Arturs Korolkovs, Media 24: “Radical Transparency Is Our Strategy”

We’ve recently sat down with Arturs Korolkovs, Head of Sales at affiliate marketing company Media 24, to talk about building long-term partnerships in iGaming, his approach to industry events, and key trends of the affiliate sector — from deal structures and listing fees to navigating increased competition.

 When did you join Media 24 and how has your role evolved since then?

I joined the company in 2020, right in the middle of COVID. It was a time of big changes for a lot of people, both in work and in life. I was actually the company’s first employee, and together, we worked on launching our first website.

In the beginning, I had little formal experience in sales or partner management, so I was doing a bit of everything. Uploading content, editing videos, handling social media. But as the company grew, so did my role. Over time, I transitioned fully into partner management, starting as an account manager and working my way up to the Head of Sales.

You attend many conferences and industry events throughout the year. What are your main priorities and how do you measure success there?

In the early days, conferences were more like hunting. Pure acquisition mode, trying to get our name out there and sign initial deals. Now, it’s a far more strategic play. Maintaining relationships, gaining new insights, and staying ahead of industry trends. Conferences aren’t just about sales. It’s an opportunity to gather valuable information that helps both the company and my own professional growth.

How we measure success has shifted too. It’s not solely about the number of contracts signed right there and then, though we certainly track leads that convert into long-term partnerships. We evaluate success by asking: Did we meaningfully strengthen ties with our top-tier partners? Did we gain specific, actionable insights – perhaps about competitor moves or regulatory shifts that will impact our strategy? And did we initiate promising conversations that lay the groundwork for valuable, long-term collaborations? That deeper, strategic ROI is what defines a successful conference for us now.

What are the key factors you consider when deciding whether to start a partnership with a specific operator?

Beyond the obvious things like relevant GEOs and a strong product, the initial communication with the affiliate manager is a massive factor. Are they responsive? Do they communicate clearly? This is the person you’ll be working with long-term, so having a good connection is crucial.

And yes, reputation is critical. The industry is smaller than it looks. Over time, you build a network, and there’s always ways to ask around and get feedback about a brand.

What’s your approach to building long-term relationships with partners?

Radical transparency. We’re open about our traffic sources, our methods, and even potential challenges we foresee. And we expect the same from the operator. Hiding bad news does more harm than good in the long run.

Beyond that, it’s important to proactively add value. By sharing market insights, providing constructive feedback, and maintaining regular meaningful contact. It’s about creating a relationship where both sides feel invested in the other’s success. The more open and proactive the communication, the stronger the partnership.

A lot of affiliates are working with the CPA deals, others prefer Rev Share. What’s Media 24’s approach here and why?

Ideally, a hybrid model works best. But if I had to choose between CPA and Rev Share, I’d go with Rev Share. For SEO traffic, it’s the most effective and sustainable model in the long run. And it’s probably the fairest model for both sides of the deal.

CPA can be situationally useful. Maybe for testing a new, unproven GEO, or launching a new project. But if we’re talking about a long-term strategy and good traffic quality, Rev Share wins every time.

There’s a differing opinion about listing fees in the industry. What’s your take on this?

We see listing fees as a mechanism for building strong and sustainable partnerships. In most cases, especially with new partners, we prefer to work with listing fees. Look, when we onboard a new brand, we’re investing significant resources immediately. Creating content, SEO, traffic allocation — all that requires a budget. This happens before we see a single dollar in commission. And without any guarantees on performance, GEO stability, or long-term commitment from the operator.

At the same time, we always take a flexible approach. For trusted, long-term partners with a strong track record, we are open to alternative structures. It’s all about finding a setup that works for both sides and ensures mutual long-term growth.

How can affiliate marketing companies handle increased competition and what are the ways to stand out in the industry?

Quality over quantity. A lot of affiliates still focus on pumping out mass content, but that approach is becoming less effective. Today you seriously have to focus on product improvements and user experience. The best way to stand out is through strong branding, engaging content, and a clear value proposition.

Building long-term relationships with partners also plays a huge role. In a crowded market, reputation and the ability to collaborate strategically become powerful differentiators. At Media 24, we believe in growing together with our partners, and that long-term thinking continues to pay off.