"Focus On Your Budget" - D. Makritzki, Eurostream

Dirk Makritzki, CEO of Eurostream GmbH & Co. KG, joins the latest series of affiliate interviews at the Affiliate Grand Slam.

Dirk Makritzki talks about Eurostream and its origins, the importance they place on consulting, its points of sale and other topics – follow his story below

Tell us a little about your background and how you got into the affiliate market.

With a master’s degree in Sports Economics from the University of Bayreuth, I started working as a sports radio and TV journalist for the German public network ARD, based in Berlin. In 1999, we founded Eurostream. We were the first to broadcast live sports (basketball, ice hockey, American football, dance tournaments and horse racing), the Berlin Love Parade and concerts in Europe.

How did your affiliate business take off?

As mentioned, in 1999, we founded Eurostream. That’s when the dot-com bubble (.com) burst (2000), we had to find a source to generate some money – through horse racing and Hockeyweb.de, we ended up entering the gambling industry.

In 2000, Eurostream was the first marketing agency with a clear focus on the iGaming industry in the DACH market. Our first customers were the former Sportwetten.de and later Interwetten, Expect and Paf.fi. With our journalistic background, we have excellent contacts with most editors (online, print, radio and TV). Because we know how they work, we can cooperate directly with them, without necessarily dealing with sales teams.

We strongly believe in the power of radio sales. This is one of our unique selling points.

When did you find Eurostream? What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?

Eurostream was founded in 1999. It would have been great to have more knowledge and confidence in affiliate marketing.

During the first few years, we worked strictly on CPM, which made us a lot of money. However, I assume that it would have been more efficient in the long run if we had focused mainly on revenue sharing. However, in the early 2000s, iGaming affiliate marketing was not very well developed. So, back then, CPM was the right choice.

Which gaming affiliate sites fall under Eurostream’s portfolio?

• Hockeyweb.de
• Sportecho.de
• Wettesicher.de
• Elprofetadelgoal.co
• Elprofetadelgol.mx
• Ddobasportu.pl
• Betbros.africa
• Automaten.deals
• Casino-schweiz.net

What sets you apart from other affiliates and what makes you unique?

Our marketing approach is consultation-driven. It’s been in our DNA since we started. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, if you want to establish your brand in a new market or if you want to earn more FTDs, just trust us. We hate to waste operators’ money.

Which markets do you focus on? Do you see any potential in emerging markets?

Historically, in the DACH market. Expanding to Europe, North and South America and Africa. Strictly in regulated markets.

How important is social media activity to your affiliate business? How hard is it with Google’s constant updates?

We buy a lot of optimized social media traffic. We love Google, because our sports site (Hockeyweb.de) has a content history of more than 20 years.

What makes a marketing strategy effective? Can you share a highlight?

Focus on your budget. Don’t spend small amounts on very expensive fonts.

What emerging technologies, such as AI and Big Data, will impact the affiliate industry in 2023 and beyond?

The influence of AI and Big Data already exists. However, the biggest impact will always be real and interesting content.

How can ChatGPT automate many of the tedious and time-consuming tasks involved in affiliate marketing? How will it influence SEO? What are the worst and best scenarios?

Very interesting questions. It depends on how the big search engines handle it.

In 2021, Germany became a regulated iGaming nation. What has changed and what has not changed? How are things now that the grace period is over?

Very difficult; Margins have decreased and some operators have exited affiliate marketing.

How do you choose your operators and how do you manage your relationships with various of them?

Networking and socializing at conferences like SiGMA. Brand and product quality. Licenses for the markets in which they operate.

How was the experience of the 300 Spartans?

Great, excellent networking. It was a great show, very friendly and well organized.

Are you a regular at SiGMA events? SiGMA Americas, Asia, Balkans/CIS, Eurasia, Europe – which of these exhibitions would you likely book in your diary for 2023?

As Europe is our main market, we regularly attend SiGMA Europe in Malta.

Tell us a little about yourself – after all, business is done with people, not just companies! Your hobbies, favorite book, favorite quote, if you like games, etc.

I have many hobbies that include travel, cycling, motorcycling, sailing, tennis, water polo, golf, hockey, music, and concerts.