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RTW in 2008 on the Wee. Looking for sponsorship ideas

2K views 16 replies 9 participants last post by  torqueman 
#1 ·
It's official, my brother and I are going to ride Wee-stroms around the world in 120 days around the northern hemisphere (Starting in Calgary, Canada, going East across Canada, all over europe, Russia, Mongolia, etc.)

What I'm looking for at this point is ideas on how we could get our costs offset for the trip - either by sponsorship or other means.... Any input you guys might have is appreciated.

For context, I'm an expert in communications (public relations) and my brother is Mr. Fix Anything - making for a good combination of skills on our trip.

Let the brainstorming begin....
 
#2 ·
All over the world also includes the middle east. Im not gonna sponsor someone that may be on a one way trip going where they decapitate people. Not just the middle east but Europe too. Terrorist capture people from all over the world. Good luck in your venture. But I cant help you.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for your opinion and the good wishes for our trip Vinny. Please keep in mind that I wasn't asking for your dollars, just your ideas.

To respond to your post, I think you've missed the point of the trip and, frankly, life in general.

For the benefit of everyone, this trip does not include any countries south of the 45th parallel.

Does anyone else have any constructive ideas?

Thanks! :)
 
#4 ·
Call the companies that sell stuff. They might be able to donate equipment which saves you dollars. Being in public communications you should have no problem showing them how your trip is good advertising. You've got to show them how your valuble. Drum up some interest and set off. :)
 
#5 ·
Contact the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, National Geographic Channel, etc. and see if you video your journey or something if they would be interested and if so if they would pony up some dough for it. I know that Ewan McGregor did it on a BMW and one of those channels carried the show (yeah he is a star with major name recoginition, but its worth a shot).

Hit up Suzuki, using their Adventure Tourer for this trip and see if they would be willing to sponsor, in exchange for using you in a marketing campaigne of some sort.

You could also hit up some aftermarket accessory vendors and offer to use their stuff and let them use you for marketing in exchange for some funding (and free farkles). Try Givi, SW-Motech, Hepco Becker, Caribou Cases, etc. Don't stop with bike accessories, try riding gear vendors too.

Tire manufacturers.

I did catch a little of the show McGregor on the BMW. From Russia through Mongolia is a real PITA. Make sure you have engine guards etc as you will be riding on roads of rock, not gravel, but rocks.
 
#7 ·
NoVA-Strom has really good ideas!

Adding to them:
oil company
Ride-On or Slime or StopnGo
fast food companies (although I don't like them, but they have money)
soft drink companies (same as above)
even Johnny Walker is sponsoring McLaren Mercedes in F1
camera manufacturers (recording ride report)
GPS manufacturers
TV stations (or one for exclusive rights)

I would also contact local (on counrty level) biker clubs (not necessarily exclusively V-Strom clubs) for support such as accomodations, food, gas (?), guide, escort.

Good luck, contact me a week before you arrive our borderline. :wink:
 
#8 ·
First - land a major part in a movie franchise, like Star Wars (try to be on the good side of the force, it will help).

Second - you should really like your riding partner, but he should have some issues that bother you a bit - this will give you something to help those that need to see other disfunctional people when they watch TV. (how else can you explain the OCC show?) :p

Third - find a cause to promote that will make people think you are trying to help the less fortunate. It will help them forget the fact that you'll be spending more money than most of of the people you will be seen riding past, make in their lifetime.

Seriously - good luck on the trip.

Take care,
Bob S.
 
#10 ·
mokusbajusz said:
NoVA-Strom has really good ideas!

Adding to them:
oil company
I work for one of the largest Oil Drilling companies in the world... Ensign

http://www.ensignenergy.com/

We always hold fund raisers and events for charity. Give them a try. Send an email or call. Worst they can say is no. Denver is the office you want to call. The rest are branch extentions.

