Rakuten International's Optimism event, held in sunny Carlsbad, California, marked a triumphant return with nearly 1,000 global attendees. This year's theme, "Fueling Meaningful Connections," was brought to life through a series of engaging panels, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities. The event celebrated the best in affiliate marketing, offering insights and innovations from industry leaders and fostering powerful partnerships across the globe.
Our Rakuten Optimism Golden Link Awards were held in Carlsbad, California, on May 28th, 2025. Hosted by comedian Adam Mamawala, the event brought together some of the best and brightest in the performance and digital marketing industries. We celebrated their outstanding achievements, their collaboration, creativity, and innovative partnerships that have set new standards in our industry!
Using products and tools powered by data and AI, Rakuten Advertising introduces Affiliate Intelligence to help brands and publishers connect with audiences and run data-informed campaigns.
The 2025 Rakuten Optimism Golden Link Award nominations are officially open! Help us honor the best and brightest in affiliate marketing by submitting a nomination today. The Golden Link Awards will take place at Optimism 2025, register today to secure your spot to Optimism and the Golden Link Awards!
Move over mega-influencers; micro-influencers are stealing the spotlight with their authentic vibes, niche expertise, and sky-high engagement rates. If you're ready to turn small followings into big results, it's time to make these relatable powerhouses the MVPs of your marketing strategy.
Trust is the secret ingredient of influencer marketing—it’s what turns a campaign into a connection and followers into lifelong fans. When brands focus on authenticity and real relationships, they tap into the kind of trust that keeps audiences coming back for more.
Influencer marketing has grown far beyond generating hype—it now influences every step of the buyer’s journey. From boosting brand awareness to driving conversions and loyalty, this $35 billion industry proves its influence across the full funnel.
Our Agency Support team is consistently striving for success - from our award-winning customer support teams to our innovative technology, this team supports the success of our agency partners. The Agency Services Program provides our affiliate agency partners with innovative tools and solutions to fuel consistent growth for their clients. See who made our official 2025 list of Preferred and Platinum Agency Partners now!
As we recap the insights for Cyber Week 2024, we’ve got the gift of good news! Our US clients and partners outperformed and outdelivered this holiday shopping season. Our network saw significant growth year-over-year for clients in key retail verticals including beauty, footwear, toys, video games, and more, as shoppers eagerly sought out the best deals of the season. Read the entire blog for our official recap of Cyber Week 2024!
