Hey Guys!
I just thought that maybe I should start this thread and all those interested to get a sponsor and stuff can discuss it here. Basically I would also like to find out a few things myself:

1. How we can approach a manufacturer, distributor or business for sponsorship.
2. Who can we approach in India?
3. What type of deals do the local sponsored people get?

Chavan

Sponsorship works on market dynamics, if you are talking of RC market in India? it is pittens for sponsors to even venture, people who do, are doing it outta being Philanthropists.

Of course we have a huge potential

LHS have to become big, we got to start being more of national than international buyers (out of no choice we run to Towerhobbies, HK or whatever)

Hobby itself has to grow

Scamming needs to reduce

all IMHO 

Yeah exactly as there are very less distributors or manufacturers in india, thats why I got the query in first place. So what do you suggest we do?
And just for the note I have a few projects in mind but its better to do with somebody than to do alone. And idk whom to contact for any sort or sponsorship. 
I'm just a student, so obviously I know much less than anyone here. So if I say something wrong please correct me

I agree with rcpilot, However there has to be a way to get sponsors, am no expert in marketing, but just a thought.

A sponsor would need to see a direct benefit of spending the money, thats difficult as there are not much brands in India except "Hiller" in my limited knowledge.

So, maybe not a direct benefitiary but on a secondary benefitiary, where a company like: Adidas, Puma or company into sports, adventure touring etc can be thought as a starting point.

Yeah but how would you contact such sports companies in the first place?
They only entertain athletes, so its hard to believe they will show any interest in rc world.
Maybe a chance for areal photography to catch their attention.

Quote from: rcpilotacro on February 20, 2013, 01:25:00 PM
Chavan

(out of no choice we run to Towerhobbies, HK or whatever)

Gusty ,
I think we have fairly competitive pricing :
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXXCZ5&P=ML

http://rc4all.co.in/product_info.php?cPath=30_67&products_id=269

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXYYR8&P=7

http://rc4all.co.in/product_info.php?cPath=30_67&products_id=271

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXBVCU&P=7

http://rc4all.co.in/product_info.php?cPath=30_67&products_id=666

Look at the Tower hobby prices for Hitec Products and compare them with ours apple to apple especially considering the fact that we have around 35 % Customs duty and other charges + 14.5 % VAT .

We are in fact more competitive when it come to Standard Branded Products where quality is not a variable .

In fact we have the Hitec Lite 4 an excellent radio with elevon and v tail mixing
http://rc4all.co.in/product_info.php?cPath=30_67&products_id=663
Which is not there on tower .

Now we get down to the Chinese products :
1) Quality : Very good to dubious quality
2) buying prices can vary greatly depending on the quality .
3) Declared prices from manufacturers to customs also can be drastically manipulated
4) Individuals importing small parcels are not charged duty and definitely no sales tax ( ie 35 + 14.5 % )

So frankly the variables in this are too many and they are stacked up against the larger LHS.
In fact point (4) is the reason for many would be start up LHS fizziling out later because when they initially
buy as individuals they get away with lower charges  and when they start buying regularly and in larger volumes the landed costs go up and then all the promise of lowest prices disappears .

So competing with HK and Ali Express is itself impossible for a local LHS which can be highly subjective considering the variables .

Now as far as sponsorship is concerned None of the low cost Chinese manufacturers are ever going to do it .

It is only Brands that will do it  so unless brands develop traction in the Indian market Sponsorship in not likely to be a starter.
I have been in Marketing for three decades with a wide portfolio of products hence say from this that currently in the Indian market in terms of buyers of branded products is insignificant to be of any real interest to a global player.

Sai

 

I'm speaking for the RC car world.

Sponsors are looking for people who will promote their product. In short, you're a glorified salesman for the product with a few perks in terms of pricing. You need to prove to them that you can make their brand grow. Only then will they think about sponsoring you.

Well Thank you for your replies