Sponsorships - Part 2 of 2

What RescindX™ Clothing looks for in a sponsorship relationship?

1. Positive relationship.


2. Brand and profile enhanced, strengthened.


3. Opportunity to showcase their brand & products.


4. Develop a higher profile through athlete association.


5. Must have a high level of comfort between athlete and sponsor.


6. Clear differentiation from other sponsors.


7. Professional business process and courtesy.


8. Identifiable and measurable outcome from the sponsorship.


9. Updates about the athlete, including early warning of any problems, as well as positive outcomes.

Now, some of these can be interpreted in different ways but that brings up one of the most important points in any kind of relationship, communication. The best way to avoid any problems is to discuss issues that may come up. Having both parties on the same page makes for a happy successful relationship. Of course, sometimes situations happen where it is better to sever the sponsorship by either side.

Coming from a military background, I tend to be fairly blunt and to the point which works well for letting people know what I expect. The other side of that, I also tend to have a big heart which can sometimes get in the way of smart business decisions. I like to think the two aspects work well together most times.

Obviously as a sponsor, we are looking to maximize our brand awareness with our athletes wearing our clothing in the gym and to shows. With so many social networking sites these days, there are also another avenue of delivering our brand to the masses, something we like our athletes to utilize, for which we will offer our assistance as well.

Although we have been getting quite a few requests for sponsorships, I don't mind and we reply to each of them. I honestly wish I could sponsor everyone who deserves it and as the company grows, we will take on more athletes. But, to hand out $500 or more of clothing and accessories for each new athlete and along with the new incentive program doesn't always make sense for athlete or our company. Maybe they are just looking for more exposure for themselves or their website or they happen to like our clothing and want to help with our brand awareness without having to take on all the marketing that comes with sponsorship.

In order to accommodate the athlete's and RescindX™'s needs better, we will be developing a tier system of sponsorship from the basic up to "Team" status. I believe this will solve most issues and help us to fully develop the Athlete Incentives Program to assist with competition costs. In the next few days, we will launch the Gold Silver and Bronze tiers. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email me at athletes@rescindx.ca

Please visit our website at http://www.rescindx.ca for more details and to check our newest designs.

Sponsorships - Part 1 of 2

It really is funny, people write blogs all the time. Some daily, some weekly or monthly or even less frequently. When i write, I usually do it as a form of self-therapy. Relaxing, thought provoking, whatever it may be, it almost always happens after a long period of printing clothing or designing. Stressed? Naaa, but whatever it is, it eventually relaxes me.

Before I get into some of the processes we use for printing and choosing our clothing, I thought I would discuss something that really seems to get asked a great deal lately.

SPONSORSHIP. For being such a relatively young and smaller company, I seem to get a fairly large number of requests a week asking for us to sponsor individuals, bands, events. I would love to say it is a reflection of our totally awesome lines and though that may be true, it is also a sign of our economy and to a lesser degree, the demographics of the people asking.

The fitness industry is vast and there is a huge number of people making a fairly healthy amount of income. Generally that group making the big money does NOT include the athlete. Of course some athletes, the very elite of the elite make a decent living. But the majority toil in the gym, follow super strict diets and programs and at the same time, work full time and possibly a second job to be able to afford supplements, gym memberships, competition costs and travel expenses.

It is these people we targetted when deciding to sponsor athletes, I knew the lifestyle and people in it. I figured that, in general, this group tended to like clothing and designs of my styles and that I would have a way of giving back. It also allowed me to stay connected to the fitness world. By offering incentives, taking a percentage of sales and putting in a fund under each athlete's name, it would be a way of giving actual cash towards all the expenses amateur athletes incur.

Good theory in point. Of course, this assumes the facts A)The athletes would try and sell the line and B) People would like the designs and clothing. Most athletes get that BUT as in society, there is always going to be those who want everything with the least amount of work and effort. So what to do, we offer a varied amount of clothing and accessories to each new sponsored athlete, we talk with them, get to know them. Even with that, sometimes things just don't work out(pardon the pun) and my least favorite part of all this happens, I have to let someone go. Not fun, not easy, some handle it with class, others not so much.

So what's the answer or solution to getting the perfect match of athlete and sponsor? Don't think there can be just one solution, each situation is different and requires different problem solving. It does happen though, some matches work out better than anything we could have planned.

The next blog, in a few days, will explore some ideas we have come up with to help us with sponsoring athletes or bands. I love the fitness world and the dedication of the athletes and know that we wish to continue sponsoring athletes but in order for it to be viable, both sides have to benefit. Stay tuned for the follow-up article.....