www.PODIUMRGM.com REPUTATION GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Build It. Protect It
Executive Summary When you are in the public eye, your reputation is the most valuable part of your brand. The better your reputation, the easier it will be for you to attract sponsors and fans and the more leverage you'll have when negotiating team contracts. As the value of your brand increases, so will your income potential. On the other hand, should your reputation suffer, you can lose sponsors, become less popular with fans and it may become harder to get signed. Therefore, your brand reputation must be protected. But in this day and age, it has become harder than ever to control your brand. The Internet has made it easy for rumours to spread like wildfire – whether or not they are true. Between blogs, gossip sites and social media networks, news about you or your team can propagate very quickly. The good news is that if you take proactive action, you can both promote and protect your online reputation by using blogging tools, websites and social media to make sure that fans and sponsors see exactly the message you want. The problem is that most agents, players, clubs and organisations don't have the time, experience or technological skills to take care of their own online reputation management. In this proposal, Podium RGM will explain how we can assess your current online reputation, create a plan to monitor and build your reputation, and respond to any situation that represents a reputation crisis. Here is a brief summary of our core benefits and competencies: •
We have sports experience. Our founder is a former triathlete, and our team understands the world that professional athletes live in. We know that sport figures face their own unique challenges when it comes to their reputation management. Other firms will handle the online reputation management of nearly any company or individual that comes to them – but do you really want to put your valuable brand in the hands of people who may have more experience promoting soap or restaurants? When you choose Podium RGM, you are choosing a team that understands your unique needs.
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We provide 100 percent confidentiality. Nobody will know that we are working on your behalf to improve your online reputation. This is particularly important during a crisis, when you want your online coverage to appear as natural and as possible. You don't want a reputation that seems manipulated. You want search engine and social media results that people trust.
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We only work with athletes, teams and sports organisations. By focusing on athletics, we are able to provide targeted social media and Internet campaigns. We know what sponsors are looking for. We understand how the sporting public reacts to online information. We know how to help you connect with potential fans. We have honed our skills so that we can provide the highest level of reputation management possible for sport professionals.
Podium RGM Pty Ltd Level 10, 50 Market Street Melbourne, Vic 3000 Australia
Jake Allan M: +61 412 973 192 E: jake@podiumrgm.com W: www.podiumrgm.com
Build It. Protect It •
We consider you a partner, not a client. Many companies take a hands-off approach to the people they work with. They see reputation management as a technical and not a personal challenge, but we see your success as critical to our success. That's why we consider the people we work with our partners. We offer personal service and work with you, every step of the way. We understand that your reputation means everything to you, and you deserve personal service in return.
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We use the most up to date technology to manage your online reputation. The way news and information moves online is constantly changing. The social media and gossip landscape of today will be very different next year. That's why we constantly monitor changes in technology and communications channels - so that we can use only the most effective tools to manage your online reputation.
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We provide a wide variety of services. We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all reputation management service. We understand that unique people and unique situations require unique solutions. That's why we offer a wide variety of reputation management packages for you to choose from. We are willing to work with your needs and deliver to your expectations.
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We can help you prepare for and handle a reputation management crisis. When we first work with you, we'll provide you with a risk assessment profile that will let you know where you may be vulnerable. Then, should you choose one of our reputation management or crisis management packages, we will prepare ways to fight back should a reputation crisis develop. By being on top of things and prepared for the worst, we can minimise the damage of a reputation crisis quickly and help you move past it before it damages your relationship with sponsors or fans.
If you are an athlete, team or sports organization serious about managing your online reputation and protecting your brand, Podium RGM has the skills and experience to help you. We'll make sure that you have and retain a positive online image. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me at any time.
Jake Allan
Podium RGM Pty Ltd Level 10, 50 Market Street Melbourne, Vic 3000 Australia
Jake Allan M: +61 412 973 192 E: jake@podiumrgm.com W: www.podiumrgm.com
Build It. Protect It
Methodology Podium RGM is able to manage the online reputation of professional athletes, clubs and organisations successfully because we have put into place methodologies that have been proven to work. We take the time to evaluate your individual needs and then put into place a process that ensures your online reputation. Our methods are custom designed for each and every one of our partners. We understand that every situation is unique, requiring a unique solution. Our reputation management plans are designed to play up your strengths and minimise your potential weaknesses. Our methodology is designed with the needs of professional athletes and athletic teams in mind. We know that promoting sport professionals is different from marketing large companies or consumer products. Most other reputation management companies don't specialise in athletics, so they do not understand the unique challenges you face. We believe we have an obligation to provide you with the kind of service that gives you peace of mind. We are also dedicated to making sure that a reputation crisis does not derail your career or cost you sponsors. Below is an example of how we would work with you if you choose one of our Reputation Brand Management packages: Step One:
We will perform a detailed Risk Assessment Profile of your current online situation, and present you with a detailed report about your strengths and vulnerabilities.
Step Two:
We'll provide you with a one-hour educational workshop explaining how social media and other Internet activity about you is impacting your reputation. We'll answer your questions and explain your options – so you know what you can do to improve your online reputation.
Step Three:
We create and start to implement a customised plan to take charge of your online brand, and closely monitor your online reputation for positive and negative comments.
