News
N1 Faces: Shirin Mammadov — Building Trust That Drives Performance
Growth in affiliate marketing is easy to promise — much harder to sustain. Real long-term results are built on consistency, clear communication, and relationships that can withstand market shifts, changing traffic sources, and rising competition.
In the new episode of N1 Faces, the N1 Partners team introduces Shirin Mammadov, Senior Affiliate Manager — a specialist focused on building structured, trust-based collaboration with partners. In this interview, Shirin shares how he entered the industry, what principles guide his work today, and what it takes to maintain performance and clarity in a high-pressure environment.
Shirin Mammadov
Senior Affiliate Manager, N1 Partners
How did you get into affiliate marketing, and when did you realize this was the field you wanted to grow in?
It started unexpectedly. At the time, I was running our own startup and wasn’t actively looking to move into affiliate marketing. The industry felt fast-paced, competitive, and performance-driven — exactly where I thrive. I’ve always enjoyed communication, negotiations, and building relationships, and affiliate marketing combines all of that. After some time in the role, I realized this wasn’t just a temporary step — it was a field where I could grow and challenge myself long term.
What brought you to N1 Partners, and what was the deciding factor?
Before joining N1 Partners, I was on the affiliate side, and N1 was one of my partners. From the start, the relationship with the team was transparent and professional. I saw their structured processes and strong performance mindset, but also a genuinely friendly atmosphere.
When I decided to move forward in my career, the key factor was trust. I already knew their standards and approach to growth. It wasn’t a risky move — it was a strategic one. I wanted to join a company I respected and where my affiliate-side experience could add real value.
What advice would you give your first-month self as an affiliate manager?
I would tell my first-month self to focus less on trying to prove myself immediately and more on deeply understanding the product, numbers, and traffic quality. Building strong partnerships takes time, and trust is more important than quick deals. I would also remind myself to ask more questions and not be afraid to challenge assumptions. The faster you understand the bigger picture, the faster you grow.
When do you know a partner will become a long-term relationship rather than a one-off deal?
You can usually see it from the very first conversations. If a partner is transparent about their traffic sources, open to feedback, and interested in continuous optimization rather than just the highest CPA, that’s a strong sign. Long-term partners think about strategy, testing, and growth — not just short-term profit. When there is mutual trust and aligned goals, it naturally turns into a sustainable relationship rather than a one-off deal.
How do you separate “normal volatility” from a real problem when you look at performance reports?
I separate normal volatility from a real problem by looking at trends over time rather than reacting to a single day’s numbers. Small fluctuations are normal, but consistent drops, unusual patterns, or deviations from historical performance are red flags. I also consider external factors, like seasonality or campaign changes, before jumping to conclusions. Once a pattern looks concerning, I dig into the data and communicate with the partner to identify the root cause.
Was there a time when the right communication truly “saved” a partnership? What did you do differently?
Yes, there was a situation where a partner was underperforming and frustrated with their results. Instead of focusing on numbers alone, I scheduled a direct conversation to understand their concerns and listen carefully. By aligning on goals, explaining the strategy, and suggesting practical adjustments, we rebuilt trust and improved performance together. It showed me that proactive, transparent communication can turn a challenging situation into a stronger, strategic partnership.
Do you have a personal motto? Sum yourself up in one sentence.
Work smart, communicate clearly, and always aim for long-term results
What helps you stay balanced and clear-headed during high-pressure periods?
I stay balanced by keeping active and making sure I move my body, whether it’s at the gym or just staying consistent with workouts. I also make a point to disconnect from work for short periods, which helps me reset and approach challenges with a clear mind. Planning my day carefully and focusing on one task at a time keeps stress manageable. This combination of physical activity and structured focus helps me stay calm and effective under pressure.
If you weren’t in iGaming …
If I weren’t in iGaming, I think I’d be a seaman. I’ve always been drawn to the sea – the challenge, the adventure, and the discipline it requires really appeal to me. In a way, both paths share the same mindset: staying focused, navigating uncertainty, and taking responsibility for outcomes.
