At iGB Live Barcelona 2025, Affnook continued its exciting interview series Nook Talks where industry experts and thought leaders share their perspectives on the iGaming world, affiliate marketing, and technology.
In this episode, Rahul Pant, representing Affnook, sat down with Rodion Gusarov, Affiliate Manager at Royal Partners, to talk about the evolution of affiliate marketing, the importance of media in 2025, and how motivation and mindset make a difference when attending major conferences like iGB.
Getting to Know Rodion Gusarov and Royal Partners
Rodion began the conversation by introducing himself and giving a brief overview of what he does at Royal Partners, a well-known affiliate program in the iGaming space.
As an Affiliate Manager, Rodion’s daily work involves managing partnerships, ensuring affiliates have everything they need, and helping them achieve strong conversions. His company currently works with more than 14 active brands, covering various markets and niches in the gaming industry.
When asked about his typical day, Rodion smiled and described it in simple terms, a mix of work and passion. He said, “Every day, I live the affiliate manager lifestyle. I work, I do sports, and I keep my energy up — that’s what helps me perform my best.”
This positive and disciplined approach reflects how seriously he takes his role and how he balances work and life even in a fast-paced industry.
First Impressions of iGB Barcelona
This year’s iGB Live in Barcelona brought together thousands of professionals from across the iGaming and affiliate marketing world. For Rodion, the event was both inspiring and motivating.
He shared his honest thoughts about the experience: “The first day at ICE is more for general networking, but the second day of iGB is where things really happen. That’s when the real conversations and partnerships begin.”
Rodion emphasized that what truly makes a conference valuable isn’t just the event itself — it’s the mindset and energy you bring to it.
He said, “It depends on you. If you have goals and energy, you’ll make the most out of the conference. But if you treat it just like a trip or vacation, you won’t get real results.”
That mindset, he explained, is what separates those who walk away with partnerships and deals from those who simply attend for the experience.
Rodion also mentioned that rest and preparation are essential. He laughed as he said, “Take enough rest before the conference — because it’s going to be full of meetings, conversations, and opportunities.”
It was a great reminder that success in networking events comes not only from hustle but also from being well-prepared and energized.
The Power of Media in 2025
One of the highlights of the discussion was Rodion’s advice to affiliate managers and marketers for 2025.
He believes that this is the year of media, a time when content creation, storytelling, and brand communication are more important than ever.
“2025 is for media,” he said confidently. “We need your content. We need to create and share more for our community. That’s how we make our brands stronger.”
This statement perfectly captures the shift happening across industries today, from focusing only on performance metrics to building brand identity through consistent media presence.
Rodion’s insight is simple yet powerful: content drives connection, and connection builds trust. Whether it’s through interviews, blogs, videos, or podcasts, brands that communicate clearly and consistently stand out and create long-term value.
Affiliate Marketing and Collaboration
As the conversation went on, Rahul and Rodion discussed how affiliate programs like Royal Partners create opportunities for affiliates worldwide.
Rodion explained that Royal Partners focuses on building strong, transparent relationships with affiliates. The team provides dedicated support, detailed insights, and a wide range of offers so partners can maximize their results.
He also highlighted the value of trust and consistency in affiliate marketing — something that Royal Partners strives to uphold across all its collaborations.
For affiliates, this means they’re working with a company that understands their challenges and offers practical tools and personal guidance to help them succeed.
Rahul added that for affiliates looking for reliable tracking and performance insights, Affnook provides the perfect companion solution. With its data-driven platform, affiliates can track, optimize, and scale their campaigns effectively.
Conferences as a Place for Growth
When talking about iGB and other major conferences, Rodion shared that events like these are not just for meeting clients, they’re also about community.
He said, “When we meet in person, shake hands, and talk face-to-face, it’s different from online meetings. There’s more trust, more understanding.”
It’s true in an increasingly digital world, in-person interactions still hold immense power. Conferences help professionals not only network but also learn from one another, discover new tools, and explore potential collaborations that could shape their future strategies.
Rodion summed it up perfectly: “If you come here with purpose and energy, you’ll make the best out of it.”
Final Thoughts
As the interview wrapped up, Rahul thanked Rodion for his time and insights.
Rodion left the audience with one last message — a reminder to all affiliate managers and marketers to focus on growth through content, connection, and consistency.
“Let 2025 be the year for media. Create content. Build your brand. Make it stronger.”
The conversation between Rahul and Rodion was not just about affiliate programs or conferences — it was about mindset. It reminded everyone that success in this fast-moving industry comes from being active, creative, and committed to building meaningful relationships.
Whether you’re an affiliate, a marketer, or a brand, the lesson is clear — stay focused, stay consistent, and use media as your strongest tool for growth.
