Optimism Golden Link Awards 2025  
Award Categories & Descriptions 

2025 Categories 

1. Best Influencer Campaign 

2. Best Campaign Optimization 

3. Best Caused-Based Campaign  

4. Best Global Campaign  

5. Best Collaboration  

6. Best Collaboration with Rakuten  

7. Agency of the Year  

8. Affiliate Team of the Year  

9. Advertiser of the Year  

10. Publisher of the Year 

11. Lifetime Achievement Award 

 

Award Category Descriptions 

1. Best Influencer Campaign - The winner will represent an Advertiser or Influencer Agency that has crafted an effective strategy to monetize their partnerships through influencer-facing initiatives. Judges will look for campaigns where brands and influencers worked together to create authentic and engaging content that produced impressive quantitative results. 
    

2. Best Campaign Optimization - The winner will represent an Advertiser or Publisher who is successfully utilizing unique data and insights available to them to optimize their campaigns and implement strategies that deliver results including increasing ROI, new customer acquisition, revenue growth, and more. 
    

3. Best Caused-Based Campaign – The winner will have delivered on goals and objectives that aim to make the world a better place. These campaigns can be focused on sustainability, mental and physical health, social good, and/or multicultural campaigns that strive to create inclusivity within the industry. 
    

4. Best Global Campaign - The winner will represent an advertiser or publisher that demonstrates and successfully executes a global strategy in one or more regions. This award signifies constant improvement and dedication to the expansion of affiliate partnerships and the overall affiliate program within and beyond the US borders. To qualify, the program must be live and running in more than one country other than the United States. 
    

5. Best Collaboration – This award will showcase a thriving and profitable partnership within the affiliate industry. Judges will be looking for examples of unique partnerships, ongoing optimization, unique solutions, and overall success for all parties.  
    

6. Best Rakuten Collaboration – This award will showcase a successful partnership between shared clients within Rakuten Advertising and Rakuten Rewards. Judges will be looking for examples of innovation, unique solutions, optimization, and overall success for all parties. 
    

7. Agency of the Year – This award highlights an agency that successfully manages a client program in tandem with a network or publisher. Judges will be looking for success stories that highlight a well-crafted strategy and results, and overall successful partnerships.  
    

8. Affiliate Team of the Year - The winner will represent the Affiliate Marketing Manager for an Advertiser that continually outperforms and exceeds targets. They will consistently find ways to go above and beyond to create strong partnerships while optimizing every aspect of their program setting the gold standard for all-around program management. 
    

9. Advertiser of the Year - The winner will represent an advertiser that has shown significant growth or achievement within the previous year. Judges will be looking for exceptional program management, including publisher relationships, incorporating innovative new technology, and driving growth in key areas. 
    

10. Publisher of the Year - The winner will represent a publisher that has shown significant growth or achievement within the previous year. Judges will be looking for exceptional program management, including advertiser relationships, incorporating innovative new technology, and driving growth in key areas. 
     

11. Lifetime Achievement Award - This award honor a person in the affiliate or digital marketing industry who has driven actionable change to move their industry forward. Judges will look for examples of their tenure and impact within their industry and will require testimonials for why this person is qualified to win.