised voice in the industry hosting the EGR Italy Awards, moderating at the Social Football Summit, and leading on-stage interviews with key figures in the gaming and sports worlds. She also implemented AI-powered content ideation, dynamic CMS workflows, and real-time content performance dashboards. Working across SEO, design, and editorial teams, she ensured unified tone, compliance, and responsible gaming messaging. Her cross-channel mastery spanning blogs, landing pages, social, newsletters, and video transformed Hub Affiliations from a content provider into a storytelling brand that users trust and operators request by name. Anna Maria doesn’t just write content she crafts relevance, builds loyalty, and drives measurable impact. She sets the standard for what affiliate content leadership looks like

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Legend - Covers.com, Brandon DuBreuil

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covers.com

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Brandon DuBreuil is the Head of Content for Legend’s sports properties, which include Covers.com, the top-ranked sports betting affiliate in North America by traffic (according to SimilarWeb). Under his leadership, Covers has also consistently topped the PartnerMatrix Intelligence charts for sports affiliates in the region. Brandon leads a high-performing content team that publishes everything from expert picks to evergreen betting guides, real-time editorial, and, of course, industry-leading partner reviews and top lists. His strategy blends SEO know-how, strong storytelling, and a deep understanding of what bettors are actually looking for — all designed to boost engagement and drive conversions. Brandon’s not just focused on content volume or rankings (though he crushes those too); he’s all about quality, impact, and building long-term trust with users and partners. He works closely with operators on co-branded content, constantly tests and optimizes for performance, and leads with clarity and collaboration. In short, Brandon knows what works, what converts, and what resonates. He’s helped make Covers a market leader by raising the bar for affiliate content.

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Media 24, Irina Laivina

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media24.world

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We are excited to nominate Irina Laivina, Media 24's Head of Content, for Affiliate Content Manager of the Year. Through her work, Irina has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic vision in creating, improving, and delivering the content strategy for our company. Irina expertly manages a team of over 15 content managers. She has been a mastermind behind an editorial strategy centered on providing real value to our users. She truly believes content should be educating and entertaining, rather than just promoting the brands. She deeply understands SEO and how quality content drives meaningful business results. That’s why she has set up a strong synergy between the content and SEO teams in our company. This allowed us to turn data and hypotheses into valuable and engaging content, leading to a 30% organic traffic growth across our websites. Irina is a pioneer in content management optimization through AI implementation. As an example, she saw that our team spent hours every day taking screenshots of operator platforms for reviews. It was a pain. So, she led the creation of an AI algorithm to do it automatically. Now, it takes just minutes, saving our team weeks of work each year. Irina's way of leading, along with her ability to build a strong and trusted brand voice for our affiliate products, makes her a standout choice.

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Slotsjudge, Nikita Lukanenoks

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slotsjudge.com

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Nikita Lukanenoks has been a driving force behind Slotsjudge’s content strategy, demonstrating exceptional creativity, strategic insight, and outstanding execution. Under Nikita’s leadership, Slotsjudge’s content has grown significantly, consistently aligning with business goals and targeting key casino verticals. His strategy is laser-focused on delivering high-quality, SEO-optimized content that speaks directly to user intent, resulting in a substantial increase in organic traffic and top-tier rankings. Nikita has been instrumental in creating and executing creative campaigns that elevate the brand's voice. Notable achievements include innovative interactive tools and long-form guides that engage users and build trust. These efforts have not only driven engagement but also increased conversion rates by effectively addressing user needs and promoting responsible gaming practices. Through strong collaboration with operator partners, Nikita has co-created compelling content that aligns with acquisition strategies, supports promotions, and enhances the overall user experience. His focus on user experience has been crucial, ensuring consistency in tone, mobile-first formatting, and clear messaging across platforms. Innovating content formats, Nikita introduced video content and other efficiencies to scale and improve output. His cross-channel management has ensured consistency across blogs, reviews, social media, and newsletters, making Slotsjudge’s content cohesive and impactful. Nikita's data-driven approach to content optimization, utilizing metrics like CTR and conversion rates, has continuously improved content performance, cementing his role as an integral leader at Slotsjudge. His strategic thinking, creativity, and leadership make him a deserving candidate for Affiliate Content Manager of the Year.

