Are you willing to sponsor?
Are you ready to explore the transformative power of athlete sponsorship for your brand? Click here to learn more about how sponsorship can help brands grow and thrive in the exciting world of motorsports.
By Riccardo Tafà| Posted July 3, 2024 | In Marketing Sportivo, Sponsorizzazioni Sportive
If you are a motorsport and marketing enthusiast, then you probably already know about the explosive potential of sponsorships in motorsport. In a world where speed and competition are the order of the day, putting your brand in the spotlight at a racetrack can turn into a race to the top. But how to make your brand fly among the whizzing bolts? Get ready to find out everything you need to know to gas your sponsorship strategy!
The roar of engines echoing in the air, the smell of burning rubber and the adrenaline coursing through the veins: motorsport is not just a sport, it is a sensory experience. And what could be better than associating this overwhelming emotion with your brand? The magic of engines and brands lies precisely in their ability to stir deep passions.
Race cars are not just vehicles, but true icons of style and power. When a brand decides to enter this world, it is not only gaining visibility, it is embracing an entire culture. It is a bit like becoming part of a family that shares a common passion: that for speed and innovation.
But the magic of engines goes beyond mere visibility. It is a universe where technology and performance are at the center of everything. And it is this context that makes motorsport a perfect platform for technology and innovative brands that want to be perceived as pioneers and vanguardists.
In addition, motorsport is a global phenomenon. From
Formula 1
to
MotoGP
, through Rally and Nascar, motorsport competitions attract millions of spectators around the world. Such a large and diverse audience represents a unique opportunity for brands to expand their market and gain new fans.
Sponsoring a team or motorsport event may seem like a
significant investment
, but the benefits it brings are just as huge. First, motorsport offers levels of visibility that are difficult to match by other forms of sponsorship. Each race is a huge media event.
In addition, the motorsport audience is extremely loyal. Racing fans are passionate and closely follow every detail of their favorite teams and drivers. Tying your brand to these icons can create a deep emotional connection with your audience, a type of connection that is often the Holy Grail of marketing.
Another crucial aspect is continuous exposure. Motorsports competitions are not just occasional events but seasons of races that take place throughout the year. This means that your brand will not only be visible during a race weekend, but will have constant exposure through different events and various forms of media coverage.
Finally, being associated with a motorsport team or event can enhance your brand image. Speed, precision, innovation, and endurance are values often associated with racing, and being able to reflect them in your brand can give your reputation a significant boost.
Being in the spotlight of a motorsport track means more than just having your logo on a car. One of the main attractions is definitely the media coverage. Races are televised live, with spectacular footage capturing every moment of action, and your brand can become part of this compelling narrative.
Not only TV, but also social media. The teams and drivers have millions of followers who follow them on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. So your sponsorships are not limited to race minutes, but extend to behind-the-scenes content, interviews and everyday moments that offer a more intimate and engaging view.
Another significant advantage is the use of testimonials. Drivers are often considered modern-day heroes, with a personal appeal that goes beyond their performance on the track. Collaborating with a pilot for advertising campaigns or events can give your brand a boost of authenticity and charisma.
Finally, do not underestimate the power of public relations. Being sponsored in such a prestigious industry can open doors to collaborations with other brands, create networking opportunities, and lead to your brand being recognized and valued in high-profile settings.
To make your brand fly on the track, it takes more than just putting a logo on a car. A well-thought-out and focused strategy is needed. Start by clearly defining your goals. Do you want to increase brand awareness? Expanding your market? Launch a new product? Each goal requires a different approach.
One of the keys to success is personalization. Not all sponsorships need to be equal. Tailor your offer to the specific needs of the team or event you are sponsoring. Often, a tailor-made approach can be much more effective and make the most of your investment.
Also, integrate your sponsorship with other marketing initiatives. Use content generated during races to fuel your social campaigns, create promotional events that engage fans, take advantage of co-branding opportunities with other sponsors. Synergy between different activities can greatly amplify the impact of your sponsorship.
Finally, do not forget to monitor and evaluate the results. Use analytical tools to understand which activities brought the most visibility and engagement. This will allow you to adjust your strategy as you go along and maximize your return on investment.
