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7.14.2010

Benefits of Corporate Sponsorships

In the event industry, we are always looking for ways to get the most bang for our buck and one of the best ways to accomplish this is by partnering with other businesses to accomplish goals for both sides - the Win-Win scenario.  Teaming up with one or more businesses to host an event is known as event marketing or sponsorship marketing.  Sponsorships allow a company to reach a very specific target audience with a very well defined message, thus establishing meaningful communication links with that audience.  Other benefits include larger attendance, invested funding, higher satisfaction ratings, and more enthusiasm for the event by leveraging the relationships that both companies or brands already have with their audience.  The decision to utilize corporate sponsorships is logical and easy to make. The process of making it happen requires agreement within the organization, teamwork, and coordination.

At Feel the Beat Entertainment, all of our entertainment options have easy ways to build in corporate sponsorships.  Whether it is a photo strip promoting brand awareness, a game show category based on the sponsor, or a gobo projecting the company's logo - guests walk away from the event with a positive experience and the connection that the experience happened because of that company's efforts.

Basically, a successful sponsorship finds a way to connect with their target and share an experience.  Of course, not all sponsorships are the same.  The sponsor needs to have a clear and logical link to the event, such as Michelin sponsoring a race car or Yoplait sponsoring the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  The clearer the connection is between event and sponsor, the greater the outcome.  When hosting an event, your goals may include increasing brand awareness, increasing sales & market share, and building brand preference.  A sponsor should have a strong existing reputation in the community that aligns with the image of your own brand.  Be sure that your sponsor will represent the event well and be of value to the audience that you want to attract.  Conversely, you need to be sure that your event will represent the sponsor and their brand with the utmost integrity.

After you have chosen and secured your sponsor,  be sure to stay in contact with them throughout the planning process to not only keep them informed, but also to utilize their input and resources.  The sponsorship should be a mutually-benefiting partnership and the best way for both parties to feel successful is for them both to be involved in the planning.  You may want to include your sponsor's name in the title of the event, use them in advertising and marketing materials, and draw on their support to attract a larger audience.  Be sure that both sides have clearly defined goals of what they hope to achieve, so that you can measure the success of the event after it's over.  If the partnership is successful, it may be a relationship that can be beneficial for future events as well.

To learn more about securing a corporate sponsor and Feel the Beat's sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lindsey Mason at 205-451-2305 or lindsey@feelthebeatentertainment.com