In this exclusive interview with Adgully, Aleksandr Kryvosheiev, the CEO of Mobmio, a rapidly expanding global mobile performance network specializing in user acquisition for mobile apps and monetization services for publishers, delves into the evolving landscape of mobile usage, affiliate marketing, and data-driven strategies that Mobmio employs to navigate the dynamic world of mobile apps and affiliate marketing. Excerpts:The MENA region is often described as "mobile-first." How have you seen mobile usage and behavior evolve in this region over the past few years, and what unique opportunities does this present for companies like Mobmio?Over the past few years, mobile usage in the MENA region has experienced remarkable growth. As we all know, the UAE is the world leader in innovations, which resulted in double engagement on apps. This surge is attributed to the widespread adoption of smartphones and the introduction of 5G technology, contributing to higher mobile internet usage and shifts in user behavior. Notably, consumer engagement with apps in the region now surpasses that of Europe and North America by 1.6 times.According to Mitgo's data, the number of mobile sales in MENA grew by 20% in H1 of 2023 YoY, their GMV grew by 18,3%, over half of all orders in the region are made through mobile phones.Taking into account the results of July and August, the growth of sales through mobile traffic sources has increased even further, reaching 30% year over year.This shift has created unique opportunities for companies like Mobmio. With our focus on user acquisition and monetization services for mobile apps, we're well-positioned to tap into the region's mobile-first culture. As the MENA market embraces mobile apps for everything from shopping to entertainment, Mobmio can help local brands leverage this trend for rapid app growth to keep up with users' habits and trends. Launched as a stand-alone business in 2023, Mobmio has already reached 500+ million mobile users, generated 50+ million interactions and acquired 15+ million new users for its customers worldwide. Could you share some insights into the most significant mobile trends globally? How does Mobmio stay ahead of these trends to better serve its clients?Globally, mobile trends have seen a shift towards personalized experiences, augmented reality, and mobile commerce. Mobmio stays ahead of these trends through continuous market research, staying updated with technology advancements, and fostering partnerships with innovative app developers and mobile publishers. By understanding evolving user preferences, we tailor our strategies to align with these trends, ensuring our clients' apps reach their target audiences. With your extensive experience in affiliate marketing, how has the landscape of mobile affiliate marketing evolved since you started in the industry in 2013, and how is Mobmio adapting to these changes?Since 2013, mobile affiliate marketing has evolved from being a supplementary channel to a primary revenue driver for many businesses. Nowadays, we even see businesses emerging exclusively for mobile platforms, completely bypassing the traditional desktop format. This shift is hardly surprising given that tasks like hailing a taxi or finding a date are now predominantly carried out on mobile devices rather than desktops.The rise of mobile apps and social media platforms has transformed how affiliates reach and engage audiences. It's crucial to recognize that user behavior has undergone a notable transformation during this period. The generations of Millennials, Gen Z, and even the emerging Alpha generation tend to gravitate towards convenience, often seeking services that require minimal additional communication or effort. Our experience allows us to navigate this evolving landscape effectively, ensuring maximum results for our clients.User acquisition is a critical aspect of mobile app success. Could you elaborate on some of the key strategies that Mobmio employs to help its clients acquire and retain users effectively?Mobmio excels in user acquisition by seamlessly blending affiliate marketing strategies with cutting-edge mobile app dynamics. We connect apps with their ideal audience segments by leveraging our extensive network of mobile-first publishers. This dynamic partnership with diverse publisher types empowers us to tap into various user behaviors and preferences. Moreover, our personalized success managers collaborate closely with clients, optimizing strategies for long-term user acquisition and retention. Through these synergistic approaches, we secure high-quality installs, enhance user engagement, and ultimately drive user retention. We prioritize meeting our clients' specific needs and objectives, ensuring the success of their businesses by maintaining a strong focus on their goals and long-term partnerships. In a crowded app marketplace, what role does data-driven marketing play in ensuring a mobile app's visibility and growth? How does Mobmio leverage data to optimize user acquisition campaigns?Amid the bustling app marketplace, data-driven marketing is the compass guiding an app's trajectory. Mobmio capitalizes on data analytics by strategically partnering with diverse publishers, aligning offers with user preferences in specific segments like Ecommerce, Utilities, Finance, Services, Travel, Telecom, and Entertainment. Our data-driven approach goes beyond user segmentation; it permeates every campaign phase. By meticulously analyzing user behavior and engagement metrics, we continually refine targeting and creative optimization. This iterative process ensures that our user acquisition campaigns adapt to real-time trends, resonating with users and fueling app visibility and growth.Could you share a specific case study where Mobmio's approach to user acquisition resulted in remarkable growth for a mobile app? What were the key factors that contributed