Nick Robertson Speaks Out on "Grubbygate"

E-consultancy published an interview today with ASOS CEO Nick Robertson, who was something of a lightning rod in the affiliate blogosphere six weeks ago when he labelled affiliates as “grubby.”

In this, the first interview since “Grubbygate,” Nick explains the reasons behind his decision to close down the ASOS affiliate program and his subsequent comments.

At the time of his initial comments, Mr. Robertson shared plans to re-launch the affiliate program…

Next year we’ll reintroduce affiliate marketing but as it should be, as opposed to affiliates as they were. [There’ll be] no silly commissions being paid to grubby little people in grubby studios growing income at our expense, getting in the way of genuine sales.

However, in the latest interview with E-consultancy, ASOS CEO Nick Robertson has changed course…

E-consultancy: Are you actually going to re-launch the programme?
Robertson: Right now, I have better uses of my marketing money. In the forseeable future, no. I’m struggling to come up with reasons why we would. The bigger we get, the more questionable it is. Seventy percent of our products are unique, so you can’t get them anywhere else.

To slightly bastardize one of my favorite billy Bragg lyrics, “Some people say arrogance is blind, but I think that’s just a bit short-sighted.”

Anyhow, on behalf of my partners Jess Luthi, Missy Ward and myself, I’d like to extend a free pass for you to attend our upcoming Affiliate Summit in London on September 28.

I think we could help you to find ample reasons why an affiliate program makes sense for ASOS.

If you’re interested in passes for you and your team, touch base and we’ll get you set up.