Weirdest Sponsorship Offer Ever

[Chance_Taker4]

A few weeks ago I made a post asking about Enigma Rods. There wasn't a lot of info shared as I expected since I can't seem to find much info on their rods besides the discontinued Aaron Martens rod. But anywho, I decided to send Enigma an email explain I was interested in learning more about their rods such as guides, blank, reel seat; anything that I could use to compare to other manufactures. I get a fast response back answering all my questions. Then a couple hours after their response I receive another email Congratulating me on being accepted to their pro staff and all the docs outlining their expectations and staff benefits. This is the weirdest "sponsorship" offer I have ever received. I'm not sure what the benefit for them would be to have someone who knows nothing about the company trying to sell their products.

[J Francho]

What are the commitments and what are you getting?  Is it worth it?  These are the questions you have to ask.  Some will require exclusivity, and that means you have to buy a lot.

[12poundbass]

Interesting. I’ve heard some talk about another company where you could join their “pro staff” if you coughed up X amount of dollars. Was it something like that? 

[J Francho]

1 minute ago, 12poundbass said:

Interesting. I’ve heard some talk about another company where you could join their “pro staff” if you coughed up X amount of dollars. Was it something like that? 

Pay to play.  Nope.

[TOXIC]

Normally, those offers are all marketing.  They know you are more apt to buy their product with a discount if you can call yourself "Pro-Staff".  You are buying, they are selling plus they get the benefit of you singing their praises from the rooftops.  Mass marketing at it's best.  Carrot Stiks used to be pretty bad about that type of deal.  

[J.Vincent]

This whole situation seems like an "Enigma" to me : ) 

[12poundbass]

29 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Pay to play.  Nope.

Oh heck no. Maybe in my younger days. The only pay to play I’d probably go for would be Dude Wipes. That might come in handy! ?

[redux]

Pro in this type of situation means “promotional” not “professional”. I’d pass unless you are super into the product.

 

If Shimano offered me a “pro” spot I’d take it. ?

[Chance_Taker4]

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

What are the commitments and what are you getting?  Is it worth it?  These are the questions you have to ask.  Some will require exclusivity, and that means you have to buy a lot.

I have absolutely zero interest in joining the team

4 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

Interesting. I’ve heard some talk about another company where you could join their “pro staff” if you coughed up X amount of dollars. Was it something like that? 

Essentially it was share our content on social media, Buy 5 rods within 30 days and at least 2 rods every year after and you are on the "Team" and get a discount. I just don't understand how that benefits them having someone praising them that knows absolutely nothing about their product.

[papajoe222]

On 5/31/2019 at 10:46 AM, 12poundbass said:

 The only pay to play I’d probably go for would be Dude Wipes.

Funny you should mention something not fishing related for a sponsorship.  A while back (a lot longer than I care to admit) I fished a two day buddy tournament. We finished second and his brother was there for the weigh-in. His company makes custom golf clubs and he offered me a sponsorship. For the life of me, I couldn't follow his logic, but his offer included entry fees for the rest of the season. Their logo was up front for the remainder of the season!

[Hook2Jaw]

On 5/31/2019 at 3:36 PM, Chance_Taker4 said:

I have absolutely zero interest in joining the team

Essentially it was share our content on social media, Buy 5 rods within 30 days and at least 2 rods every year after and you are on the "Team" and get a discount. I just don't understand how that benefits them having someone praising them that knows absolutely nothing about their product.

 I mean, *** has people who know nada about fishing altogether praising them every single day on Facebook.

 

Some dude will ask for a rod recommendation, and in comes the *** horde.  Thing is, I've never seen the *** pro staff post a single picture of a fish on one of those ridiculously expensive frog gigs.

[Chance_Taker4]

1 hour ago, Hook2Jaw said:

 I mean, *** has people who know nada about fishing altogether praising them every single day on Facebook.

 

Some dude will ask for a rod recommendation, and in comes the *** horde.  Thing is, I've never seen the *** pro staff post a single picture of a fish on one of those ridiculously expensive frog gigs.

