Skateboarding sponsorship is the commercial sponsorship of an individual or team of people who participate in skateboarding, competitions or public activities. Typically, the individual or team will receive cash payments, reduced-price or free merchandise or equipment from a sponsor in return for public and in-competition use of that sponsor's merchandise or equipment for promotional purposes and recipient testimonial or endorsement. Skateboarding sponsorship may also extend to the sponsorship of major competitions or venues (like specific skateparks) by larger distributors or manufacturers of skateboarding equipment and merchandise.[1]
Sponsors employ a variety of methods in an effort to "discover" potential sponsorship recipients including word of mouth, the solicitation of "sponsor-me" videos[2] and direct participation in public skateboarding events and competitions, as well as raising awareness through social media websites.[3]
In the United States it is recommended that an organisation wishing to engage with Skateboarders via sponsorship apply to join the IASC. This allows a company to join, take part in and become credible within an already well established industry.
- ^ Marketing Communications by Ludi Koekemoer & Steve Bird (Juta and Company Ltd, 2004)
- ^ Submit a Sponsor Me Video (Emerica, 14 August 2009)
- ^ Advanced Skateboarding: From Kick Turns to Catching Air by Aaron S. Rosenberg (Rosen Publishing, 2002)