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March 16, 2017
 

Sponsorship – Killing Ourselves Softly

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Written by: Derek Buono

This editorial is featured in VRC_024. A full feature article on interviewing the industry on this can be read. Want to read it? Just buy the newest issue and join us.

Sponsorship – State of the Union

I wanted to be sponsored (1). Even when I sucked, I believed I was good enough to be sponsored (2). Back when I was working at a hobby shop, I even got sponsored by HRP. How? I answered their invite to be sponsored (3). I got a 40% deal from them … which wasn’t a sponsorship. It’s like selling knives or energy drinks in a pyramid scheme yet believing you’re operating a legit business (4).

Twenty-five years later, this continues, in much how they have dragged Star Wars along the same way as Star Wars has “continued.” How many people do you know who are “sponsored?” In most sports, it’s a rarity; but in RC, it almost seems as though everybody is sponsored. I won’t use the “direct sales” term yet, but there are definitely pros and cons to this current trend in the industry, and rather than offering just my opinion, I’ve decided to pose this question to the industry and get their take on it. So in this issue, you will hear from those offering sponsorships, the hobby shops it affects, the manufacturers that don’t do it, and even a random person who doesn’t know anything about it.

You still want to be sponsored?

1. I still do.
2. At one point, I was good enough to be sponsored. Seriously.
3. I had to write them a letter. Really, I wrote an application.
4. Harassing your family to buy a knife isn’t a good business model.



About the Author

Derek Buono
Derek Buono– Started in the industry as an assistant editor at RC Car Action where he spent 2 years before being recruited by Xtreme RC Cars Magazine. For the past 10 years Derek lead Xtreme RC Cars and helped double the circulation, improved editorial quality and helped lead the market in design and creativity. Derek@vrcmag.com



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