Final Report – CJ goes mobile

Right – thanks Hannah and Celia. I am back now so I will take the final slot and let you all know how it ended!

Day 5

• Peterborough – Lowestoft
• Distance Travelled: 115 miles (yes, that’s right, 115 miles)

It was a long hard slog over to the east coast, I didn’t finish until after nine in the evening. My motivation was to complete the task before the weekend so that myself and the ‘support team’ could enjoy a little family time.

As it was so late I met with Lee Bromley from Submission Technology on the Saturday (they donated an absolutely amazing £500!)

Jason, Lee from Submission Technology and Support team

Unfortunately Darren Loud who heads up the affiliate team was off with the flu. I had planned to interview him for the blog so instead I caught up with Director, Neil Durrant on Monday. Here is his interview:

JB: You were the first cashback site in the UK. How long have you been running now?

ND: We launched in February 2003, so we have been operating for over six and a half years now.

JB: I understand that you have a lot of partner sites, who are they?

ND: Yes, strategically we are achieving growth by empowering key destination sites with a white-labelled cashback solution. We are currently working with GMTV, News International, Tiscali and numerous other partners. We have a number of exciting new partnerships to announce shortly, however the ink isn’t dry on those contracts yet!

JB: Have you hit any memorable milestones with member payouts?

ND:Our online cashback ticker has now surpassed the £115 million milestone. I’m proud that our little idea has turned into one of affiliate marketing’s greatest revenue drivers.

JB: How did the idea of cashback come about?

ND: At the time I was working in the affiliate space, providing consulting and promotional services for merchants. This was ‘back in the day’ before a dedicated UK affiliate network even existed. This time gave me the opportunity to thoroughly understand the space and identify what might and might not work.

JB: Any tips for our advertisers on how to get the best out of your site?

ND: Each advertiser has different opportunities that we can help them leverage. Our newspaper partner is also in a position to support promotional campaigns editorially, this allows us to produce a well-rounded cross media campaign to drive results. The best advice is to make contact with myself, Darren or Lee to allow us to explore how we can help!

Thanks very much Neil for your contribution and all of your support!

So…back to the trip. It is at this point that I would like to say thank you to a few people. Firstly I would like to say thanks to all the people who have donated to Kids Company – we have raised £1,265 so far – http://www.justgiving.com/CJ-goes-mobile/. Thanks very much – really appreciated

Next I would like to thank my support team (my wife) for all her support during the week. I kind of sold the trip as a week away as a family – well we all know that things turned out a little differently so thanks for your patience Helen.

I would also like to say thank you to CJ for supporting the idea in the first place. I have worked for a number of large organisations before and I can honestly say that it takes a business with a certain type of culture to back you when you request to engage our community with something a little different. In particular Hannah who organised most of the trip and content. On the note of working with good people please note that WE ARE RECRUITING – so if you want to work somewhere with an excellent culture then get in touch.

The most beautiful sign I have ever seen

So what did I learn on my travels?

• The UK is a most beautiful place
• ‘Miles’ are very underated. They go on for ages
• Plan every route! (better still get Doug to plan your route)
• Some people don’t know where they are, where they are going, or where they have come from
• When asking for directions if you don’t get an answer within a minute, walk away!!
• There are some really, really nice people out there – thanks Martin!
• Be nice to cyclists!
• Use Sudocream – it works, padded seats don’t!
• Be careful what you agree to when you are tipsy
• Don’t shout expletives at large blokes in white vans (who cut you up) in unknown territory and miles away from home
• Doug wears Y-Fronts:-)

Well there you go! Next year I plan to do the same and I challenge more of you to do what Doug did and join me for part of the route.

Last but by no means least I would like to thank my bike!