Top-3 Blitz
What are the biggest red flags in leads — and what do you do when you see them?
- Unclear traffic sources — I ask detailed questions and request transparency before moving forward.
2. Inconsistent performance — I monitor closely and set clear KPIs to track improvements.
3. Lack of communication or responsiveness — I address it directly, set expectations, and decide if the partnership is worth continuing.
From an affiliate’s perspective, what matters most in an affiliate program?
1.Timely and transparent payments — affiliates need confidence in accurate, on-time payments.
2.Clear communication and support — being able to get answers, guidance, and updates quickly is essential.
3.Opportunities for growth — competitive offers, performance incentives, and tools that help them scale traffic effectively.
Name the tools you can’t imagine an affiliate manager working without.
- CRM / Affiliate tracking platforms — to monitor performance, track partners, and analyze data accurately.
2. Spreadsheet & analytics tools — for performance analysis, trend spotting, and making data-driven decisions.
3. Communication tools — email, chat, and video calls to maintain strong partner relationships.
Join N1 Partners
Partners who want to discuss a launch, explore tailored terms, or test an offer can reach out to Shirin directly.
N1 Partners provides everything affiliates need to stay ahead: high-converting products, ongoing analytics with optimization recommendations, and hands-on support from managers focused on long-term performance.
N1 Partners is more than an affiliate program. As a multi-brand affiliate platform and direct advertiser, the company unites 14+ casino and betting brands, operates across Tier-1 GEOs, delivers Reg2Dep rates of up to 70%, and offers competitive deals for top partners — CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45%. Trusted by 14,000+ partners, N1 Partners is recognized for its transparency, flexibility, and partner-first approach — where people and communication quality remain the foundation of long-term success.
News
Game On N1 Sport Promo Is Live
N1 Partners is launching N1 Sport Promo, a promo campaign for affiliates driving Sports Betting and Prediction Markets traffic.
The promotion covers the biggest sporting and esports events of the season, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, Wimbledon, Formula 1, UFC Freedom 250, and many other major events. The promo runs from June 10 to July 20, 2026.
During the campaign, affiliates can increase their CPA payouts based on the volume of qualified FTDs they deliver. The more quality players a partner brings, the higher his rate and total earnings become.
Why join N1 Sport Promo?
Every major sporting event attracts new audiences to the betting vertical, and summer 2026 offers multiple powerful growth drivers for affiliates.
- Peak sports season.
The biggest sporting events of the year are perfect for scaling traffic and testing new funnels. - Growing payouts.
The more FTDs you generate, the higher your active CPA rate becomes. - Tier-1 GEOs.
The promo is available across Tier-1 markets with high potential and quality sports traffic.
N1 Partners team has compiled a guide covering key sporting events, June promotions, and expert recommendations for monetising Tier-1 sports traffic to help affiliates prepare for the upcoming sports season.
How does N1 Sport Promo work?
The mechanics are simple: the more quality FTDs an affiliate generates, the higher their CPA rate becomes.
SEO and PPC
Affiliates working with SEO and PPC traffic can increase their CPA rate with no limits.
Every 10 FTDs add an extra €50 to your current rate. There is no cap on CPA growth.
Example:
| FTD | Rate | Revenue |
| 1–10 | €300 | €3 000 |
| 11–20 | €350 | €3 500 |
| 21–30 | €400 | €4 000 |
| 31–40 | €450 | €4 500 |
FB, In-App, UAC, ASO, Email and SMS
A separate payout structure applies to affiliates working with Facebook, In-App, UAC, ASO, Email, and SMS traffic.
Every 30 FTDs increase your current CPA rate by €10. The maximum increase is €100 on top of the base rate.
Accordingly, the more successfully a campaign scales, the higher the final payout becomes.
