SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS
Most people are aware of the benefits of sponsoring a sailor or a sailing event, the large and colourful billboards that promote a sponsor in glamorous or media worthy events and locations; Hugo Boss sailing at the Monaco Grand Prix, or in the background at the Scottish Open, at Cowes Week and the Round the Island Race for example. Media coverage in France is huge, and now getting much better in the UK. Solo sailors have made many appearances on local and national TV, radio and in the newspapers. Media coverage for a Vendée Globe campaign for example runs into millions.
However, there is much more to sailing sponsorship than just visible branding and media returns. Unlike Formula 1 or football, sailing sponsorship gives a sponsor’s key clients a chance to meet the skipper, their skipper, and to go sailing on the boat (not something you do with an F1 car or a box at the rugby). The relationships built between sponsor and client on-board during sailing days are very valuable, and strong bonds and trust are formed that lead to some great business deals.
Sailing is a sport with a clean and positive image, and for those of us who go offshore, a sense of adventure and endurance, which makes it a great fit for many companies who aspire to these values.
Sailing is a sport with a clean and positive image, and for those of us who go offshore, a sense of adventure and endurance, which makes it a great fit for many companies who aspire to these values.
Sailing is a technical sport that uses cutting edge technology, so we are a great way to showcase products for certain companies – communication companies, engineering companies, energy companies and so on.
It is also a green sport. We can go round the world with no fossil fuels, using hydro and wind generators, fuel cells, solar panels and bio diesel – our Westabout campaign even uses a re-cycled boat!
Sailing is a fantastic way of engaging kids. Taking school children sailing is something that extends far beyond just the obvious physical education aspect; it develops confidence, teaches teamwork, self reliance, and gives a sense of achievement.
Bring offshore sailing into the classroom and it provides a mass of interesting ways to teach a great many subjects including natural history, geography, cultures, science, technology, meteorology, nutrition, the human condition, history, the sky above and energy.