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Location: CA | A thread a few lines down talking about old/new Ovation endorsers. Just wondering if anyone knows how this works. I recall meeting some of the guys from Strawberry Alarm Clock (dating self here) when they played at our High School and was really impressed to learn that once they had that first record, Fender gave them free guitars and amps. (This was also one of many clever touches in 'That Thing You Do'.) Granted, it didn't make them endorsers, but it sure sweetened the pot.
So do guitar companies approach these guys? Are there reps whose specialty is meeting with musicians and giving them guitars to play in the hopes that they will like them and become endorsers? How did it work with Glen/Melissa/Al/Kaki . . . and Hannibal Lechter?
And if you DO sign a deal, are there limitations on what 'competitors' guitars you can play? I rarely see EVH with anything but his signature stuff anymore. But Clapton pretty much plays whatever he wants despite having 'signature models' with both Fender and Martin. |
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Location: Boise, Idaho | That was then. This is now. It might change back with Fender owning Ovation. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I have a little story here, but in a totally unrelated subject...off road racing. Many years ago, I competed in some amateur class off road racing events all around the southwest. In 1987, I won some events and placed high enough in some others that I took the overall amateur class trophy in some desert event north of Phoenix. As part of the award, I received a set of tires, a nice jacket, and some other consummable products from BF Goodrich, one of the major sponsors of the event. Afterwards, some of their local corporate folks came up and offered to supply me with tires during the following year provided I was willing to (1) post some very large decals on my Jeep and trailer, and (2) allow them to use my name in their advertising, including some photos they had already taken at the event. I was left a card and a letter with an advisement to contact their people within a week or two. I never followed through and got out of racing the following year (it was back to show business!) so I don't how it would have worked out, but receiving the offer was good for the ego. Still have the jacket, too. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | It used to be they would get a guitar or 2 in exchange for our ability to use them in advertising. They wanted more guitars than that they bought them. Glen and Marcel got whatever they wanted. Glen only took for himself, when he gave stuff away he bought it.
Melissa was already using them when we contacted her.
Nobody was paid to use the product. Satriani was bought by Ibanez and it all kinda went down hill after that.
Don't know what they do now. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal:
Don't know what they do now. I do .... Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | But that may change NOW. |
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Location: Omaha, NE | Usually the bartender gives us free draws, and we don't even have to tell the audience what brand of beer it is. |
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Location: Jet City | There we go. I want to be a beer endorser. |
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Location: SoCal | I want to wear a Hannibal mask..... |
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Location: CA | Ha ha ha on the beer. Good one.
Thanks for the replies. Interesting stuff.
Only semi-direct experience I have with promotions was a former sister-in-law who was a marathon runner. She was also young and gorgeous and got a similar proposal to ProfessorBB (I'm sure she got lots of other proposals that I don't know about). Basically, she used to get free shoes from just about everyone. But someone — not Nike I don't think (Saucony? Don't remember) — offered her unlimited shoes/apparel in return for using her name and photo. There was also a bit of cash involved if I remember correctly. (This was 20 years ago). She signed the papers and had the sponsor logo shirts and shoes from then on. By the way, you would be amazed how quickly serious runners go through a pair of running shoes. |
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Location: Scotland | I dont think "sell" is the correct term. Artist endorsments have been bought by guitar manufacturers without doubt, but usually an artist agrees to their image being used for mutually beneficial media exposure in return for concessions on equipment and subsequent tech support. Stature (and occasionally demeanour) of the artist generally dictates level of concession. Some gear whores, sorry "artists" will agree to endorse anything, as long as it's free and they get their picture in an advert in a guitar magazine, and can then brag to lesser mortals that they have a G****N or whoever endorsement deal. In reality the only artist endorsement worth a damn is from those who would pay for the stuff and use it regardless if it was free or not. |
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Location: SoCal | Like Campbell or Etheridge..... |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | the worst was Jeff Cook from Alabama. We used to see him coming at a NAMM show and it was like..."Give it to me! I LOVE it! I want it! I'll endorse it!! What is it?"
Let's not forget Al D, he's been solid from the get go too. |
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Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I have one of them Unique Voices DVD's.
Melissa Etheridge says that she bought her first Ovation cuz she was really impressed by everything about it. (same as me)
She said that she was Honored when they offered to make a line of guitar according to her tastes and style...
But she didn't realize that when they made the Melissa Etheridge signature model that she had to Sign Every One! |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | "KEYMAN ENDORSEMENT" OVATION GUITAR 1989: thanks M.Lewis and C'ville Music.
Back in the late 80's Ovation had a great program for traveling musicians like me who played the O products for a living and shared the history with those we came in contact with: It was called the Keyman Endorsee program. It allowed us to buy new instruments for cost plus 10 or 15% (as I remember)...I was very proud (and still am) to have been nominated by my local music store/Ovation Dealer: Charlottsville Music in VA.
It's how I got my 1758-6P and my Ovation World Tour Jacket that I had at last years tour. It was a great program: would be nice to see it come back again. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | It's the same in the world of inline skating. If you have a really succesful club you get free skates, if it's moderately successful you get the skates at cost (i guess that's what the store pays for them before markup) ... they call it the pro discount. One pair per year. Problem with skates is that you use the shit out of them and need a new pair every summer. |
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Anyone know how they 'sell' endorsement deals?