What do AIESEC & NASCAR have in Common?
Have you ever imagined what it might be like to take part in a NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race? Have you ever dreamt of being one with the heart throbbing, engine roaring, breath robbing thrill of 500 + horsepower speed racing? It's almost inebriating, wouldn't you say? Definitely not something for the overanxious and weak-hearted.
Sometimes I like to trick myself into believing that my role as VP Sponsorship for the upcoming AIESEC National Leadership Development Conference is similar in certain ways with the engine deafening madness that is NASCAR racing. The use of sponsorship is also paramount in NASCAR racing. Did you know that NASCAR has more sponsorship participation by Fortune 500 companies than any other sport? Crazy stuff, right? Well there's a pretty definite reason for that. Corporate sponsors of NASCAR teams see consistent immediate returns on their investments. Indeed, most companies see stock market value gains of over $300 million. In the U.S, NASCAR has become one of the best buys in marketing.
So why am I talking about NASCAR anyways? As VP Sponsorship for NLDC, my tasks primarily consist of researching prospects, creating proposals that cater to the objectives of businesses, finding ways of connecting with the right contacts in companies, acquiring buy-ins from different constituencies, and lastly, negotiating prices and benefits. The most fun and challenging part of all of this, however, is the inescapable need to demonstrate real value and meaning in the product I'm selling.
NASCAR succeeds in sponsorship due to the broad exposure to the millions of fans its corporate sponsors enjoy. Corporate sponsors see the value of NASCAR in and of itself as something worthy of their hefty investments. This is why it's important for people to understand that sponsorship isn't just about how "good" you are at sales, marketing and promotion. For the individual trying to sponsor an event, a great deal of factors outside of his or her control are in constant motion. I decided to write about NASCAR and draw parallels with NASCAR sponsorship and the work that I'm doing because I see it as a personal source of inspiration. So, as I cruise around the city in my beat-up 2005 Hyundai Elantra, with a death-grip on the steering wheel and a fearless attitude, all suited-up and delirious from caffeine overdose, I speed past yellow lights so as not to be late for my marketing calls, and pretend that my purpose is bound up with the spirit of NASCAR inspired sponsorship. The main difference, however, being that national AIESEC conferences are much cooler than fast and furious stock car auto racing.
Sure, I don't have a suped-up speed machine capable of speeds of up to 150 mph. I Also have neither one of those bad-ass incombustible suits nor nation-wide fame and respect. But what about that inexplicable thrill at the thought of winning? That overwhelming fear of crashing and failing? That undying adrenaline rush needed to carry the will onwards, past every obstacle and speed bump? I daresay I do share these sentiments. This is why I'll never give up, even if I'm totally freaking out and nerve-wracked the vast majority of the time. These are the trials which strengthen, harden and shape us. This is what I believe it is to be a true AIESECer.
- Derek Hendricks, VP Sponsorship for NLDC 2013
dailybridgerton
theartofmadeline
origamiaround
pixelskylines
snowghoul
baratheonpilled