to that success?Certainly, we worked with an e-commerce app that was struggling to expand its user base. By implementing a comprehensive data analysis, refining their ad creatives for specific audience segments, and employing re-engagement campaigns, Mobmio significantly increased their installs and user engagement. The key factors were our precise targeting, creative optimization, and continuous campaign adjustments based on real-time performance data.Mobile apps have become integral to various industries, including affiliate marketing. How has the role of mobile apps evolved within the affiliate industry, and how does Mobmio leverage this trend?Mobile apps have transformed the affiliate industry by offering a more seamless and personalized user experience. Affiliates can now leverage in-app placements, push notifications, and native advertising for higher engagement. Mobmio harnesses this trend by collaborating with app developers and publishers, creating tailored affiliate strategies that blend seamlessly into the app's experience, enhancing both user engagement and conversion rates.As the CEO of Mobmio, how do you see the synergy between mobile apps and affiliate marketing evolving in the future? What opportunities do you foresee for companies operating in this intersection?The synergy between mobile apps and affiliate marketing will deepen as technology advances. We'll witness more sophisticated tracking, AI-driven optimization, and immersive experiences. This will open opportunities for innovative partnerships where affiliates collaborate closely with app developers to create value-driven experiences. Companies like Mobmio can facilitate these collaborations, driving mutually beneficial outcomes and redefining how affiliates engage with mobile audiences.Can you provide insights into the challenges and opportunities of monetizing mobile audiences, especially in markets like MENA? How does Mobmio address these challenges?Monetizing mobile audiences in markets like MENA requires balancing cultural nuances and user preferences with revenue generation. It's crucial to respect user privacy and avoid intrusive ads. Mobmio addresses these challenges by tailoring ad content to match local preferences, partnering with culturally relevant brands, and leveraging our deep understanding of the market to deliver ads that resonate with users, ultimately maximizing revenue potential.Could you share a success story of how Mobmio effectively helped a publisher optimize their monetization strategy and achieve substantial revenue growth?I'd be glad to share our recent success story with Facemoji, a publisher we work with. In just six months, we helped them double their earnings by implementing the following strategy. Firstly, we advised the publisher to promote offers simultaneously on two models: namely CPI and CPA. By trying both methods, they could figure out which one was more profitable. After identifying the best option, we also customized rates specifically for them. Additionally, we promptly provided them with all the necessary statistics to optimize their advertising efforts effectively. This partnership showcases how strategic planning and data-driven decision-making can significantly boost revenue within a short timeframe.

In this exclusive interview with Adgully Middle East, Anna Gidirim, the CEO of Admitad, delves into the company's remarkable journey from a small affiliate marketing network to a global force in performance marketing. Gidirim shares insights into Admitad's major milestones, innovative strategies, and effective team management in a diverse and multicultural environment. She offers a glimpse into the future of performance marketing, how AI is shaping the industry, and her personal approach to maintaining work-life balance. Gidirim's wisdom and experience provide valuable guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals, particularly women, looking to excel in the dynamic worlds of marketing and technology. Excerpts:As the CEO of Admitad, could you share some insights into how the company has evolved since its inception in 2009 ? What are some of the major milestones or achievements that you are particularly proud of ?Since its founding in 2009, Admitad has undergone remarkable growth and transformation. We started as a small affiliate marketing network and have evolved into a global performance marketing company with a wide range of innovative solutions. Some of our major milestones include expanding our international presence and opening offices in 11 countries, developing advanced technology to enhance affiliate marketing, and establishing partnerships with leading brands including Aliexpress, Emirates, Sharaf DG, Dubai Store, Ournass and many more which generate 5 billion dollars annually with our platform. I am particularly proud of our consistent focus on innovation and our ability to adapt to changing market trends. Admitad has a team of over 350 employees worldwide. How do you manage such a diverse and multicultural team ? What are some of the strategies you employ to ensure effective communication and collaboration ?Managing a diverse and multicultural team is a priority for us at Admitad. We value different perspectives and experiences, which contribute to our creativity and problem-solving. To ensure effective communication and collaboration, we utilize digital tools for seamless virtual interaction, encourage open dialogue through regular team meetings, and organize cross-functional projects to foster teamwork and share the experience among different geographies. The company additionally facilitates language courses and provides training for navigating within a multicultural environment, aiming to enhance the efficacy of communication across diverse geos.You have mentioned the focus on innovation, what does it mean for Admitad ? How do you see the future of performance marketing evolving ?The landscape of innovation has become notably challenging due to recent regulatory shifts concerning personal data usage and the latest advancements introduced by prominent players like Apple and Google. Given that our business hinges on tracking, these changes have profoundly transformed its foundation. Had we not proactively anticipated and commenced preparations for these shifts several years ago, our operational capacity would have been compromised. Presently, we persist in refining our tools while foreseeing the forthcoming phases in the evolution of the MarTech sector. For us, this isn't just a matter of thriving; it's vital for our survival.Looking ahead, I see performance marketing continuing to evolve through instant payout solutions, AI, data-driven insights, personalized customer experiences, and stronger collaborations between advertisers and affiliates. There are also more and more small and medium enterprises entering the world of affiliate marketing and recognizing its benefits for growth. Can you provide some key points on how affiliate marketing can drive small and medium businesses forward ?One of the key advantages of affiliate marketing for SMEs which usually does not have large marketing budgets is that instead of paying upfront for clicks or ads, businesses only pay a fee when affiliates bring actual results. It is like having a team of online marketers who earn rewards based on how well they do. This helps smaller businesses show their brand more, reach more customers, and make more sales, without risking a lot of money upfront. Platforms such as Admitad Rise help SMEs to start affiliate campaigns easily and faster. They have a large group of affiliates, saving the trouble of finding them on your own. These platforms also give tools to keep track of data, analyze how well things are going, and handle payments. This makes it easier for small businesses to see how their marketing is doing and make changes if needed.Now we live in an unstable world. Crisis situations can significantly impact businesses in your experience, what are some effective strategies or approaches to survive and get back on track during challenging times ? Can you share any specific examples from your own journey at Admitad ?Crisis situations indeed test a company's resilience. Admitad's approach involves maintaining a strong financial foundation, diversifying our partnerships, and agilely adapting to changing market conditions. For instance, during the economic downturn of 2020, we swiftly adjusted our strategies to focus on sectors that showed growth potential, which helped us navigate the challenging times successfully. We ensure protection against adverse effects on specific industries through our comprehensive diversification across various sectors, coupled with the continuous integration of innovative tools tailored to contemporary customer requirements. The ongoing surge in e-commerce further contributes to our favorable trajectory. Our strategy involves parallel investments in well-established economies such as the USA and Germany, alongside an assertive pursuit of market participation in emerging regions like India and LATAM. Simultaneously, we are strategically entering uncharted territories for the affiliate industry, exemplified by our focus on nascent markets like Indonesia, with the goal of securing pioneering positions.Being a top manager and a mother of an 11 year old boy, how do you manage to maintain a work-life balance ? What are some practical tips or strategies you can share with other professionals who struggle with balancing their personal and professional lives ?Balancing work and personal life is a challenge many professionals face. My approach involves setting clear boundaries, prioritizing tasks, and delegating responsibilities. Regularly scheduling quality time with my family and practicing self-care are crucial as well. It is important to remember that achieving work-life balance is an ongoing effort and may require adjustments over time.As a media contributor on performance marketing topics, what are some common misconceptions or misunderstandings that you often come across ? How do you aim to educate and inform your audience about the potential of performance marketing ?A common misconception is that performance marketing is solely about driving immediate sales. In reality, it is a comprehensive strategy that involves building long-term relationships with customers, enhancing brand loyalty, and optimizing various touch-points across the customer journey. My aim as a media contributor and a conference speaker is to educate the audience about these multifaceted aspects of performance marketing.You said that AI is part of Admitad's strategy, how exactly do you use AI in your business model ?We are currently engaged in the testing of an AI-driven fraud detection program. This initiative aims to identify violations of the network rules and restrictions as well as ensure transparency and traffic quality. We also implement AI technology in Admitad's Instant Payout forecast tool, which permits affiliate publishers to promptly access their earnings, eliminating the need to retain funds for extended periods. The machine learning model, boasting a remarkable 95% accuracy rate, has significantly simplified publisher payouts.What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs or professionals who aspire to reach leadership positions in the business world, particularly in the field of marketing and technology ?To aspiring women entrepreneurs in marketing and technology, my advice is to believe in yourself, embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, and seek out mentors who can guide you. Stay curious, continuously update your skills, and don't be afraid to take calculated risks. Remember, your unique perspective is an asset that can drive innovation and positive change in your chosen field.