It was my only my second time attending CJU, but there were many in attendance that were seasoned veterans of the event. This was Commission Junction’s 9th annual conference and each year it’s gotten bigger and bigger. In fact, CJ execs said the event has pretty much maxed out the lovely accommodations at the Fess Parker Hotel and Resort. I hope CJ finds a way to get around the capacity issue and continue to hold CJU in beautiful Santa Barbara.

Much of the discussions at the show and at the bar (or after hours) centered on improved communications. CJ executives seemed really intent on fostering better relations between publishers and merchants as well as between both of those parties and the network. CJ’s Rebecca Madigan’s talk was fantastic and very eye opening. I also thought nearly each time Kerri Pollard took the stage the messages emanating from the company seemed more real and sincere, which may go a long way towards more openness.

One CJ’er told me that after the private meetings with the publisher advisory board on Sunday some CJ folks felt beaten up and bruised. However, to CJ’s credit, most all agreed that the very frank and open dialog should result in changes that will benefit all parties. Now that is a good thing.

Anyway….I’ve been back from CJU for two days and I’m still digging out. Even though I had my laptop with me on the trip and tried to get through email each night I wasn’t able to deal with all the messages in the time I had while traveling.

But unlike the new episode (#4) of the Next Internet Millionaire I don’t have the option of eating worms (how Fear Factor) to get out of responding to half of my inbox. SPOILER ALERT…DON’T READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW THE OUTCOME…Okay, I’ll admit that the Next Internet Millionaire is improving. I’m not a huge fan of the immunity challenges. They still seem rather lame to me (eating worms, playing poker, etc.). However, the other elimination challenges are pretty good.

In the most recent show, the teams had to come up with something to market, make a presentation and then be prepared to have it ripped apart by the other team. Even I was all pumped up by the appearance of guest judge Marlon Sanders on the show.

So, why on earth, one team would pick anything having to do with YouTube when the rival squad included a guy with significant YouTube expertise is beyond me. Also, deciding to market a YouTube phone and not doing even the most basic research to see if that already exists (or is coming down the pike) is just lame. See ya, Big Jason. I can’t believe you even lasted through four shows.

Actually, I can’t believe I’ve lasted this long. After the first two episodes went online, I was pretty sure I was done watching. But I hung in and there seems to be some lessons to be taken away. I agreed with Shawn Collins about the crazy poker playing in episode #3, but I’m going to keep watching. Who knows, by episode 9 I may be totally hooked.