Last week, Stack joined top marketers, affiliates, brands, and networks in South Florida for PI LIVE 2025—and we’re back to work with fresh energy, stronger partnerships, and a clear vision for what’s next. Here are our takeaways from the event!

A Collaborative, Productive Setting for a Conference Worth Attending

PI LIVE Miami delivered a focused and highly productive atmosphere. With centrally located meeting tables, an intuitive in-app booking system, and plenty of open spaces for impromptu conversations, the event made it easy to connect. 

From (popular!) structured networking events like the Awin and Rakuten receptions to informal chats between sessions, we found ourselves in over 25 meetings throughout the event. Many of these were tailored to key Q3 and Q4 initiatives, including back-to-school and holiday prep, giving us a head start on strategic planning for the second half of the year.

The venue itself—complete with all-day coffee, snacks, and, yes, sunshine—created an inviting environment that encouraged collaboration and conversation. And the enthusiasm among attendees was palpable, with a shared excitement around 2025 opportunities and innovation across the affiliate and performance marketing landscape.

What the Industry Is Talking About

Across sessions and meetings, several key themes consistently surfaced (and, no, they weren’t all about AI’s impact on affiliate marketing—though that was certainly a topic of conversation):

The Rise of First-Party Data and Personalization

In a post-cookie world, brands are investing more heavily in first-party data and personalized experiences. Partners want offers and content that speak directly to their audiences—something that aligns strongly with our curated, high-conversion deal model at StackSocial. Our flexible approach makes it easy for partners to tailor campaigns in ways that resonate.

Rethinking Browser Extensions and Loyalty Models

A standout session on browser extensions dug into the controversy and opportunity around shopping plugins and toolbars. Panelists explored how evolving tools—and consumer behavior—are reshaping the loyalty space. One key takeaway: Everyone has a role in educating the market, from networks and agencies to publishers and brands.

Multi-touch attribution was highlighted as a possible solution for measuring value across the funnel, but tech alone isn’t enough. Transparency, trust, and fair recognition for all contributors are critical to maintaining a healthy affiliate ecosystem.

Strategic Partnerships Over Volume

Gone are the days of mass outreach and generic link placements. Across the board, we heard the same message: Marketers want fewer but better partnerships—the kind that are performance-driven, collaborative, and strategically aligned. At Stack, this has always been our approach, and it was validating to hear it echoed so clearly at the event.

Attribution, Innovation, and the Hybrid Future

From AI to cross-channel tracking, innovation is top of mind. But instead of chasing credit, the conversation is shifting toward how to make attribution work better for everyone. We heard promising developments in tracking solutions and measurement tools—especially for hybrid commerce models—though most agree there’s still work to be done. Our VP of Engineering is on the same page; you can see his take on GA4 and more in Navigating Attribution Challenges in Affiliate Marketing: An Engineering Perspective.

How StackCommerce Is Moving Forward

PI LIVE Miami was more than just a conference—it was confirmation that we’re on the right track.

  • Our curated content model is well-positioned to help publishers looking for diversification strategies and meaningful, audience-aligned offers with personalization and creative flexibility.
  • We made valuable new connections that will help us expand our reach across new distribution channels and explore emerging tech solutions for improved partner support.
  • Our team walked away with fresh ideas around loyalty and cashback collaboration, which we’re already exploring with future partners.
  • We deepened several key relationships and gained valuable insights into trends that will fuel exciting initiatives in the second half of 2025.

Most importantly, we left inspired by the level of innovation, intention, and energy across the industry.

Looking Ahead

Huge thanks to the organizers, panelists, and partners who made PI LIVE Miami such a standout experience. The conversations we had—and the ideas we’re bringing home—will shape what’s next for Stack in big ways.

We’re excited to keep building, keep testing, and keep helping our partners turn content into commerce.

Let’s make the rest of 2025 count. Reach out today to get started.