Hush Puppies and Cat Footwear dip toes into affiliate marketing for first time

International affiliate network Webgains has just announced its appointment to manage the first global affiliate programs for Wolverine World Wide, owner of popular footwear brands including Hush Puppies and Cat Footwear.   

Wolverine World Wide’s brands, which also include Merrell, Sebago, Bates and Harley Davidson, are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in 180 countries and territories. Wolverine World Wide aims to increase its brands’ online sales and international web presence during the downturn. The Hush Puppies website launched in 2003 and Cat Footwear website launched at the end of 2008.  Both are quickly growing their number of unique visitors per month.

Jez Wilson, European ecommerce manager at Wolverine World Wide comments: “Affiliate marketing is a new channel for us and we believe it is one of the best ways to recruit new customers with zero risk associated and nominal costs. We needed to make sure we worked with a network which gave brand protection top priority and one that had an international reach. Webgains has tools and resources to monitor our brand assets.  It operates in ten countries and also has an excellent reputation amongst affiliates.”

Econsultancy estimates that the UK affiliate market was worth £3.82bn in 2008, a 22% increase from £3.13bn in 2007. An estimated £227m was paid last year in commissions and fees to affiliates and networks (Econsultancy Affiliate Network Buyers Guide 2009)

Robert Glasgow, managing director of Webgains said, ‘We are proud that Wolverine Worldwide has chosen Webgains as a partner to promote their affiliate marketing efforts for Hush Puppies and Cat Footwear. In general, digital is seen as the best way to access new customers, and affiliate marketing – given its focus on the CPA (cost per acquisition) model – allows complete visibility for advertisers of the return on their marketing investment. The Webgains team is very focused on building quickly and efficiently the Hush Puppies and Cat Footwear affiliate marketing programs.”


ENDS

Notes to editors:


About Webgains
Founded in 2005, Webgains is one of the leading International affiliate marketing networks, providing a highly effective combination of user-friendly technology together with world-class client account management. With fully-localised platforms in the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Ireland and now the USA, Webgains is the fastest growing affiliate network, facilitating trans-national transactions for the benefit of both affiliates and merchants. Webgains is part of ad pepper media International N.V, the global online marketing specialist.  Please find more at www.webgains.com

For further information contact:
Sheema Luca, International Marketing Director
Tel: +44 (0)207 269 1228
Email: sheema@webgains.com


About Wolverine World Wide
With a commitment to service and product excellence, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is one
of the world's leading marketers of branded casual, active lifestyle, work, outdoor sport and uniform footwear and apparel. The Company's portfolio of highly recognized brands including: Hush Puppies(R), Merrell(R), Sebago(R) and Wolverine(R). The Company also is the exclusive footwear licensee of popular brands including CAT(R), Harley-Davidson(R) and Patagonia(R). The Company's products are carried by leading retailers in the U.S. and globally in 180 countries and territories.

Please find more at www.wolverineworldwide.com