Example:
| FTD | Rate | Revenue |
| 1–30 | €100 | €3 000 |
| 31–60 | €110 | €3 300 |
| 61–90 | €120 | €3 600 |
| 91–120 | €130 | €3 900 |
N1 Sport Promo terms
Registered N1 Partners affiliates are eligible to participate in N1 Sport Promo. Please contact your affiliate manager to join the promotion.
Not working with N1 Partners yet? Get in touch with the LeadGen team and join the promotion during the biggest sports period of the summer.
Main terms:
- Sports betting and Prediction Markets traffic is allowed.
- GEOs: Tier-1 (the list of available countries is provided by your manager).
- CAP: 50 FTDs at campaign launch.
- At least 60% of acquired players must place sports bets.
- Traffic to crash games must not exceed 30% of total volume.
- Incentivised traffic, fraud, and non-target GEOs are not eligible for the promotion.
- N1 Partners reserves the right to recalculate or cancel FTDs in cases of fraudulent activity or violations of the promotion terms.
- Payouts are processed according to the company’s standard payment schedule.
Detailed participation terms are available via the link.
Join N1 Sport Promo and turn the 2026 sports season into record-breaking results!
Join N1 Partners:
- 14+ casino and sportsbook brands with high Reg2Dep
- 10+ Tier-1 GEOs
- CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 55% + NNCO for top partners
Be number one with N1!
News
N1 Partners in Three G Gate Awards Nominations
N1 Partners has been shortlisted for the G Gate Awards 2026 in three categories. Following the first round of voting, N1 Partners remains in the race for victory in the following nominations:
- iGaming Advertiser of the Year
- PR Campaign of the Year
- Event of the Year
Reaching the final stage of the G Gate Awards 2026 reflects N1 Partners’ key achievements over the past year, including the growth of its affiliate program and product portfolio, the launch of the N1 Puzzle Promo with a €500,000 prize pool, and the organisation of the “Because We Can” Grand Final during iGB Affiliate Barcelona.
The second and final voting round is now open and will run until June 22. The winners of the awards will be determined at this stage, and every vote counts.
How to Vote for N1 Partners
Supporting N1 Partners in the final round takes just a few clicks:
- Visit the G Gate Awards website.
- Select N1 Partners in the following categories:
- iGaming Advertiser of the Year
- PR Campaign of the Year
- Event of the Year
- Click the “Vote” button.
- Enter your phone number.
- Confirm your vote via the incoming call or Telegram verification code.
Support N1 Partners at the G Gate Awards!
Each of these nominations reflects the work of the N1 Partners team, the trust of our partners, and the support of a community that continues to grow alongside the company.
There is not much time left until the final voting stage closes.
Your vote is very important — thank you for the support!
Why work with N1 Partners:
- 14+ casino and sportsbook brands with high Reg2Dep
- 10+ Tier-1 GEOs
- CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 55% + NNCO for top partners
Be number one with N1!
News
N1 Partners x RAZE Case: ROI+ in Canada within 3 Days
Gambling traffic in Tier-1 markets rarely forgives mistakes. Especially when it comes to Facebook, where CPM costs are high, auction volatility is significant, and testing is expensive.
This was exactly the challenge the RAZE team faced when entering the Canadian market together with N1 Partners in spring 2026. The goal of the campaign was not just volume — the team needed to find a setup capable of maintaining FTD quality, preserving ROI, and scaling in one of the most expensive iGaming GEOs on the market.
In this case study, N1 Partners and RAZE will explain:
- why only 2 out of 10 tested slots remained profitable;
- how the acquisition strategy for Tier-1 Facebook was built;
- how the N1 Partners funnel influenced conversion rates;
- and what helped maintain ROI during scaling.
