How to get SPONSORED by Red Bull
You might not know this, Red Bull hats are exclusively for their sponsored athletes and there is no exception. Let me share 5 years of my experience and how you can be sponsored by the most sought after brand in extreme sports.
I was hanging out with a local RedBull Manager watching their rowing event from a rooftop. After sitting and chatting for a while he said he “I want to play a video for you" and we went downstairs. Ryan Doyle, Red Bull sponsored Freerunner, appeared on a projector and said “welcome to the family”.
I was congratulated and handed my very first hat with the iconic two bulls. I couldn’t believe it and wore my new cap like a crown, that’s how proud I was. Since then, my life has changed and largely because of it, but that’s a different story.
I know lots of you share this dream I’m living now and I wanted to give you some insight on how to get there, so let’s jump right into it and get real practical.
What is Red Bull looking for?
You probably know what you want RedBull to do FOR YOU, but do you know what you want to do FOR THEM? Think about what can you do for RedBull that nobody else can do better and why would they be interested in it? Below are some key points they look for in every athlete.
1. A Leader in their sport
Being an INTERNATIONAL leader in your sport is ESSENTIAL to being considered a candidate.
Doing the hardest tricks is one way you can do this, but just ONE way. I want you to know, I was never doing the most difficult or craziest tricks, but I managed to lead with style and creativity. Look at what makes you special and become a leader in that.
RedBull doesn’t need another Jason Paul or Travis Pastrana, they already have us. So instead of following our steps, you need to find your unique style and become a leader to others.
2. At the beginning of their career
I’m not sure how essential this is, but Red Bull gravitates towards younger talent. Instead of simply supporting the already established and successful dogs, they like the idea of finding young talent and supporting them towards the peak of their career.
3. The right personality
All the skill and talent in the world won’t get you anywhere, if you’re a dick. You’ll be representing their brand to the world, so being a standup dude with the right values in place is key.
Be able to represent yourself to others in person and on camera. The skill of talking to the camera or a reporter is important and speaking english is helpful. Of course, you don’t have to be perfect right from the start, they are there to help you grow and learn.
4. Drinks Red Bull
No brainer, if you don’t enjoy drinking Red Bull there’s really no point.
So how do I get their attention?
So you fit the profile and the only problem is that RedBull doesn’t know about your qualities, yet? They try their best to keep an eye on sports, send people to local contests and watch their communities, but of course there are ways to stand out from the crowd. Here is how and remember, nobody said it will be easy.
-
Social Media is more and more important in today’s marketing world. If you have a solid following on social platforms, it’s proof that people have interest in you, your relevancy and how you can carry a brand to the world.
You can show what content you produce on your own term which is super-valuable to them. Don’t even think about buying followers or any tricks, build a real audience that cares about what you do, Red Bull knows their shit.
-
Contests are the obvious way to prove your skill and dedication. Luckily, RedBull hosts their very own Art of Motion and winning one of these is a pretty safe bet that they will notice you. The proof is in the pudding, I believe winning the Art of Motion was substantial to my, Ryan Doyle’s and Dimitris Kyrsanidis’ sponsorship.
-
The Athlete Manager is the guy or girl looking after the athlete’s in their country. They are ultimately who you want to be talking to, because they can propose a new athlete international RedBull.
Who they are isn’t always obvious, so get creative. I was lucky enough to be working with a manager who had another athlete signed to them and that’s how we started talking.
-
Community Projects are a great way to reach out to Red Bull. Are you organising or involved in a local event or jam? Reach out to your closest Red Bull office and find out if there’s a way to collaborate.
Usually getting some Wings Girls to visit with their Mini and give out free cans is achievable and can be a great first step to building a relationship.
- Be Creative there are a million other ways to do this and putting in effort for something special will be noticed.
Red Bull doesn’t fuck on the first date
So you are actually talking to Red Bull and think you have a good chance? My last advice is to romance a girl and take it step by step. You are going for a long-term relationship here and not a One-Night-Stand.
It can take months or years, before Red Bull moves from collaborating with an athlete on to sponsorship. Above all Red Bull cares about making cool content and experiences happen, find out how you can be a part of that and things will take it’s course naturally.
They take great care of you and the opportunities are endless once you’re in, so it’s worth it. Of course, this is just my personal insight and I’m in no way speaking for RedBull.
If anything I said above makes you feel like this goal is out of reach for you: Remember, there’s always an exception to the rule! Good Luck!
If anything I said above makes you feel like this goal is out of reach for you: Remember, there’s always an exception to the rule! Good Luck!
MORE STORIES:
Comments
William Cleton - May 07 2017
Hello, my name is William i am a Freerunner and Tricker. I’ve been freerunning since i was 9 and now i’m 12. I would really love to be sponsored by Red Bull because i’ve been training 3 years to be this good. My idol in freerunning are Dimitris kirsanidis and Jason paul because they motivate me the most in freerunning! And i love every single video or picture of you guys on instagram. I don’t have a youtube channel but i have instagram name is willflips._ it would be an honor if i would be sponsored.
