Interview with Olena Klymenko – Brand Manager at BigDeal Partners

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Interview with Olena Klymenko – Brand Manager at BigDeal Partners

Affpapa recently interviewed Olena Klymenko, Brand Manager at BigDeal Partners, to discuss its launch, high-converting product, and how it’s shaping the future of affiliate marketing in Tier-1 markets.

Yeva: BigDeal Partners was launched in December 2023, which is relatively recent. What inspired the creation of the affiliate program, and what does it offer?

BigDeal Partners was launched in December 2023 together with its in-house online casino brand OnlyWin. It is a licensed product with a high conversion rate in the Canadian, German, and Australian markets.

BigDeal was created by industry leaders to meet the needs of top-tier webmasters by providing a premium product and first-class service. Today, we collaborate with over 1,000 partners worldwide, focusing on affiliates with a strong industry background.

Today BigDeal Partners offers a licensed, high-converting product in Tier-1 markets, competitive commissions, and personalized deals for top-performing webmasters. We are committed to delivering an unparalleled service experience and fostering flexible and high-value partnerships.

Yeva: What makes tier-1 countries such an attractive focus for your affiliate program? Are there specific opportunities or characteristics that made you think “that’s what we need to focus on”?

Tier-1 GEOs are among the most challenging for affiliates due to the high entry threshold across all traffic sources. However, they also represent the most promising markets, as the audience is characterized by a strong enthusiasm for gambling, high-income levels, and increased trust in gambling platforms.

We have developed a highly competitive product and offer our partners the opportunity to generate substantial profits specifically in Tier-1 markets.

Yeva: Expanding into markets like Canada and Germany is everything but easy. What were some of the biggest challenges you’ve come across in these regions?

The Tier-1 market is mature and highly competitive, attracting major operators and local brands. Competition is actually the biggest challenge for new entrants. Additionally, strict regulations dictate the operating rules in Tier-1 markets, making compliance essential. We entered the market with a fully licensed product.

If we talk about player behavior, online casino users in Tier-1 countries quickly adapt to bonuses and frequently seek more attractive offers or new gaming platforms to explore. This is why we invest significant financial and time resources into our retention team. While user retention can be challenging, it’s important to highlight that LTV in this market is high.

Yeva: Canada and Germany have very different player preferences and behaviors, so we’re curious, how do you tailor your marketing strategies for these audiences? What are the must-have elements for a successful marketing campaign? How does OnlyWin stand out?

We focus on creating customized content tailored to the mentality of each specific GEO. This is not just a translation of the texts, it is a complete adaptation. We take into account detailed player profiles when preparing promotional activities, including in-product promotions, promo videos, and email campaigns.

Another crucial aspect of our product marketing strategy is using the right messaging and calls to action. Based on the GEO and user preferences, we integrate key audience needs into our creatives. For example, Canadian players value bonuses, security, responsible gaming, and a wide game selection.

The OnlyWin product is designed for true connoisseurs of high-quality iGaming experiences. To attract and retain users, we offer exclusive bonuses and rewards, such as trips to Las Vegas or the Maldives, a Tesla Cybertruck, and more.

Currently, we are working on launching a VIP Club at OnlyWin, with benefits that players will be able to experience as early as April.

Yeva: Let’s talk numbers! How is OnlyWin performing in both Canada and Germany in terms of retention and profitability? What kind of earnings and long-term value can webmasters expect when promoting it?

Over the past year, OnlyWin has been growing at an incredible pace, and we continue to enhance the product, making it unique and highly competitive in Tier-1 markets. We are committed to long-term partnerships and fostering strong collaborations.

BigDeal provides exclusive industry conditions and prioritizes partners with a solid affiliate background. As for partner earnings, everything depends on their experience and the strength of their strategy.

To put it in numbers: in November, we paid our top partner $600K for their traffic volumes. Currently, the average monthly profit for a BigDeal partner is $40K–50K.

Yeva: What major changes do you see coming for affiliates in tier-1 markets in 2025 and beyond? Are there any emerging opportunities or challenges that webmasters should prepare for?

The primary challenge for affiliates in Tier-1 markets is the increasing competition, along with rising traffic costs and profitability pressures. Is it worth entering Tier-1 markets as a beginner? Definitely yes, but success requires a well-structured strategy and resources for scaling. Additionally, it’s crucial to consider long-term ROI.

If we talk about trends in Tier-1 markets in 2025, I see the following:

Polarization of Gambling SEO. Major brands are dominating search results, pushing smaller sites out of visibility. This makes it essential to focus on niche queries and local SEO, where competition is lower.

Diversification of Traffic Channels. Businesses are reducing reliance on a single traffic source by exploring alternatives. Many affiliates have already started testing new traffic channels and investing in SEO, ASO, contextual advertising, and streaming platforms.

Development of In-House Solutions. Affiliates are increasingly investing in building their own infrastructure, including media-buying teams, SEO departments, and in-house services.

Yeva: Olena, we know you’re all about growing brands and driving traffic, but when you’re not deep in the world of affiliates and casinos, what do you enjoy doing for fun? Any surprising hobbies or hidden talents?

I am a pianist and also a big fan of contemporary fiction and chamber theaters.

Company: BigDeal Partners
Interviewee: Olena Klymenko
Date: 25.03.2025

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