RAV 2025 Shortlist Announced!

We’re excited to announce the official shortlist from our inaugural RAV awards entries.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the absolute honour of watching over 150 entries pour in from across the performance marketing industry for our inaugural Rising Affiliate Victor (RAV) Awards.

Each submission was a pleasure to read. Each story showcased something that truly matters as we whittled down the entries to create this year’s first RAV awards shortlist – and it was no easy task. Our judges had their work cut out for them, and we couldn’t be more proud of what has emerged as the final shortlist for this year’s awards taking place at the ELEVATE summit in London on the 15th July.

The shortlist is a reflection of the incredible impact and work that all our nominees are doing with their clients, communities, and teams. Whether through breakthrough innovation, consistent delivery, or simply pushing the boundaries of what affiliate and performance marketing can be, our shortlist showcases SME and Talent excellence – in action.

The RAV Awards were built to celebrate more than results. They’re about people. Stories. Small shifts that spark big outcomes. The unsung heroes, rising stars, and programs making real, measurable impact – all without the usual fanfare. So if you or your brand is on the shortlist: take a moment. Let that recognition land. Because you’ve earned it. 🏆

And if you nominated someone else, well done for shining a light where it was deserved. This is what the RAVs are about.

“We’re thrilled to have seen such a high level of participation from our community in this year’s inaugural RAV awards” says Lee-Ann Johnstone, Founder of Affiverse. 

“It’s a true indication of the community we’ve fostered around us to help our community rise up and learn and grow – together. I’m looking forward to handing over our distinctive hand made sustainable awards to the people and companies that have showcased their skills in this year’s entries and wish all those who are nominated the very best for a WIN”. 

The categories in this year’s RAV Awards were intentionally broad, to open the door to all players in this space. And while we don’t publish the contents of each entry, we want to celebrate the meaning behind each category, and what it means to be shortlisted.

1. Affiliate Start-Up

This category recognises affiliate businesses under 3 years old that are disrupting, innovating, or showing impressive traction. It celebrates hustle, heart, and bold ideas.

Shortlisted Nominees:
Adrian Vella – Tyviso
Ben Helyar – Digi-Reach for Engage & Monetize
Neguin Farhangmehr – ND Agency
Dustin Howes – Inflektion

2. SME Start-Up

Recognising smaller businesses paving their path in performance marketing, creating new opportunities, sustainable models, and long-term value.

Shortlisted:
Neguin Farhangmehr – ND Agency
Deepak Tailor – Latest Free Stuff
Alison Keogh – Marker Video

3. Best Use of Social Media

This category celebrates those who use their platform to educate, engage, and influence the performance marketing space, whether as creators, consultants, or brands. It’s about authentic personal branding and community value.

Shortlisted:
Vanessa Castillo – VCV Agency
Parul Tarang Bhargava – vCommission
Mike Carney – Performance Marketing Jobs / Golden Sky ROI

4. Program Manager of the Year

These individuals make partnerships thrive. This award recognises affiliate program managers who go beyond the call to build real value, scale results, and foster strong relationships.

Shortlisted:

Hamish Macgregor – Havas Media
Stefanie Beckerman – Ozlo Sleep
Erika Cosme – Stemregen

5. Affiliate Program Excellence

Celebrating affiliate programs that deliver. This award goes to brands running effective, ethical, and innovative partner programs that deliver ROI and long-term value.

Shortlisted:
Nataly Ptitsyna – ClickDealer
Amy Johnson – TUI UK
Leila Munro – Growth HQ

6. Best SaaS, Network or Tech Partner

For the platforms and partners who power the industry. This award recognises tools and networks that enable affiliate success through great UX, innovation, service, and results.

Shortlisted:
Yulia Belenkova – Tapfiliate
Merwyn Dsouza – NucleusLinks
Haafiz Dossa – Inflektion
Nataly Ptitsyna – ClickDealer

7. Rising Star

This one’s for the emerging voices in our space. Individuals early in their career or newly visible in the industry, showing promise, leadership, and fresh thinking.

Shortlisted:
Parul Gupta – Meta
Chloe Ellis – TUI UK
Taryn Grant – impact.com
Marie Montano – impact.com

8. Industry Champion (The Unsung Heroes)

The magic-makers behind the scenes. This category honours those who work tirelessly, often without spotlight, to move the industry forward with consistency and care.

Shortlisted:
Joep van den Boer – Shoparize
Dustin Howes – Coalition Marketing
Alia Swinnerton-Kean – TopCashback

9. B2B Partnerships

For companies or individuals building affiliate programs or partnerships in the B2B space. This category celebrates deals that move the needle.

Shortlisted:
Frederic Jean-Bart – Performance Partners
Greta Dunne – Marker Video

10. Innovation: Tech & AI

This category recognises cutting-edge use of AI or tech in affiliate or performance marketing. It’s for the risk-takers and experimenters leading us into the future.

Shortlisted:
Kyle White – Refinery Affiliate
Merwyn Dsouza – NucleusLinks
Ashleigh Holmes – Flowd
Anna Gomez – PartnerBoost
Dustin Howes – Inflektion

To those who entered: thank you.
To those who nominated: we see you.
To those shortlisted: you made it.

💬 Help us celebrate them.

Share this blog. 

Use the hashtag #RAVawards2025. 

And let’s show the world what performance marketing collaboration – really looks like.

AND…

A special word of thanks goes out to our esteemed panel of judges – without whom this shortlist and our upcoming winner announcement – would not have been possible to produce. 

Matt Frary – Chief of Chaos
Florian Gramshammer – impact.com
Michael Cole – Everflow
Sarafina Wolde Gabriel – Rightlander
Red Barrington – Red Star
Ishtvan Torpoi – TAG
Alona Malinovska – Webgains
Gaurav Arora – Skimlinks, A Taboola Company
Heather Peebles – Perkbox
Richard Dennys – Game Lounge
Jim Nichols – Exclamation Marketing Solutions
Daisy-Blue Malden – impact.com
Chris Tradgett – Moonpull Partners
James Little – TopCashback
Alex Feist – Sage
Jenny Gonzalez – Rocahead & Trackfinity
James Boden – CJ.com
Dave Pickard – Phonexa
Kevin Edwards – APMA