[Harp-L] Re: Endorsers - Ethics

[Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill asked:

(1) what the performer is receiving for his endorsement.  Is he a paid
spokesman or just receiving free equipment or a discount?
(2) what equipment is he receiving?  Are they stock off the shelf  
units or
special units that have been tweaked at the factory?
(3) are there any ancillary agreements such as guaranteed gigs,  
tours, guest
appearances, etc.?

Steve responds:

Here's my take on this, based on a lengthy association with the  
Hohner company both as an endorsee and a consultant:

(1) Maybe rock gods get paid for endorsing a product. Harmonica  
players definitely don't. A limited and clearly defined amount of  
free equipment or a discount is usual.

(2) "Tweaking at the factory" is something which is virtually  
impossible due to time constraints and labour costs. Maybe (or maybe  
not) with an expensive chromatic, never with a diatonic in my  
experience. The idea that companies can afford to assign staff to  
setting up harps for endorsees is unrealistic. In Western Europe one  
minute of a factory employee's time costs the employer around one  
euro, that's about $1.40. Endorsees get the same instruments as you do.

(3) I wish there were! Seriously, if a harmonica manufacturer were to  
finance gigs, tours or guest appearances, would it not be plain  
common sense for them to have their name, company logo and so forth  
plastered all over the events in question? What benefit would they  
have from it otherwise? Harmonica companies may sponsor specific  
events with modest sums of money, pay top players to appear at trade  
fairs and sponsor clinics at selected retailers, but there is no  
gravy train for endorsees.

Steve Baker
www.stevebaker.de
www.european-blues-masterclass.com
www.harmonica-masters.de