Since May, we have been running a real-world affiliate advertising program for smartphones, conducted through internet cafes.
The advertiser was an online video streaming service (offering unlimited access to 10,000 Hollywood films and popular overseas dramas), with member registration serving as the conversion metric.
When users visit an internet cafe, staff at the front desk introduce the advertiser’s service and encourage sign-up during check-in. Flyers are also placed in the booths used by customers, allowing users who did not register at the front desk to sign up on their own.
Users who register for the advertiser’s service on the spot receive benefits such as free internet cafe usage (1–3 hours) or a complimentary light snack (e.g., french fries), giving them a clear incentive to sign up while at the cafe. For the internet cafes themselves, the program offers the added benefits of increased revenue through affiliate commissions and higher repeat visit rates.
While affiliate marketing has traditionally centered on web and app channels—with mobile phone retail stores being the main venue for real-world affiliate programs—this initiative successfully opened up a new customer acquisition channel through internet cafes. In addition, rather than offering digital incentives such as online points, this program provided real, immediately usable incentives (e.g., free usage vouchers, complimentary snacks).
□ Program Overview
- Advertiser: Online video streaming service (unlimited access to 10,000 Hollywood films and popular overseas dramas; supports PC and smartphone multi-device access)
- Conversion metric: Member registration (requires name, email address, date of birth, gender, and credit card information)
- Target devices: Smartphones (iOS, Android)
- Participating locations: 15 locations across 5 internet cafe operators (as of the May launch)
- User incentives: Primarily free internet cafe usage and complimentary light snacks (e.g., french fries)
Document: 0708internetcafeaffiliate.pdf