Before you dive in, if you are interested in sponsorship strategy and partnership development, check out these related resources: Resource...
Archive: Month: May 2024
The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.
How to Build Sponsor Relationships and Find Sponsors for Events
There is a surprisingly common trope in the sponsorship community in which it is presumed that having the right connections is the only...
Sponsorship Activation Ideas That Go Beyond Logo Placement
After taking the time to dream up assets and then painstakingly valuing and sorting them into properties, you might be feeling creatively spent. That’s not unfair, as valuation is one of the trickiest parts of the sponsorship process. Take some time to recharge your creative batteries, because activation is a must-have component of your sponsorship program. Whether you are in cause, sport, municipality, education, or festival sponsorship, the reality is the same. Sponsorship = activation. Period. Still thinking of sponsorship as putting a logo on a building, wall, invitation, bottle of wine? Then you are missing 90 percent of the sponsorship world. Putting logos on stuff is definitely part of sponsorship, but only a small part, and certainly not the most valuable part, or the most fun. The best way to make your sponsors happy is to make your audience happy. In a nutshell, that’s what sponsorship activation is all about. Modern sponsorship activation increasingly blends experiential design, digital touchpoints, and shareable moments that extend well beyond the onsite experience. In this guide, I’ll explain sponsorship activation, share some examples of good and bad activation ideas, and load you up with lots of tips and best practices so your own […]
Creative Sponsorship Ideas For Your Next Event
Sponsorship is the lifeblood of many events. It allows organizers to deliver a richer experience for attendees while offsetting costs. But...
How to Get Event Sponsors With Compelling Sponsorship Proposal
Are you seeking event sponsorship for your next project? Securing the necessary support can be difficult for many people, possibly even a...
My Beef With Sponsorship Brokerage
My Beef With Sponsorship Brokerage I get asked to sell sponsorship for clients in exchange for a percentage of the total sponsorship sales made (otherwise known as sponsorship brokerage). I get asked this a lot. My answer is always a polite but firm no. Do you want me at the table with you to help with negotiations? Sure! But definitely not as your hired gun…and here’s why. TL;DR Pros & Cons of Using a Sponsorship Broker Pros Saves time for teams with zero sales capacity Access to sales experience and outreach execution Can assist with prospect research Useful for one-time, low-complexity campaigns Cons High commission fees Risk of asset devaluation Limited understanding of your audience Short-term sales focus Reduced control and potential reputational risk No internal learning or capability development The 10 Worst Reasons to Hire a Sponsorship Broker It’s important to distinguish between brokers, sales contractors, and sponsorship consultants. Brokers sell inventory for commission. Consultants build systems and teach strategy. Contractors execute within your process. Modern brokerage missteps often include: Skipping discovery Using generic email blasts Ignoring CRM and audience data Chasing “easy money” instead of aligned partners In 2026, undervaluing assets doesn’t just hurt revenue—it damages long-term partnership […]