Step Four:
Based on the current state of positive and negative comments, we implement a proactive online strategy on your behalf.
Step Five:
We create and promote new online content that creates positive buzz for your reputation including customised social media pages to help further promote your brand.
Podium RGM Pty Ltd Level 10, 50 Market Street Melbourne, Vic 3000 Australia
Jake Allan M: +61 412 973 192 E: jake@podiumrgm.com W: www.podiumrgm.com
Build It. Protect It Step Six:
We prepare content that can be used should a reputation crisis situation arise. Should there be a situation, we hit reputation crisis management head-on with microblogs and other online content to minimise the situation.
Step Seven:
We continue to adapt and implement our reputation management plan as your career develops.
Why You Need Professionals To Manage Your Online Reputation It used to be that a professional athlete or club could manage their image simply by employing a reliable agent and publicist. That was when there were a limited number of media outlets, and monitoring their content was a fairly simple task. But, the Internet has changed everything. There has been an explosion of gossip websites, blogs, social media outlets and other ways for information to spread in a viral fashion. While even a decade ago a publicist would only have to keep track of and have connections with a dozen or so outlets, now there are tens of thousands of ways for information to be distributed. Agents and publicists simply don't have the time or the experience to deal with the new media landscape. You need professionals who understand new technology and how it works. You need people with the time and expertise to dedicate themselves to managing your online reputation full-time. Your agent needs to focus his or her energy on getting you the best sponsors and deals. Your publicist needs to focus his or her energy on traditional media outlets. You need to focus your energy on your sport. You need a new set of professionals to handle your online reputation. It's as simple as that.
Podium RGM Pty Ltd Level 10, 50 Market Street Melbourne, Vic 3000 Australia
Jake Allan M: +61 412 973 192 E: jake@podiumrgm.com W: www.podiumrgm.com
Build It. Protect It
Podium RGM Services/Packages Podium RGM offers several different reputation management packages, so you can find a service that meets your needs at this particular time. You can choose one package today, and then upgrade to another package when you need it. You always have the option to control and determine how we help you maintain, grow and protect your online image. Here are the various service packages you can choose from when you decide to partner with Podium RGM: •
Risk Assessment Profile Package. This is our proprietary flagship package. We use our years of experience in athletics and social media to study your current online reputation and prepare a detailed report that explains your strengths and weaknesses, and advises you on how to address them. This report is based on a proven system that is not used by any other social media management organisation. It has been tailored to the needs of the athletics marketplace and proven to find things that other companies would not even notice. We will also provide you with an educational one-hour workshop to discuss our findings in detail with you.
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Reputation Management Packages. We offer three levels of this service – Bronze, Silver and Gold – depending on your needs. With this package, we provide a risk assessment and then create and implement a plan to grow and maintain your online reputation. We also create contingency plans that we can implement at a moment's notice should a reputation crisis develop.
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Reputation Crisis Management Packages. No matter how well you try to manage your reputation, a crisis is always possible. Rumours can spread like a virus online – even if they have no basis in fact. Once they do, you need to take proactive steps to make them a thing of the past. Our Bronze, Silver and Gold Reputation Crisis Management Packages meet the crisis head-on and minimise the damage while building and maintaining your good name.
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Brand Growth And Expansion Package. You and your agent may have already started building your online reputation through websites and social media. But, you may not know how to make the most of it. We will come in and help you grow your online and social media efforts to maximise their effect.
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Website Development Package. If your career is just beginning, you may not have the resources to invest in a full Reputation Management Package. You may simply want to start building your online image. Our trained professionals will build you a professional website that will help get your online presence off the ground.
Podium RGM Pty Ltd Level 10, 50 Market Street Melbourne, Vic 3000 Australia
Jake Allan M: +61 412 973 192 E: jake@podiumrgm.com W: www.podiumrgm.com
Build It. Protect It
Conclusion In this day and age, it is irresponsible not to monitor, promote and protect your online reputation. Not to do so is to put your career and your earning potential at risk. But, agents and publicists generally do not have the time or expertise to manage your online brand effectively. Podium RGM has the skills you need to help you manage your online reputation and protect your best interests. We will work with you to ensure that you are attractive to sponsors and fans. When you partner with Podium RGM, we provide you with peace of mind. We are the choice of sport professionals who understand how important their reputation is. 1.
We have extensive experience as sport professionals ourselves.
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We only work with athletes, sport teams and sport organisations, so we understand your needs and expectations.
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We offer a wide variety of packages tailored to meet your needs.
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We will be there for you during a crisis, and know how to respond nearly instantly.
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We know that in this day and age, you cannot afford not to have professionals manage your online reputation.
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We use proven methodologies to maintain and manage your reputation.
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We keep track of online and social media trends so we can manage your reputation well into the future.
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We utilise cutting-edge technology to manage your reputation.
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We provide complete confidentiality, so that your online reputation is protected and natural.
Thank you for reading this proposal. I hope it has demonstrated why you need to partner with Podium RGM if you want to take your career to the next level. Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me at any time. Thank you,
Jake Allan Podium RGM Pty Ltd Level 10, 50 Market Street Melbourne, Vic 3000 Australia
Jake Allan M: +61 412 973 192 E: jake@podiumrgm.com W: www.podiumrgm.com
Build It. Protect It
www.PODIUMRGM.com