Initial Data
GEO: Canada
Vertical: Gambling (iGaming)
Traffic type: Facebook (PWA)
Campaign period: April, 20 – May, 8
Goal: FTD + ROI
Volume (FTD): ~300 deposits
N1 Partners brands: N1 Bet, RollXO, Slot Lounge, Slot Mafia, Lucky Hunter, Retro Bet и Goldex Casino
| N1 Partners comment: At the start, we decided not to limit ourselves to a single brand and tested seven brands simultaneously to identify combinations with the highest conversion rates and profitability for the RAZE team’s approach. This allowed us to collect a larger data sample and thoroughly analyse traffic behaviour across our brands. |
The main challenge remained traffic quality. In Tier-1 GEOs, generating deposits alone is not enough — it is crucial to understand how traffic performs over time and how players behave after making their first deposit.
Additionally, RAZE had limited historical data on running N1 offers in Canada, which created uncertainty regarding which approach, slot, and “creative + funnel” combination would deliver the best projected ROI.
Why Canada?
Canada was chosen as one of the most stable Tier-1 GEOs for the gambling vertical due to its highly solvent audience, large Facebook traffic volume, and consistent demand within the niche.
Another factor was the state of the Facebook auction. During the campaign period, competition in Canada was lower than in several other English-speaking GEOs, allowing for more comfortable CPMs and faster scaling of successful setups.
However, along with volume came the primary Tier-1 challenge — the high cost of mistakes. As a result, the team deliberately avoided a single-offer strategy and opted for broad testing instead.
RAZE Strategy
Facebook PWA is the core traffic source and key media-buying specialization for the RAZE team.
To begin, the team requested a list of top-performing slots for Canada from N1 Partners and analyzed them using spy tools: which approaches were already active in the auction, what mechanics competitors were using, and which creatives were generating the highest CTR.
| N1 Partners comment: Along with a list of top-performing slots, the RAZE team received recommendations regarding Canadian audience specifics, target metrics, and minimum data thresholds required to evaluate traffic quality from N1 Partners. This enabled RAZE to build tests based on advertiser-focused metrics rather than operating blindly. |
A custom funnel featuring N1 Partners bonuses was also created.
At the same time, three optimisation models were launched:
- Auto Bid
- Min CPA Cap (when triggered, budgets were aggressively scaled up to ~$10,000+ for optimal delivery)
- Max Bid
The primary goal was to quickly determine which model provided the best buying control and allowed Facebook’s algorithm to learn most effectively under expensive Tier-1 traffic conditions.
N1 Partners’ involvement extended beyond simply providing offers and slots.
| N1 Partners comment: In addition to recommendations regarding top slots and audience specifics, it was important for us to evaluate how partner traffic interacted with different brands. Therefore, from the very beginning, we established profitability benchmarks and KPIs that became our key reference points after the first tests. |
One of the main characteristics of Tier-1 Facebook traffic was its inconsistency even within high-quality traffic segments. Because of this, campaigns could not be evaluated too early — the algorithm needed sufficient time to accumulate data.
This later became one of the key factors behind the campaign’s success.
RAZE Strategy Analysis
At launch, the RAZE team tested 10 slots from N1 Partners. The slots were analyzed through spy tools to determine which creatives were running and which approaches were currently trending.
After evaluating the feasibility of each approach, the team selected 2 slots and developed custom creatives based on identified patterns.
However, initial tests revealed that most hypotheses were not economically viable.
Only two slots from the N1 Bet brand remained profitable:
- Gates of Olympus 1000
- Coin Volcano



Examples of Coin Volcano creatives that were used
Approaches That Worked and Why
The Coin Volcano funnel delivered the best results in terms of the traffic-to-FTD conversion path.
| N1 Partners comment: From the N1 product side, this performance was further supported by the funnel structure itself: users were sequentially presented with a welcome bonus, available payment methods, and the most popular games for their region.
