The difference between a mediocre and successful sponsorship lies in the leverage of sponsorship. Maximizing visibility through creative and imaginative exploitation can maximize coverage and awareness and optimize the return on investment.
An Existing Event
The success of an existing event depends on the skills and experience of the organizer.
The following questions should be asked;
* Who is responsible for event promotion?
* Will it draw spectators?
* How can attendance be maximized?
* Are rights fees and admin costs understood?
* What budget is set for sponsorship leverage?
There are a few strategic considerations in selecting an existing event.
* Will there be any other sponsors besides yourself and at what level of involvement?
* What are the rights allocated to other sponsors and how does it differ from yours?
* Did the other sponsors gain rights proportionate with their payments?
* How was the price determined?
* Are the other sponsor's businesses compatible with yours?
* Ensure visibility of your brand if the event is cluttered.
* Identify the opportunities of hospitality.
* Can the brand association dilute and overpower the brand association developed by a previous sponsor?
Creating your own event
Careful control is needed when creating your own event.
Some areas to consider;
* Positioning statement that is branding the image
* Hospitality - how your customers and VIP guests are treated
* Number and type of sponsors
* Event quality
Creating your own event involves risk and advice from lawyers, insurance professionals are required.
Broadcast sponsorship provides the best coverage over the widest possible audience.
Take the following into consideration when considering broadcast sponsorship
* Market coverage should be known
* Estimated audience figures
* Logo visibility
* Calculate the cost per thousand viewers/listeners (CPM) or the cost per rating (CRP)
* Ambush marketing occurs when the rights are not purchased and competitors sponsor televised/radio coverage. This also occurs when competitive advertising is lighted during the broadcast.
* A post-event evaluation of publicity and broadcast rating.