I'm a relative affiliate newbie and am just getting familiar with Azoogle. i saw this post and then did some homework. they have issued a company statement and i saw an article on iMedia this morning from them talking about internet safety. Seems like they're taking a real leadership position on this.
Azoogle settles for $1mm
- Thread starter arahim3
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Next time take a few moments to record the link so that Ed can identify which publisher did that and deal with them. You seem to like blaming Ed and Copeac for the actions of their publishers rather than realizing that it is almost impossible to completely police what publishers do.
Insomniac,
I thought I was pretty clear - Eduardo HIMSELF and NOTa "publisher" is responsible for the screenshot I posted.
What happens when cpa empire sends myspace traffic to Eduardo? You think he refuses it? Do I need to answer that or do you get what I'm saying?
Again, if we can't expect the NETWORKS' in house accounts to be legitimate, how can we expect them to police affiliates?
I thought I was pretty clear - Eduardo HIMSELF and NOTa "publisher" is responsible for the screenshot I posted.
What happens when cpa empire sends myspace traffic to Eduardo? You think he refuses it? Do I need to answer that or do you get what I'm saying?
Again, if we can't expect the NETWORKS' in house accounts to be legitimate, how can we expect them to police affiliates?
Don't believe that. Azoogle recently re-designed their website. It now mentions a "tougher" stance on compliance, a higher level of integrity, BLAH BLAH ... what do you expect them to say? They are under TREMENDOUS pressure from their VC investors to produce results which are long overdue. Their monthly affiliate payouts are LESS than Cpa Empire, Clickbooth, & Hydra Media. Yes, it's true. Maybe you shouldn't put 85% of your eggs in the ringtone basket.
Did you know that one of azoogle's biggest affiliates was a HEAVY promoter of "FREE" ringtones - the keyword list provided to this affiliate belonged to OTHER azoogle affiliates (yes joe and alex sell out all your top keywords) - guess what happened to this affiliate company - AzoogleAds Acquires Bazaar Advertising - azoogle BOUGHT them.
Why do you say 'results are long overdue'? I've spent a ton of time on the boards and doing research on CPA co's, and all over the place they come highly recommended by other aff's, have given me GREAT customer service so far, are hiring a bunch of people, are releasing all kinds of positive press lately and so maybe I'm just being naive but this doesn't seem to mesh with what you post. What kind of VC pressures in particular are you referring to? I found a Business Week article from 2005 that said they waited 5 years to take any VC funding, which means they were a pretty solid business before that and not having to use any funding for the operations and presumably with everything I'm reading now they probably have grown since then. I might be new to the CPA space but not new to business in general and I'm not sure everything you write adds up.
Primetimeaff,
What do you mean by receiving good press and hiring? You're way off. They are receiving bad press and in fact they've laid off more than 20 people within the last year. So, yes you are new and you are not aware of what is going on behind the scenes. I suggest you use the search button and do some research.
I saw your post at DP regarding Azoogle and Blockbuster. Basically Azoogle got Blockbuster, Azoogle tested the offer (by bidding on the trademark of course), loved the margin. Thereafter, they got an exclusive from Blockbuster, slashed the CPA for their affiliates so they could keep their own margins. But as you know by now, Azoogle owns Bazaar. Basically Bazaar is there to take the best keywords from the top affiliates so they can promote it on their own. Bet you didn't know that Thumbplay's exclusive search marketer is none other than Bazaar/Azoogle. So keep running their offers and passing the keyword as subid=MYKEYWORD ... so that people like this guy who works for Azoogle/Bazaar can screw you:
Bill Softky's Resume
Bill Softky
Chief Algorithmist
Bazaar Advertising / Azoogle Ads
2006-present
Foster City
Education:
Ph.D., Computation & Neural Systems / Physics
Ph.D.'s backstabbing affiliates. Ooooohhhh what an industry.
What do you mean by receiving good press and hiring? You're way off. They are receiving bad press and in fact they've laid off more than 20 people within the last year. So, yes you are new and you are not aware of what is going on behind the scenes. I suggest you use the search button and do some research.
