The Sourcing Innovation Open Pricing Model

SPONSORSHIPS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED

Since most of the new generation of marketers in the space don’t get the value of brand visibility and the value of being associated with a leading, independent, authority who focuses on education and not marketing or propaganda, and

Since SI will not adopt the “sponsored post” model as SI does not believe in “pay-to-play“, and more importantly, will not risk selling out its principles for extra $$$’s (as it’s very hard to maintain relationships when a “sponsor” thinks they can push what they want when they pay — as a former Lead Consulting Analyst on Advanced Sourcing for Spend Matters, the doctor is acutely aware of the agony Client Relations and Editorial went through on a weekly basis enforcing Spend Matters’ editorial ethics and just doesn’t want that headache).

SI temporarily suspended sponsorships when the doctor was writing for Spend Matters Pro and the M&A mania erupted the space into chaos.  However, now that the doctor is no longer associated with Spend Matters, and the M&A mania has calmed down, the doctor is considering re-opening sponsorships under the right set of conditions.

In the interim, SI will keep regularly publishing and keep addressing relevant issues, and in particular will cover those issues that are going unaddressed by the “leaders“, but SI will not commit to any schedule going forward until such time as it again has 4 logos on the sidebar.  (But given that it usually takes two crowbars to ply the doctor away from the keys, you can expect 5 posts a week most weeks.)

FYI, if you are wondering what THE VALUE OF SI ASSOCIATION is:

Over 2/3 of all companies that have had a commercial relationship with SI since its inception have merged, been acquired, or acquired other companies and are now (part of) bigger, more successful entities.

All companies that sponsored SI before sponsorships were suspended (when the doctor joined Spend Matters) and worked with SI have merged or been acquired on their terms and are now part of bigger, more successful entities.

To the best of SI’s knowledge, NO OTHER INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION or Independent Analyst Entity HAD THIS SUCCESS RATE. (Maybe it’s because the doctor is fussy about who he’ll work with … but still … )

Consistent with SI’s goal of openness and knowledge sharing, SI’s sponsorship model is public.

Basic Sponsorship

Overview (A MAXIMUM OF 5 Slots Available!)

  • linked company logo on the topmost section of the right-hand sidebar
  • “Sponsor Welcome” post and up to one “update”, “interview”, “commentary”, or “subject of interest” post per quarter (where SI maintains final editorial oversight)
  • unlimited permission to reproduce blog posts, with citation and URL, during the sponsorship period (subject to the Sourcing Innovation copyright requirements and restrictions) for educational purposes
  • attendance, and blog coverage, of one sponsor event per year in North America or Western Europe (at sponsor’s expense) [minimum twelve month sponsorship] (does not include speaking or panel moderation)
  • reduced fees for webcasts, podcasts, white papers, and speaking engagements (and, in fact, if you are not a Fractional CRO client, it might be the only way to get them!)

Advisory Package

There will also be a (two-tier) advisory package option (for annual sponsorships) that will include:

  • one day of advisory per quarter (or month)
  • one (or two) Illumination(s) (SI’s white-paper) for educational marketing purposes (with webinar support)
  • an additional event per year (i.e. you hold events on two continents or hold a small user workshop once per year for New Product Development in addition to an open conference)
  • one speaking or panel session at one conference

SI would like to note that all of its sponsors in the past engaged SI on a regular basis, using either an advisory model or a fractional CRO model, and SI believes the key to their success was regular interaction with SI and other leading analysts and consultants.  As such, this offering will serve as an intermediate offering between sponsorship only and its full CRO services (which it is limited to a maximum of three, but probably only two, non-directly competing companies at any one time).

Payment Options

  • one lump sum up front or
  • equal payments at the start of every quarter

PRICING

The pricing model will be included below when sponsorships are opened up again on a first-come, first-serve basis.  However, one thing we will say is that we will give you a year of visibility for less than the cost of one big event that will give you 3 (three) whole days.  Think about that.   Three days lost in a sea of madness or one year of visibility with FREE educational resources for your (potential) customers!

$X,000 / month with a 3 month commitment
$X,000 / month with a 6 month commitment
$X,000 / month with a 12 month commitment
(note that some benefits only kick-in with a 12 month commitment)

The rates listed will be valid for the length of the initial contract period (up to twelve months). Sponsors get first right of refusal on continued sponsorship beyond their initial sponsorship period at the rates in effect 60 days before the end-date of their current sponsorship period and will then have 30 days to make a decision before the exclusive first right of refusal expires. The advertised rates will not change more than once per quarter, regardless of demand or change in site popularity.

You can e-mail contact us using the contact information in the FAQ at any time to discuss sponsorship opportunities.