CONN3CT 2025 brought together 170+ agencies, advertisers, publishers, and tech partners in Sydney to celebrate the pillars of people, platform, and partnerships. From inspiring keynotes and debates to the launch of Commission Factory’s AI-powered assistant Axis and the CONN3CT Awards, the event showcased the future of affiliate marketing.
On August 13 2025, the affiliate marketing community came together at Doltone House Darling Island in Sydney for CONN3CT 2025. Hosted by Matt Hyde, founder of The Speaker’s Edge, the event welcomed more than 170 agencies, advertisers, publishers, and tech partners for a day of insights, collaboration, and connection.
At the heart of CONN3CT were three key pillars: people, platform, and partnerships (the “3” in CONN3CT). More than event themes, these pillars represent the foundations of affiliate and digital marketing today. Every keynote, panel discussion, and conversation throughout the day reflected how these elements work together to drive innovation and growth across the industry.
From thought-provoking sessions to vibrant networking, CONN3CT 2025 showcased the power of bringing the industry together to share ideas, strengthen relationships, and shape the future of affiliate marketing.
People: The Heart of Affiliate Marketing
At its core, affiliate marketing is powered by people. Across every conversation and session, CONN3CT highlighted how relationships, communication, and collaboration remain central to long-term success.
Samsung Australia’s keynote, People: The Affiliate Guide to the Galaxy, offered a closer look at its evolving affiliate strategy in Australia and how strong relationships with its internal staff, affiliate partners, and affiliate networks like Commission Factory continue to drive its growth and success both within the channel and as a business overall.
Platform: Smarter Tools for Smarter Decisions
Technology continues to transform the way we work, and the second session, Platform: Time is the UX with Green Gadgets, demonstrated how Commission Factory’s tools and resources, enhanced by expert account management, have been instrumental in driving long-term growth and sustainability for its thriving affiliate program.
Alongside the fireside chat featuring Green Gadgets, the Platform component to CONN3CT 2025 saw the rollout of Commission Factory’s Winter Release 2025, including its AI-powered assistant Axis. The exclusive video preview highlighted how Commission Factory’s new, smarter, more intuitive tools can help clients work efficiently, make better decisions, and focus on growing their affiliate programs.
Partnerships: Power of the Human Touch
Collaboration is key, but who drives investment: People or platform?
In Partnerships: Who Wins the Budget? The People vs Platform Debate, industry leaders tackled the balance between human expertise and technology. While platforms deliver scale and instant insights, it was people, bringing creativity, strategy, and judgment, that ultimately took the lead.
The session, proudly hosted by the Debate Club, reaffirmed a shared truth: the best outcomes come when the right people harness the right tools; proving that while technology enables progress, human expertise remains the ultimate driver of success.
Celebrating Success: The CONN3CT Awards 2025
The CONN3CT Awards 2025 celebrated outstanding achievements across Commission Factory’s affiliate marketing ecosystem. Congratulations to all finalists and winners on the day:
- Best Innovation: Future Publishing Australia
- Best Performance Marketing Team: AGL
- Advertiser of the Year: Samsung
- Agency of the Year: The Redman Agency
- Publisher of the Year: Linkby
Looking Ahead
CONN3CT 2025 was more than an event; it was a celebration of the people, partnerships, and platforms driving our industry forward.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the conversations that will continue to shape affiliate marketing in 2025 and beyond. We would also like to extend our thanks to our MC, speakers, debaters, judges, and sponsors – CONN3CT 2025 wouldn’t have been possible without your contributions.
We can’t wait to see you next year for another flagship event filled with insights, inspiration, and connection.
Commission Factory is not only the Asia-Pacific region’s largest affiliate platform, working with more than 900 of the world’s biggest brands, it is also a performance marketing platform that allows affiliates, partners and content creators to earn money and online businesses to increase sales.
Connect with the Commission Factory team to learn more about how we help brands and partners build and grow their affiliate marketing strategies.