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Websa Ltd, Nayden Panayotov

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websa.bg

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Nayden Panayotov has been a driving force behind the content success in Websa Ltd., consistently delivering performance-optimised and creatively executed content for our casino and sportsbook clients. He has led the development of a scalable content strategy tightly aligned with business goals and user intent. Under his leadership, organic traffic kept its yearly growth, despite the Google updates in recent years. Nayden also introduced long-form, data-driven guides and thematic campaigns that significantly improved user engagement and dwell time. His commitment to innovation sets Nayden apart. He has implemented AI tools for content research and optimised CMS workflows for faster output without sacrificing quality. He has championed multimedia formats and mobile-first design, enhancing UX and tone consistency across platforms. Nayden is also a strong collaborator. He’s worked closely with operator partners like Pin Up Global to deliver co-branded content and align promotional messaging for acquisition campaigns. Internally, he leads a cross-functional team of writers, SEO specialists, and account managers, bringing cohesion, creativity, and data-backed decision-making to every project. His content strategies are regularly informed by metrics such as bounce rate, conversion, and CTR, often validated through A/B testing. Most importantly, Nayden has helped elevate our brand voice into one that is authoritative, user-centric, and trusted in a competitive space. His work doesn’t just meet KPIs — it moves Websa Ltd forward. Nayden Panayotov exemplifies what it means to be a modern content leader, and I'm proud to nominate him.

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Websa Ltd., Kristiyan Kyulyunkov

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websa.bg

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Kristiyan Kyulyunkov plays a key role as Project Manager at Nostrabet.com, while also being deeply involved in all content planning initiatives. He fully deserves to be nominated in this category thanks to his strategic vision for the platform’s growth, particularly in the area of content development. Over the past year, Kristiyan created a comprehensive plan to enrich Nostrabet’s content across all language versions. Since the start of 2025, a monthly plan has been in place for editing and updating brand reviews, with a focus on improving quality and relevance. This strategy also includes updates to content that has lost visibility in Google Search Console, along with the identification of new keyword opportunities. These efforts span multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese (for Brazil), Bulgarian, German, and others. Thanks to Kristiyan’s direction, Nostrabet reached new milestones in organic traffic, according to Ahrefs data. A significant portion of this success came from strong rankings in South Africa, leading to an interview with iGB Affiliate, where Kristiyan shared insights on iGaming growth across Africa (link in the attached file). One of Kristiyan’s standout strategies this past year was introducing in-depth football match previews, written not only in Bulgarian but also by local writers in Spain and Brazil. Shared in team-specific Facebook groups and indexed by Google, these previews brought in valuable traffic and further expanded Nostrabet’s reach. Kristiyan also contributed to the development of valuable tools for users, such as the ACCA Builder and Head-to-Head (H2H) Comparison feature.

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Affiliate Employer of the Year

Affiliate Management Platform of the Year

Affiliate Marketing Manager of the Year

247PARTNERS, Samuel Pellitteri

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247partners.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Samuel Pellitteri is a key force behind the success of 247Partners, known for his structured, data-driven approach and strong commitment to long-term affiliate partnerships. Samuel designed a scalable onboarding system that combines automated workflows, structured materials, and live training, reducing time-to-first-deposit and repetitive support queries. He ensures that new affiliates receive seamless integration and proactive guidance from day one. He approaches affiliate relationships as partnerships built on transparency and trust. By maintaining regular communication, delivering clear performance insights, and consistently following through, Samuel has driven stronger collaboration and increased traffic contributions from key partners. On the commercial side, he led campaigns targeting high-converting markets and optimized commission models to better align with player value, resulting in significant gains in LTV and retention. His data-led strategy ensures adaptive campaign management that maximizes both partner earnings and program ROI. Samuel’s robust support framework includes a 24-hour SLA, live performance dashboards, and frequent syncs around new launches. He shares actionable insights on market trends, traffic behaviour, and product performance, helping affiliates and internal teams make smarter decisions. A familiar face in the industry, Samuel contributes actively through event participation, roundtables, and his well-regarded “Affiliate Success Toolkit.” Internally, he aligns affiliate needs with tech, compliance, and CRM to ensure operational clarity and seamless campaign execution. Through innovations such as performance-tier segmentation and predictive engagement tracking, Samuel continues to elevate 247Partners’ programme, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted, transparent, and performance-driven affiliate partner.

