impact.com vs Talon.One

Awin, CJ, Partnerize, impact.com CEOs to Map Industry's Future

The CEOs and co-founders of Awin, CJ, Partnerize, and impact.com will join forces for a keynote at PI LIVE Europe to discuss the future of the affiliate and performance marketing industry. The discussion comes as the industry faces significant shifts driven by AI, including the rise of AI shopping agents and changing customer journeys. Recent research cited in the article shows 72% of AI platform users use AI for product research, 42% of consumers use AI tools for shopping, and Mastercard predicts one in ten will routinely use AI agents to shop by 2030. The leaders will address the need for new measurement and attribution models beyond last-click, aiming to scale the industry tenfold. The keynote will be moderated by Jennifer Goodwin.

• Awin, CJ, Partnerize, and impact.com are participating in a joint keynote at PI LIVE Europe.
• The keynote features CEOs and co-founders Sean Sewell, Todd Crawford, Adam Ross, and Santi Pierini.
• The discussion aims to map out the future of the affiliate and performance industry.

impact.com Powers Minecraft’s First-Ever Affiliate Program and Unveils Next-Generation AI Partnership Technology

impact.com announces a new press release covering Minecraft's first-ever affiliate program and the unveiling of next-generation AI partnership technology.

impact.com Powers Minecraft Affiliate Program, Unveils AI Partnership Tech

impact.com reported Q2 progress including Minecraft selecting its platform to power Minecraft’s first-ever affiliate program, the unveiling of next-generation AI-powered partnership technology at its iPX event, and continued customer growth. The company added over 700 customers in the quarter, growing its base to more than 6,500 brands. New platform capabilities announced include AI-powered partnership assistance and autonomous agents, a public Model Context Protocol (MCP) connector, creator storefronts, improved creator discovery and faster payouts. impact.com also published benchmark research ahead of Amazon Prime Day and highlighted its industry recognitions and podcast audience growth.

• Minecraft selected impact.com to power its first-ever affiliate program.
• impact.com added more than 700 new customers in Q2, bringing its global customer community to more than 6,500 brands.
• At its iPX event, impact.com unveiled AI-powered partnership assistance and autonomous agents, a Model Context Protocol (MCP) connector, creator storefronts, social amplification features, and faster creator payouts.

Creative Promotions Offer Alternatives to Discounting

Sam Panzer argues that marketers should move beyond routine discounting and use creative promotional mechanics to deliver value without eroding margins. Citing Mark Ritson’s critique of indiscriminate price cuts and Talon.One data showing an average discount rate of 22% in 2025, Panzer advocates for “creative currencies” — non-price rewards that tap cultural moments, aspiration, game mechanics and behavioral framing. He references Maslow’s hierarchy and Prospect Theory to explain why framing and experience can be more valuable than straight discounts. Panzer also reports research conducted with System1 Group across 1,800 consumers in six markets that found gamified promotions (e.g., a “roll the die” mechanic) are perceived as more unique and memorable than discounts. Examples include Coca‑Cola’s Panini sticker World Cup tie-up and Patagonia’s 2011 “Don’t Buy This Jacket” campaign.

• Talon.One data shows an average discount rate of 22% in 2025.
• Sam Panzer and colleagues ran research with System1 Group across 1,800 consumers in six markets testing promotional mechanics.
• Panzer coins the term “creative currencies” to describe non-price promotional mechanics that deliver perceived value.

Adyen H1 2026: Net Revenue Rises Nearly 20%

Adyen reported strong first-half 2026 results: net revenue rose 19% year‑on‑year to €1.303 billion and processed payment volume increased 24% to €803.8 billion. EBITDA was €641.5 million (49% margin) and free‑cashflow conversion reached 86%. After H1 the company completed acquisitions of Talon.One and Orb and introduced new offerings including Adyen Agentic and Intelligent Money Movement to address AI-driven commerce and liquidity management. Adyen added several large international customers (Aritzia, OpenAI, Xiaomi) and GOV.UK Pay in the public sector, expanded the Toast partnership, obtained a UAE retail payments licence, and joined the x402 Foundation. For full-year 2026 Adyen expects 21–23% net revenue growth (constant FX) and plans higher 2026 capex (~7% of net revenue).

• Adyen reported net revenue of €1.303 billion in H1 2026, a 19% increase year‑on‑year (21% at constant FX).
• Payment volume processed via Adyen's platform rose 24% to €803.8 billion in H1 2026.
• EBITDA for H1 2026 was €641.5 million, corresponding to a 49% margin (50% excluding one‑off transaction costs).