There have been some interesting moves by the affiliate/performance marketing networks over the last week - just in time for the busy months of November and December.

ShareASale.com this week launched its Gift Cards Database, which enables merchants to upload creatives directing consumers to specific landing pages for gift cards. Like ShareASale’s Deals Database, the new feature allows affiliates to access the gift card creatives from inside their affiliate interface, as well as through RSS feeds and downloadable databases.

I’ve gone mad for AMC’s hit TV show Mad Men. Of course, I love the 60’s vibe. I adore the spot-on clothes - right down to the ladies’ undergarments. I dig the sexist man-dialog, which often makes me laugh out loud at how out-dated it is nearly 50 years later. I love the slow and steady pace of the plots. I love the attention to detail – check out what’s on Don Draper’s desk. I love how the show looks back at the events of the day with a cheeky take and the benefit of already knowing the outcome.

The annual ShareASale Think Tank event is always spectacular. SAS CEO Brian Littleton and his team continue to evolve the annual invite-only gathering based on feedback from the attendees, which includes merchants, affiliates, agencies and more. It doesn’t hurt that this year’s Think Tank was held at the Grand Del Mar Resort in San Diego. It’s a stunning and opulent setting for the intimate gathering.

Everyone is talking about social media again this week. Some are still buzzing about the great Social Media Marketing Summit, which Revenue was involved in organizing last week. Then, this past Sunday, there was the Affiliate Summit: Social Marketing 2008, a one-day event in New York City. I couldn’t make it to the event, but heard it was information packed and fun. And next week, Federated Media and John Battelle are hosting the Conversational Media Summit in San Francisco. I scored a ticket to that exclusive event via Twitter (thanks, @johnbattelle).

Thanks to all our great speakers and attendees at this week’s Social Media Marketing Summit. Each and every speaker made a valuable contribution of time, effort and passing on incredible knowledge. Charlene Li and Shale Israel rocked it out handling the keynote duties. They both brought up so many fascinating points.