Rookie & The Vet: How to break into a Sports Sponsorship Job if you are Outside the Industry

When we are in season and have full stadiums is normally when sponsors are looking to reach our fans. It's where most of our sponsorship inventory lives.But what about the off-season? How can we maximize our revenue with off-season events WHILE avoiding oversaturation?In this episode, we dive into the perfect ways your team can look at and activate your off-season for sponsors new and old.--The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of Partnerships at the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Nick Lawson, Co-founder of SQWAD.

You want to work in sponsorships...but the problem is you have been working in another industry for the last 5 years.So how do you make the jump into the industry if you don't have any direct sports sponsorship experience?In this episode, we dive into how you can make the industry switch...and even how to think about hiring an applicant who is outside the industry as a current sponsorship hiring manager.--The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of Partnerships at the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Nick Lawson, Co-founder of SQWAD.

With this year's NCAA WBB March Madness, we are seeing the exciting sports and players getting the distribution and attention they deserve. The result is an explosion in viewership rates and popularity.So how will this affect the sponsorship industry as a whole?In this episode, we dive into how we see the sponsorship industry shifting with the addition of another major player in the sports landscape for brands to sponsor.

Recaps are a part of life in sponsorships. Your sponsors paid you money for a service, now it's time to show them the results & value.But are you doing recaps in a way that builds confidence and future business?In this episode of The Inches, we dive into sponsorship recaps and how your team can build a strategy that drives trust with your sponsors.--The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of Partnerships at the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Nick Lawson, Co-founder of SQWAD.

We've all heard the term in sponsorship, Logo Slap....It's a vivid term used to describe simply putting a sponsor logo on an asset and calling it a day, hoping fans will notice it in the stadium.Brands hate it. So why is it so prevalent in our space?In this episode, we dive into what Logo Slap is, why it doesn't work, and how your team can combat it to drive results for your sponsors.--The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of Partnerships at the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Nick Lawson, Co-founder of SQWAD.

When you're in the sponsorship world for long enough, you will have some great days that make you proud, and some worst days that have you rethinking this industry.So what have our best & worst times been?In this episode, we dive into moments in our sponsorship journey, both good & bad, and what we learned from them.--The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of Partnerships at the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Nick Lawson, Co-founder of SQWAD.

Love this episode each year, and 2024 SB brought some interesting items and trends.On this episode of The Inches, we dive into how RIch & I saw the Super Bowl this year from a Sponsorship lens.--The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of Partnerships at the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Nick Lawson, Co-founder of SQWAD.

We've all had them. Sometimes great clients will turn into problem ones quickly. It is always on us in sponsorships to help guide them through the tough positions they sometimes put us in.But how can we specifically do that for each type of difficult client?In this episode, we dive into Rich's four most common problem clients we see in sponsorship and how to manage each to success for both sides.--The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of Partnerships at the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Nick Lawson, Co-founder of SQWAD.

You did it. You closed that prospect. Now they are a bonafide sponsor of your team. The work is over now...right?Nope. In partnerships, it is critical to stay connected with them throughout the year if we want a shot at keeping their business.But what are the best ways to do so without feeling transactional?On this episode of The Inches, we dive into a few key ways you can authentically stay connected to your new sponsors throughout the year.--The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of Partnerships at the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Nick Lawson, Co-founder of SQWAD.

Research in sales is key. We can't go into a pitch with little to no understanding of our prospect's business or vision.But how much is too much research? When does it become overkill?We dive into a listener's question to answer how to think about and execute successful research on your prospects in sponsorship.--The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of Partnerships at the Coachella Valley Firebirds and Nick Lawson, Co-founder of SQWAD.