Sponsorship and Branding Continued

It is astonishing how many emails we get a week regarding sponsorship. Through facebook, the website or plain email, I am averaging 150 contacts a week from athletes, events or organizations. It is also ridiculous how little the people sending a large majority of these emails know about myself or the company.

I get statements like, "I love your clothing so much" and " I would love to promote your company as much as promoting myself." Seriously? My usual response is somewhere along the lines of, " That's awesome. What shirts, bag or accessories of RescindX do you own now and which product do you really love showing off.." or "That's great, do you promote our fan pages on your own social media?". The answers I get range from "Oh I have never bought or won any of your stuff" or "I wanted to promote your brand but I didn't have time or feel like it at that time."

Here are my thoughts on that. I am a big, no, a huge believer that there is so much money and business out there, that by working together, everyone can become successful. No question about it. Through RescindX Athletics, we cover Canadian athletes, starting in Ontario and working our way through the other provinces. We give exposure and a chance for athletes to showcase themselves, FREE. Through RescindX Clothing, we sponsor the Ontario Physique Association and athletes. On the other side of the coin, I promote companies that I really believe in, I don't do this to get free product, I do this to enjoy a strong working relationship with other Canadian professionals, and mainly because I use their products and believe in their company's integrity. Karma is not an end result, it is a starting point of loyalty, integrity and trust.

So for athletes looking for sponsorship in any industry, for our company or any of the fine companies out there. Look at yourself, look at your life choices. DO these areas make you marketable for a company, are you a go-getter, are you personable, trustworthy. My advice, brand yourself, work with a company to better their brand instead of asking what the company is going to give you. ASK what you can do for them.

I have said it before, and it bears repeating. I don't look at an athletes trophy case. I don't look at their accomplishments and awards. I look at the person, the individual and try to determine whether we can be friends, are they outgoing, personality plus? If I believe that is possible, then I believe the business side will work out. Others have a different philosophy, mine works for us. Don't expect companies to hand over buckets of money or product for free, sponsorship is hard work for both sides, not even close to a free lunch. Be aware and leary of companies that just hand things to you on a silver platter, or offer you the moon. Guaranteed there is an ulterior motive.

Thanks everyone, and all the best in the second half of this 2011 competition season. And show your support for us on our fan pages.

RescindX Clothing Fan Page


Bruce Millward
CEO RescindX Clothing & Athletics.