The regional consolidation of the European performance marketing sector is gaining momentum as Awin AG bolsters its partner network for the upcoming AWIN ThinkTank DACH. Scheduled for May 21, 2026, at the Motorwerk Berlin, the event serves as a critical barometer for the health of the German-speaking affiliate market. The organizer has now confirmed six new sponsors, signaling a diverse mix of traditional E-Commerce and emerging performance tech players.
Diverse Sponsorship Tiers Reflect Market Shifts
Leading the new additions is SharkNinja, which has stepped in as a Platinum Sponsor. This move highlights the increasing importance of D2C brands taking a hands-on approach to network events, a trend mirrored in the US and UK where hardware giants are bypassing traditional agencies to engage directly with high-value partners.
In the Gold category, the inclusion of mobile marketing specialist Almedia and the content platform 1337UGC points toward a strategic pivot. While the DACH market has historically been dominated by desktop-based Voucher and Cashback models, the arrival of these sponsors suggests a growing appetite for mobile-first strategies and the Creator Economy. This shift aligns with broader international movements where UGC and mobile performance are becoming central to the Customer Journey.
Strengthening the Publisher Ecosystem
The Silver sponsorship tier is also expanding with the addition of coupons.de, shopping specialist Redbrain, and service provider Sunnysales.de. These partners represent the backbone of the traditional affiliate model, covering essential bases from high-intent search to conversion-focused Voucher sites.
What makes this lineup significant is the balance between established European players like Redbrain—a dominant force in Google Shopping CSS across multiple territories—and local German specialists. This mix ensures that the ThinkTank remains a platform for both local execution and international scaling strategies.
A Platform for Strategic Dialogue
Historically, the AWIN ThinkTank has functioned as a curated environment for direct dialogue between Advertisers, Publishers, and agencies. The commitment from these six new sponsors underscores the event's relevance in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape. Attendees at the Motorwerk Berlin can expect practical insights into how the industry is navigating the transition to First-Party-Data and the integration of AI-driven performance tools.
As the DACH region continues to professionalize its Performance Marketing standards, events like the ThinkTank serve as the primary venue for negotiating the complex Commission models and Payout structures that define the next fiscal year. The presence of both hardware brands and tech-driven Publishers suggests that the conversation in Berlin will move beyond simple Last-Click metrics toward a more holistic view of the affiliate ecosystem.
Affilitizer Editorial Team
This article was created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
