Meaningful Connections at Rakuten Optimism 2024
Fueling Meaningful Connections
Rakuten Optimism 2024 lived up to its promise of fostering ‘meaningful connections’ as Rakuten Rewards, Rakuten Advertising, and other Rakuten brands brought together over a thousand attendees in Carlsbad.
The conference, which took place at the beautiful Omni La Costa resort, was a resounding success, and we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Rakuten events team for their exceptional work in organizing this outstanding event.
The conference kicked off with a powerful keynote from actor Jason Sudeikis, who embodied the relentless sense of optimism in his role as soccer coach Ted Lasso. Over three days, attendees were immersed in a series of carefully crafted panel discussions, one-to-one meetings, industry meetups, and networking events, all designed to inspire and connect.
The annual Golden Link Awards were held during the conference, and Gen3 Marketing was honored to be a finalist for our collaboration with Microperfumes in the Best Agency Partnership category. We extend our congratulations to all the finalists and winners on the night!
The annual Golden Link Awards were held during the conference, and Gen3 Marketing was honored to be a finalist for our collaboration with Microfumes in the Best Agency Partnership category. We extend our congratulations to all the finalists and winners on the night!
Gen3 Marketing at Optimism 2024
The Gen3 Marketing team was proud to be in attendance, fully immersed in the Optimism experience. This included Executive Vice President, Paresh Vadavia, who was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Rakuten Golden Link Awards. Optimism 2024 would be one of over 40 Rakuten conferences Paresh has attended, a testament to his dedication to the industry. Joining Paresh were Gen3 team members, Lianne Heuvelink, Jessica Schmidt, Ronja Baumhoefner, Shanique Joseph, and Nikki Yorgiadis.
Paresh Vadavia
Executive
Vice President
Lianne Heuvelink
Senior Director
Jessica Schmidt
Senior Affiliate Manager
Ronja Baumhoefner
Senior Affiliate Manager
Shanique Joseph
Affiliate Manager
Nikki Yorgiadis
Director, Publisher Development
Card Linked Offers 101 Panel Discussion
A big highlight for the Gen3 team was Head of Publisher Development, Nikki Yorgiadis, who took part in a panel discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities of Card Linked Offers in the affiliate space.
Card Linked Offers 101 Panel Discussion
A big highlight for the Gen3 team was Head of Publisher Development, Nikki Yorgiadis, who took part in a panel discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities of Card Linked Offers in the affiliate space.
Speaking after the conference, Nikki shared her insights:
I was thrilled to participate in the “Card Linked Offers 101” panel at Rakuten Optimism, discussing the exciting world of CLOs in affiliate marketing. Alongside representatives from LG Electronics and Ashley Furniture USA, we explored the benefits of CLOs, like reaching new audiences and driving in-store sales, while acknowledging the challenges of tracking and reporting.
The key takeaway? Emphasizing the importance of choosing the right CLO partner and considering a broader perspective beyond traditional last-click tracking.
Thank you to everyone who attended Gen3 Marketing’s PareshConnect event during the Rakuten Optimism conference. We were thrilled to welcome you all to the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar for an evening of valuable networking and to celebrate the incredible work happening in our industry.
Hosting these networking events at major affiliate conferences is a point of pride for us, and PareshConnect at Rakuten’s events are always extra special. Taking place right after the Golden Link Awards, it provides an extra layer of excitement and celebration to the occasion.
We’re grateful to have been able to facilitate new connections and forge partnerships throughout the evening. It’s always rewarding to see our community come together in this way.
Be sure to check out our photo album from the PareshConnect event on Gen3 Marketing’s Facebook page. Take a stroll down memory lane and don’t forget to like, share, and tag your colleagues. Also, don’t miss out on the latest from Gen3 Marketing! A video from the PareshConnect evening is currently being crafted, so if you’re not already following us on LinkedIn, now’s the perfect time to hit that follow button.
Special Thanks
We extend a special thank you to our partner for the evening, ibotta, whose support was instrumental in making this event a success.
Ibotta is the most efficient digital acquisition platform for leading retailers in the US such as Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy, and more. Ibotta enables brands and consumers to connect in a highly active marketplace. With access to millions of shoppers, the company continues to grow its reputation as a key leader in retail business and global commerce. Meet brand growth objectives with efficient omni channel campaigns that drive ROI and repeat purchases
Sponsor a PareshConnect Networking Event
With over 10 years of experience, PareshConnect events have become a staple at all major affiliate conferences. If you’re interested in promoting your company and gaining visibility, sponsoring a PareshConnect event could be the perfect opportunity.
Next Event
The next PareshConnect event is scheduled for Sunday, July 28, coinciding with Affiliate Summit East in New York. This event will be held on the eve of the conference, providing attendees with an opportunity to build momentum and establish connections ahead of ASE.
Registration for the event is now open, and further details will be provided in due course. RSVP for PareshConnect here
Let’s Connect
As we continue to embrace the Optimism theme, we want to connect with you. If you are a publisher and would like to discuss how the Gen3 team can do more for your clients, get in touch today and speak to our dedicated Publisher Development team.
If you are an advertiser and would like to understand Gen3’s pioneering legacy and how we expertly manage over 500 affiliate programs for our clients, we can’t wait to speak with you.
We look forward to continuing the conversations started at Rakuten Optimism and building on the connections made. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.
Gen3 Marketing (Gen3) stands at the forefront of global performance marketing, specializing in affiliate marketing, with nearly two decades of experience in developing full-funnel programs and implementing data-driven strategies for our clients. As the industry leader, Gen3 has established robust relationships with diverse partners, spanning mass media performance PR, and influencers, to traditional and non-traditional publishers. The most awarded affiliate marketing agency, Gen3 has been named Agency of the Year 14 times, most recently by CJ 2022, Rakuten 2022, AWIN ThinkTank 2023, and recognized in 2024 for the 8th consecutive year by Digital Commerce 360 as a Leading Vendor to the Top 1000 retailers.
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