On the N1 Partners side, the team evaluated not only the final number of deposits but also the efficiency of the entire funnel. Average campaign performance reached 39.83% for Click-to-Registration (Click2Reg) and 37.99% for Registration-to-Deposit (Reg2Dep). This made it possible to identify specific buyer–creative–product combinations with strong potential for further scaling. |
As a result, users understood the offer faster and the overall setup became more cohesive. This is especially important in Tier-1 GEOs, where the cost of mistakes at every stage is significantly higher.

PWA and landing page design featuring the advertiser’s bonus offer
| N1 Partners comment: One of the key success factors was a properly structured funnel. The landing page focused exclusively on essential information and guided users through a clear post-registration flow: a welcome bonus as the primary hook, payment methods, top regional games, and continued interaction with the product. |
Additionally, the N1 Partners team continuously monitored page loading speed and technical landing page performance to minimise traffic losses before registration.
Creatives and Approaches
During testing, the team experimented with several approaches:
- video creatives
- reaction-style scenarios
- offline casino aesthetics
- classic static ads
However, nearly all complex approaches underperformed compared to simple static creatives.
The best-performing setups were the most straightforward combinations: slot + bonus + winnings + clear CTA.
Static creatives offered lower installation costs, enabling faster offer changes, slot rotation, and testing of new angles without rebuilding production assets from scratch. As a result, most of the budget was ultimately shifted toward static creatives.
Scaling and Optimization
Initially, the team tested three acquisition models simultaneously: Auto Bid, Min CPA Cap, and Max Bid. The primary focus was not only deposit cost but also FTD quality, which meant decisions were made only after collecting sufficient data.
Working Approaches
-
- Min CPA Cap + aggressive scaling.
Once a stable CPA was achieved, budgets were increased aggressively, reaching approximately $10K in some cases. This allowed the team to capture volume while maintaining ROI.
- Min CPA Cap + aggressive scaling.
- GEO segmentation.
English-speaking provinces with lower CPMs delivered the strongest performance. - Time-based optimisation.
Most conversions occurred during evenings and weekends, so budgets were allocated more aggressively during those periods. - Delayed campaign evaluation.
Traffic quality improved after 30-40 deposits, so campaigns were not shut down prematurely. N1 Partners analytics played a major role here.
The product team analysed performance by individual buyers and setups, allowing them to assess traffic quality more deeply than standard CPA or initial deposit metrics and provide timely recommendations regarding scaling or stopping campaigns.
| N1 Partners comment: Across numerous tests, we observed that campaigns generating 40+ FDs were significantly more likely to deliver stable profitability. Prematurely stopping campaigns with limited volume often resulted in shutting down potentially strong setups before the algorithm had fully learned. |
At the same time, aggressive scaling only worked for proven setups. Increasing budgets too early caused CPM and CPA to rise faster than the volume of quality deposits.
N1 Partners comment: Before launch, we established the following profitability benchmarks:
Average deposit count: from 2.2. This enabled us, as the advertiser, to receive traffic of the required quality while allowing the partner to maintain profitability during scaling. |
Where Profit Was Lost
- Only 2 out of 10 tested slots remained profitable, meaning part of the budget was spent on ineffective tests.
- Video and reaction-based approaches lost to simple static creatives featuring slots and bonuses.
- Premature scaling of weak ad sets increased CPM and CPA without improving FTD quality.
- Some campaigns were stopped before Facebook had enough time to complete its learning phase.
Campaign Results
Over 18 days, the team achieved:
- FTD Volume: ~300 deposits
- Traffic: 2,659 installs
- CTR: 0.9–1%
- CPC: $2.5–4
- CPA: $140–156
- Best Optimization Model: Min CPA Cap + aggressive budget scaling
Positive ROI was achieved as early as the third day of traffic acquisition.
After the first 30 deposits, the team stabilized at approximately 30 daily FTDs and, on some days, reached up to 50 deposits despite account bans and market turbulence.

