How a Commission Rate Adjustment Helped an AP Client Increase Profitability
Change in any affiliate programme is to be expected. That said, major programme modifications must be handled delicately, especially when it comes to adjusting or reducing affiliate commission rates. This is why, when a client informed their AP account team that a company-wide goal of restructuring meant that they needed to adjust the commission rates paid to affiliates and base all of their online marketing programmes on a net margin goal, the team promptly went to work assessing the impact this would have on their programme goals and publishing partners.
Discover how the AP team was able to help the client prevent significant declines in programme performance and save in commission payouts.
RESULTS
As a result of the commission rate adjustments, the AP team was able to help the client prevent significant declines in programme performance.
Net Margin Maximized
30%
savings in commission payouts
Cost Per Target Maintained
OUR APPROACH
Using custom reporting from the client’s Google Analytics, the team built a custom net margin calculator, recommended data-driven programme changes, and talked through various modelling scenarios with the client to illustrate how these updates might impact the programme’s existing revenue momentum.
Understanding the delicate nature of commission rate adjustments, the team personally called each of the programme’s top affiliates to transparently share the client’s programme goals, the commission rate adjustments, and the reasons for the change. While disappointed, the affiliates were appreciative and respectful of the 1:1 communication.
The team reached out to remaining affiliates via newsletter, explaining the change and reinforcing AP’s commitment to supporting affiliates and providing tools and resources to help them succeed.