I really wish I knew what company you were speaking of. Dang censorship.

[J Francho]

I'm actually not sure what company it is.  I thought we opened the door to talk about thirteen.

13

one three

[Glenn]

It's not 13 Fishing stuff guys. It's another company that spammed the crap out of our forums, and clearly they're still doing it on social media.  And, as you noted, it's garbage.  

 

That's why they're not allowed here. 

 

But to be crystal clear, there's no affiliation, resemblance, or references to 13 Fishing at all.

[MrFrost]

On 5/31/2019 at 2:36 PM, Chance_Taker4 said:

I have absolutely zero interest in joining the team

Essentially it was share our content on social media, Buy 5 rods within 30 days and at least 2 rods every year after and you are on the "Team" and get a discount. I just don't understand how that benefits them having someone praising them that knows absolutely nothing about their product.

The benefit for them is the sales.  It was marketing on their end.  The whole proposition up front is for the sales of five rods in 30 days.  The extra social media content again, is in their favor for marketing.  The only "loss" is whatever mediocre discount they give you, but is it really considered a loss if they wouldn't have the sales without the discount?  Sure the markup covers whatever discount they'd give you, so in reality, you being a "prostaff" is literally equal to you just being a customer, but you'd be a customer with an obligation.  

[Hook2Jaw]

@Glenn, thanks for opening up 13.  I haven't been able to discuss my rod of choice and that means a lot!

[Smalls]

Enigma is one of those companies that’ll pretty much let anyone and their grandma on the “pro staff”. They give you a discount on their products, and you run around telling everyone you’re a pro, spam every Facebook page with a couple pictures with 45 “#enigma, #enigmafishing, #enugmarodsarethebest” hashtags. 

 

They could be the best rods on the market, but I’d never buy one because of that. 

[Glenn]

13 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

I haven't been able to discuss my rod of choice and that means a lot!

Just be judicious.  That's all I ask. They're still on probation.

[Hook2Jaw]

7 hours ago, Glenn said:

Just be judicious.  That's all I ask. They're still on probation.

Oh, of course.  I'm a poor father of one with a wedding to save for, and when I was looking for a rod brand to all match on the kayak they caught my eye due to price and the plethora of lengths, powers, and actions they offered.  So far I have a 6'7" *** Medium Fast that's caught a ton of jerkbait fish.

 

I'm just happy I can ask folks about their spinning rods and cranking rods in the future.  To be honest, I can't stand the look of their reels.

 

Edit : Can ya remove *** from the filter list?   Haha.  Defy Black would be nice too.

 

Second edit : F-a-t-e C-h-r-o-m-e!

[12poundbass]

21 hours ago, J Francho said:

I'm actually not sure what company it is.  I thought we opened the door to talk about thirteen.

13

one three

Awesome now I can finally go catch a 13 pound bass here in Michigan! I’ve been holding off hoping this day would come. Thanks @Glenn ?

[Hook2Jaw]

@12poundbass, when you become 13poundbass, I vote all your points get moved to a new account!

[12poundbass]

29 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

@12poundbass, when you become 13poundbass, I vote all your points get moved to a new account!

Here’s a little secret you have to promise you won’t tell anyone.....I haven’t caught a 12 pound bass either. ?

[Hook2Jaw]

1 minute ago, 12poundbass said:

Here’s a little secret you have to promise you won’t tell anyone.....I haven’t caught a 12 pound bass either. ?

Starting a petition to change your name to 5.5poundbass

[Chance_Taker4]

On ‎6‎/‎6‎/‎2019 at 9:14 AM, 12poundbass said:

Here’s a little secret you have to promise you won’t tell anyone.....I haven’t caught a 12 pound bass either. ?

You got my hopes up that there were 12lbers in Michigan.

[J Francho]

36 minutes ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

You got my hopes up that there were 12lbers in Michigan.

They're there.  They're called steelhead.