10 influential voices that will shape the agenda of the Affiliate Leaders Summit 2026

The Affiliate Leaders Summit 2026 will bring together ten key figures to address the transformation of affiliate marketing in the face of AI, increasing advertising restrictions, and new attribution models. This international meeting gathers executives and specialists who have directly experienced changes in content generation, data management, and adaptation to increasingly strict regulations. The agenda is centered on offering practical strategies for affiliates to thrive in a dynamic and complex environment.

The evolution of content: a central axis for iGaming affiliation

In the roundtable "Content Evolution: Why Content is the Most Undervalued Asset in iGaming Affiliation", Adam Bielinski, CEO and co-owner of iGaming Nuts, will analyze the shift from long-form content to short formats, the importance of social media, and native storytelling, stressing the urgency of treating content as a strategic asset. Bielinski, with over ten years in the sector and key stages at iGaming Nuts, Mahalo Media, and Better Collective, will offer a perspective based on the transformation of content and its effects on actual business growth, moving away from merely operational roles.

Keith Geary, marketing director at Mr Gamble, will provide a complementary view on the transition from traditional SEO approaches to more brand and user-focused formats and strategies. His background includes leadership in digital marketing at Playtech and Camelot, as well as operational management at Game Lounge.

The future of affiliation and regulatory challenges

Elaine Gardiner, Managing Director of TAG Media, will moderate two panels: "The Future of Affiliation: Where Is the Next Billion Dollar Opportunity?" and "Affiliate Leadership 2030: The Strategies Defining the Next Decade". She will discuss AI in search, creator economies, new verticals, and performance models, along with strategies that could chart the next ten years for the industry. Gardiner, with 18 years in affiliate marketing and experience in companies including TAG Media, Betsson, Gaming Innovation Group, and Global Gaming, will address how emerging technology and internal organization are driving sector transformation.

Chris Duncan, COO of Spotlight Sports Group and former Head of Audience Development at Bauer Media Group and Times Newspapers, will analyze how to identify sustainable growth opportunities and adapt content strategy to the evolution of digital discovery. Pierre Cadena, COO of Catena Media, will address the risks of regulatory and technological pressure on acquisition models and the potential unsustainability in some markets.

Milorad Matejic, COO of Gentoo Media and with a background in Gaming Innovation Group, will participate in the panel "Future Shock: The Predictions Affiliates Don’t Want to Hear", examining the progressive restriction of markets, the dominance of platforms, and the erosion of traditional models like CPA and SEO in the face of attribution changes. His contributions will focus on preparation for hostile scenarios and how to reposition operations to remain competitive.

Compliance and risks in affiliate advertising

Leanne Muleba, COO of Matching Visions, and Vadim Aidlin, CEO of Mamuta Media, will discuss the intensification of advertising controls, disclosure requirements, and platform enforcement in the panel "Ad Crackdowns = Affiliate Minefield". Muleba has held responsibilities in content management, product direction, and operations, giving her a practical perspective on how compliance directly affects commercial performance and internal teams. Aidlin, with experience directing acquisition strategies for regulated operators and former roles at Betsson Group (managing SEO for over 25 brands), will detail how advertising restrictions impact traffic, outcomes, and business growth.

The measurement challenge in a cookie-less world

Will Barfield, Head of Fan Reach at Better Collective, will guide the panel "Measurement in 2027: the cookie decline and the first-party data crisis". He will analyze how affiliates can rethink performance measurement in light of the decline of traditional tracking systems and the rise of first-party data. His professional journey encompasses programmatic, audience data, and campaign optimization, essential knowledge for those who must demonstrate commercial value to operators when attribution becomes complicated.

Leadership perspective: Jonathan Edelshaim of Natural Intelligence

As CEO of Natural Intelligence, Edelshaim will delve into the evolution of leadership in affiliation, highlighting which technologies and capabilities are worth investing in and which levers will differentiate in the coming decade. His position allows him to assess the practical implications of AI and changes in user behavior for the affiliate model.

The agenda of the Affiliate Leaders Summit 2026: voices and impact

The sum of these profiles spans from experience in acquisition and product to strategic management and compliance. Over three days, the Affiliate Leaders Summit will propose critical debates to understand the future of affiliation, providing attendees with concrete ideas to anticipate challenges and opportunities.

"The challenges affiliates face are becoming increasingly complex; understanding how to navigate technology, new regulations, and user evolution will be key to the sector's survival," states the event organization.

The topics addressed will cover AI, data, platforms, leadership, advertising, and regulatory adaptation, connecting both with operators and specialists in b2b and casino. The organization asserts that this group of voices will shed light on the next chapter of iGaming affiliation.