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7StarsPartners, Katarzyna Anna Banach

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7starpartners.com

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Katarzyna Anna Banach is an exceptional affiliate manager at 7Stars Partners, recognised for her efficiency, reliability, and unwavering focus on partner success. Her fast, transparent communication, actionable insights, and prompt payment processing build a strong foundation of trust and long-term collaboration. Katarzyna’s proactive approach keeps 7Stars Partners ahead of the curve. Through active participation in industry events, networking, and continuous market monitoring, she ensures the programme adapts to emerging trends and maintains its competitive edge. Relationship-building is central to her management style. She fosters genuine partnerships through open dialogue, personalised engagement, and consistent recognition of top-performing affiliates. New partners benefit from a structured onboarding experience, customised deals, and access to proven marketing tools, enabling them to achieve strong results from the outset. Katarzyna drives revenue growth by implementing tailored optimisation strategies, delivering regular performance updates, and helping affiliates scale successful campaigns. Her ability to pinpoint effective promotional tactics directly enhances partner earnings. She maintains transparency around all programme updates, ensuring affiliates remain informed and aligned. Her responsive, solution-focused mindset guarantees that concerns are addressed swiftly and constructively, further reinforcing trust. Actively engaged in the affiliate community, Katarzyna contributes to industry discussions and represents 7Stars Partners at leading events. Her combination of strategic leadership, dedication to partnership success, and commitment to innovation has made her a key force behind the programme’s continued growth — and a strong contender for the Affiliate Leaders’ Best Affiliate Marketing Manager of the Year award.

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Boomerang Partners, Darina Sharban

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boomerang-partners.com

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Darina Sharban, an experienced Affiliate Team Lead, has excelled in managing affiliate partnerships, driving significant growth and success for Boomerang Partners. Her strategic approach and focus have helped Boomerang’s business performance to grow, with a 5x increase in online sports betting revenue and a 2x increase in online gambling revenue recorded over the last year. Key achievements: Darina has streamlined the onboarding process, enabling new affiliates to achieve success quickly. Her team is dedicated to finding and engaging potential partners, facilitating their smooth integration into the Boomerang ecosystem. She emphasizes trust and transparency, engaging with partners through both casual and focused interactions. Darina regularly attends major international industry events where she negotiates new partnerships and promotes the Boomerang Partners brand. One of Darina’s partners won the Grand Prix (the top honor of the Golden Boomerang Awards 2025). She helps Boomerang Partners achieve substantial commercial growth (120% YoY growth in partners) through optimized commission structures and high-value partnerships. Darina provides exceptional support, offering detailed insights and tools to enhance partners’ marketing strategies. Her in-depth industry knowledge enables her to advise partners on effective engagement strategies, thereby maximizing their earning potential. Darina utilizes highly effective tools and launches thoughtful workflows, enhancing efficiency and partner satisfaction while driving the program’s overall performance. Darina’s leadership and successful work have not only driven impressive growth but have also solidified Boomerang Partners’ position as an industry leader, making her a deserving candidate for the “Affiliate Marketing Manager of the Year” award.