ENSIGN UNITED STATES DRILLING INC. HEADQUARTERS

1700 Broadway, Suite 777
Denver, CO 80290-0701

ROCKIES

P.O Box 17805
Denver, CO 80217
303-292-1206
fax 303-292-5843

CALIFORNIA

7001Charity Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-589-0111
fax 661-589-0283
 
#11 ·
TintinStrom said:
It's official, my brother and I are going to ride Wee-stroms around the world in 120 days around the northern hemisphere (Starting in Calgary, Canada, going East across Canada, all over europe, Russia, Mongolia, etc.)
I'm afraid I can't add to the good ideas you've already received but I do have a bit of a technical question ..... What is the advantage to doing this in the dead of winter in the northern hemisphere? Being the creature of comfort that I am, my natural inclination would be to do this in July and August.

--Mike
 
#13 ·
Thanks for the contact Vinny - Appreciated!


Vinny said:
mokusbajusz said:
NoVA-Strom has really good ideas!

Adding to them:
oil company
I work for one of the largest Oil Drilling companies in the world... Ensign

http://www.ensignenergy.com/

We always hold fund raisers and events for charity. Give them a try. Send an email or call. Worst they can say is no. Denver is the office you want to call. The rest are branch extentions.

ENSIGN UNITED STATES DRILLING INC. HEADQUARTERS

1700 Broadway, Suite 777
Denver, CO 80290-0701

ROCKIES

P.O Box 17805
Denver, CO 80217
303-292-1206
fax 303-292-5843

CALIFORNIA

7001Charity Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93308
661-589-0111
fax 661-589-0283
 
#14 ·
In addition to the good ideas above, I would add :
Oil companies (eg Shell or BP for petrol - say you will only use their petrol as you go around the world; and compare their service stations; and say you will write up a article on the differences & experiences)
Look at the MotoGP or World Superbike adverts on the riders - that will give you some more motorcycling related ideas
And some high tech companies, like computer companies; electronics companies; etc
or travel companies
Also contact some of those people that have done this kind of thing before and ask how they got sponsorshop
Best of luck
 
#15 ·
TintinStrom said:
It's official, my brother and I are going to ride Wee-stroms around the world in 120 days around the northern hemisphere (Starting in Calgary, Canada, going East across Canada, all over europe, Russia, Mongolia, etc.)

We are going to be doing the ride in Summer 2008 - winter would be nuts!
:wink:
LOL! I read that as "leaving in 120 days" rather than "it'll take 120 days".

-- Mike
 
#16 ·
That is hilarious. If it was in the winter I think I'd be seeking sponsorship from the pharmacutical industry to fix my insanity.

StarWatcher said:
TintinStrom said:
It's official, my brother and I are going to ride Wee-stroms around the world in 120 days around the northern hemisphere (Starting in Calgary, Canada, going East across Canada, all over europe, Russia, Mongolia, etc.)

We are going to be doing the ride in Summer 2008 - winter would be nuts!
:wink:
LOL! I read that as "leaving in 120 days" rather than "it'll take 120 days".

-- Mike
 
#17 ·
Plan... Plan... Plan...

Even when the Long Way Round guys were trying to get a sponsor KLM turned them down because they didn't think the plan would work. Most companies are not going to want to be associated with a failed attempt. Approach this like a business proposition. Your plan has to be flawless and detailed beyond belief. That will show a business a chance of success and that you have the commitment to make it.

Visit the avrider forum and read every post by Striking Viking. Gather up a team here in the US that will keep track of your progress and help clear the way through any gov red tape. A web site where people can follow the progress and donate or buy merchandise will help.

Include in your plan a risk analysis and a recovery plan for each possible risk including kidnaping, the political and social climate, and brakedowns. Again read Striking Viking's book Two Wheels Through Terror. A plan with a cover story was implemented that was at least in part responsible for his release.

Don't ride in fear as that would take all the fun out of it but even being in Star Wars did not keep the LWR boys from getting a gun pulled on them and encountering a couple of guys with a knife. They were lucky.

You need to start now as obtaining the visas and such will be a huge undertaking especially for Kazakhstan if you are going to ride there. Enlist help from embassies.

Vinny, the world is not as our media portrays it. SV talks about his trips through the Middle East and though he does say in the bigger cities he saw some hatred for most of his trip through the area he has picture after picture of smiling faces and warm greetings. You have to be careful but there are countries in the Middle East that can be traveled safely. Even more safely that the south side of Chicago. [/b]
 
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