The United States Speedskating team is searching for a sponsor. Several sponsors have come on board leading up to the Olympic Games this February – including Steven Colbert from Comedy Central’s Colbert Report. After the team’s major sponsor, Dutch Bank DSB, went bankrupt in the fall, Colbert stepped in and drew plenty of attention to their needs. But his support ends in March.
What the organization needs now is a new long-term, program-sustaining sponsor that will fuel their organization for the next four years.
We’re working with US Speedskating, employing social media to increase opportunities for fans to connect with and contribute to the sport. But we keep coming back to the need for a sustaining, gold level sponsor.
We advise companies on sponsorship opportunities and help develop sponsorship programs and corporate giving programs. The best – and most long-term – scenarios result when the mission, values and reputation of a sponsor align with those of the organization it suppports. Possibilities for US Speedskating include companies with the hallmarks of strength, endurance and dedication. Companies with services focused on performance and values might also be a great fit.
With more than seventy clubs and a growing fan base of all ages , the sport enjoys a geographical reach across the United States. This February, the US Olympic Speedskating team is on track to continue their record of leading the winter Olympic medal count. (US Speedskating has earned 35% of all medals received by the United States during the past five winter games.)
And my favorite aspect of this sport is that it doesn’t discriminate. You’ll find men and women of all ages contribute to the sport.
Who do you think would be an ideal sponsor for the incredible US Speedskating team? Who could benefit from the level of attention already gained by Stephen Colbert’s involvement?
Photo: usspeedskating.org
Last week I was speaking to a group of students at a college in Duluth about the different ways businesses can use social media. As I was finishing, a student asked a very important question, a question I’m confident many of you are struggling with.
What makes this campaign so impressive is how a commercial entity essentially asked for and received permission to advertise to customers on Facebook. By using a free hamburger giveaway via a cleverly executed challenge to reach 500,000 “friends” on Facebook, TGI Friday’s lured customers and potential customers into the heart of the campaign.
