If you were really as hot as you say you are- belive me the sponsors would come running after you, not the other way around. Bad boy T is sponsored by Puma becuase Puma saw that he is HOT property and the moment and he resonates well with the Puma brand values and what Puma stands for. You'll proberbly notice that to get the desired effect,Bad boy T does not scream Puma every single time he's on air, or does a radio and television interview. Nor is his car tackily printed with the Puma logo on the side. Consumers are very cynical these days about sponsorships and less certainly is more. What you are proposing - shoving your sponsors name in the consumers face at every possible interval- will not sound believable. It would seem obviouse "oh, so Nike sponsors so and so" whereas with Bad boy T it seems like "cool, Bad boy wears Puma"

To conclude - I'm not suprised no-one is tacking up your oversold concept. This reaffirms that sponsorships budgets are at least, still in pretty astute hands

Maybe I'm just getting old, but I remember when bands used to shun "the man" and society's corporate sellouts. Now bands are begging for support from big business? What a bad idea. If you're in a band, simply do what you do best, which is hopefully making good music, and everything else will follow. Imagine the Stones, The Doors or even Public Enemy wearing FNB or Ford T-Shirts... Ridiculous.

Remember the Reebok sponsorship scene? What ever happened to bands getting by on their talent? Hmmm, maybe you have a point... band names like Nike U2 or Always Ultra Backstreet Boys do have a certain ring to them?

I just dont understand what you are talking about - what are you selling - yourself, a brand, an idea - maybe that is why you arent getting sponsorship - as your ideas as just not clear

You are not getting a sponsorship because:

1. SA in general could care less about "white" Rock or Pop music.

2. SA in general could care less about the arts (music included) at all, if it comes to that.

3. You are not playing rugby, cricket or soccer.

4. You are not a radio DJ or TV continuity announcer.

5. You did not get into music via a reality show like Idols or Big Brother.

6. Our local radio quota is only 25% - at that rate, no one will ever really know who you are - much less who your "financial partner" is. The possible 'financial partners' all know this.

If you're lucky, a tattoo parlour will come to the party, like with all the other "fastest growing bands". Just get on with what you do. When you're good enough, go overseas - you might be appreciated there.

I honestly feel the situation you're really in.It's the nature of the entertainment industry especially in our country-exploitation of human talents and their intelligents.Remember,most famous people such as celebs, musicians and sports personalities remain poor for the rest of their lives-not to mentioned that they mostly die paupers because of the fame-for-nothing kinda of life they pursue...booogh
However, be that as it may be, you just need to be strong and have patience, your reward will come to you, don't go after it.Again, it's a matter of time, when the time is ripe you'll find yourself stormed by plethora of sponsors that are after your service...
Keep the morale high dude, you'll arrive there.

Lastborn Humphreys

then my next questions are
Why do you need sponsorship if you are already "famous" and selling thousands of CD's and performing at festivals all around the country. If you just kept doing that you will surely get what you are looking for?
How much are you looking for?
What will you do for my brand?
Just who is your target market? Black,White,English, Afrikaans,Rap R&B,Kwaito,Rock,Pop,young,middle aged,old?
What is the return on my investment other than media exposure which I can buy anyway and control myself.
Bands are notorious for being flavour of the month..what kind of longevity are we talking about here?
And my last one ..who sponsors Johnny Clegg? Soweto String Quartet? Mandoza? Ladysmith Black Mombaza? Give me a sense of why I should forgo those kind of names (assuming they were in the sponsorship market)in favour of yours?

that would help! all of the benefits you extol mean nothing if the band does not fit the brand. Its like saying that Dolly Parton can offer Red Bull this that and the other - it aint gonna work anyways!
judging from the way you have presented yourself here, i suggest you get hold of a professional sponsorship consultant who can present you and your brand to the right partner in the right way, because clearly you are not doing this/. Dont blame the brands.

Ok, maybe our muso hasn't sold himself correctly here, but I can fully understand where he is coming from! It isn't uncommon for our up and coming bands to receive sponsorship, times have changed! For a band to get anywhere in this this country they need financial backing - recording CDs, making posters, travelling expenses etc all cost money. Look at Tree63 sponsored by RED, Black Fist of Garvey sponsored by Iron Fist, U2 formed a partnership with Apple iPod because they wanted to be associated with this cool brand and visa versa. The bands of today are linking up with brands and are becoming brands with personality themselves! Maybe the marketing teams should look closer at this opportunity, start thinking laterally and make some suggestions to this band themselves!!!!

