i'm beginning to get in touch with an upstarting energy drink company and am treading in uncharted territory, just wondering if anyone has had experience with dealing with the suits?

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Pretty good, we get quite a few smaller companies sponsoring djs and events over here and it usually works out for the best. basically they want visibility and in return you'll get more $ and probably more opportunities.



just make sure to get as much money as possible. they have no soul, remember!



a friend gave a fee of 1200 to the beer company, that figured was adjusted to 2000 before being sent to the company



btw tony sent you an email on facebook ages ago... am going to be in calgary end of august, would love to do something, will resend you my availability

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Last edited by Allied Nations on Jul-05-2008 at 17:18

for sure man, i'm not promoting any nights anymore but i know a few places where i can get you a gig

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I disagree with the concept and would certainly have nothing to do with it myself, but if you feel that it's beneficial to you then all the more power to you, just don't get screwed.

Congrats. It's really hard to offer general advice, but when you're dealing with suits, you just have to make sure your bases are covered. I'd be a little extra cautious with a start up, too.

Did they contact you, or you them? I'm assuming they are paying a fee and working as a vendor?

Make sure you cover bases on worse case scenarios: What if they don't show? When will you have payment? Is there a revenue share? What are the terms to terminate the contract (if you want out for any reason, can you get out - what do they need to provide to cancel on you - 30 days?)? Do they have insurance (it's a small likelihood, but if their employee or product did something in a worst case scenario, are they liable or are you)?

Also figure out: How can you use their logo/name in marketing? How will they promote it? What is the price when they are there (you don't want your customers pissed off)? Is it any good? Is it exclusive - in other words, are you prevented from other sponsors taking part? What other events have they done? Do they have references?

Just in a general sense - what are their expectations? What will they consider a success?

Hope that helps... PM me if you have any questions. I've worked through 1000 of these contracts when I used to promote and now for work with vendors. As a start up, they probably won't have as many rules as the big sponsors of events, which is good. But as a small company, you've just got to cover yourself first.

I suppose I should've asked first before completely writing off the sponsorship. Are you looking to be sponsored as a DJ, or as a promoter?

quote:

Originally posted by idoru I suppose I should've asked first before completely writing off the sponsorship. Are you looking to be sponsored as a DJ, or as a promoter?

Good question. Since I overlooked the fact that he said he isn't promoting nights, it may be as a dj... My bad for skimming over that.

i did give up my edm nights, i only hold down one saturday night top 40 and retro night at a cougar bar, love it though

as for the sponsorship, the initial plan is to throw an outdoor event next summer with said energy drink company providing the financial backing

i met the sales rep at an afterparty and we totally hit it off, he djs as well, an up and coming dj in calgary ATM, i was looking for cash to help me throw a party and they're looking for a promoter to pull it off

i've only talked with a sales rep so far that has hooked me up with literature and a dvd info pack plus a week's supply of the stuff, it's like a 2-6 and apparently worth at least $60 for the bottle, you only need 3 shots of it a day

better believe if we get fully involved there will be contracts and a paper trail, i'm thinking of starting small with a party with one major headliner (norman cook?) and all VERY talented locals i have met while going after this new sponsor, i don't think exclusivity will be a problem since as far as i know, it's just energy drinks they sling, booze or beer gardens are definitely going to be happening if i actually follow through with this event

also, does anyone have any experience "working" with norman cook?

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We got 25 crates of some Bourbon from a big company to have them put their name on our flyers and to run promotions for their product.

Just don't let yourself get shafted or have any big contracts without a lawyer.

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quote:

Originally posted by Tony Morello also, does anyone have any experience "working" with norman cook?

I have a few years ago (not as promotion or a DJ booking but as a former client). What do you want to know?

how tough is it to book and what do his rates look like? i assume it's a pretty penny, but hey, if the company is picking up the tab i might as well aim high, plus he hasn't played calgary yet

i figured i'd try get some more info here before getting in contact with his booking agent

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This kind of thing should happen so much more in the UK, maybe it would mean things wouldn't have to be run on such a shoestring budget all of the time, promoters would be able to spend money on decor etc and wouldn't have to charge £20 on the door.

The people I got my first residency with were sponsored by Kodak, Playstation and a load of others, but I pretty much haven't seen nights being sponsored since, apart from festivals - I think it's such a waste of an opportunity, when you've got a group of people from a particular demographic who certain brands would love to be able to target that specifically and would be willing to pay a fair amount to do so.

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