Entry 280-4

Talking Sponsorship with Todd Witt

Part 4: From a Press Guy to Fishing Buddy

Question: Todd, you said working with the press is very important. What do you do with the members of the press when they fish with you?

Witt: When I take a member of the press fishing, I’ll show and teach them techniques and ways of fishing they can write about. All members of the press look for a new tactic to find and catch fish. The media want to learn something new to share with the public. So, I want to show them a new way to fish and help them catch fish using a new lure or strategy. If I help the media professionals catch a fish using a new lure or tactic, they’ll relay this information to the public through TV, newspapers or magazines.

Question: Todd, there are two types of pros who take writers fishing. One pro says, “Sit back there and watch me catch fish. I’ll show you how good I am.” The other pro takes the position of teacher saying, “Let me teach you to catch fish like I do.” What kind are you?

Witt: I’m the second type who says let me teach you how I fish. Members of the press like to fish just as much as we do. If you make sure they catch a good-sized fish and have a good time, they’ll come back. When you change that relationship from media affiliation to fishing buddies, you’re accomplishing Strike King’s goals by promoting their lures and yourself.

Question: How many members of the press do you work with in a year?

Witt: Probably from six to as many as 24 in one year, depending on whether I attend writer’s conferences, the numbers of writers I meet at shows and the amount of contact I have with writers. I’m always looking for opportunities to work with the press, teaching them how to use Strike King’s products and promoting Strike King’s lures.

Next: Steps to Getting a Sponsorship

Contents:

• Part 1: From a Fisherman to a Pro
• Part 2: The Unseen Pro
• Part 3: Me and the Media
• Part 4: From a Press Guy to Fishing Buddy
• Part 5: Steps to Getting a Sponsorship