Many brands have found motorsport to be the key to extraordinary success. Take Red Bull, for example, which has turned sponsorship in motorsports into a true art. Not only has it become a leading name in Formula 1, it has also created its own events such as the Red Bull Air Race, demonstrating how a well-planned strategy can lead to incredible results.
Another excellent example is that of Pirelli. This tire brand not only provides tires for many top-level competitions, but also uses the motorsport platform to test and develop new products. This not only improves the quality of their products, but also strengthens their image as technological leaders in the industry.
We cannot forget Philip Morris, one of the pioneers of sponsorship in motorsport. Their partnership with Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1 has created one of the most iconic and enduring partnerships in the history of the sport, making the brand colors instantly recognizable around the world.
Finally, there is the case of Monster Energy, which has used motorsport to win over a young and dynamic audience. Their extensive sponsorship strategy across categories, from MotoGP to Nascar, has enabled the brand to become synonymous with adrenaline and adventure.
If you’ve decided to get your brand flying down the runway, here are some practical tips to get started on the right foot. The first step is to do thorough research. Study the different competitions and identify those that best align with your brand’s values and target audience.
Another key tip is to set a clear budget. Sponsorships in motorsport can vary greatly in cost, so it is important to have a clear idea of how much you are willing to invest and what returns you expect.
Talk to experts in the field. Sports marketing agencies or professionals already working in the field can offer valuable insights and help you navigate the complexities of this world. Don’t be afraid to seek advice and ask questions.
Finally, be prepared to be flexible and adaptable. Motorsport is a dynamic and ever-changing environment. What works today may not be as effective tomorrow. Keep an open mind, ready to seize new opportunities and modify your strategy when necessary.
Sponsoring in motorsport may seem like a challenge, but with the right strategy and a good dose of passion, it can become a tremendous business asset for all brands.
Are you ready to explore the transformative power of athlete sponsorship for your brand? Click here to learn more about how sponsorship can help brands grow and thrive in the exciting world of motorsports.
Managing Director for RTR Sports, Riccardo graduated in law at the University of Bologna. He began his career in London in PR, then started working in two and four-wheelers. A brief move to Monaco followed before returning to Italy. There he founded RTR, first a consulting firm and then a sports marketing company which, eventually, he moved back to London.
The online platform where you can discover the latest trends, strategies and insights from the exciting world of sports marketing.
View our blogJanuary 1, 2025
Sport sponsorship is a dynamic and potent marketing strategy that has become deeply ingrained in the fabric of modern sports. As stakeholders in the sports industry increasingly recognize the[...]
Read MoreDecember 23, 2024
The sports sponsorship represents an extremely effective marketing tool for companies, capable of creating deep emotional bonds with audiences through the passion and enthusiasm that characte[...]
Read MoreNovember 29, 2024
Motorsports offer brands a unique opportunity to engage with highly passionate and loyal fanbases while showcasing their products and services on a global stage. However, maximizing the retur[...]
Read MoreIn an era where it is possible to get anywhere with a click, there is a strong temptation to approach teams and properties directly for sponsorship projects.
By doing so, we are convinced that we are shortening the value chain, saving time and money. However, these DYI methods are anything but risk-free and what initially appears to be a competitive advantage soon turns into a problem that is difficult to resolve. That’s why there are agencies. And this is why you should rely on us for your sponsorships.
When first approaching a sponsorship or sports marketing project, it is difficult to know immediately which stakeholders are correct, what the decision flow is, and what the right timelines are for each process. Sports is a very specialized field of action, and fitting effectively into its paths can take a lot of time and therefore money. We, on the other hand, know referents and spheres of action and know who to talk to, when and how. So you are also more effective.
Sports is an immense passion, and for our heart colors we would be willing to do anything. But business is a different business, and it is important to make the best possible strategic decisions based on independent research, statistics and reliable data. A sports marketing and sports sponsorship agency like RTR has an objective, 360-degree picture of the scenario and can tell you what is really best for you: which sport, which athlete, which team. This is because we possess a great deal of data and information on ratings, segmentation and attitudes. Because the numbers don’t lie. Never.