Shawn Smith - April 08 2017
Hi my name is shawn smith and i work for cabell county 911 in huntington wv. I know we aren’t “extreme” in the sense of skydiving, parkour etc. But my entire nightshift live off of redbull, everyone usually has at least 2 red bulls, so theres anywhere from 10-16 redbull purchased every single day. Red bull is so needed when its 9am and youre 10 hours into your 16 hour shift and have a jumper you’re trying to talk down, or a shooting where you need to be on point with updating every detail and taking a million calls. Id be be amazing if we could get sponsored, even if it was just like a 4 pack a month or something small. People have no idea how stressful 16 hour shifts where you talk to 200-400 people a shift can be! Thanks redbull!
Nagarjun - February 04 2017
SYNAPSE-2017
The Annual Inter Collegiate Cultural Fest of Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College & Hospital is a conflux of creativity and excitement. A stage to showcase one’s talents and a platform to wow the audiences
After a hiatus of two years, we are back, bigger and better, to raise the bar as SYNAPSE-2017 with the theme being ‘IMAGICON’
You are invited to witness and participate in this spectacle, which will leave an indelible memory in its wake
SYNAPSE – 2017
Dr B R Ambedkar Medical College & Hospital
February – 22nd & 23rd
Connect with us for latest updates
Email ID – synapse2k17@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/Synapse2017
www.instagram.com/synapse2k17
Kegan Suede Felix - January 26 2017
hi my names kegan suede felix im 16 and do parkour ive done higher frontflips than domonato and really want sponsored parctice everyday but redbull dont give a fuck obviously tryed to contact a lot still nothing im good enough trust me my facebook name is kegan swade felix check me out if you dont belive im legit
Thijme van Arendonk - January 12 2017
My comment accidentaly got deleted. The point was; Can anyone spark my imagination on how to create a style in freerun?
-T
E-Mail : thijme.van.arendonk@gmail.com
Insta : thijme_TCL
Youtube : TCL Intruder (THIS IS STIL CHANGING ALL THE TIME)
Phumla Hlophe - January 03 2017
Good Day
My name is Phumla Hlophe im a dj who doesn’t drink alcohol im currently a resident at NYC Fourways. I gig every week starting from Thursday as a result I’m forever drinking red bull to have enough energy to entertain the crowd. I also gig internationally mostly Swaziland and Botswana. right now I’m doing an event call team me hash tag DIY dj Poomla movement. I would like to be sponsored by Redbull as a brand and for my movement my contact number is 072 1079299.
Levi - November 23 2016
Thanks for this insight. I think there are steps I need to set out 1st to reach these goals.
1. Work harder and practice more
2. Make more content
3. Work harder and Practice more
Dave C. - November 22 2016
Great advice, and i love the way you write.
Its intresting to find out about this, becouse a lot of people think its impossible or its too much.
But you made it , and others also did.
And its really great to become some insight.
Thanks for the article , and keep the good stuff up !
D.
Mehmood Iqbal - November 21 2016
Hi I am really die heart fan of parkour I don’t have any background of parkourbut still I am working hard daily parkour exercise there is no inspiring people around me but I am taking inspiration from red bull parkour video I would like to be a part of Red bull because I have seen the red bull parkour video I am very impressed after watching the red bull parkour video it’s amazing . hopefully you will inspire me by sponsor me thank you so much .
Marco Salgado - October 14 2016
Hello, My name is Marco (as you can see on the top) i’ve been doing parkour ever since I was 10, and now i’m 13 and It would be a dream to be sponsored by RedBull (don’t drink RedBull because i don’t want diarrhea) but i’m only 13 so I can’t do much. My friends always tell me you can’t make parkour, freerunning, or tricking a job or they say you won’t get anywhere with doing such an extreme sport. I Want To Prove Them Wrong! You are An Amazing Person And I Do Believe I Can Make My Hobby A Job (someday).
Youtube channel is :
Marco Salgado
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKMAjLBljhc02PljPsrNWCA
(I Don’t Post Much Because of My Parents)
Zachary Scott - October 04 2016
Zachary Scott
Leon - September 01 2016
Hallo, Mein Name ist Leon. Ich bin PARKKOUR UND FREERUNNER ich Wunsch ist sehr gut zu werden und auf YouTube bekannt zu werden mein Kanal heißt LeonLesVivants mein Traum ist es ein klein Sponsor von RedBull zu kriegen. Ich würde sehr sehr viel mühe geben um ein zu bekommen.
Bitte meldet euch.
Danke
LeonLesVivants Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwBdD-lSL0GZYnIMGsgswWQ