How do artists get endorsement?

nblu · October 29th, 2007, 12:26 AM

Its just a question that I've been wondering for a long time
I always wanted to know how that system works.
Maybe sponsorship would be a better word to put this together

I've seen a lot of signature models, let's say Fender, of course all of them
are very well-known musicians but how do they get the endorsement
in the first place? Do they get an offer? or do they actually apply for it?
and if they sign a deal, would the company supply instruments for free?
then it would be cool...

nblu · October 29th, 2007, 12:28 AM

oops.. I've just realized that I've posted this thread in the wrong section
how do I delete it? sorry :(

Trimac20 · October 29th, 2007, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nblu

Its just a question that I've been wondering for a long time
I always wanted to know how that system works.
Maybe sponsorship would be a better word to put this together

I've seen a lot of signature models, let's say Fender, of course all of them
are very well-known musicians but how do they get the endorsement
in the first place? Do they get an offer? or do they actually apply for it?
and if they sign a deal, would the company supply instruments for free?
then it would be cool...

I would think Fender would offer to make it for them...of course, they would have to be Fender players and have an iconic 'signature' model like Joe Strummer or something like that, not just play standard Tele's. You'd have to be like Jimmy Page or someone to approach Fender and say, 'why don't you build a model with my signature on it?'

MulliganChebichev · October 29th, 2007, 01:32 AM

I believe that Fender approaches the artist.
But of course the instrument has to be different/modified in a way that its not too similar to a model thats already out.
I think when an artist goes to Fender and asks for a custom instrument, I think Fender sees how much demand is there for that custom instrument, and if its high enough, its then Fender goes to the artist.

JMO

Ronkirn · October 29th, 2007, 07:24 AM

works in different ways. The Manufacturer may approach the artist and/or their manager, or the artist's manager may approach the manufacturer.

Ron Kirn

Guitar_Ninja · October 29th, 2007, 01:54 PM

I would tend to assume that it's the manufacturers who do most of the approaching, especially nowadays. There are just so many different brands of strings, accessories, guitars, amps and effects out there now that it seems like a lot of these companies are looking for any even moderately famous musician to endorse their product just to try and gain some level of name recognition.

When I flip through the pages of GP or some other mag it seems like at least half of the ads feature some scowling, black clad, tattooed guitarist from some metal band I've never heard of touting the latest amp/guitar/strings/stomp box/accordion with a quote from them about how it's the greatest thing ever.

Seems like it's never been easier to get an endorsement, which I suppose isn't a bad thing. Though I do sense that there is something of a bubble to the whole thing, and as with all bubbles that it will eventually pop...

boris bubbanov · October 29th, 2007, 02:51 PM

There's subtle differences from one area of interest to the next.

In whitewater 'rodeo' kayaking or snowboard competition, a young attractive contestant need not win everything in the prize department, just the hearts and minds of the spectators and the inevitable trade representatives in the crowd.
I've seen it over and over, the older guy with the haggard or etched face gets passed over by the sponsorship guys even after winning three of four classes of events.
Once you do get hooked up, sometimes the money and in kind materials, cars, etc. can make the difference between feeling stoked and rested enough to perform well when the lights are on or not. The rest of it is just fine details. And yes there are musical 'performers' who depend on sponsorship money just as much as the guys at NASCAR.

Bubbanov

October 29th, 2007, 12:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
nblu TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oakville Age: 22 Posts: 38	How do artists get endorsement? Its just a question that I've been wondering for a long time I always wanted to know how that system works. Maybe sponsorship would be a better word to put this together I've seen a lot of signature models, let's say Fender, of course all of them are very well-known musicians but how do they get the endorsement in the first place? Do they get an offer? or do they actually apply for it? and if they sign a deal, would the company supply instruments for free? then it would be cool...

October 29th, 2007, 07:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 62 Posts: 2,406	works in different ways. The Manufacturer may approach the artist and/or their manager, or the artist's manager may approach the manufacturer. Ron Kirn __________________ Lord, give me a sense of humor. Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, and pass it on to other folks. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing......

October 29th, 2007, 01:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
Guitar_Ninja Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 1,200 5 Photos	I would tend to assume that it's the manufacturers who do most of the approaching, especially nowadays. There are just so many different brands of strings, accessories, guitars, amps and effects out there now that it seems like a lot of these companies are looking for any even moderately famous musician to endorse their product just to try and gain some level of name recognition. When I flip through the pages of GP or some other mag it seems like at least half of the ads feature some scowling, black clad, tattooed guitarist from some metal band I've never heard of touting the latest amp/guitar/strings/stomp box/accordion with a quote from them about how it's the greatest thing ever. Seems like it's never been easier to get an endorsement, which I suppose isn't a bad thing. Though I do sense that there is something of a bubble to the whole thing, and as with all bubbles that it will eventually pop... __________________

October 29th, 2007, 12:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
nblu TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oakville Age: 22 Posts: 38	oops.. I've just realized that I've posted this thread in the wrong section how do I delete it? sorry :(

October 29th, 2007, 01:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
MulliganChebichev Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oregon, USA Age: 18 Posts: 1,674 3 Photos	I believe that Fender approaches the artist. But of course the instrument has to be different/modified in a way that its not too similar to a model thats already out. I think when an artist goes to Fender and asks for a custom instrument, I think Fender sees how much demand is there for that custom instrument, and if its high enough, its then Fender goes to the artist. JMO

October 29th, 2007, 02:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 7,149	There's subtle differences from one area of interest to the next. In whitewater 'rodeo' kayaking or snowboard competition, a young attractive contestant need not win everything in the prize department, just the hearts and minds of the spectators and the inevitable trade representatives in the crowd. I've seen it over and over, the older guy with the haggard or etched face gets passed over by the sponsorship guys even after winning three of four classes of events. Once you do get hooked up, sometimes the money and in kind materials, cars, etc. can make the difference between feeling stoked and rested enough to perform well when the lights are on or not. The rest of it is just fine details. And yes there are musical 'performers' who depend on sponsorship money just as much as the guys at NASCAR. Bubbanov