Well, the votes are in, they have all been counted, de-duped and verified and the the nominees have been notified and duly posted on the A4U Awards blog. There are plenty of surprises in there, namely the Publisher 2008 (well not really a surprise), not one content affiliate in there just the familiar Brand Bidding Groups and Quidco. IMHO it shows the ’special relationships’ these particular affiliates have with certain networks and agencies, seriously it makes you wonder if it’s worth it! I wonder when content affiliates will get a look in on that award.

 The blogs one would be what anyone would expect and I’m sure it will be very close (even though the Moose disagrees with me about that).

The shock came when looking at the Networks 2008, where is the mighty TD, the not so mighty anymore CJ and the disappearing DGM? Not one of the Networks who just a few years ago was thought of as the big 3, unstoppable, popular, with huge respect from affiliates - not one of them gets a mention. In the case of TD and CJ is it time they stood back and took a long hard look at themselves and actually listened to what affiliates have been telling them for ages? They have zero communication skills and are only interested in their own self promotion - you can say what you like about them - as long as it’s positive. If you dare to post anything detrimental about TD on the forum they ask for it to be removed, if you post on your blog they report to a network who has a similar name to that of your URL (or is that only in my case?). Maybe if they put as much effort into their network they may not find themselves in the situation they’re now in, cast out into limbo land! DGM seem to be trying to communicate better with affiliates and the forum, or should I say Helen Southgate is, one woman though, however good she is, cannot single-handily save this network from travelling down the same road as TD and CJ. They should take good advice when offered and go back to basics, be upfront and FFS dump the BBG’s - it pisses off too many content and ‘normal’ PPC affiliates!

Affiliate Manager award threw up no surprises and I’m so glad I’m not in that area as it’s such a highly contested competition between those guys, I was however, a bit surprised that I didn’t see Naomi from Firebox in the list.

Publishers choice of Affiliate Manager, how different is that one this year? I can honestly say I know two people on that list. Not that I know everyone of course (maybe I think I’m more popular than I am), but where is Julia Stent? Hero? Helen Southgate? Even god forbid Matt Bailey?? (only joking).

I won’t be at the awards this year as I’ll be chillin’ with my homies in the Algarve, but the best of luck to everyone in the running to pick up an award - well everyone apart from the BBG’s that is, they steal enough away from the rest of us as it is!