DealMaker Canada: Partnerships in Focus

Hosted at the Shangri-La, the event provided space for conversations that continue to shape how brands and publishers connect in this region.

Rakuten Advertising’s DealMaker Canada returned to Toronto this September, bringing together advertisers, publishers, and agencies for a day dedicated to partnership and performance in the Canadian market. Hosted at the Shangri-La, the event provided space for conversations that continue to shape how brands and publishers connect in this region.

For Gen3’s Head of Publisher Development, Nikki Yorgiadis, the event held particular meaning. “As someone based in Toronto, DealMaker Canada is always a highlight,” she shared. “It’s where the affiliate community comes together to discuss opportunities unique to this market and to plan for the months ahead.”

The conference opened with a welcome reception sponsored by Vengo, setting the stage for a full day of meetings and programming. For Nikki, that meant back-to-back conversations with both new and long-standing publishers, covering priorities like Q4 placements, onboarding new merchants, and scaling opportunities for Canadian advertisers.

A standout moment came during the Capillary Tech spotlight, where Nikki was featured in a session on targeting and segmentation. It was an opportunity to share how Gen3 works with publishers to refine audience strategies and deliver stronger outcomes for clients.

Nikki was joined in Toronto by Executive VP Paresh Vadavia, Directors Aaron Quinn and Kelly Motafferi, and Affiliate Manager Amanda Salvo. Their presence reflected Gen3’s continued commitment to supporting Canadian advertisers and strengthening partnerships in this market.

Reflecting on the event, Nikki emphasized the importance of these touchpoints: “Every year, DealMaker Canada reinforces how much potential exists in this market. The growth we’re seeing from publishers is encouraging, and the conversations here set the tone for the work we’ll carry into Q4.”

For brands and advertisers, the real value of conferences like DealMaker is in applying the lessons afterward. Nikki has shared her own framework in a recent Gen3 blog, Driving Brand Success Through Affiliate Partnerships, where she outlines practical steps for maximizing impact from events and partnerships alike.

DealMaker Canada continues to be a vital platform for the affiliate community, and Gen3 is proud to have been part of this year’s conversations in Toronto.

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