Question about business arrangements

Hi! I'm new to this board. I found your board by doing a simple google search. Honest!

I own a website. It gets a lot of traffic and other companies recognize this. I have an arrangement with one "Company A" where I will promote their site for shopping needs, while they will promote my site as their exclusive message board. Good arrangement. Good $$$.

However, another company has entered the picture. Let's call this company "Company B". Company B wanted me to post a link to their site right next to Company A's link. At first, I posted a link to their site, but Company A complained to me about the EXCLUSIVITY of our deal. So, I complied and deleted the reference to Company B.

I explained this to Company B. Their only response was "What suggestion do you have to make this happen?" which indicates to me that they still want to be on my site and are open to any ideas for that to happen.

What can I do? What should I do? Any ideas?
Thanks!

p.s. I realize one possible answer is "What part of EXCLUSIVITY don't you understand?"

Hi Joe!

> Hi! I'm new to this board. I found your
> board by doing a simple google search.
> Honest!

I hope you enjoy it here.... :)

> I own a website. It gets a lot of traffic
> and other companies recognize this. I have
> an arrangement with one "Company
> A" where I will promote their site for
> shopping needs, while they will promote my
> site as their exclusive message board. Good
> arrangement. Good $$$.

> However, another company has entered the
> picture. Let's call this company
> "Company B". Company B wanted me
> to post a link to their site right next to
> Company A's link. At first, I posted a link
> to their site, but Company A complained to
> me about the EXCLUSIVITY of our deal. So, I
> complied and deleted the reference to
> Company B.

> I explained this to Company B. Their only
> response was "What suggestion do you
> have to make this happen?" which
> indicates to me that they still want to be
> on my site and are open to any ideas for
> that to happen.

> What can I do? What should I do? Any ideas?
> Thanks!

> p.s. I realize one possible answer is
> "What part of EXCLUSIVITY don't you
> understand?"

It seems to me there are two aspects to things here.... The "legal" aspect and the "relationship" aspect....

The legal aspect is regarding the details of your agreement with Company A.... However, without knowing the details, probably the more important aspect is the "relationship" aspect....

If you break your agreement with Company A by not having exclusivity, they'll probably do likewise and no longer uphold exclusivity with you. So you have to weigh up how important that is to you, and also other possible long term implications....

I personally would stick to my agreements. However, if you feel that the agreement is hurting you, then I'd be completely candid with Company A and negotiate to get out of your agreement with them, or propose a more flexible alternative.... However, I'd be completely candid, as it's best to keep on good terms with everyone where possible....

Well, that's my two cents.... It's good to keep everything win/win.... :)

- Dien