Activations are the real heart of sports sponsorship. Without them, there remains only a blank sticker on a motorcycle, car or uniform and no contact with the public, no emotional connection, no impact on the bottom line. Then how do you do it? It certainly won’t be the teams or the athletes who will help you leverage sponsorship and enjoy the many marketing rights you have paid for. To bring out the best in a sports marketing project you need an agency that knows how to use sponsorship to engage the fanbase on the Web, to reach out to Shopping Centers, to organize hospitality, to develop B2B and B2C opportunities, and to get “your” athletes in front of millions of potential consumers.
Would you ever go to the dealer who sold you the car and ask if the competitor’s car is better? No, of course. So, how do you expect to get firm measurements of the effectiveness of your sponsorship if you do not rely on someone super partes? At RTR, we have always worked with independent third-party agencies that allow us to know the return on any exposure of your brand on TV and in the media. In addition, we believe in calculating ROI as the ultimate measure of your success-so we can tell you for every penny you spend how much you are making.
We have been involved in sports sponsorship and sports marketing for more than 15 years. We are consultants in the sense that our goal is to maximize your investment, but we are also an agency that manages the project from start to finish. We have been doing this since 1995 with passion and professionalism, following three principles that have become cornerstones of our business: independence, verticality and transparency.
I would like to highlight the fact that one of the qualities of RTR is its great ability to approach the sponsorship scenario strategically, together with its passionate attitude, its amazing enthusiasm for solving problems, and its high level of professionalism.
Gianluca Degliesposti
Executive Director Server&Storage EMEA
Eurosport is truly delighted with its business relationship with Riccardo Tafà, who has become extremely popular, thanks to his detailed knowledge of the sports marketing sector and his highly diligent attitude to work.
Francois Ribeiro
Commercial Director
Passion and Expertise are the features that I have found in RTR since the very beginning. Serious and reliable professionals but also very helpful, nice and open-mind people, willing to listen and compare different ideas. All the values in which RTR believes make this agency a partner, not just a supplier, a partner with whom we have had the opportunity to achieve significant commercial results in term of success and image.
Luca Pacitto
Head of Communication
We have been working with RTR Sports Marketing for over 10 years. The objectives and the programmes of collaboration continue to be renewed and to grow with mutual satisfaction. I believe RTR is a team of great professionals led by Riccardo Tafà, who I consider a manager of exceptional skills and with a great passion for his work.
Lucio Cecchinello
Team Principal
I have known and worked with Riccardo Tafà since 1995 when we collaborated for the first time on a project for the Williams Formula 1 team. Several clients followed. After leaving Williams to work for Gerhard Berger then owner of the Toro Rosso F1 Team, I turned again to Riccardo to seek his help in finding a tool supplier for the team and Riccardo duly obliged with an introduction to USAG, a partnership with Toro Rosso which endured for five years. I recently started a new role as Group Commercial Director for the renowned Andretti Autosport organisation and I find myself working with Riccardo once again on a number of interesting projects. Why has this relationship with Riccardo endured ? He’s smart, knows the commercial side of sport inside out and back to front and he’s honest and trustworthy. Riccardo Tafà is a “doer” not a “talker”: in over 20 years I have never had a dispute either with him or with a company that he has introduced and each partnership introduced by Riccardo has delivered quantifiable ROI to rights holder and sponsor alike. I can think of no better testimonial of Riccardo’s diligence, knowledge, contact base and hard work than that.
Jim Wright
Group Commercial Director
The online platform where you can discover the latest trends, strategies and insights from the exciting world of sports marketing.
View our blogApril 14, 2025
A natural marriage: technology and MotoGP MotoGP is not just about speed, borderline overtaking and adrenaline. It is also one of the most advanced technological platforms in the world. Every[...]
Read MoreApril 8, 2025
Sponsorship and endorsement are two marketing strategies designed to boost brand awareness and drive consumer engagement by leveraging different types of partnerships. While sponsorship build[...]
Read MoreApril 4, 2025
Amazon Prime Video is making a bold statement in the world of motorsport sponsorship by stepping in as the presenting sponsor for Kyle Larson’s unprecedented attempt to conquer two of a[...]
Read More