The IAB has announced figures showing that the value of affiliate marketing grew to £72.six million in 2009, up by 38.two per cent on 2008.

These impressive figures show that affiliate marketing continues to play a vital role in the growth of overall online advertising spend. The findings also showed that paid search rose by nine.five per cent in 2009 to hit £2.15 billion, 60.seven per cent of complete online advertising spend. In addition, online video spend grew by a whopping 140 per cent on 2008, generating £28.three million last year.

The chief executive officer of the IAB, Guy Phillipson, commented: "In 2009 the advertising industry was hit hard but online has proved itself a winning medium, capturing a greater share of marketing budgets."

With the UK now coming out of recession, he was positive about the future: "In the past year we’ve seen some real success stories as search passed the £2 billion mark, and online video advertising experienced spectacular growth." He added: "And with sectors such as Retail and Consumer Goods increasing their spending on the internet we can look forward to a healthier 2010.”

The IAB report also showed that internet advertising increased by a huge two,200 per cent during the noughties.

It has been announced that UK price comparison website Formula Digital has purchased the domain name Top10.com from Idealab, resulting in a company rebrand.

As part of this deal, Formula Digital will rebrand itself as Top10.com Media Ltd and Idealab will receive a seven per cent stake in the company. The domain name has been valued in excess of $1 million, making it one of the most expensive purchases of a domain name ever made by a UK firm.

Top ten as a brand name is known in the Affiliate Marketing Sector for its Top ten Mobile Phones and Top ten Broadband comparison websites. It is estimated that some 1.5 million UK consumers access these sites every month.

Tom Leathes, Commercial Director at Top10.com Media Ltd spoke about the purchase: “For us this deal wasn't just about a domain name.”

He explained that it can be a problem for affiliate marketing companies which operate many different brands and web properties to stand out in the wider world. He went on to add: “This model of developing loads of different brands can be a great way to make money in niches during the early stages, but to genuinely build long-term value you need a brand and a real identity that people connect with – that's what we're doing with Top10.com.”

The Hampshire Property Club is running a pioneering initiative, known as “Affiliate Marketing Wealth”, to help budding entrepreneurs in the area earn money using the internet.

The aim of the initiative is to show people how to build their own website and establish an effective presence on the web, and it takes the form of a one-day intensive course.

The Club was launched in 2008 by Hazel Reed and Dr Dennis Coote and meets at the Lismoyne Hotel in Fleet. It currently has over 500 signed-up members.

Dr Coote encourages people to learn more about affiliate marketing: "The potential for people to make a successful impact online is enormous." He went on to say: "We consider our main strengths within the Club to be our teaching and communication skills and our online expertise, and that's what we aim to pass on through Affiliate Marketing."

The next affiliate marketing workshop is scheduled to take place in April and new members are welcome to the club. "The whole point of the Club is networking,” Dr Coote explained. "Anybody can join, from starters to people with 300 houses. If you have a passionate interest in property, you're most welcome."