Nick Robertson CEO of online fashion merchant ASOS has launched an astonishing attack on affiliates in today’s NMA! Roberston is quoted, when discussing his company’s decision to return to affiliate marketing, “[There'll be] no silly commissions being paid to grubby little people in grubby studios growing income at our expense, getting in the way of genuine sales”.

As you’d expect, this comment is being discussed on A4UForum where many affiliates who were involved in promoting ASOS are still active. The comment will cause outrage amongst affiliates, especially those (including ourselves) who spent time promoting ASOS to their users.

My personal hygiene is neither here nor there, and yes my office could do with a tidy, but sorry Mr Robertson, your attack on affiliates is spiteful, rude and perhaps even misguided. The grubby affiliates of yesterday, could well be the polished suited and booted affiliates of today who you hope will promote ASOS.com via any new program you have to offer.

What Mr Robertson may also not realise is that affiliates have got a little more chatty and organised too – through blogs, communities and meetings the AM world has got a bit more united – and his comments are going to be read by a fair few in the industry.

I hope, no I pray, that they and every affiliate network turns round and tells you where to put your program. Sadly though, I expect networks will be wanting to sign up ASOS, and soon after affiliates will be putting up links offering free branding, traffic and advertising in the hope that they’ll be paid non-silly commissions. One thing is for sure, we’ll not be doing so though – I feel grubby at the thought of it.

Addendum: Clarke’s blog on the quote is priceless and includes a picture of grubby affiliates at a recent meeting.

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