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Sponsorship Downturn Consulting

Sponsorship budget cut? Economic downturn? Get the right advice to thrive through it. Between internal politics, arbitrary targets, and multi-year contracts, culling the dead wood and finding efficiencies can be fraught — and the portfolio still has to deliver.

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Economic indicators aren’t great, with many economists predicting a global recession. If we do get a recession – and many companies are preparing for one now – there’s no question it would have a big impact on sponsorship budgets.

Or maybe you need to cut your sponsorship budget for another reason, such as a major change in strategy, reorganisation, or acquisition.

Either way, making substantial cuts to your sponsorship spend isn’t easy. Between internal politics, arbitrary targets, and multi-year sponsorship contracts, culling the dead wood and finding efficiencies can be fraught. And even then, sponsorship still has to deliver on objectives.

Creating lean, efficient sponsorship portfolios has been a specialty of Power Sponsorship for some time. See more below about how this expertise can help your organisation.

Sponsorship review and strategy with Kim Skildum-Reid

Downturns mean making hard choices around sponsorship. What to keep, and what to exit? Should we exit or sponsor at a lower level? What to prioritise?

And with those choices, there needs to be a new framework – one that maximises results with resourcefulness and creativity. One that turns your leaner portfolio into an even bigger asset for your brand.

As with all of my sponsorship consulting work, I’ll work collaboratively to create that framework, providing recommendations and rationale that your whole company can get behind.

Ideal for sponsors that want to…

Reduce annual sponsorship expenditure, while improving results
Get to your financial targets as quickly as possible, while maintaining your most leverageable sponsorship assets (which may not be the most obvious)
Manage stakeholder expectations and politics
Handle exits for minimal market and partner blowback
Optimise strategies, efficiencies, and processes, so they will scale, when times improve
Create full accountability against objectives for every dollar spent

Why you want to work with me

When you work with a consultant, you want someone with the talent, experience, and industry credibility to not only create a great strategy, but build the consensus to get it done. You want someone who will take the time to understand your organisation, challenges, and goals. And you want the consultant you hired – the consultant you trust – to do the actual work.

When you hire Power Sponsorship, you’re hiring me.

I’ve written the bestselling books in the industry, worked with blue chip clients all over the world, and stayed on the cutting edge of sponsorship thinking for three decades
Unlike most agencies, your work is never handed off to a junior staffer. There aren’t any. All strategy work is handled by me, personally.
Most clients are repeats, working on new projects, or with new companies, as decision-makers change roles. Most of the rest of my strategy clients are referrals from other clients. Click for a list of just some of those sponsorship consulting and training clients.
I balance big vision, savvy analysis, and hard-nosed practicality, giving you a strategy that’s both doable and inspiring.
I don’t pull punches. You don’t need a yes-(wo)man, who won’t give you the analysis and advice that will create real change. I’ll give it to you – and your executive team – straight, every time.
Based in Sydney, Australia, I work with clients all over the world. I’m set up to work with you remotely, as required.

What’s the alternative?

Whether you’re staring down a budget cut now, or you’re preparing for a potential downturn, you need to make a plan as early as possible. The longer you delay, the fewer good choices you’re going to have. And if you don’t have a plan at all, you could end up with everything on renewal being cut, no matter their value to the brand.

Let’s not let that happen.

What now?

If you want to discuss your situation, please drop me a line and tell me a bit about your organisation and your challenges. We can then set up a phone or Zoom meeting to discuss, before putting together a consulting proposal for you.

Please note, because I do all of the strategy work, I can only take on a handful of major consulting clients a year.

The hard questions

What to keep and what to exit. Exit entirely or sponsor at a lower level. What to prioritise. And how to do all of it without market and partner blowback.

Creating lean, efficient sponsorship portfolios has been a Power Sponsorship specialty for some time.

