DFrench97 Posted October 27, 2014 Posted October 27, 2014 What is the difference between being sponsored and being on the pro staff? Or are they the same? Thanks Quote
EmersonFish Posted October 28, 2014 Posted October 28, 2014 One thing to remember is that "Pro Staff" stands for "Promotional" staff, not "Professional" staff. There are a lot of people these days who are on a company's "Pro Staff" who are mainly guys who produce You Tube videos, "product reviews" and things like that, and in exchange for getting rebates on a products, they endorse the heck out of them. They may not even fish competitively, but if they can get a lot of clicks and views, they bring some value to the relationship. Of course, there are Pro Staffers who run the gamut from guys who travel to all of the trade shows, to high level professional fishermen. In the case of the latter, the distinction between sponsorship and pro staff might be a little more gray, and may be more about semantics; but I can't say. There is probably someone here who would have a better understanding of how it works at that level than I do. Quote
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted October 28, 2014 BassResource.com Administrator Posted October 28, 2014 Pro staff is essentially an apprentice program where you learn the ropes of marketing products within the industry. Like an internship or apprentice program, the financial reward does not match your efforts, but you gain in knowledge and experience as well as make contacts in the industry. Most companies offer product at a decent discount for prostaffers, and are selective in who they chose to represent them. They screen applicants much like they do for a job opening. Usually there are terms, guidelines, standards, goals, and obligations that must be met in order to maintain your prostaff status, should you be accepted into the program. Unfortunately there are some companies that abuse the term "prostaff", offering little more than a marginal "discount club" for anyone who will sign up. And the discount often isn't much. Be wary of any company that offers you a prostaff position without first interviewing you and clearly spelling out what is expected of you. It's these companies that are tainting the term "prostaff", and creating a negative view on the term. Sponsorship is a higher level, more professional, and is more of a partnership. This is where you are compensated for your time and efforts to market their company and products. Compensation varies greatly, but usually is a combination of free product, comps, and cash. The amount of which is usually dependent upon your experience level and how much exposure/sales you can give them. As expected, goals, accurate reporting, and results are higher and must be met. Hope that helps! 5 Quote
Super User SPEEDBEAD. Posted October 28, 2014 Super User Posted October 28, 2014 If you gotta ask, you're probably prostaff. 2 Quote
teamtrout Posted December 24, 2014 Posted December 24, 2014 Sorry to bring this back, but I had a question regarding this - When you're watching a fishing YouTube video with 90,000 views, and at the beginning a few logos pop up, are the people sponsored or pro staff? If my explanation was a bit unclear, I'll try to clarify. Right after you start watching, some popular channels display a picture of their "sponsors" logo. I know that some channels that film more remote things and montages (this is more evident with fly fishing channels) say that they can't keep filming without these companies. So at this point, could they be considered sponsored, and beyond Pro. Staff? Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted December 27, 2014 Super User Posted December 27, 2014 Sorry to bring this back, but I had a question regarding this - When you're watching a fishing YouTube video with 90,000 views, and at the beginning a few logos pop up, are the people sponsored or pro staff? If my explanation was a bit unclear, I'll try to clarify. Right after you start watching, some popular channels display a picture of their "sponsors" logo. I know that some channels that film more remote things and montages (this is more evident with fly fishing channels) say that they can't keep filming without these companies. So at this point, could they be considered sponsored, and beyond Pro. Staff? They are probably sponsored. Most Pro Staff are guys trying to come up on the tournament circuit. But its more about the level of sponsorship than anything. There is a discounted product level, a free product level, and a free product and payment level. That is quoted from an FLW tour angler. Quote
JT Bagwell Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Sorry to bring this back, but I had a question regarding this - When you're watching a fishing YouTube video with 90,000 views, and at the beginning a few logos pop up, are the people sponsored or pro staff? If my explanation was a bit unclear, I'll try to clarify. Right after you start watching, some popular channels display a picture of their "sponsors" logo. I know that some channels that film more remote things and montages (this is more evident with fly fishing channels) say that they can't keep filming without these companies. So at this point, could they be considered sponsored, and beyond Pro. Staff? It is really hard to say. Any Joe Blow video maker can stick a logo in it and it doesn't make him any more part of the team than wearing a jersey full of logos. Quote
DrewMixon Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 I'm new to the site here, and appreciate the info exchange. but that does not mean i'm new to the game, by any means. having some 15 years of sponsor and pro-staff experience (and answering to the pro-staff 'debate' frequently), please understand that the definition of 'pro staff' varies from one company to another. a local-pour soft plastics company who gives away some bags of goodies and decals might call someone a 'pro staffer', but i can guarantee you that if you indicate that a place on the 'pro staff' is something menial to my team manager at Shimano, your resume will be tossed into the trash. even 'sponsorship' has different shades of grey. to one company that means a flat discount, to another it means buying 'at cost' or to yet another it could be a free ride--and the golden ticket is the paid compensation. the truth of the matter is sponsorship and pro staff neither have cast-in-stone definitions. its totally different from one company to another. posted with respect. cheers drew 1 Quote
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