Would you accept an endorsement if...

gyutae · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 01:19 PM

Ok, so say you're offered an endorsement deal by a company like Tama but you swear by Pearl and would play nothing else. Would you accept the Tama endorsement just for the sake of signing a deal or would you reject it and hope that you get one with Pearl?

I think that something like that would be a tough situation (although a good one). I'd probaly sign with Tama just to be safe. What would you do?

malletjazz · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2006, 01:33 AM

Hmm...nobody has replied to this yet. I figured someone would have by now.

Personally, if I were in the situation you described, there would have to be a reason why Tama was offering me an endorsement. I'd have to have reached a certain level of prominence, as a performer and/or educator, enough that they'd think it in their best interest to have my name associated with their product. Tama and Pearl both are mainstream, established drum companies, so it's not like we're comparing a small startup "custom" drum company with an "industry giant." Given that, one would think that if my credentials were strong enough to prompt Tama to approach me about an endorsement, that my credentials would similarly be strong enough to warrant Pearl giving me a look.

If I really felt an allegiance to one brand (in this case, Pearl), and a second company approached me about an endorsement, I would do one of two things:

1) I'd approach Pearl, to gauge their interest (if any) of bringing me on board as an endorser.

2) I'd find a way to try some of Tama's products (enlisting Tama's assistance to do so, if needed), so I could find out if I would be as happy with their instruments as I am with Pearl's.

I wouldn't sign on with a company whose instruments I don't like, or with whom I don't think I could maintain a successful professional relationship, but I certainly would entertain an offer, if I wasn't already familiar with this new company's product.

That actually happened to me. I have two endorsement agreements with percussion manufacturers: Mike Balter Mallets, and Wernick Instruments (manufacturer of a MIDI mallet controller called the Xylosynth). With Balter, I was recommended to the company by someone already endorsing the company. Mike Balter sent out some mallets for me to try, since I hadn't played Balter mallets in years, and when I found that there were a number of different mallets that I liked and would use, and when I found out how good Mike is to deal with, I didn't hesitate in signing on. With Wernick, I actually investigated the instrument first - just as a buyer, with no intent of developing a professional relationship - and after buying one of their instruments and having numerous conversations with the owner of the company, it became clear that my joining up as an endorser was a logical next step. beneficial to both parties.

gyutae · #3 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 10:52 PM

Nice!
Well it's good to be in that kind of situation because it's win-win.

What are some of the benefits you receive as an endorser of those companies you mentioned?

malletjazz · #4 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gyutae

What are some of the benefits you receive as an endorser of those companies you mentioned?

Balter has been able to provide me with some custom mallets - nothing fancy, actually, just vibraphone mallets with handles a little longer than they normally make. With Wernick, I do get to confer with the owner in matters of instrument design, mainly providing my feedback as a player. Recently, I got to try out a newer version of the mallet synth I own, for a couple of weeks - all I had to do was share my thoughts regarding the new instrument.

(Unfortunately, tho, I had to send it back when I was done with it...)

With Balter, I also get a limited amount of sponsorship for vibraphone and marimba clinics.

gyutae · #5 (**permalink**) 08-28-2006, 11:51 PM

Those are some cool perks!

I would refuse to return the stuff if I were you. They should be willing to give it to you if you're providing them with a lot of valuable information.

malletjazz · #6 (**permalink**) 08-29-2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gyutae

I would refuse to return the stuff if I were you. They should be willing to give it to you if you're providing them with a lot of valuable information.

If we're talking about sticks or mallets, that's one thing - but this was a $3000 mallet synth, and there aren't many companies that can afford to give away those sorts of items, even to endorsers.

(FWIW, I paid for my own mallet synth - I'm getting no freebies or big discounts with a company of this size. Maybe if I were touring with Peter Gabriel - yeah, right! - and offering that sort of exposure to the company's products, things would be different.)

It's cool, tho - there was never any promise of a free instrument, just an invitation to "test drive" one of their new models. Since the only other way I would be able to do that is to get on a plane and fly to England, I'd say this is enough of a perk for me.

Mike Balter let me keep the mallets he sent, however.

