I would run like crazy the other way. Set up your own event at a friendly business.
Thank you! I was unsuccessful at my attempt to reach the owner but I think it was for the better.... trying to circumvent their promoter would have made me look bad.
I'm going to set up a meeting with the promoter tomorrow and try this.
Get off the idea of the remote. This client cannot or chooses not to pay for one - that's where your diva is coming from. So they will continue to attempt to bully you to do one for less or for free. Take the remote off the table.
And you have no status or authority to bring in other vendors or sponsors other than for a prize package. This is not your promotion. It is the wine bar's party promotion. Unless you initiate a media partnership on the event, they are going to do what they are going to do. You run the risk of really pissing off this client if you bring others in - they will look at it as you are commandeering their event.
A media partnership may be an idea if you want to establish a future relationship with this client. Be sure to ask for radio exclusivity for that and inclusion in all promotional materials.
I would suggest you not go around the person (diva!) already designated by the owner. This person was probably involved to save the owner time and direct involvement. It will easily be viewed as presumptuous.
The "Boss" will always be excited, but I bet if you told him there was no money in it, and asked him to have your promotions team take it over, he would be less enthusiastic
.
One other comment - I would never run away from this situation ( I posted suggestions earlier), as I have read in some posts. This is a great opportunity to add another $500 plus to this month - plus have a connection with the 3 party promoter for next year. Just remember those smaller buys all add up at the end of day - or should I say month!
More than likely, the boss will drop this like a searing hot piece of metal, if there's no cash in it for him. The only scenario where this would play is if the station is brand new with no audience.
I would go back to the guy and say look, I can't afford to send my people out to events without some advertiser involvement.
Say I don't charge you a fee but I charge a seperate (non-competing) advertiser and you allow their banner and the MC the station provides to plug the advertiser during the event. The advertiser will also also pay the talent fee for your MC. You can pitch this to anyone that wants a Mardi Gra tie in. Car dealer, beer, wine, autoparts etc. Provide samples if you can do that in LA. What does the guy that owns the club care if you throw up a couple of extra banners and mentions. Maybe wear outfits with the clients logo. Have the sponsoring advertiser throw in some prizes too for giv-a-way. Plug advertiser on air numerous times each hour as sponsoring your involvement. Make as part of the package to the advertiser a "plugger" type piece that can be left on windshields in local vicinty of club to insure a good turnout, say 500. If you have a data base of listeners in that zip code mail them. Charge the sponsoring advertiser the cost of a remote schedule which should include at least 24 spots per week for two weeks. Then a remote day spot packaage of live and recorded spots 2x per hour for 4 hours. After a tremondously successful event go back to club owner and say look what happened here. I can do this for you every week. Good luck. Roger Pasquier, Broadcastconsultants.com
Renee -
I've had to deal with a few of these 'amateur marketing experts' and I can't say I've enjoyed the experience. But, I have learned a few 'tricks' when dealing with them.
First, don't become confrontational or your name/station will be MUD with the group and the so-called expert, for years to come. You don't have to be obsequious, but do sound respectful even if their 'guru' spouts his/her conjecture or nonsense.
Second, when the group and/or expert make it clear that he/she is going to involved (or even the decision-maker) I notify the group and the expert that because the group will be the ones who actually will be paying any bills that arise from their promotional efforts through my station, that we are 'duty-bound' to keep the 'financial principal' (the non-profit group or small business) informed of our ideas, negotiations and, of course, pricing discussions. In other words, I confirm significant information in letter or e-mail form by addressing my e-mails (usually e-mail, these days) to the expert, but I also cc the non-profit or small business! Less confusion all around and less chance for the expert to make up things in his communications with the group, in his/her effort to smear you and your station (if things go badly)!! Remember, you need to play this for the 'long game' and if you have to miss this years' event, there's always next year and the year after.
Third, whether paid or unpaid, promotion and advertising 'consultants' love to justify their existence by saving their client some money and/or coming in under some impressively low budget (often set or recommended by the expert!). Your best response to his/her effort to show off their great negotiation skills is to LET THEM WIN! Let them win the negotiations and you can win with the sale, profit and seller's (your!) commission! Look for ways to give the group the most advertising/promotion for the buck, within the guidelines of your station. Then add 10-20% to that discounted rate and let the expert negotiate that number down again, by 10, 15 or 20%! Be chagrined and hint (but don't say!) that you are impressed by their fine negotiation skills. You let the expert look good and you still get a sale at a reasonable pricing rate! You can also throw in little favors or giveaway gifts, to help close the sale.
Never the less, nothing works 100% of the time ... so, good luck!
