Brave New Voices 2009
The Nation’s Leading Presenter of Spoken Word
Socially Responsible Corporate Branding Opportunities with the organization that launched the Youth Poetry Slam Movement.
The 12th Annual International Youth Poetry Slam Festival Chicago, IL • July 13 –19, 2009
Brave New Voices, The Only International Youth Poetry Slam,
returns to Chicago We have a moral imperative to create and support more positive choices for urban youth. Youth Speaks meets this challenge head-on by helping teens find their voice. When kids are given a chance to stand up, speak and be heard, they are empowered to become the next generation of thinkers, writers, and leaders.
the youth speaks network
Youth Speaks Inc. seeks Corporate Sponsorship for our 12th Annual Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam Festival July 13-19, 2009. Youth Speaks launched the youth spoken word movement in 1996. Brave New Voices is the only event of its kind.
As a Youth Speaks Corporate Partner, you will have direct access to more than 250,000 youth participants across the US. Targeted public relations & media outreach efforts are estimated to reach more than a million youth and their families in 2009. Youth Speaks participants range from ages 13 -24 and are tastemakers who set the tone for dialect, fashion, music, and digital communications in their regions.
Participants are 500 trendsetting youth slam champions from up to 50 communities nationwide. Participating Cities Include: San Francisco New York City Chicago Los Angeles Boston London Miami Washington D.C. Atlanta Philadelphia Seattle New Orleans Detroit Houston Oakland Santa Fe Portland Denver St. Louis Kansas City Albuquerque Hawaii Hartford Minneapolis/St. Paul Phoenix Nashville St. Louis Cleveland Jacksonville Charlotte, NC Madison Cincinnati Kansas City Baton Rouge Chapel Hill Milwaukee Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Plymouth, MI Kalamazoo Indianapolis Ft. Lauderdale Burlington, VT Newark Watts Fontana, CA Mendocino Austin Anchorage Taos Chico Navajo Nation Hopi Nation Pueblo Nation Chimayo San Jose Jersey City Baltimore Savannah Mexicalli Louisville Amherst Las Vegas Eugene Canandaigua Worcester Leeds, UK Mostar, Bosnia
Background On This One-of-A-Kind Event
BRAVE NEW VOICES The only International Youth Poetry Slam Returns to the Chicago for the 12th Anniversary Festival, July 13 -19, 2009
Brave New Voices was created by Youth Speaks in 1998 after the inaugural Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam in San Francisco, the first poetry slam dedicated to youth in the nation’s history. Since that time, Brave New Voices has grown to represent youth from all across the United States and Europe, making it the largest ongoing Spoken Word event in the world. Brave New Voices 2008 (Washington DC) will be featured in a major HBO seven part series entitled Brave New Voices in Spring 2009.
Brave New Voices 2009 • Over 500 trend-setting youth from more than 50 parts of the country • Participants come from most major markets, college towns, Native American Reservations, and small cities • 25 events over 5 days, in 14 venues • Over 10,000 audience members • National Corporate Partners • Online streaming and multimedia presence • Nationally recognized artists and performers perform • National media coverage • Over 75% of the audience are 13-39 years old • Ethnically diverse: ◦◦ 31% African-American ◦◦ 19% Latino ◦◦ 20% Asian-American ◦◦ 8% Pacific Islander ◦◦ 12% White, Non-Hispanic ◦◦ 5% Native-American ◦◦ 5% Other • 51% Male, 49% Female
markets
Market: Urban Markets Nationwide Dates: Regional Qualifying matches • Spring • Nationwide National Festival • July 13 –19 • Chicago, IL Marketing Impressions: 8 million Multi-year Signature Partnership Market Rate Presenting Sponsorship $150,000 Brought to you By Platinum Sponsorship $50,000 Major Gold Sponsorship $25,000 Official Silver Sponsorship $15,000 Youth Speaks can also tailor sponsorship opportunities to meet you particular business initiative. Youth Speaks is headquartered in San Francisco, CA and serves 65,000 Bay Area youth each year. Youth Speaks chapters and Brave New Voices Network are located in close to 50 communities nationwide. Additional networking and sponsorship opportunities are available on a regional basis. Youth Speaks is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
sponsor benefits Each year, Brave New Voices receives national media attention in print, online, radio and television. In Spring 2009, HBO will air Brave New Voices, a seven part series documenting and highlighting this one-of-akind program. Distribution Method
Impressions
