Recently, I had the opportunity to be the Grand Slam Sponsor for East Village Association at the Opening Day for the Padres. I met clients as the walked by the location where Waddell & Reed was prominently featured. I was later joined by Sue Sneeringer from the GSDBA office and her partner, Mary Jo. We had a great time.
Later, on the same day as SD Pride sponsored "Out at the Park", I determined to have a client event in one of the suites the Padres offer. When meeting with Matt Weiner of the Padres, he was able to offer a great discount for the suite, due to several selected games for Waddell & Reed. He further extended that offer GSDBA through me. And, that got me thinking. How many GSDBA Member professionals would want to participate in a benefit that was negotiated with the Padres? Would any member be interested in developing that kind of client appreciation event or sponsorship in Major Sports.
A couple of weeks later, out comes Jason Collins in the National Basketball League. And, the day after, long time visible lesbian and tennis great, Martina Navratilova is prominently on NPR and is featured in Sports Illustrated. What a welcome change from her being featured in the 1980's in the National Enquirer.
Then, today, I had one more opportunity with National Sports in San Diego. A meeting with the Manager in San Diego, James Haug, here at the company where I work scheduled for me to sit with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. They presented the opportunity to sponsor a program that included their radio station KOGO and the Chargers. After the presentation, some basic conversation, they asked me whether I would be interested. And, I have to admit, that is an open door few willingly offer. They were slow to recover in the conversation. One was stunned while one was open to following up. I even was prepared, mentioning Nike and Jason Collins. My sports lesbians would be so proud!
I revealed my interest at providing opportunities to present to GSDBA members. I asked whether they had similar opportunities with data specific to the LGBT market or women. I reminded them I was committed to the idea that the LGBT community enjoy Major Sports and the Major Sports should stronger consider support for those who are not considered their traditional market.
I think the conversation died when I asked for sexual orientation data, gender specific information related to women, and whether they had a successful station where the demographics provided talk radio or music which attracted one of my target markets (progressives, the LGBT market, and independent women). They were able to suggest recent radio station purchases for a follow up meeting.
Yet, the sponsorship was intriguing, the price tag provided a time out for oxygen. I did encourage them to pursue research from CMI so that in the future we could discuss marketing data relevant to who I serve.
Sometimes it is just fun, living in the land of suits, to boldly declare request information important to my clients, my affiliated businesses, and the community I proudly enjoy. And, secretly, over 20 years, I have watched as someone ill prepared manages through the remainder of the conversation. Yet, I enjoy the opportunity to expand horizons and offer the challenge to help me help others. I am clear that ClearChannel is familiar with the LGBT Community. I look forward to future opportunities that can develop between this corporation and the LGBT Community.
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