Mapex4Ever · #7 (**permalink**) 08-31-2006, 07:37 AM

Very nice !!!! Congrats!!! If I had been in a situation, as a few people I know have been, (Jason Bittner for example) I'd definately hold out for their best offer. Usually if one manufacturer has made such an offer, another will as well. It's based on you and your bands exposure and accomplishments. Jason Bittner has gone with Tama and he deserves it!! He's been through alot to get where he is today and it's well deserved!! For those of you who have never heard of Jason Bittner, he plays for Shadows Fall. I would jump at any endorsement of any kind as it's free equiptment, but there are strings attached such as .... you have to do a few clinics, be at certain events ( i.e.- NAMM show) as well as other things they may require. He is also endorsed by Meinl cymbals. If it were me .......... to pick one over the other would depend on what they both offered. But to me I have no real preference to either company as they both have the capability to produce amazing custom drums which would be made specifically for you. (i.e.- custom sizes and/or paint jobs or wraps) How does a 24x24 bass drum sound to you????? Good question!!!

malletjazz · #8 (**permalink**) 08-31-2006, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mapex4Ever

I would jump at any endorsement of any kind as it's free equiptment, but there are strings attached such as .... you have to do a few clinics, be at certain events

So you'd take any endorsement deal, even if you didn't like the product?

IMO, it doesn't always boil down simply to "free stuff" - that varies from company to company. It's more about a mutually beneficial business relationship between the artist and the company - or at least, it should be.

(Somewhere, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz has a great FAQ about endorsement deals. I think it's on his web site - I'll have to go track it down and post a link.)

Also, there are those of us who view a manufacturer's support of clinic appearances as a benefit, not a negative. Granted, not every endorser aspires to be a clinician (and frankly, I cringe whenever I attend a "clinic" by someone who doesn't really have any information to share, or who doesn't know how to share it - but that's another topic for another time.)

Mapex4Ever · #9 (**permalink**) 08-31-2006, 06:35 PM

Ok, I didn't say anywhere that clinics were a bad thing, I simply stated it's part of the deal. You don't get top notch equiptment handed to you. and you walk away. You have an obligation to the endorser in return for the "free stuff". No clinics are not bad at all. I think they are great and I agree they are useless (to certain people) if the artist is unable to give a few tips. We also must remember, that everyone attending the clinic is not as "seasoned" as you, and may take away alot of new ideas and tips. Yes it is a business deal on both ends that's a given, but if you are telling me you would turn down an endorsement from anyone other than some company you think is "worthy" of you ....... I would say that would put a bad taste in anyone's mouth. (and believe me, the manufacturers do communicate with each other) If it was a choice between 2 or more companies, well take your pick then. But I was speaking in the event of one endorsement deal that may come along when things get to rolling for you in your career. All these musicians are fully aware, as are their lawyers, that there should be a statement in the contract that would allow them to exit said contract after any specified time period. When that time period is up, and you want to go with another offer from a company you believe is better, return all goods provided by your current endorser and move on. Sound reasonable?

malletjazz · #10 (**permalink**) 08-31-2006, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mapex4Ever

if you are telling me you would turn down an endorsement from anyone other than some company you think is "worthy" of you ....... I would say that would put a bad taste in anyone's mouth. (and believe me, the manufacturers do communicate with each other)

I think you're reading something into my comments that isn't there - and if it is, I apologize for not making myself clear. I don't think "worthiness" is the word I would use to describe what I'm talking about, when I refer to not taking just any endorsement that is offered. That implies that I'm approaching the subject with an inflated ego or snobbishness, and I assure you that this is not the case.

I would have difficulty having my name associated with a product that I don't like or don't feel comfortable using. Frankly, every company I've been in touch with about endorsements (and to be honest, there haven't been many - it goes without saying that I'm far from a "hot property" in the percussion industry), has told me up front that they wouldn't expect me to sign on as an endorser if I didn't like their products, and in all cases, it was a given that I would try out their wares prior to any endorsement deal being finalized.

To be honest, tho, while I've only discussed endorsement deals with a very small number of companies, I have checked out a variety of instruments over the years - not with an eye towards endorsements, but just checking out instruments, either for purchase or simply out of curiosity. I can only think of one or two companies who, if the opportunity presented itself, I'd decline an endorsement deal from. I simply didn't find anything in their product lines that I wanted to use. That's out of how many drum and percussion companies? It's not like I have one or two companies that I would accept, and the others are "beneath me" - not in the least.