Also worth a look

What clients say

From people who’ve done this

Kim introduced us to the Win-Win-Win principle that I believe is a true game changer in how to approach sponsorship in any company, within any sector. Since working with Kim we have seen a significant decrease in verbal/brand slap deals of old and an increase in next level best practice sponsorship.

Heather WallaceBendigo Bank

Kim helped our customers think beyond the four walls of their convention and consider more sophisticated sponsor opportunities that not only provided a win for the in person participants, but also the remote fans.

Dave LutzVelvet Chainsaw

Adelaide Festival worked with Kim to review and refresh our approach to sponsorship. We particularly enjoyed Kim’s enthusiasm, sense of humour, and practical advice, alongside her extensive expertise.

Alyssa MasonAdelaide Festival

We engaged Kim’s services to come over to Auckland and run a one-day course with our newly appointed sponsors of the Manu World Champs. I myself had been educated on best practise sponsorship by Kim over the year so wanted our sponsors to learn from the very best. Kim helped our sponsors understand the true power of sponsorship and then assisted them in the development of their own leverage plans. We were pleased to receive very positive feedback from everyone involved.

Scott RiceOwner and Director, Quantum Events Ltd/Z Manu World Champs

Kim recently presented to our Board and Management team and as expected certainly didn’t disappoint. Kim provides a clear and common sense approach to sponsorship and with so much experience and examples to draw on she quickly had the ideas flowing.

John MillerSunshine Coast Turf Club

The Australian Institute of Architects have utilised Kim’s services over a number of years now. Kim has not only reshaped our sponsorship offering, but helped educate our sponsors on best practice sponsorship, so we can form long and rewarding partnerships. The ongoing training provided to staff has enabled us to creatively leverage our partnerships and provide real results for their sponsorship. Working with Kim is a pleasure and adds real value to the organisation.

Shelley KempAustralian Institute of Architects

Kim’s energy, passion and enthusiasm in the sponsorship sector is unrivalled. After spending half a day with Kim, our local event organisers were inspired to look at the world of sponsorship in a new light and fully embrace her best practice sponsorship techniques. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Kim as a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, consultant and/or coach.

Reena SnookCity of Tauranga

We were so fortunate to have Kim speak to our Principles of Sports Management class at Pfeiffer. As you might imagine, college students are often a ‘tough sell’. Kim was fabulous. From the moment she walked in the room everyone was spellbound. Her knowledge of the subject matter was extraordinary and her delivery was the best I’ve witnessed. Kim Skildum-Reid was A+.

Jack IngramPfeiffer University

Kim’s keynote presentation at One-Zero 2019 was a superb conference highlight. Her straight-talking take on the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ of best practice sponsorship captivated and entertained our audience. Book Kim – she’s great to work with and will commit wholeheartedly to the success of your event

Patrick HaslettOne-Zero (Dublin)

Kim is one of the top speakers in the sponsorship industry. We recently invited her back to Sweden and once again she made a huge success with her enthusiasm on stage and great expertise regarding sponsorship issues. Kim brings ideas and practical tools needed when working with sponsorship, which can be applied locally here in Sweden and globally. We look forward to welcoming her back to Sweden soon!

Niklas BirgetzSwedish Sponsorship Association (2012)

Kim is one of the top keynoters in the sponsorship industry and a real powerhouse on stage. Her content is global without being vague; even though Sweden is quite a ways from Australia geographically, Kim left the audience at our national sponsorship industry forum with plenty of ideas and insights that could instantly be applied in both a Swedish and an international context. We look forward to welcoming her back to Stockholm soon!

Josefine HådellSwedish Sponsorship Association (2010)

Kim was an overwhelming success at our sponsorship event back. Her presentation style was engaging and entertaining but most importantly she was very informative and effective. On top of that Kim couldn’t have been nicer to deal with or more accommodating with her time. I would definitely recommend Kim for any sponsorship event

Olivia CommuneInfopresse (Montreal)

Tell me what’s going wrong

A couple of paragraphs about your organisation and the problem is enough. I’ll tell you honestly whether this is the right service for it.

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