Amazing sponsorship opportunities in this Olympic year!

The next Olympics are only a few months away!  Now is the right time to capitalize on this unique chance to link your company’s name with an Olympic medalist.  I know that your company has many options for choosing a spokesperson. Through my years of hard work and tireless effort I’ve learned that dedication is critical to success no matter what you’re striving for.  Going into this Olympic season I will put forth this same work ethic into representing your company.

I take the same pride in representing my sponsors as I do putting on my uniform and competing for “Team USA.”  

I proudly represent companies like Sprint and Home Depot not just for what they can do for me, but for how we can work together to put ourselves one above the competition.  Now is your chance to join me, and be part of my quest for Olympic GOLD!!!

Some of the questions you might have:

How can Shannon Bahrke promote my company?

1) Have an Olympian as your company’s spokesperson.  Remember when Dan Jansen won the gold?  The entire country was gripped by his personal story and by everyone who helped him make his Olympic dream of winning gold come true.  With your sponsorship, you can join my amazing support network and together we can start writing our own Olympic story.

2) By working together we can energize your marketing campaign.  Especially during an Olympic year, associating your company’s product with a successful athlete can pay huge dividends.  Whether you use television, radio, or print, my face and stature as an Olympian can help you reach a diverse market and create a unique image for your company.

Your company can further benefit by using special promotional items or by drawing traffic to your website to track my training and progress. Your company’s logo will also be on every page of my website and offer a hyper link directly to your homepage.

3) Logo and company name recognition.  Every time there is an article written in a magazine or newspaper, or any interview done with me on television, I will mention you as one of my sponsors.  Anywhere, anytime!

Your logo will be on my travel bag, visible during casual and professional interviews, and at every opportunity I get!  In 2002 when I won the silver, my Mom made hats for all of Team Bahrke that displayed all of the sponsors that helped me get to the top.  Those crazy hats got just as much TV time as I did!

4) One on one days.  One of my favorite roles as a representative for Sprint and Home Depot is as a speaker at their corporate events.  We gather at these events for business, but we always have a personal connection that inspires me as well as the employees.  I’ve even convinced some of my sponsors to visit the Utah Olympic Park and try their skills at the water jumping facility doing the tricks that I did in the Olympics.  Everyone gets a good laugh out of seeing their CEO hit their face on the water when the inevitably miss landing on their feet!

My one-on-one days can be tailor built to meet your needs.  Whether you want to entertain top clients, employees and their families, or other business partners, I can make your event memorable.  Click on my "One-on-One" for more details and ideas.

5) Guest Appearances and speeches.  From your company’s booth at a trade show to the opening ceremonies for non-profit events, I can do speeches and appearances at the functions of your choice. (see speaking engagements page)

6) Anything else you can dream up!  If you have a unique idea or special event, we can work together to make it inspirational and memorable. I am open to any new ideas of how to help promote your company while making our relationship stronger.

Will my logo be on your skiing uniform?

In 2006 I will have two official uniforms.  One is the US Ski team uniform which I wear at all of the World Cup events, and the other is the Olympic uniform. The US Ski team controls every detail of our competition uniforms and they have already been finalized for the 2006 season.  As an individual athlete I have no say in what goes on the uniform.  On my Olympic uniform the Olympic Committee forbids any advertising, so there is only a small patch that says USA. 

What’s interesting though, is that of all the television time I get, very little of it is spent in my official uniform.  Most of my interviews and all of my custom advertising is done in the clothing of my choice where your logo will be visible. 

I am really interested in being one of your sponsors but how do I get started?  

I like to deal with companies on a personal level because I think it makes for a strong relationship.  With a simple email (accessed from my contacts page) we can get our future together started!
 
I am not actually a company but I want to be a personal contributor.  How do I go about doing that and is it tax deductible? 

I would absolutely love to have personal contributions but unfortunately it is not tax deductible because I am not a non-profit organization.  The Ski Team is a non-profit but they will not delegate money to individuals, it just goes to the program as a whole.  But don’t let Uncle Sam dissuade you from making a contribution to my efforts!  Consult your tax advisor to see if you have any options.

How much are you asking for? 

The cost of sponsorship is relative to what your needs are.  I have a variety of sponsors  - some that have used me for a one-time appearance, and others with whom I’ve built a long-term relationship.  Once we have worked out the details we can go ahead and talk about dollars.  But if you just want to contribute a million dollars we can get that started right away!!!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this and to even consider that I would be an excellent ambassador for your company.  If you have any questions, concerns, or are seriously thinking about it please contact me and we can get it started.