What do your sponsors do for you, and what do you do for them!?

Im curious, what are ya'lls opinions of sponsorship!?
what makes a sponsor a sponsor. do you think a sponsorship changes everything?
what do you ask for?
what would be ideal?

what sponsors do you think have been the most influential to you as a rider, and how?!

do you consider all, some, or any of your sponsors friends!?


Do you have a contract?
if so what do you look for in a contract. do you think contracts are a good or bad thing?

what do you think of OTHER peoples sponsors? do you think its fair?
what do you think other peoples sponsors do for them?

Is a sponsor more interested in you, or the sport? and which is better?

a sponsor can be whatever you make it, IMO. but I am really interested in hearing what everyone has to say about sponsorship.
I look around this industry and I am seeing a lot more sponsors now then ever before, and I see a lot more riders being sponsored then ever before.

what are everyones thoughts?
Merry Xmas

-Kane

 

an informal sponsor is one who provides services for you cost covered or covers a certain portion without a contract or agreement, a formal sponsor is a contractual agreement that may or may not be conditional. mass sponsorship changes a lot of things, look at skateboarding. the difference is that skateboarding theres a slim chance of accidental death and/or injury. stunting has a much much larger risk thus for deterring sponsors. sponsorship is differnt according to terms, they can offer a garaunteed dollar per month and if you accept that you can draw up a contract and have n informal or formal sponsorship developed based simply on $1

any more questions, hit me up i can utalize some highlights from my car sponsor to help with a differing aspect

 

i don't know if i'd consider myself "sponered" yet, but there are a few companies out there who have helped me along the way.

IMHO, you treat your sponser as well as you'd like them to be treated, which means anytime you have thier name in your hands, you promote it as best you can, and you do not come to them for every little thing that is wrong with your big, you don't take advantage of them.

 

it all depends on the sponsors. Product or Title. Title sponsors hand out cash, monthly, quarterly, or yearly depending not to mention their product and a product for you to distribute at a dealer cost. Product sponsors live up to their name they get the recognition of a normal everyday sponsor nothing more nothing less with the option to step up someday as a main sponsor. of corse companies vary on contracts their going to give you the least to get the most. It's the athletes job to haggle the best deal.

 

you see all these fmx ridersabmx skateboarders..they all have sponsors because theyre good at what they do..it seems in this "sport" its more of a popularity game and more image then ANYTHING that gets you sponsors..it really doesnt have to do to much with skill...i mean..take roadrash for example...she prob has more sponsors then anyone in this ****..but can she ride to save her life **** no...

 

[QUOTE=Schooler;2533677]it seems in this "sport" its more of a popularity game and more image then ANYTHING that gets you sponsors..it really doesnt have to do to much with skill...i mean..take roadrash for example.../QUOTE]


+1 but i think thats starting to be a thing of the past. once all the OGs fade out that will be over

but i think the trend is turning towards the skilled riders...

 

 

Kane what are your answers to the questions?

 

I just got first big one this season, it's our biggest oil and gas company (www.ina.hr)...they paid for the bike, and in that way they made my riding possible...

 

Sponsoring reflects on you as a rider keep it prestigious

www.beverlyhillschoppers.com Big Jhonny runs that company and lives in Beverly Hills born and raised in Iowa. You can learn more about him on www.midwestmafia.com he throws us funds and sponsors our events and manages me with Badkids, listen to the song on the website repping the midwest. Son of A Gun. All of us Iowa kids kind of stick together and try to help each other out.

Also manager Dave Davila manages and books shows for Badkids, same manager as Sid from Slipknot. So he does a great job finding sponsors and things like that.

Badkids is marketable though, from Producing music to Stuntusa to making dvds to Djs to party promotoins and MCC fighters and all that. So that helps us with our sponsorships. Sponsors want their name out, they want a certain age demographic.