Promotional Festival Flyers 20,000 (Chicago street teams) Event Postcards (Direct-mailed ) 15,000 Poetry Slam Festival Program Brochures 10,000 (hand distributed) Poetry Festival Program Books 10,000 Newsletters direct mailed 15,000 Poetry Festival Posters 2,000 Stage Banners 10 Product Display 3,000 per show Print Ads 3,000,000 Digital Ad 500,000 Radio PSA 300,000 TV PSA 3,000,000 Program Ads 10,000 Stage Mentions 20 Multiple Email Blasts To Youth Speaks 30,000 and Chicago partners lists Highlight on MySpace & Facebook 20,000 friends Gift Bags 700 VIP Hospitality n/a Merchandise n/a Brave New Voices Event & Benefit Tickets 40 Customized Promotions TBD Marketing Impressions — Valued at:
Value
(+ pass around)
7,942,790
$15,000 $6,120 $6,800 $8,800 $32,000 $5,000 $6,800 $10,000 $47,600 $30,000 $42,000 $95,000 $6,800 $15,000 $6,800 $15,000 $10,000 $15,000 $5,000 $1,500 $50,620 $451,000
SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER
Youth Speaks partners with a number of organizations to provide the young voices of America with opportunities to speak. Confirmed partners include the Ford Foundation Simmons-Lathan Entertainment & Def Poetry the Common Ground Foundation Doris Duke Foundation Voto Latino Rock River Music One Economy/24-7Townhall.org League of Independent Voters Nat’l Spoken Word Coalition as well as a partnership with Robert Redford and the Sundance Preserve presenting:
Brave New Voices Speak Green For the past four years, Youth Speaks has partnered with the Sundance Preserve and Robert Redford to hold a national spoken word competition. In 2008, the event featuring poets from across the country, special guest judges and emcees took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and was filmed by the Sundance Channel. Since the competition, our poets have toured nationally addressing one of the most critical issues facing our future. This is just one of the ways that these Brave New Voices take on the important issues of our time and lead on them!
There is an art to problem solving. I believe that the world often falls victim to monotony and important messages fall on deaf ears. Through Youth Speaks I have found ways to channel the bravery it takes to speak the truth. Yalie Kamara, 17 years old Youth Speaks Participant
ARTWORK Incredible visual art has always been a crucial element for Youth Speaks, and the original festival posters can include corporate sponsor logos.
your logo here
or here
here
Music
Goapele
Ben Harper
Blackalicious
Zion I
Saul Williams
Mos Def
O-Maya
Suheir Hammad
Meshell Ndegeocello
Each year, Youth Speaks produces a major concert presentation or receives direct artist financial contributions during the Brave New Voices Festival. Some of the performers who have graced the Brave New Voices Stage and Funders Circle include the above artists plus: Dead Prez Beau Sia Jennifer Johns Marcus Shelby Denizen Kane DJ Cool Herc Ise Lyfe Clyde Stubblefield Q-Bert Red Hot Chili Peppers Amir Sulaiman
culture + education
Youth Speaks gives young people the opportunity to not only be heard but to be listened to. This is something that almost all people lack in their lives, especially youth.
Youth Speaks and writing has allowed me to define my mission in life.
In addition to the planet’s premier teen poetry slam, we bring world-renowned instructors and writers to Brave New Voices for panels and workshops on performance, literary arts and Hip Hop Theater. Workshop leaders have included: Saul Williams Marc Bamuthi Joseph Aya de Leon Adam Mansbach James Kass Lawrence Ferlinghetti Sarah Jones Quincy Troupe Bob Holman Beau Sia Michael Cirelli Beth Lisick Will Power Ishle Park Suheir Hammad Danny Hoch Jessica Hegdorn Jimmy Santiago Baca
Sarah Fong, 16 years old, Youth Speaks Participant
Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Press National and local media coverage includes: New York Times NPR ABC San Francisco Chronicle Los Angeles Times Source VIBE Education Week Washington Post Smithsonian Magazine
At times it was as if they were trying to set the stage on fire with language NEW YORK TIMES
Audience members in the packed theater roared their approval for their poetic peers and greeted them with spirited hugs and handshakes. OAKLAND TRIBUNE
Slam poems are rapid, raw and emotional. Poets will sing, pantomime, and sound out dance rhythms to dramatize their works. Tears are never scorned. Hugs are plentiful and at last year’s National Youth Slam teenagers broke out into a spontaneous dance party midway through the competition. SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE It’s crucial that the young poets and writers today know that their community embraces them, and that they do not have to be alienated and isolated as previous generations of artists have been.
That’s why Brave New Voices is so important. These new poets are the new generation. LAWRENCE FERLINGHETTI
Selected highlights
Brave New Voices airs over seven episodes on HBO in 2009 as a Primetime Original Program.
