Do you support the sponsors?
Discussion
A quick question... Do you support the sponsors?
I just had a look on sunshine.co.uk because its on a touring car and it made me think. Most of us in motorsport need or want sponsorship. So should we go out of our way to support those sponsors who support motorsport? I think so. I know alot of sponsors are dads company or the drivers company, but still...
What do you guys think, stupid or not?
Would I book a virgin holiday if it was the same as another holiday just because they sponsor Brawn? Would I spend a couple of quid more?
Lew
I just had a look on sunshine.co.uk because its on a touring car and it made me think. Most of us in motorsport need or want sponsorship. So should we go out of our way to support those sponsors who support motorsport? I think so. I know alot of sponsors are dads company or the drivers company, but still...
What do you guys think, stupid or not?
Would I book a virgin holiday if it was the same as another holiday just because they sponsor Brawn? Would I spend a couple of quid more?
Lew
I do. I always hope to get caught by a market researcher when buying things so that they can ask what infulenced the purchase of a can Relentless energy drink, Rizla fag papers, Office Depot furniture or mobile phone so that I can tell them that it's because of their input into motorsport and that they should continue. I guess I'll just have to keep on buying and hope they figure it out themselves.
I should say that it's within reason and if I want something where the product really matters, then I'll buy to spec. But if I'm buying something where there is a selection and one wouldn't hugely benefit me over the others, then I'll go with the one that puts the most cash into my motorsport of choice.
I should say that it's within reason and if I want something where the product really matters, then I'll buy to spec. But if I'm buying something where there is a selection and one wouldn't hugely benefit me over the others, then I'll go with the one that puts the most cash into my motorsport of choice.
I do quite often google odd companys that sponsor lower level motorsport.
I dont think ive ever bought anything, but I would if they provided a service I needed.
As for high level sponsorship, like Santander or whatever I wouldnt spend my money with them because of there F1 sponsorship.. but I dont think I would know who Santander were if they didnt sponsor Mclaren.. so they have already got there moneys worth.
I dont think ive ever bought anything, but I would if they provided a service I needed.
As for high level sponsorship, like Santander or whatever I wouldnt spend my money with them because of there F1 sponsorship.. but I dont think I would know who Santander were if they didnt sponsor Mclaren.. so they have already got there moneys worth.
No, do not buy stuff because they sponsor an F1 car. Although the sponsors probably will sell it as raising brand awareness, like you googling it out of curiousity, and sponsorship comes as a package with corporate hospitality, jollies and deal making...
At lower level it maybe a little different, an opportunity to get involved with an individual driver, corporate hospitality on much less corporate level, but again I can't think I would buy an equal but slightly more expensive widget if I saw it on a F3 or Touring car.
At lower level it maybe a little different, an opportunity to get involved with an individual driver, corporate hospitality on much less corporate level, but again I can't think I would buy an equal but slightly more expensive widget if I saw it on a F3 or Touring car.
I think that even though I'm aware that it's happening, my perception of a brand increases as a result of high level sponsorship in sport. Maybe not by much, maybe not enough to make me seriously consider buying that brand over another, but certainly to the point that if the company has a significant sponsorship programme then they are likely to be a serious player in their market, with intentions of raising quality and awareness in equal measure.
However apart from raising awareness from zero to something, I don't think sponsorship at the lower levels of motorsport work nearly so well. So many of those sponsors are obscure companies or owned by the driver of the car that I tend not to take a great deal of notice or to perceive the company as being a more major player than I previously had.
Examples:
- I wouldn't put my money in sunshine.co.uk's pocket unless their product and price was the most competitive, but I suppose I would be more likely to visit their site and look into their product than I otherwise would
- I did have the confidence to buy a BenQ projector as a result of their premiership football (I know, sorry) sponsorship even though I knew they were a relatively new company operating out of China. I couldn't care less about the football team or being associated with it: I just knew they weren't a here-today, gone-tomorrow operation selling thoroughly shonky goods.
However apart from raising awareness from zero to something, I don't think sponsorship at the lower levels of motorsport work nearly so well. So many of those sponsors are obscure companies or owned by the driver of the car that I tend not to take a great deal of notice or to perceive the company as being a more major player than I previously had.
Examples:
- I wouldn't put my money in sunshine.co.uk's pocket unless their product and price was the most competitive, but I suppose I would be more likely to visit their site and look into their product than I otherwise would
- I did have the confidence to buy a BenQ projector as a result of their premiership football (I know, sorry) sponsorship even though I knew they were a relatively new company operating out of China. I couldn't care less about the football team or being associated with it: I just knew they weren't a here-today, gone-tomorrow operation selling thoroughly shonky goods.
Its interesting...research shows that the two wheeled fraternity will actively buy products linked with their bikes, as will NASCAR fans in the USA. In the UK we are somewhat suspicious of sponsorship and some of the ways they advertise their 'brands' and products are dreadful.
It shames me to admit that I have woked with a number of F1 sponsors over the years and am constantly battling the creative sorts who just 'don't buy sponsorship' and refuse to use it to sell.
Car companies and mobile phone companies are the worst. Oil / petrol / tyres / car accessories / engineering and IT are the best.
Drinks companies do a so so job, fashion companies and watch companies just the the individual and the airlines....excuse me never!!
It shames me to admit that I have woked with a number of F1 sponsors over the years and am constantly battling the creative sorts who just 'don't buy sponsorship' and refuse to use it to sell.
Car companies and mobile phone companies are the worst. Oil / petrol / tyres / car accessories / engineering and IT are the best.
Drinks companies do a so so job, fashion companies and watch companies just the the individual and the airlines....excuse me never!!
I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a sponsored product or service, but at least I'm aware that they exist in the first place - so in terms of brand awareness, sponsorship works.
What i don't underdstand is the obscure sponsors in lower formulas such as GP2 and F3, I can only presume they are in it for the hospitality.
What i don't underdstand is the obscure sponsors in lower formulas such as GP2 and F3, I can only presume they are in it for the hospitality.
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