Expert: Thom Brooks - 2/9/2008

Question
QUESTION: Iam working with a group on a new bowl game @ LUCAS OIL STADIUM,(Indianapolis) In need of sponsors, any thoughts?

ANSWER: Jeff, hello!

Wow!  My first thought is to get the Oil Companies behind Gasoline Alley, followed by Indy Racing, NASCAR, Rock and Country Bands, and then those elected officials that favor drilling for oil, (which I support)!  Send an email to Peyton Manning.  He would love it.

As you likely know, the Green Bay Packers have sold shares of stock into their team (something like $200 per share).  If you offered a Public Stock Offering, you would likely generate an awful lot of interest!  I may buy a share!  

As always, you can asked the city council/county commissioners, to put a vote forward in the form of a $o.o1 cents sales tax to help fund it.  I'm oppposed to any new taxes in America, so that would likely have to be one of those Earmarks that are not very popular in the world of Pork Barrel Spending!

Listen to my son's band :

Myspace.com/listen2three

If they make it to national fame, he might loan me some money to sponsor something!!

Take care,


Thom Brooks





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We are seeking corporate sponsorship and naming rights,
Rock and country bands would be entertainment via half time, we need companies to advertise,right now we manage the Motor City BOWL with 40+ sponsors, do you know of any companies that would get involved and be a part of this ESPN bowl game?

Answer
Jeff, hello again!

With the magnitude of your project, you clearly need a committee to table this issue.  My previous thoughts were what I would have suggested had I been sitting on your Board.  

If you consider the economy, the political climate, the mood of America, the name of the Bowl Game, then the major sponsor should be one that fits that criteria for that year of its first game.  Remember, the Super Bowl wasn't called the Super Bowl in the beginning.  I still maintain that an oil company would be the favored sponsor.  They have the money.  STP, Exxon, NAPA, and those that sponsor all of the race cars in NASCAR, Formula, etc.  I still own a home down in Sebring, Florida and saw 17 of the 12 Grand Prix Endurance Races.  I remember the GT-40 Fords and Gulf Oil Company sponsoring them.  The Texas Chapparal.  General Motors, Ford and Chrysler corporations would be huge sponsors.  

Hope I've helped.

Thom Brooks