Twenty-four Poets from Brave New Voices have been featured on HBO’s Def Poetry program. The Ford Foundation selected Youth Speaks as one of seven programs nationwide for the Future Aesthetics Cohort. Doris Duke MPO Initiative selected Youth Speaks in 2005.
past & current partners Levi Strauss Blue Marlin Torani Italian Syrup The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation The Ford Foundation HBO the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation Hip Hop Summit Action Network Pepsi-Cola Company and the Ludicris Foundation The Starbucks Foundation Verizon Foundation The Yahoo! Employee Foundation
Commissions
I write because I was told that my voice matters. I write because writing allows me use all my fears, insecurities anxieties and shortcomings as tools, so I can explore them confidently and deal with the bad. I write because my boogey man is afraid of poetry. Bobby Gordon, 18 years old, Youth Speaks Participant
Youth Speaks produced commissioned work for
the following entities:
Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute Hewlett Packard The Ad Council HBO’s Def Poetry Simmons/Lathan Media Group Archiventure Greenbuild USA San Francisco Bay Area Book Festival Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Hip Hop Theater Festival Arts in America Center for Equitable Schools SF MOMA De Young Museum
brave new voices sponsorship levels
Presenting “Brought Sponsorship To You By� Sponsorship
Major Sponsorship
Official Sponsorship
$150,000
$50,000
$25,000
$10,000
Valued at $260,000
Valued at $170,000
Valued at $75,000
Valued at $50,000
general benefits Presenting Sponsorship
“Brought To You By” Sponsorship
Major Sponsorship
Official Sponsorship
$150k
$50k
$25k
$10k
Prominent recognition
Recognition
Category exclusivity
Marketing Materials
Your logo + “Youth Speaks and your name Present Brave New Voices Festival.”
Your logo + “Brought To You By your name.”
Recognition in promotional and collateral materials at sponsor level Includes all print, outdoor, direct mail, TV, radio & internet ads, banners, signage and credentialing
Right of first refusal in sponsorship category for Brave New Voices 2010.
hospitality benefits
Official Hosting of special events
Presenting Sponsorship
“Brought To You By” Sponsorship
Major Sponsorship
Official Sponsorship
$150k
$50k
$25k
$10k
Brave New Voices Speak Green, July 14, 2009
Grand Slam Finals Reception, July 18, 2009 (pre-show + intermission)
Gold Circle front row reserved-seat tickets for Brave New Voices Speak Green, July 14, 2009
20 tix
front row reserved-seat tickets for Finals, July 18, 2009 20 tix
15 tix
10 tix
6 tix
20 tix
15 tix
10 tix
6 tix
Festival Passes for all VIP hospitality events.
Volunteer opportunities for employees at Brave New Voices Festival.
Advertising & Publicity Presenting Sponsorship
“Brought To You By” Sponsorship
Major Sponsorship
Official Sponsorship
$150k
$50k
$25k
$10k
Advertisement in BNV Festival Program Book (10,000 printed)
Full-page back cover
Full-page ad
Half-page ad
Quarter-page ad
12 months
6 months
6 months
3 months
in the Youth Speaks quarterly newsletter
3 issues
Two issues
Two issues
One issues
Name recognition in all national publicity and marketing efforts,
Corporate logo and link on Youth Speaks website and Myspace home page
Name recognition
including website, press releases, public service announcements on radio and television, promotional radio spots on local radio, radio ticket giveaways and e-mail blasts.
Venue Signage Presenting Sponsorship
“Brought To You By” Sponsorship
Major Sponsorship
Official Sponsorship
$150k
$50k
$25k
$10k
Corporate logo
displayed over the stage and other prominent locations
• in Youth Speaks • all event signage
• in Youth Speaks • all Brave New Voices event signage
• in Youth Speaks • all Brave New Voices poetry event signage
Recognition from the stage...
At all Brave New Voices Festival performances
At all Poetry Festival performances
At all Poetry Festival performances
...at beginning of event
...at end of event
Corporate banners inside all Brave New Voices venues
At all Brave New Voices Festival performances
Product Display Presenting Sponsorship
“Brought To You By” Sponsorship
Major Sponsorship
Official Sponsorship
$150k
$50k
$25k
$10k
to promote your company’s products/services at Brave New Voices Grand Slam Finals, July 18, 2009.
Prime exhibit space
Prime exhibit space
and at special events
Prime exhibit space
Exhibit space
• Brave New Voices Speak Green, July 14, 2009 • MACLA, Brave New Voices’ Headquarters.
Gift Bags Inclusion of your company’s product in gift bags given to all 500 participants from across the country.
contact
290 Division St, Ste 302 San Francisco CA 94103 youthspeaks.org
James Kass Founder & Executive Director
415.255.9035 x10 j kass @ youthspeaks.org
Hodari Davis Director of National Initiatives
415.255.9035 x16 hdavis @ youthspeaks.org