June 2025 – Manila, Philippines — YCP, an Asia-focused consulting firm, has released a new white paper titled “Changing Media Landscape: The Shift from Paid Social to Affiliate Marketing in Southeast Asia.” Developed by YCP’s affiliate marketing experts, this 2025 guide highlights how regional brands are rethinking their digital strategies—moving away from expensive, underperforming social media ads and embracing affiliate marketing for sustainable, performance-driven growth.
As digital advertising costs continue to climb, brands are under growing pressure to deliver results. In Southeast Asia, affiliate marketing growth is accelerating, as paid social costs have risen by approximately 20% year-on-year, while click-through rates remain below 0.5%. In contrast, over 80% of marketers now include affiliate strategies in their mix, citing transparency and improved ROI.
“As brands in Southeast Asia seek more accountable, ROI-driven marketing strategies, affiliate marketing is quickly emerging as a top choice,” said Eucel Maximo, Director at YCP and author of the report. “This white paper reflects our commitment to helping clients cut through the noise of paid media and build scalable, partner-led ecosystems that drive measurable results.”
- Budget audit and reallocation: Identify and shift spend from underperforming channels
- Partner selection strategies: Targeting the right influencers and creators for brands
- Tracking and attribution best practices: Avoiding common pitfalls that distort data
- Optimization and scaling: Tactics to ensure long-term success
Whether you're exploring the advantage of affiliate marketing for the first time or refining an existing program, this white paper serves as an actionable resource.
The full white paper is now available for download here.
