Sponsorship is always an intriguing topic. What exactly is sponsorship? I have heard many people say they are sponsored and when we finally start talking, they have paid X dollars for the products. I call that a discount. I suppose I am one of the most "sponsored" people in the industry. True, my products are furnished and I have help in transporting the rig to shows and in building the new bronco. Hotel and air is furnished. However, I pay for all material that goes into that bronco and rig. I also pay for license, taxes, fuel, all expenses for transportation out of the travel expenses. My hobby still costs me money. I attend many shows without the bronco at my own expense or as a guest of an event sponsor - just to help promote that show and the industry. Nothing is ever free and all sponsors expect something in return of their investment in you. My sponsors - and I consider myself darn lucky to have such wonderful sponsors - JBL, Panasonic, Dynamat, Tsunami, Python (DEI) H-O Alternators, Select Products, and BAB Batteries - all expect and get exposure from me. My rig travels thousands of miles per year and is a rolling advertisement for them. We get as much media coverage as possible for them. Our web site has them on it with direct links to their sites. During our short career, our first out of industry coverage was in Newsweek several years ago. That little blurp is what started the ball rolling. I was lucky enough to be selected to do a 10 city tour and promote MERA (Mobile Electronic Retailers Association) and MECP (Mobile Electronic Certification Program). During this time, we did TV appearances on WGNTV (Chicago and Cleveland) and we did a Good Morning TV tour out of the Panasonic Head Quarters in NJ. I think we went into 19 states in about 2 hours. That was awesome. Wired Magazine was doing sometype of research and up popped Alma in Newsweek. This caught the attention of someone at Wired and Lights went off and next thing I knew, we were in Wired, http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.10/stereocar.html. That was great coverage. Phoenix New Times picked up on Wired and so did Jane Magazine. -http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/2000-11-09/feature.html/page1.html .... We had Real NetWorks contact us and we were their guest in 2000 at the World Internet Convention in NYC. We introduced Real Audio8 to the Internet world via the Bronco. From there we made it to the Learning Channel, and the Discovery Channel and Ripleys Believe It or Not. Recently, we were covered in the Washington Post and Popular Mechanics and FHM Magazine. We have the last article on the Beast coming out shortly in Performance Auto & Sound Magazine. One thing I have always tried to be is honest and fair with consumers and members of the industry. Nothing rules, nothing sucks.. Products are products, and all products are a matter of individual taste, preference, and budget. With the right install, almost any product can be made to work. People know the products in my vehicle work best for me in my application. The products used in my Bronco are my preference. Just like Shanes is his preference and whatever you use is your preference. The more we promote our products and the industry we all love, the more products we will be able to sell (and we do sell products) the larger our industry will grow and the more funding the industry will have for sponsorships.. Getting sponsored is not easy and is never a free ride. You cannot get that trophy - take it home - and expect sponsors to come knocking on your door. It just doesn't work that way. I have had so many young people want to know how to get sponsored - the only answer I can give them is - you don't. You must earn that right. On top of this, we have had people who have abused the system. They get products and either dont run them or sell them or jump from one bed to another. Unethical conduct puts a bad taste in a manufacturers mouth and I don't blame them. Bottom line is it hurts future competitors and makes it much more difficult for them to get products. I guess my last though - please don't give up on getting sponsors. You just have to work hard and do the best you can. You never know unless you try! Shane - this post is all your fault!!!!!
