Blogger Upset About Netflix Affiliate Rejection

This story about a blogger getting rejected by the Netflix affiliate program was linked to by Robert Scoble and other bloggers earlier today. I have a problem with the way Reel Reviews Radio, an excellent movie review Podcast site, handled the situation.

Netflix is one of the most popular affiliate programs out there. How many companies are going to add a million members this year? Netflix, like many companies, has outsourced their affiliate program to Linkshare, who also represents Avon, Nordstrom, J Crew, Chase, Disney, Delta, and lots of other big companies.

My guess is that Netflix has a policy that rejects any site that offers downloads, for fear of spyware and viruses. Thousands of people apply for affiliate programs, so there have to be rules set in place for Linkshare to make decisions on applicants. Podcasting is new and probably isn't covered by the rules set up years ago by Netflix (which should be updated to include this exciting new technology).

I know about getting rejected from affiliate programs -- I was rejected by Netflix, Blockbuster and Google. Most affiliate programs automatically (and unfairly, given the real meaning behind the word "hacker") reject sites with the word "hacker" in the name. I contacted all three companies, explained what Hacking Netflix was about, and was finally accepted (much to my amazement).

I also know something about putting a rejection from a company into public view. Last summer I posted story about the dismissal e-mail I received from Netflix public relations when I requested to be treated like a member of the press. I agonized over the decision to post the story for several days, and because of my background in public relations, decided to post the story to help companies understand how to work with bloggers (ok, part of it was out of frustration, like Michael).

If bloggers want to be taken seriously, we need to be sure we've exhausted all channels before we post stories that include copy like this:

Now I know some bloggers would be able to eloquently frame this in a bigger context about companies not “getting it” and the long tail and all that stuff. I’m just a guy who likes movies - I guess I could take it personally. I tried to make friends with Netflix and they said no.

Maybe I should solicit Netflix horror stories and append one to the end of each Reel Reviews podcast. The phone lines are open (206) 888-REEL

I think this should have been handled differently.

Comments

[Rob Emmerich]

Yeah Mike, but now your being written about in the "real" media: http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzcov4262231may16,0,368973.story
which you somehow managed to ignore yesterday {maybe b/c they managed to leave out the blog address and talk about you more as a consumer?} ;-)
Maybe Netflix will work with you now that this site has turned into NFsuxbutBBsuxworse.com. (that's a JOKE people)

[Ryan]

I think it's admirable you've taken the high road, and ironic that Netflix doesn't count you as "real" because you're online and niche-y -- just like Netflix used to be. Patience, I'm sure, will bring some more respect.

[Netflix Movie Wall]

Hi,
I am facing the same problem thay are rejecting me also . Any particular email address that i can write on to get accepted ?
my application is http://apps.facebook.com/netflixwall/

thx
NMW