Following on from my previous post on Why Companies Sponsor, this time I’m looking at some of those often basic things that are forgotten in sponsorship management.
Much of it’s common sense, however you would be surprised the number of times it’s forgotten.
Yes I know a lot of this is just paperwork and administration, and it can be a drag. However without it you’re skirting very close to being seen as an amateur or worse a cowboy, not the professional image you’re really after.
Years ago I remember having a lengthy discussion with a veteran public affairs director over the value of sponsorship from both sides of the opportunity.
Too often it seems when seeking sponsorship the money is considered as just a donation. Now companies don’t sponsor anything really from the bottom of their hearts, they will want a return on their investment.
In fact they are going to want a big bang for their bucks. It’s all a matter of ensuring the deal is sweet from both sides.
Like it or not, sponsorship small or large will have strings attached.
Lately there has been a resurgence in the discussion over using design for the greater good. From using design principles at the boardroom table, to solving third world problems with better interaction design. Who are we really kidding!
While the concepts are very noble and I can see how it can be done. There really needs to be a dose of reality in all this.
The overriding principle is that we can change the world through design. We do this by influencing everything we design. Such that we are producing high quality products that take into account sustainability, inclusivity and still focus on the business and audiences at hand.
Over the years I have found that web awards tend to fall into three types:
What I find that you are really looking for is a web award competition that acts as a yard stick to measure your skills that is judged by your peers in the web industry, not advertising executives.
Gary Barber
I’m an independent User Experience Consultant.
I design interfaces, build information architectures, prototypes, do UX research and conducting usability & accessibility tests and audits.
I can work within your existing team or as an external consultant on a contract or adhoc basis.
You can contact me via my company, radharc.
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