Endorsements?

Semantics

 

So if a company was paying you or giving you free gear should you technically say you are sponsored?

 

Yes.....I do believe it's that simple....

Technically, you are correct...

However...

In the real world.....the way the term is often used......It's usually used incorrectly.....

So when a musician says they've received an endorsement deal.....what they usually actually mean is that they are endorsing the company in question. What they're really trying to say is that they got free gear, which means that they're sponsored...

 

I don't have written contracts for any of my endorsements, but they way it works is I am endorsing the product.

 

So if your profile says endorsing a product would I be able to go to their website and see you listed as one of their artists or is it just your way of saying you like their gear?

 

Endorsement can go either way.

Endorsement: approval
Endorsement | Define Endorsement at Dictionary.com

Sponsor pays someone for something.
Sponsor: a person who vouches or is responsible for a person or thing.
Sponsor | Define Sponsor at Dictionary.com


I endorse Markbass, Shamray, and ESP. i own their equipment and approve of their products. They do not endorse me. They don't even know I exists.

I could be considered to sponsor Markbass, Shamray, and ESP. I vouche for their products and make pledges on their behalf (Buy a markbass, you'll love the way it sounds.)

Talkbass and its mods look at either the same way. if a company is providing you something that could possibly call your biases into question when discussing that company, then you can say anything you want as long as everyone one knows you are getting stuff from that company.

 

Rule #9: Endorsed Artist / Remuneration Disclosure
If you are an artist who endorses a music-related company, or if you receive remuneration (financially or in-kind) as the result of a relationship you have with a company, please disclose this via the "Disclosures" field in your profile. The text should be plain and clear, with no disclaimers, hype etc. For example: "Endorsing Artist: Joe Doe Basses" or "Affiliated with JD Amps" or "Discounted Gear: JD Amps", etc.

Also, please preface any relevant gear reviews on product you're affiliated with, with a brief disclosure in the post itself.

The purpose of these disclosures is to provide those who read your posts with the full knowledge of your situation, when considering your opinions on gear. We recognize the fact that in some circumstances a minor discount or other "non-endorsing" remuneration may be too insignificant to consider for disclosure. We trust that as honest bass players you'll use your best judgment and moral guide to determine if your fellow members would benefit from the disclosure of this information. TalkBass reserves the right to require disclosure if the remuneration is deemed significant.

Please note : Abuse/Misuse of this field is prohibited. Do not use this field unless you have an actual established relationship with the companies you list. Other profile fields are available for you to list your favorite gear.​

 

Show it to who exactly? Many of my endorsements have been verbal (or as verbal as email can be) with the Artist Rep, at which point it's not that hard. I would think that the AR have spreadsheets or some sort of table outlining who is in their "artist stable."

There were only two (Warwick and Seymour-Duncan) that had actual written contracts fully outlining what was required of me as an endorsing artist, and what they would do.

 

Anybody can endorse anything.


At the end of s set I could say "wow this blue moon beer really taste great. Buy one I promise you'll love it.

Now unless blue moon beer is shipping me a case every week free of charge, I don't have anything.

 

Are you asking if they have a actual relationship with a company or is it just their way of saying they like the product. Sometimes that line gets blurred around here.
Just because you like a companies product does not mean you are endorsed.