Sponsorship Strategist

Beijing's art scene

Like many aspects of life in Beijing, the art scene here brings us more in touch with this sense of China's past and future colliding. Artists make us take a look at what it all means -- with humor and irreverence, with cynicism, and often with playful examination. The 798 Dashanzi Art District is the hub of Beijing's gallery network. Bauhaus-style factory buildings have been converted into wonderful exhibition spaces. Technology and nature; progress and its impact; being a unified people while embracing new friends in the world; a blending and clashing of ideologies are all represented in the works... Read more →

Cause marketing in China

Cause marketing is reasonably new in China, though advertising, seen everywhere in Beijing, is not. This poster is a typical ad in the sprawling subway system. It encourages use of this bank's credit card, with a percentage of the sale going to improved water conditions in western China. In some of the subways, advertisers make good use of space. You'll also see posters and TV spots on TVs in most subway cars. Read more →

Greetings from China

I accepted an invitation to speak in China this week, working with the Beijing Association for Science and Technology to develop ideas for their sponsorship program. The organization plans to build a science center, along with a satellite location in a shopping area attractive to young people, both of which will expand their mobile museum programming. It's been an exhileratimg week! Here I am having my first taste of Peking Duck with my hosts: Suli Zhong, center, BAST Chief Director; Wang Shuo to his right, who is overseeing the new Center; and Li Hong Xu, left, of DKVSponsorship International, and... Read more →

Rogue sponsorship

Late last week, on my way to a 9 a.m. meeting, I encountered two rogue sponsorship programs, one by Clear and one by Chase. Clear, a brand I'd never heard of but which evidently really likes green, had taken over a park, locally known as Love Park, that Philadelphians both love and hate. We love it because it's pretty, has a great fountain, but we're wary because of its past – the City cracked down on the homeless people who called the park home and on the skateboarders who found infinite challenge here. Consequently the park has a more steady... Read more →

Improving your sponsorship program value

When you look at a spreadsheet of your sponsor commitments, do you notice a pattern that they all tend to skew towards your lower level offerings? If you're wondering about that, frustrated by that, and hoping to change that, please join me for my next teleseminar, Developing Sponsorship Opportunities that Sell, on Thursday, November 12, 2009, 12-1 p.m. EST. It's possible that your sponsorship opportunities lack sufficient value to entice partners to commit to a higher level. During this teleseminar, you'll learn how to increase the value and improve your offerings. Read more →