Ad Account #1

Ad Account #2
Day 1 of Ad Campaign

Day 3 of Ad Campaign
One of the key success factors from the N1 Partners side was the continuous feedback exchange between the media-buying and product teams.
| N1 Partners comment: Simply acquiring players is not enough. For long-term cooperation, traffic profitability must work for both the advertiser and the buying team. Regular feedback and in-depth traffic analysis by buyer and setup enabled us to quickly determine which campaigns truly deserved scaling. |
Case Takeaways
The RAZE × N1 Partners case once again proved that in Tier-1 markets, finding a strong creative or a winning slot alone is no longer enough.
Success comes only when several factors work together:
- strong Facebook media buying;
- deep traffic quality analytics;
- an effective product funnel;
- continuous data exchange between partner and advertiser;
- scaling only validated setups.
| N1 Partners comment: Even before launch, both teams established unified traffic quality criteria and scaling benchmarks. This approach accelerated decision-making, eliminated subjective evaluations, and helped focus on setups that were profitable for both parties. |
FAQ: RAZE x N1 Partners Case Study
1. What was the main insight of the campaign?
“The main insight was that in Tier-1 GEOs, you cannot rely solely on creatives or bidding. Canadian traffic is expensive, and if your funnel fails to meet user expectations, you start losing money.
We succeeded through a comprehensive approach: we took top-performing slots from the advertiser, validated them using spy tools, filtered out weak hypotheses through testing, built a custom funnel around a specific slot, and only then began scaling.
Ultimately, we realised that the right funnel can be just as important as the creative itself. It directly impacts FTD quality and overall profitability. “— Artem Mayskiy, Team Lead at Media Buying, RAZE.
2. What surprised you during launch?
“What surprised us was how traffic quality improved with scale. Initial deposits do not always provide an objective picture: campaigns may appear unstable, CPA fluctuates, and at that point the temptation to stop everything is very strong.
However, traffic quality turned out to be better than expected. After 30-40 deposits, it became clear that the algorithm was finding the right audience much more effectively. That was a very important signal for us.” — Artem Mayskiy, Team Lead at Media Buying, RAZE.
3. What is scalable from this campaign and what is not?
“From the advertiser’s perspective, it is crucial to monitor profitability benchmarks and quickly disable underperforming traffic. Before launch, we agreed with our partner on minimum acceptable traffic thresholds and adhered to them.
The percentage of players making only a single deposit (without repeats) could not exceed 70%. By strictly following these metrics during testing, we received traffic of the quality we required as an advertiser, while the partner maintained profitability.” — Alexey Gusarov, Team Lead of Affiliates, N1 Partners.
4. One piece of advice for affiliates and the market.
“Don’t stop campaigns too early. Keep driving installs and determine your acceptable deposit and install costs. This allows you to evaluate any funnel objectively and make informed decisions rather than guessing. It’s also important not to spread yourself too thin.
We tested 10 slots, but only 2 remained in active use. Growth started when we stopped distributing budget across numerous hypotheses and focused on setups that had already demonstrated proven audience interest.
It’s better to fully optimise one working funnel than to superficially test ten.” — Artem Mayskiy, Team Lead at Media Buying, RAZE.
“It’s important not only to monitor your own metrics as an advertiser but also to understand your partner’s needs.
Everyone talks about win-win relationships between advertisers and media-buying teams, but in practice, this only works when both sides genuinely understand each other’s objectives and make decisions based on overall traffic economics rather than isolated metrics.
This approach is exactly what allowed the team to become profitable by the third day and maintain stable volume in one of the market’s most expensive GEOs.” — Alexey Gusarov, Team Lead of Affiliates, N1 Partners.
Subscribe to the RAZE team on Telegram, where they share fresh case studies, campaign results, proven setups, and scaling insights based on real-world experience rather than theory.
Work with N1 Partners and scale gambling traffic alongside a team that helps build long-term profitable setups:
- 14+ casino and sportsbook brands with strong Reg2Dep performance
- 10+ Tier-1 GEOs
- CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 55% + NNCO for top partners
Be Number One with N1!
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