Sponsorship

[Mark Catanio]

I am currently a part-time weekend tournament angler looking to progress to a more advanced level. I have a couple small endorsements, but no real sponsorship.
A recent opportunity has been presented to me through a family member that a very large company might be interested in sponsoring me. This would enable me to progress to where I want to be as a tournament angler.
My problem is I have no idea how to go about this in a professional manner. I am very excited about this opportunity and want to persue it the right way. If there is anybody who can give me any help or share their experiences on how they obtained their higher level of sponsorship or is experienced in resume or portfolio work or even anyone who acts as a representative please contact me. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated or if you are an agent yourself please let me know.

[LaCajuninNC]

generally sponsorship has nothing to do with your fishing ability..
It's more of what you can do for the company..How can you help the company sell more of what it has to offer..A good resume is a start..look on the sponsor board..get in contact with Bob Spencer..he does a great product, but you have to have things to put in your resume first..
It's a dog eat dog buisness, so if you do get one you have to work HARD to keep them...

[yellow gambler]

check out fishforfree.com I am signed up for there news letter. I think you might find some useful info. Good luck

[Mark Perry]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mark Catanio &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I am currently a part-time weekend tournament angler looking to progress to a more advanced level. I have a couple small endorsements, but no real sponsorship.
A recent opportunity has been presented to me through a family member that a very large company might be interested in sponsoring me. This would enable me to progress to where I want to be as a tournament angler.
My problem is I have no idea how to go about this in a professional manner. I am very excited about this opportunity and want to persue it the right way. If there is anybody who can give me any help or share their experiences on how they obtained their higher level of sponsorship or is experienced in resume or portfolio work or even anyone who acts as a representative please contact me. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated or if you are an agent yourself please let me know. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Please take your time and research it thoroughly. To be blunt if you have no clue how to progress you are probably not ready to progress. What I mean by that is most guys that trying to reach the higher levels are involved in the local, regional and national trails that allow you to basically take a step up as you progress. You would be doing yourself and your potential sponsor a huge disservice if you are not prepared. That is not knocking your fishing ability as you may very well be the next KVD but in the world of marketing and sponsorship you usually only have one shot at making a good impression.
Also it is truly a lot of hogwash that you have to have no fishing ability. Fact is eventually your credibility will come into play if no one sees or knows about your fishing. Long term no one is gonna buy product from a guy they know is a hack. Not saying you have to light it up but I am saying you have to have some ability to succeed at it. I know guys right now that are extremely marketable, great appearnace, has won at the BASS level and still struggles to get true sponsorship past product or very small amounts of cash. Its a tough business to succeed in and you have to really network and be a player to make things happen off the water and you gotta catch a few on the water as well.
I have been working with sponsors the last 3-4 years and have progressed to some nice little deals that are well worth it to me but I can promise you I love to fish more than I love to talk about it and in 2009 I will work less shows and less sponsor commitments and spend my time on the water. I have worked too many shows and events in the last 2 years when I should have been prefishing. I have had some success but it could have been more if I had put in my practice. I plan on resigning some deals and putting that time into actually fishing. I could care less about a patch and a "pro staff" deal when it takes so much of my time I cannot fish. I will keep the stuff that is mutually rewarding to both the sponsor and myself and step away from what is not. I have a great boat dealer, a nice setup deal through them that gives me access to just about anything I need tackle wise at cost and a few other sponsors that are more like friends so I will work for them and choose my efforts more wisely.
Best thing to do is approach some local pros or folks that you know are connected and pick their brain. Its not all roses at times. Not trying to dissuade you or stop you from chasing your goals but please take your time and proceed with caution. Thanks


This just my opinion though and nothing more.

[Mark Catanio]

I thank you guys a lot for your insight. I think I have a pretty good idea how these things work and that it is not just get money and go fishing. I dont want to sound like I'm oblivious to the buisness side, I'm a buisness owner my self.
I have enough confidence in my fishing ability to know that I have what it takes to become a very good fisherman. What i need to know are the particulars, such as, who is usually the one to set the terms of the contract, me or the company? Should I draw up a proposal in detail with numbers included?
One thing I think that is good about this company is that it is not involved in fishing at all, and my part would be strickly on the road advertising and maybe taking a client fishing or somthing to that affect.

[Tagg007]

Since you are a business owner you know what businesses are looking for. I would suggest taking a detailed plan/presentation of who, what you are and how you will be able to represent the company in a positive manner at all times. Also, it is a good idea for you (in your interest) to go in with the $$ figures. They are a business so they will try to get a good deal, it doesn't hurt to negotiate with them. Show them Return on Investment figures (the money the invest in you and the return you will give them). Its all about facts and figures. Good luck to you!