Think bold. Think different. Above all, think.

"There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new order, this “lukewarm-ness” arising partly from fear of their adversaries and p...

Can Non-Endemic Sponsors Stomach Competitive Eating?

This weekend the "super bowl" of competitive eating will delight and/or repulse Coney Island visitors for the 94th consecutive year. In fact, last year in front of nearly 40,000 on-site spectators, Nathan's got some extra mileage as the annual Nathan's hot dog eating competition went into a 5 dog "OT" for the first time in the event's history. In 1997, two brothers, Richard and George She...

Reaching Teens? Event Sponsorship Tops List

We live in an age of permission marketing and live event sponsorship has the highest level of acceptance among teens, according to a Fuse Marketing and University of Massachusetts Amherst study on advertising to teens that eMarketer reported on today. While teens are spending an ever increasing share of their time with mobile and new media like text messaging, video games and social networks,...

How I First Learned to Sell!

Key Learnings is an ongoing collection of insights and stories from thought-leaders within the sponsorship industry. Today's key learning comes from Jim Loria who has over 30 years of sports management experience and for the past 10 years as served as President of the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede. My breakthrough in first learning the sales business came at about the lowest point in my life. It...

Bumpy Ride: Car Co's & Theme Parks Fate Tied?

As the mercury rises and summertime interests become divided between pools, parks and family trips, advertising typically slows in traditional media. So what's a Mad ave media planner to do? Kevin Downey of Media Life Magazine provides one answer in today's piece entitled "your client at the amusement park." While some of the industry's leaders are on a financial rollercoaster of their own...

Civic Entertainment Helps Southwest Land in B Park

To celebrate yesterday's launch of its' new service to La Guardia, Southwest Airlines has teamed up with 'Witchcraft to provide Bryant Park visitors with a pop-up patio. We popped over and checked it out. Aside from having a drink served by adjacent sandwich shop 'witchcraft, visitors can ask questions, learn about Southwest's new routes and even book tickets. Partnerships with the city and...

Five Lessons from the Ultimate Pitchman

"Hi, Billy Mays Here!" was his famous tagline and for years he made late night television his home, moving millions upon millions of cleaning products like the Awesome Auger, Oxiclean and Orange Glo - two minutes at a time. Mays died late last week at his home in Florida, but not before leaving us with many an infomercial gem like this. While he had his critics and his style certainly was no...

Akon/Chivas' Sponsorship Sidelines "Freedom" Tour

Just four days before Akon's July 2nd concert date in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian government cracked down on the Freedom Tour stop over concerns about the stop's primary sponsor, Chivas. "We expect every show promoter in this country to abide by our rules and regulations,” said Mohammad Daud. “We have not relaxed our restrictions on cigarette and liquor sponsorship for public events like conce...

Hello Asia, As far as you know we're the best football team in America!

A simple "global branding play" according to the release and now we've got a much better glimpse at the plane itself. However you feel about the deal, the "unique" design is definitely going to get some impressions for both the team and airline. The "Commitment to Excellence" is our caption contest for the week. Give it a shot in the comments! Last week's winner=Joe Waters Bonus Quot...

Selling Sponsorships for Nonprofits: Prospecting Circles II

A cause is often the cornerstone of many sports and entertainment sponsorship platforms. Today's "key learning" comes from Joe Waters, who is the Director of Cause Marketing for Boston Medical Center, an avid blogger at Selfishgiving.com and a rabid Boston Red Sox fan. In addition to being a one-time winner of the SponsorPitch Friday Caption Contest, he has agreed to lend us his insights on ca...