Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Company To Help Market New Type Of Widget

Posted by Anonymous on 3/5/2010 at 2:33 PM ET 125 Points
Hi

I been developing a new type of widget for the past year,
I been on the net for 15 years and have never seen this type of widget before, their very different. People I have shown them to say I thought of something that no one else is doing..

I'm looking for a company in chicago that can help me market them, Does anyone know a company that can help me with this?

thank you for any help..




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RESPONSES

  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 3/5/2010 at 2:38 PM Accepted
    your question is a very big question and you have given little information. Your answer will be based on how you will distribute this product and the industry you serve.

    Do you have manufacturing in place?

    I would suggest being your own representative starting out. Are you going to place this in stores? Or thru distribution? Or are you going to sell them on your own net site?

  • Posted on 3/5/2010 at 6:25 PM Author
    Hi Carol and Phil

    Thanks for you help, sorry for not giving much information about what i'm doing.
    Yes i do have a Non-Disclosure Agreement, but what keeps that person from telling someone else?
    Say maybe in another state..


    My widgets are very original.

    My widgets are for all pro sports teams, in this economy I think sports still sells.
    Not only for the teams but playoffs and super bowls are a plus..
    I'm pretty much a computer expert when it come to what i do, with 15 years experience
    I'm not the best designer but their pretty cool and simple, i meant with a designer in downtown chicago,
    a friend, and he said i can see your widgets being downloaded a million times for 1 dollar..
    Not only do the teams get advertising but its a great way to sell more tickets..
    My idea would be to give the widgets to the teams for free to add to their website for download and work out a deal..

    I have some great ideas that go far behind sports, this is just the start.
    I have no marketing skills, I'm hoping to find a company to be more of a partner then to hire them.
    I have many samples of some cool widgets.



    Phil is there a place i can view the widgets you sold?
    Can a widget be copy written?

    I think if i find the right marketing company with the connections to reach the right people in the sports industry
    my widgets would make $$$

    Thank you, TOM
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 3/5/2010 at 8:26 PM Accepted
    What's your goal for your software widget? Are you looking to license it? Sell it? Get free advertising?

    Rather than trying to talk with a pro team, talk with people who've already licensed the team's logo for use in other products (ideally, software). They already have an "in", and can possibly partner with you as well.
  • Posted on 3/5/2010 at 10:22 PM Author
    Thanks so much for everyone's help.

    Sorry for all the questions, but i don't have any idea were to go from here.

    Jay you got me thinking more,

    How do people go about getting a license to use a pro sports team logo?

    You said people talk to people who already have a license.

    Does every one have a license I see a lot of sports team memorabilia

    sold all over the internet and in stores, does everyone need a license to sell?

    I would have to use the teams logo on my widget, I need a license from every team?

    For instance there's a small t-shirt printing business close by, they print many sports t-shirts.
    If they design a cubs shirt with the logo and print it and sell it, do they have to be licensed for that?

    I been told i have a new cool way to advertise that know one else is doing and i'm not sure how to go about getting it out there..

    That's why i think i would need the help of a marketing company. someone in Chicago..

  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 3/6/2010 at 8:54 AM Member
    Why don't you go to the Tshirt shop and ask them the process. It could be the films they use have bought the license.

    You have to buy the right to use the logo. From the NFL and the team. Your use of the logo is to generate profit, so yes, you better get their permission.
  • Posted on 3/6/2010 at 4:18 PM Accepted
    I have experience with licensing and marketing products with logos (including those of professional sports teams). It's not cheap or easy. In many cases there are teams of people at the governing league who do nothing but manage licensing agreements for all the league members.

    You need someone who can assess your idea and give you a sense of what the investment will be to bring it to market and help determine if the view is worth the climb. It doesn't matter if they have any technical knowledge or not. This is a marketing/business issue.

    It also doesn't really matter if they are in/near Chicago or not. If this can't be done by phone, mail, fax, internet, etc., then they can travel to Chicago and look at you while you talk.

    And NDAs are structured to prevent any disclosure or use of your confidential information. That shouldn't be a worry, as long as you have a signed, valid and enforceable NDA.

    I wish you every success, but I don't want to be too encouraging because I know you're about to enter a difficult and potentially expensive undertaking. No matter how good your idea and widget are, it's not going to be a lay-down.
  • Posted on 3/16/2010 at 10:17 AM Author
    Hi

    Sorry i was out of town for awhile, thanks everyone for and the answers it sure did help alot.

    thank you
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