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Interwetten Gaming Ltd., Christof Fielhauer

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www.interwetten.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Christof exemplifies excellence in affiliate marketing, consistently exceeding expectations through dedication, expertise, and strategic impact. As a mentor, his clarity, patience, and professionalism have shaped the success of new team members, fostering a culture of excellence. He builds strong, trust-based relationships with affiliates, knowing their needs deeply and delivering personalized support that consistently drives satisfaction and retention. His proactive engagement ensures seamless onboarding and integration, while his problem-solving approach makes him a go-to resource for both colleagues and partners. Christof’s commercial insight is evident in his ability to grow high-performing campaigns and optimize partnership structures to maximize affiliate value. He continuously leverages industry trends and product knowledge to strengthen our strategy and deliver superior results. Beyond performance, Christof is a key pillar in community building—participating in events, sharing insights, and reinforcing our presence in the affiliate ecosystem. His communication skills align cross-functional teams and clearly represent the Interwetten brand with authority and persuasion. Driven by innovation, Christof introduces tools and workflows that improve partner experience and campaign outcomes. More than a high-performer, he is a true brand ambassador, embodying our values and elevating Interwetten’s visibility across the affiliate landscape. Christof is not only integral to our affiliate growth—he sets the standard for what excellence looks like.

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Katie Kohler, Rachael Ahern

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www.betmgminc.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

BetMGM affiliate program manager, Rachael Ahern, brings a meticulous approach to onboarding and integrating new affiliates which has established a strong foundation for continued growth, evidenced by the addition of 25 high-performing affiliate partners. Her transparent communication and responsiveness foster trust, ensuring mutual success across all partnerships. Rachael is dedicated to cultivating strong, results-driven partnerships. She worked with BetMGM’s Casino, Poker and Omni teams to create tailored promotions in exchange for additional exposure on affiliate sites which resulted in a 50% increase in net gaming revenue against the channel average. Rachael also took the initiative to work with BetMGM’s legal and compliance teams to create a marketing compliance section within the partner facing dashboard, where all relevant regulations and requirements are easily accessible to partners. Rachael now manages the majority of BetMGM’s top affiliates, which drive 65% of all traffic volume and bring players who are 51% above predicted ROI for the channel. Rachael liases with BetMGM’s promotions, iGaming and Omni teams to create bespoke special offers that resonate with partners and attract more customers. She further optimizes partnerships by ensuring that affiliates have access to the most up-to-date integrations and content, which empowers them to maximize performance. She also works closely with the Business Intelligence and Product Teams to develop tailored reporting that provides actionable insights to facilitate partners grow. Her exceptional communication skills, strategic innovation in affiliate partnerships, and commitment to mutually beneficial affiliate relationships set her apart as a true leader.

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MioMedia Affiliates, Karyna Kharchenko

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Website

miomedia.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Karyna Kharchenko is an energetic and results-driven affiliate manager at MioMedia, recognised for her strategic mindset, exceptional execution, and unwavering commitment to partner success. With expertise in Agile (Kanban), CRM systems, project management, and user story mapping, she expertly manages multiple campaigns while driving optimal results. Karyna plays a pivotal role in MioMedia’s affiliate growth by ensuring swift campaign launches, actionable performance feedback, and seamless management of partner communications and payments. Her detail-oriented and approachable style fosters strong, lasting relationships with affiliates. She consistently supports partner success through tailored onboarding, high-converting marketing assets, and optimised commission structures. Karyna actively attracts and retains high-earning affiliates by delivering personalised deals and strategic growth opportunities. Transparent communication is key—any programme updates or policy changes are clearly conveyed to partners, ensuring trust and alignment. A committed industry professional, Karyna regularly attends key events such as iGB Live and SBC Summit, staying current on trends and building MioMedia’s brand presence. Beyond events, she engages actively in industry discussions and networks, reinforcing her standing as a trusted partner in the affiliate space. Karyna also excels at resolving partner issues with speed and precision, fostering confidence and loyalty across MioMedia’s affiliate network. Her dedication to delivering value, combined with strong analytical skills and a Master’s in Public Administration, positions her as a key force behind the continued success and growth of MioMedia’s affiliate programme.