I saw your post at DP regarding Azoogle and Blockbuster. Basically Azoogle got Blockbuster, Azoogle tested the offer (by bidding on the trademark of course), loved the margin. Thereafter, they got an exclusive from Blockbuster, slashed the CPA for their affiliates so they could keep their own margins. But as you know by now, Azoogle owns Bazaar. Basically Bazaar is there to take the best keywords from the top affiliates so they can promote it on their own. Bet you didn't know that Thumbplay's exclusive search marketer is none other than Bazaar/Azoogle. So keep running their offers and passing the keyword as subid=MYKEYWORD ... so that people like this guy who works for Azoogle/Bazaar can screw you:
Bill Softky's Resume
Bill Softky
Chief Algorithmist
Bazaar Advertising / Azoogle Ads
2006-present
Foster City
Education:
Ph.D., Computation & Neural Systems / Physics
Ph.D.'s backstabbing affiliates. Ooooohhhh what an industry.
Arahim,
Well, my first question is 'how the heck do you know so much'?
Kudos to you, I would have to think you're really close to the action on this.
But honestly, I really have done a lot of research and I see a lot of open positions on their site - so they are hiring. And then looking at their recent announcements and several articles I've come across, I would classify those as positive. Obviously, you have a negative take on some of those as you mention, but I'm just using evidence from the research I've done and the very positive word-of-mouth experiences from other Aff's. I guess you're entitled to your opinion but i'm using factual evidence really from a newbie/outsider perspective and I'm just saying from my perspective the criticism doesn't seem like it adds up, that's all.
Well, my first question is 'how the heck do you know so much'?
Kudos to you, I would have to think you're really close to the action on this.But honestly, I really have done a lot of research and I see a lot of open positions on their site - so they are hiring. And then looking at their recent announcements and several articles I've come across, I would classify those as positive. Obviously, you have a negative take on some of those as you mention, but I'm just using evidence from the research I've done and the very positive word-of-mouth experiences from other Aff's. I guess you're entitled to your opinion but i'm using factual evidence really from a newbie/outsider perspective and I'm just saying from my perspective the criticism doesn't seem like it adds up, that's all.
arahim3, thanks for posting all the info...
I think a lot of people just dont want to wake up and realize the harsh reality of whats going on.
Bill
I think a lot of people just dont want to wake up and realize the harsh reality of whats going on.
Bill
What's the point here? Maybe I'm slow (probably) but I don't see what you're getting at?
Azoogle appears to have acted like any other company interested in it's own well being. Maximizing profits. Maybe they told small time affiliates to follow the rules while breaking them themselves and allowing big players to continue. Probably worth more than 1mm to do so.
Stealing your super secret ringtone keywords? lol.
Azoogle appears to have acted like any other company interested in it's own well being. Maximizing profits. Maybe they told small time affiliates to follow the rules while breaking them themselves and allowing big players to continue. Probably worth more than 1mm to do so.
Stealing your super secret ringtone keywords? lol.
What makes you so sure that was Ed? Do you at least have a date/time of when that screenshot was taken?
I initially decided not to involve myself in this thread as the proof is in the pudding, and the community will come out and speak the truth. I will continue to stay out of this thread but I want to point a few facts.
1 - I can 100% guarantee that is not us in that screenshot.Nice try but we no longer send traffic to Yixe.
2 - We under no circumstance allow our technology to be used with any type of spam traffic. We only work with networks who have compliance teams in place to police their affiliates, if we find it before them, we have them shut down that affiliate.
Eduardo.
1 - I can 100% guarantee that is not us in that screenshot.Nice try but we no longer send traffic to Yixe.
2 - We under no circumstance allow our technology to be used with any type of spam traffic. We only work with networks who have compliance teams in place to police their affiliates, if we find it before them, we have them shut down that affiliate.
Eduardo.
Eduardo,
You are flat out lying. When you say no longer, are you saying that at one point you did advertise "free" ringtones with Yixe/Dada (the screenshot posted is from the first week of November 2007)? What did Dada think of this, as "free" has been banned for YEARS.
While you are continuing to lie, answer this, also for the record...
Are you or have you ever knowingly accepted MYSPACE (PHISHING) traffic from Cpa Empire?
Before you keep lying, note that I have plenty of proof that you or your cohorts may not want on here.
You are flat out lying. When you say no longer, are you saying that at one point you did advertise "free" ringtones with Yixe/Dada (the screenshot posted is from the first week of November 2007)? What did Dada think of this, as "free" has been banned for YEARS.
