Young WA of the Year and Western Force captain David Pocock has signed on with Blinc International to be his exclusive worldwide management.

At  23, David has already had over 40 caps for the Wallabies and was one of only 6 players worldwide to be nominated for the 2011 International Rugby Board Player of the Year.

David a passionate environmentalist ,is also heavily involved with off the field projects such as his own charity, Eighttwenty Vision whereby David raised over $100,000 in 2011 for the foundation in Zimbabwe and launched his first book entitled ‘Openside, My Journey to the Rugby World Cup’.

David lives in Perth and is married to social worker Emma Pallandri.

Startup Smart Article - Tuesday 1 May 2012

Author: Michelle Hammond

A problem that every new business struggles with is brand recognition. Pitted against large, established corporations with gargantuan marketing budgets, start-ups have to battle under a cloak of near-anonymity.

So how can you alter this imbalance? One quick-fire way to boost market awareness is to use a well-known celebrity to promote your brand.

Signing up a celebrity to spruik your business is no mean feat, but the added media interest and branding power can provide long-lasting benefits for years to come.

Brian Levine knows what it takes to get a celebrity to endorse a business, and the huge effect this can have, be it positive or negative.

Along with Australian Olympian Kieren Perkins, Levine heads up Blinc International, a celebrity broker and sponsorship agency based in Sydney.

Blinc International has brokered many successful celebrity endorsement deals, including Jennifer Hawkins for Myer, Rebecca Gibney for Nintendo and Hayley Lewis for Nivea.

According to Levine, celebrity endorsement is not out of reach for small businesses, but they need to think carefully before they position their brand in this way.

“I think celebrity endorsement is achievable for small businesses,” he says.

“Particularly in the retail sphere, when you’re talking about products being delisted from the shelves of Woolies, Coles and IGA, products now need a voice from the shelf and a marketing plan.”

“When you’re sitting in front of the buyers at Coles and Woolies, and they have their own ranges, you need to be shouting loud and proud as to why you should be remaining on the shelf.”

“Celebrities are being used more and more [as a result].”

That’s not to say there aren’t drawbacks. On the contrary, getting involved with a celebrity can be risky business, as one entrepreneur found out.

To see the full article, please head to http://www.startupsmart.com.au/sales-and-marketing/how-to-sprinkle-your-business-with-stardust/201205016147.html 

Blinc have successfully renegotiated a new 3 year sponsorship rights deal on behalf of Fujitsu IT Business Solutions to become an Official Sponsor of the Australian Open in 2012, 2013 & 2014.

Blinc have successfully negotiated the renewal of Libby Trickett's association with Amway for a further 2 year term.

Blinc have successfully negotiated the renewal of Adam Gilchrist's association with Nutriway for a further 2 year term.

Blinc International have been signed on to look after APN's sponsorship advisory services. Blinc's role will include reviewing all existing sponsorships, sourcing new opportunities and providing commercial returns on sponsorships for APN.

Rebel Sport have engaged Blinc International to organise and implement their Charity Dinner for the 3rd year running. The Rebel Sport All Heart Charity Dinner in aid of The Heart Foundation will be held on Friday 16 November.

Safcol have signed up Michelle Bridges to be the ambassador for the next 12 months. Safcol are the market leaders in a new method of fishing which is 'hook and line' where Safcol individual fisherman catch tuna and other seafood more selectively thereby not killing other sea life such as dolphins, seals and turtles in the bycatch.

Michelle is delighted to be onboard with Safcol who are leading what inevitably is a more sustainable future for the tuna industry.

Blinc provide a sponsorship advisory service to Myer and continue to assist Myer to negotiate racing partnerships including: Newcastle, Cranbourne, Bendigo, Dubbo and Cairns amongst others exclusive rights to Myer Fashions on the Field.

Congratulations to Laura Dundovic for picking up new roles as the host of Foxtel's 'Dating in the Dark' and brand ambassador for Hollywood Fashion Tape. Laura is also the current brand ambassador for fashion label Charlie Brown, is the face of Skin Doctors 'Skin Active' and is a race day ambassador for Myer.

Hayley Lewis, host of Ten's 'The Biggest Loser', former Olympian and mum of two, will soon be releasing a book!  Entitled 'Dream, Believe, Create - A Women's Guide to Small Business', Hayley's book draws on her experience both as a successful business woman and an athlete.

Congratulations to Brad Kahlefeldt who has won his third Mooloolaba International Triathlon Union World Cup and 5th Australian Title.