Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the BAAMC (Bay Area Affiliate Manager Coalition) monthly meeting. Held at the offices of Real Media in San Francisco, the two hour lunch meeting was attended by about 25 affiliate managers from leading companies and merchants in the area.

Many of these managers I’ve known over the years but it was great to meet some new folks. Because the group was kind enough to include me (thanks Michael Brucker), I agreed not to quote anyone directly, so everyone could feel free to participate in the discussion.

One of the main items discussed was the New York affiliate tax that went into effect on June 1. I’ve spent a lot of time over the last several weeks talking with tax lawyers, affiliates, executives from the networks and other industry watchers to get a handle on the impact of these regulations on the affiliate space. This was the first time I’ve been able to sit in a room surrounded by those managing programs for etailers and merchants to hear their take on the issue.

I was not only encouraged by passion in the room, but the empathy for affiliates and the dedication to keeping affiliate marketing moving forward without an internet tax. The consensus seemed to be that the networks need to be more involved in the issue and that the industry as a whole need to fight against internet taxation. I’ll let the group announce their own plans for moving forward when the time is right.

This focus on taxation led nicely into a discussion about the need for a formalized group or industry association to represent the interests of this community. Brook Schaaf of Schaaf Consulting, who has been a key figure in spearheading the formation of the Performance Marketing Alliance along with Rebecca Madigan (a former Commission Junction exec now with Affiliate Classroom), Brad Waller (ePage) and Lisa Riolo (also a former CJ exec turned consultant), also attended the BAAMC meeting to provide an update on the PMA progress and get input.

And right after the meeting an email arrived in my inbox from Rebecca Madigan with an update on the PMA. It read, “While we continue to solicit feedback from a broad base of performance marketing professionals, we’re also moving forward with the nomination of a formation advisory board, and a call for volunteers for working groups who will develop organizational and policy recommendations that the advisory board will approve.”

She also announced that the Performance Marketing Alliance had launched a new website so the group can communicate their efforts and track progress. Be sure to check it out at and see how you can get involved.

I’m thrilled and excited to be working among so many passionate professionals.