Awin vs Rakuten Advertising

BuildLab Competition: Seven Affiliate Firms Build AI Time-Saving Tools

At PI LIVE Europe, the BuildLab competition brings together seven affiliate marketing companies to develop next-generation partnership tools that address time-consuming manual tasks, approval chasing, and data fragmentation in the affiliate channel. Teams from Tradedoubler, Awin, Impact.com, Optimise, Everflow, Adtraction, and Bravo Savings Network will build working prototypes in a single day, using AI tools, models, and MCP integrations. The winner will be announced at the AIP Summit on October 21. This initiative highlights the industry's focus on leveraging AI to streamline operations and enhance strategic work.

• PI LIVE is hosting BuildLab, a competition to create next-gen partnership tools.
• Seven companies participate: Tradedoubler, Awin, Impact.com, Optimise, Everflow, Adtraction, and Bravo Savings Network.
• Each team builds a working prototype in one day using AI tools and MCP integrations.

Awin Hires Former Amazon Exec as Chief Product & Technology Officer

Awin, a global affiliate marketing network, has appointed Varun Aggarwal as its new Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO). Previously holding leadership roles at Amazon and Checkout.com, Aggarwal will lead a unified product and technology strategy aimed at accelerating the platform's growth, with a focus on leveraging artificial intelligence. The company plans to launch new features like AI Visibility and Smart Search to help advertisers better understand and measure the impact of their affiliate partnerships across the increasingly complex customer journey. CEO Adam Ross highlighted Aggarwal's experience in scaling global commerce platforms and his expertise in product development, commerce, and AI as key assets. The move signals Awin's commitment to leading technological innovation in the partner marketing space.

• Awin appointed Varun Aggarwal as Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO).
• Aggarwal previously held leadership positions at Amazon and Checkout.com.
• Awin plans to introduce new AI-driven features, including AI Visibility and Smart Search.

Majority of Gen Z and Millennials Trust AI Influencers

A new Awin study reveals that 54% of Gen Z and Millennials globally are willing to trust AI influencers, with 42% across all age groups. In Germany, 51% of 25-34-year-olds and 41% of 18-24-year-olds are open to AI influencers, compared to only 22% of those over 65. Nearly half of Germans aged 18-34 have purchased a product directly after a creator recommendation without further research. AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini are increasingly used in purchase decisions, with 22% of German consumers using them. Transparency is key, as 33% globally cite it as the most important trust factor in creators. Purchases still primarily occur on established channels, with 43% via online marketplaces.

• 54% of Gen Z and Millennials globally are willing to trust an AI influencer.
• 42% of all consumers globally are open to AI influencers.
• In Germany, 51% of 25-34-year-olds and 41% of 18-24-year-olds trust AI influencers.

Mirai Wins 2026 MarTech Breakthrough Award for AI Innovation

Rakuten Advertising’s Mirai has been named AI-Powered Marketing Decision Engine of the Year in the 2026 MarTech Breakthrough Awards. Discover how this agentic AI platform is transforming affiliate and performance marketing.

FAST Hits Mainstream TV, Forces Ad Market Rethink

Rakuten TV Enterprise market studies show FAST (Free Ad‑Supported Streaming TV) has become mainstream in Germany and Europe, changing how advertisers plan CTV campaigns. In Germany 79% of respondents use FAST daily or several times a week (Europe ~74%), and four in five view FAST as a primary or alternative way to watch TV. Most FAST viewing (94%) happens on TV devices. Advertiser acceptance of ads in streaming is high if ads are relevant; 82% of European respondents accept advertising in streaming contexts. Advertisers are shifting investment and measurement priorities: CTV is a standard channel (100% of surveyed advertisers use or plan to use it), 72% of German advertisers plan to raise CTV spend, and attention, context and brand impact are rising measurement priorities. Rakuten highlights an "Advertiser‑Viewer Gap" that the industry must address.

• Rakuten TV Enterprise published two studies: "The FAST Advantage" and "Beyond the Break" examining FAST usage and advertising attitudes.
• In Germany 79% of surveyed users said they use FAST offerings daily or several times per week; Europe-wide the figure is ~74%.
• 94% of FAST viewing occurs on TV devices; 60.7% of respondents expect to use FAST more in the future.