impact.com reports record growth & USD $200m revenue in 2024

impact.com has reported robust growth and performance for 2024, driven by the expansion of client and agency partnerships, product developments, and new integrations.

The firm has welcomed more than 1,000 new clients to its portfolio in 2024, including brands such as Big Lots, Gatorade, The Container Store, Fitness & Lifestyle Group, Trapo, and KÜHL, amid challenging global economic conditions. Additionally, the company has recorded significant financial metrics, increasing its gross merchandise value to over USD $100 billion annually and gross transaction value to over USD $4.5 billion annually. It also surpassed USD $200 million in annual recurring revenue for the first time.

Chief Executive Officer David A. Yovanno stated, "Partnerships are no longer just tools, they are essential strategies driving growth in today's community-driven market that are redefining the landscape of our industry. Communities—whether led by creators, publishers, businesses, or everyday consumers—are the new driving force behind brand relevance and loyalty, as consumers around the globe, no matter where they are, what social media platforms they're using, or how they consume information about the things they want to buy, want to learn about brands through the voices of their peers, not through the traditional channels businesses have relied on for years. This monumental behavioural shift has disrupted how we think about marketing, and it is challenging brands to let go of the reins and embrace collaboration with their customers and partners."

In a strategic move to widen its partnership capabilities, impact.com launched impact.com/advocate, a platform designed to empower brands by leveraging customer referrals. This launch aligns with impact.com's goal to cater to various partnership types, expanding beyond affiliate marketing and influencer marketing into community-driven marketing.

impact.com also introduced notable enhancements to its platforms, including developments in its /performance and /creator solutions. These updates feature support for Card-Linked Offers, enhanced contract management flexibility through Scheduled Terms, and improvements in mobile app deep-linking. Furthermore, the /creator solution now offers Product Gifting, extended Search and Social Listening, and Social Monitoring for compliance checking.

New integrations have been added to streamline operations, such as cost-per-click payouts, a Shopify integration for direct-to-consumer brands to launch refer-a-friend programmes, and enhanced integrations with Salesforce and HubSpot for B2B customers. A new partnership with Klaviyo facilitates personalised communication for Advocate customers.

The company's commitment to thought leadership is evidenced by hosting its annual partnerships conference, iPX, in multiple global locations and by expanding its media presence through podcasts like The Partnership Economy and The Advocacy Channel.

During the year, impact.com released several industry reports, providing insights into consumer behaviour and market trends. These publications included topics like Customer Referral Marketing and influencer marketing in Southeast Asia.

impact.com received numerous accolades, including being named to the 2024 Inc. Best in Business list and receiving awards for its partnership solutions and client campaigns. These commendations recognise its position as a significant player in partnership management technology.

The Partnerships Experience Academy, an educational initiative by impact.com, passed 30,000 learners, and the new Affiliate Marketing Career Center drew significant attention with a 65.8% engagement rate. Additionally, the Agency Coaching Program continued to foster new affiliate marketing agencies.

Company growth included team expansions in regions like Indonesia and Malaysia and new leadership appointments, with Dale Lynch as Chief Financial Officer and Justin Morrison as Senior Vice President of North American sales. Sustainability efforts focused on reducing the company's carbon footprint and encouraging engagement with the Global Citizenship Initiative.