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VBET, Kristine Sakoyan

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Website

vbet.group

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

VBET is proud to nominate Kristine Sakoyan for the Affiliate Marketing Manager of the Year award. Over the past year, Kristine has played a pivotal role in driving VBET’s affiliate success across Tier 1 markets, including France, the UK, Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands. She led the development of a structured, market-specific onboarding process, conducting in-depth research on licensing and compliance. She coordinated closely with legal teams to ensure smooth due diligence and partner approvals. Beyond procedures, she worked directly with affiliates to align agreements, build trust, and set the foundation for long-term partnerships. Kristine builds partnerships on mutual trust, respect, and clear communication. Proactive and highly responsive across all channels, she provides affiliates with timely support, performance insights, and strategic guidance, helping them hit KPIs and turn collaborations into success. She brings a strong grasp of key affiliate traffic sources, including SEO, PPC, in-app, social, and aligns them with VBET’s products and verticals. As a brand ambassador, Kristine has represented VBET at major industry events including iGB Affiliate in London and Barcelona, SBC Summit, and SiGMA, strengthening relationships with existing partners and sparking new collaborations. Kristine optimizes CPA, RevShare, and Hybrid deals through a data-driven strategy combining quantitative metrics with qualitative feedback, consistently driving measurable ROI growth for VBET and its Affiliates. Kristine’s strategic vision and professionalism have been key to VBET’s affiliate growth. A connector, problem-solver, and brand champion, she is a deserving nominee for Affiliate Marketing Manager of the Year.

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We Thrive You Thrive, Leon Soulsby-Constantinou

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Website

https://www.entaingroup.com/

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Launching a brand‑new affiliate business after a decade in‑house was daunting. Operators wanted proof of traffic; we needed approvals to generate it. Leon cut through the deadlock within weeks, personally fast‑tracking our integration with Entain so we could test creatives before going live. That early vote of confidence turned a blank site into a revenue stream in the first months. Since then, his stewardship has felt more like a partnership than a programme. Check‑ins are never box‑ticking, Leon arrives with actionable insights, and imaginative ideas. He reads the market as well as he reads people, negotiating CPA’s that protect margin on both sides while encouraging scale leave us feeling we are in a win win partnership. The numbers tell the story: in six months we grew from a handful of trial players to almost 100 new depositing customers in a month. Yet what impresses most is Leon’s availability, teams replies in minutes, troubleshooting, seamless introductions to teams, making a young agency feel like a flagship partner. That blend of foresight, commercial rigour, and genuine care is why we’re backing him for Affiliate Manager of the Year.

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Winlandia Marketing, Christoffer Grönlund

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Website

winlandiapartners.com

Within 250 words, please provide a concise explanation of why this person is deserving of this award, ensuring your response aligns with the outlined entry criteria.

Christoffer Grönlund exemplifies what an affiliate manager should be: strategic, committed, and deeply knowledgeable. With over two decades in iGaming, he has seamlessly combined operator expertise with a profound understanding of affiliate dynamics. At Winlandia, Christoffer has built an affiliate program centered on trust, transparency, and sustainable partnerships. He has onboarded high-quality affiliates, crafting personalized onboarding experiences and supporting partners with tailored insights and data. His proactive relationship management ensures partners feel valued and informed, contributing directly to Winlandia’s successful expansion into the UK, Sweden, and Denmark. Commercially, Christoffer has launched top-performing campaigns and negotiated mutually beneficial deals, always prioritizing long-term value over short-term gains. His deep market knowledge enables him to guide affiliates through complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring compliance without sacrificing performance. Beyond commercial results, Christoffer actively participates in industry events, sharing knowledge and building community connections. His approachable style and excellent communication skills bridge the gap between technical teams, leadership, and partners, embodying Winlandia’s Nordic values of honesty and reliability. Innovative and solutions-driven, Christoffer continuously introduces new workflows and tools to optimize partner performance and enhance the affiliate program’s effectiveness. He is not just an affiliate manager — he is a true brand ambassador, making him exceptionally deserving of Affiliate Manager of the Year.

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Affiliate Product Innovation