🐛 "Ride the Sandworm" CJ CEO Talks AI Search

Happy Tuesday!

We have not one, not two, but three fantastic interviews lined up for you this week, with some of the brightest industry minds right now.

CJ CEO Santi Pierini talks about everything from CJ developments to affiliate Dune metaphors, to stunning iPod analogies and beyond.

ZeroClick Founder Ryan Hudson breaks down how affiliate will fit into the platform's innovative AI ads approach.

And, Creator Henry Hayes discusses how you can leverage B2B content to drive wider business goals.

Enough from me. Let's hear from these clever people...

On with the news!

In today's newsletter:

• Pick of the day: Santi Pierini, CJ CEO, talks AI search and social commerce
• Trending: In conversation with Ryan Hudson, Founder of ZeroClick
• Top Tip of the Week: Is last-click dying?

Pick of the day

“You Have to Ride the Sandworm” Santi Pierini, CEO of CJ, on AI Search, Social Commerce, and the Future of Affiliate Marketing

CJ’s CEO, Santi Pierini, speaks with Sol Wilkinson on everything from affiliate Dune analogies, to why our industry has as much potential as the iPod, and a range of developments for CJ this year.

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Don’t miss the opportunity to recognise someone making a real impact—someone who’s delivering results, building strong collaborations, or redefining what’s possible in our industry. Winners will be honoured at PI LIVE Europe with an exclusive Hero100 mixer and a host of perks.

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Trending

What's hot on Hello Partner right now

Ryan Hudson, Founder of ZeroClick, Talks Affiliate Marketing, AI Search Ads, and Sleek Acquisition
ZeroClick Founder discuss the new start-up, affiliate integrations, and more.

REPLAY: The Future of B2B is Personal
Learn how personal posts can drive real business impact, and how personality and humour are reshaping B2B marketing.

Affiliate Industry Reflects on Sudden Closure of Cashrewards
Cashrewards’ sudden closure has prompted reactions across the industry, with agencies, rivals, and former staff paying respect to the iconic cashback provider.

Tip of the Week

Stay at the top of your game

Last-click attribution has long dominated affiliate marketing, but is its reign coming to an end?

Santi Pierini, CEO of CJ, points out in our featured interview that it is still the favoured model for most brands. But, we're also seeing pushback from critics.

In a LinkedIn post, John Coulson notes that focusing solely on last-click revenue has often forced marketers to prioritise high-conversion activity, which sometimes makes campaigns less creative and limits the perceived value of affiliate marketing.

Today, more marketers feel confident investing in opportunities that don’t neatly translate into last-click sales but still create real value.

There’s no “perfect” attribution model. Instead, brands and publishers are starting to choose measurement and reward systems that suit their goals.

"What we’re heading toward isn’t fractional attribution. It’s fragmented attribution," says Coulson.

What do you think? Does the industry need to push beyond last-click? Or, is it still the best way to measure success in the channel?

Join the conversation here.

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Until next time,

Sol Wilkinson Journalist Email me Connect with me on LinkedIn