But sponsors are sponsors, if your doing your thing and if they believe in what you do their gonna rolll with you. All you young bucks on here, keep working youll get some sponsors man. Be humble and let your talent do your speaking and you guys will do great. We appreciate all the sponsors and support we get, but just dont cut yourself short. Remember these companies are looking for talent.

guys just from the Badkids soundtrack we have artist that are on featured on Espn 2 named Switch, the guy that did our chapter menu track is on tour with Fegie right now. Notar another artist thats in the Badkids soundtrack is opening for Ja Rule outside of the US. Badkids had a great year. Dj Reckless from Boston is out marketing Badkids hes a headliner in Boston. So its more then just riding in my opinion.

But just dont get caught up in it, cause youll look like a toolbox walking around all the time talking about thats my sponsor. Thats my sponsor lol

 

Interesting one - Ive had a couple potential sponsors approach me with parts sponsorships, just to get their url in my signature, knowing I dont do shows or travel. Ive never been into sponsors since my real job takes care of the bills, and the parts they were offering me were completely useless to me (one was a custom flushmount blinker manufacturer) so I never bothered.
The other is a paint/bodywork shop and of course i have no bodywork anyway.

Then theres the "buddy whos a welder" sponsor, everybodys got one or 5 of those. Id send him business even if he didnt weld my ****, and he'd do the same. Thos dont really count.

I wont accept $$ because then someone owns a part of you.

 

sponsors shmonsers GET YO HUSTLE ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-mike
p.s. merry christams to all

 

+1,000,000,000,000.000

 

I'm still learning that one.
My concept of sponsorship in 2002 was a lot different than it is now, and id be willing to bet that by the end of 07 it will have changed again.

I think the term sponsorship is a very loose one, and can mean a million different things to a million different people, in a million different situations.

I enjoy being involved with companies that have an active interest in what I do, and this sport as a whole.

i could write a book about my opinions on the subject
I'm really interested in hearing everyone elses opinions on the matter.


-kane

 

i noticed how my sponsers grew with me. first all i got was discounts now im geting a bike and free parts. so id say thats what makes me happy that my sponsors noticed i got better at reping them and my skills grew.

 

oh snap new kane book for 2008 will it have a pink cover on it?

 

as a small shop owner I do as much as I can, we cant give free bikes or parts but, we give everything at are cost to whom we sponser only we do all there work we can for free as long as there is no paying customers waiting, If where going to vend at stunt shows we take them with us. it is not much but it is the best we can do at this time. We also have every person that can do a wheelie begging for free parts and help. that gets kinda old fast. Alot of people need to think if I owned a business would I sponser me. + if you do get some help from some one no matter how little it is try to respect it. you do a show and place last try yo give a shout out, that gose a long way

 

originally posted by cbo
"Remember these companies are looking for talent."
thats complete bullshit dude....theres soo many sponsored riders who ******* suck *****...theyre looking for someone who catches your attention//not someone who has skill..if it was all about skill...i know alot of no name riders and not just stunters but other types of motorcycle riders who should be sponsored by the best...again..how the **** does someone like roadrash get off with having sick sponsors....correct me if im wrong..but she has mad skill right?

 

If I owned a Business and wanted to sponsor someone I wouldn't give a ***** how they ride. It's positive exposure I'd be after. RR chick is all over the mags. You want big sponsors? Go everywhere!!!

As a sponcey it's our job to have the sponsor benefit in the forum of exposure and advertising.

In General Riders expect too much from sponsors.

 

the best sponsors we have are

www.racing905.com
www.vortexracing.com
www.sparklingimagecc.com
and Mark@ deviant motorsports

and a shout out to mark and the boys at www.HAIBikeShop.com . not a sponsor but they def know how to take care of fellow riders, and having the best prices around.

these are the sponsors who are backing us with product support not so much cash at all. but thats fine with me as long as im not really paying out to keep doing what im doing im happy. the sponsors i listed and the others i didnt treat us very well and we have been with for many years so theres a really good bond with us. they keep our bikes looking nice, up to date products, and anything else they can do to make **** work....(fabrication etc)