While you are continuing to lie, answer this, also for the record...
Are you or have you ever knowingly accepted MYSPACE (PHISHING) traffic from Cpa Empire?
Before you keep lying, note that I have plenty of proof that you or your cohorts may not want on here.
arahim3 - nobody is going to answer anything to you because you are here talking shit but nobody knows who you are. You keep ignoring that question. So, in the spirit of you wanting questions answered why not lead by example and tell the fine people here who you are. Then since you are such a paragon of honest business, go to earners forum and have a Jesus freak with old whats his face! Damn, what is it with people sticking there nose in other peoples business?
Well, I think it's time for me to chime in here and make sure this shit doesn't hit the industrial strength fan, since it's already caused one hell of a mess so far..
1- You claim to know a lot, which is fine and all, but why don't you come clean with your identity? I had a few guesses, but now I'm not so sure I was right. I know lots of the other people and companies you've mentioned here are pretty pissed off with your comments, so even if it's industry suicide for you to reveal your identity, no one will take you seriously. No one that is, that has a brain they use.
2- Claiming to have stats and proof can only go so far... Either show us what you have, that is LEGITIMATE and not some doctored up screen shot or email, or I'm locking this thread.
You have approximately 4 hours to comply from the time you read this... and since you're logged in right now and most likely marveling at this thread and all of the damage you've caused thus far, you have until 10:30PM EST.
If you don't want to come clean or public with it, you should at least come to me. I promise to keep your identity a secret, but I will need PROOF that everything you've said on here is in fact the truth.
I'm not taking any sides either, so don't give me that whole "ohhh you're friends with them so you're taking their side" bullshit. Because I've allowed this to go on for long enough without stepping in, but now, this is borderline harassment and slander, and anything that may compromise WickedFire and it's brand/position in the industry becomes MY business. We're not there yet, but from the looks of things, it won't be long, so stop being a douche, and come clean. I can guarantee that if what you are saying and claiming IS true, you will get the same treatment that any friend or member here gets, and I will personally see to it that you are treated fairly and not banned or silenced.
So now it's on you my shitstorm drama causing friend.
PS - I read through your other posts, and we never once silenced you or shut you up. I'd also like to say, that if you dare involve me with any of this shit, and claim you have proof of me being involved, which is total fucking bullshit, and you know it, because there is no proof, because it's a fucking lie. But anyway, if you do put me into your mess, then I will take action against you personally, and unlike everyone else here, I have a ton of cash and time to have a field day with anyone who fucks with my reputation. I'm also a hell of a lot more creative than anyone else, so take this as your first and final warning. Don't involve me. Ya dig?
I have been PM'd by a higher up at a [major] corporation and will be revealing this to them. I don't even know how to use photoshop - let alone doctor an image. My business is sales. By the way, Jon, it's fine if you want to claim you have a lot of "cash" - but you live with your grandmother in an apartment.
Tell pappa bear to keep guessing. I've owned him again.
Tell pappa bear to keep guessing. I've owned him again.
An apartment with my grandma? And where is this apartment you speak of? I would love to know, because none of my grandparents live in any apartments, anywhere.
Are you fucking my grandmother? Did she tell you she lives in an apt so you would stop stalking her?
Haha
A PM from a [major] corporation eh? Yes. Very believable.. so a MAJOR corporation swung by here, read your amazing thread, and then PM'ed you to say "Hey there Kent, we want to let you know that you are doing a fantastic job! Please continue to sound like a douchebag and make things up until we give you further instructions --GOD"
Hahahaha
I know it's you Mr Keilback... and let me show you just how stupid you were, and where you fucked up... So that when you're trying to get a new job, after Yahoo/Blue Lithium fires you for what you did here, and after all of the networks you mentioned sue the shit out of you, and let's face it, since you've just killed your own reputation at one shot on some stupid forum like this one... BRILLIANT. Well done dude.
Funny too, because I don't think I've ever met you before either. Ah well, next time maybe you'll think first before acting all high and mighty and spewing shit about people and companies with no proof to back it up..
Funny too, because I don't think I've ever met you before either. Ah well, next time maybe you'll think first before acting all high and mighty and spewing shit about people and companies with no proof to back it up..
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