Who knows what goes on in the world of sponsorship, but good luck guys.

I hear your frustration but maybe you have not gone to the right brands. I think specifically of Levi's jeans who sponsor up and coming bands. They also participated in the 5FM Gillman make me famous dude competition, so maybe you are talking to the wrong bands

I am vocalist/guitarist for a band called Twice Shy. We finished 2nd in Gilman's Comp, and have appeared on numerous TV shows, ie. GO's Vicious Delicious. I found this forum funny because how many posts actually came from artists? Having been on national radio and TV has afforded us priceless exposure but nevertheless "no bites," of any sponsorship or record label sort have emerged since April. We do not expect anything to fall into our laps but have been trying. Maybe we're not good enough? (twiceshyrock.com and make your mind up yourself?

Fundamentally, rock music will always play a secondary role to hiphop and pop in this country. There exists a stinging inferiority complex in our music biz.
Seether is the only band to ever have broken from SA simply because they said "fuck-it" to pub crawling and sought international interest through Musketeer Rec's.

Shouldn't people be watching the road when they're driving?

Google tells me thats the band we're talking about, but who can trust the internet. Maybe the reason everyone is put off is because of those bloody adverts for "Treffers" etc etc. If the band in discussion is Koos Kombuis, please note: you need a decent logo and website.

Koos Kombuis is the pen-name of Andre le Toit, the outstanding Afrikaans singer/songwriter/author.
He was one of the performers at the vanguard of the "alternatiewe Afrikaner" mini-revolution that rocked the establishment back in the PW Botha era.
You should apologise forthwith to Mr Kombuis for confusing him with some bunch of wannabes who are more interested in "branding" themselves than making music.

Remember, corporates want a return on their investment. Their association with your brand needs to benefit the business and also attract new customers and assist with their profile and positioning. All funds provided must be accounted for. What are the benefits to the sponsor, highlight those and focus on your strenghts and achievements. Keep it short and to the point. Focus on cool, funky brands who wants to push the envelope.

Please, Abie or Joller or anyone who knows, just say the name of the fricken band. No-one really cares unless we know who we are talking about.

Why are there always so many negative cynics out there, why can't someone share some marketing tips or make some suggestions to this person. Sow some experience and goodwill and harvest some soul for a change.

I am the Marketing Director of a mobile entertainment company and would love to help you guys find sponsorship.

I've spent years in the industry of artist management, PR & sponsorship for the music industry in SA. Few things I've learnt...

1. SA bands have't got a clue what marketing, PR and sponsorship is about and think since they had an interview on E after the late night news, they can now ask a sponsor for money plus plus plus. Oh yes, and since 5fm is listing their gigs on the website, that interview is worth R1 million. There is so much free literature & advise out there, especially on the internet - educate yourself and treat your band like a businessand all businesses need marketing!The SA record labels will not support your marketing drive nor invest in it...
2. Too many SA artists carry ego's larger than life - get a grip!
3. Too many SA bands seek the services of professionals then somewhere down the line... one party always seems to get screwed... and strangly enough, the party that thought they screwed successfully is still seeking ponsorship years later.

Bands - There is money out their as many brands & parties believe in what you're doing and will invest but you need to respect them enough to at least invest some time into educating yourselves or at least start with getting a decent publicist! :)

Glad to see this forum has gotten so much feedback. I'd like to mention something though about sponsorships from companies regarding bands.

A few years ago I had a mates brother who headed a top underground SA band. They had sponsorship from a number of clothing companies and the such BUT the companies treated them like rubbish. When shoes were given they were all given in the same size, clothing was months old and new designs were already out etc. This type of sponsorship management was pathetic and the persons incharge of running sponsorships were mostly guys that didnt know a thing about marketing or sponsorship. Sponsorship is a two-way street. If both sides get treated well, ideas exchanged and communication is both ways, ROI will be seen. TV and radio aren't the most important mediums, marketers in SA should hopefully know that by now. I think it's companies that have the problem when sponsoring bands, some companies don't give enough time to nurture the talent. It's a joke to say the truth.