In Ep. 79 of Earned, we sit down with Adam Ross, CEO of leading affiliate marketing platform Awin. To start, Adam explains what affiliate marketing is, and how Awin helps connect companies to affiliate partners with engaged consumer audiences. We discuss why affiliate marketing is relevant to any industry, and Adam reveals how Awin is working to unite the influencer and affiliate marketing industries for a more seamless experience. We hear how Awin competes with social platforms’ native affiliate marketing programs, as well as giants like Amazon and Shopify, by providing superb opportunities and customer service to their affiliate partners. Next, we switch gears and talk through the growing pains involved in building a company with over a thousand employees, and hear how Awin successfully brought several acquisitions into the fold. We discuss the challenge of balancing company growth with profitability, before Adam shares his experience transitioning from COO to CEO. To close the show, we learn how Awin has cultivated such a positive company culture, and why Adam supports a four-day work week. In this episode, you will learn:What affiliate marketing is, and why it's relevant to any industryHow to scale a company thoughtfully and sustainablyThe power of promoting a positive company culture as CEOKey Takeaways:2:50 - 8:20 What affiliate marketing is, and the sectors that benefit the most from it9:22 - 11:56 How Awin aims to make affiliate marketing easier for creators28:05 - 31:22 The challenge of balancing company growth and profitability34: 27 - 38:02 How Awin cultivates a positive company cultureResources:AWINConnect with the Guest(s):Adam Ross’s LinkedInConnect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ:Conor’s LinkedIn - @conormbegleyCreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriqFollow us on social:CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamicsCreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriqCreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iqCreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