"Unsponsored" Side of Snow and Skate

July 2, 2010 - PRLog -- Portland, Or- Sorry to break your heart, but you're never going to be a pro rider.  It's a tough reality to face, but that's how it is.  

But there are plenty of other opportunities in the world of snow and skate that can keep you connected to the shred for years to come.

Think about it like this: You see an ad in your favorite magazine of the current uber pro hucking his meat; well, someone designed the graphics on his board, someone took that photo, someone even shaped that jump he launched.  The list of industry jobs goes on forever.  But no one ever talks about those roles, even though they keep you just as connected and usually offer a longer career.

"We're trying to show people that you don't have to be a sponsored rider to stay connected to the industry,” says Joe Booth, founder of StillNotSponsored.com (SNS). "You can be a designer, filmer, photographer, instructor, lifty, the list goes on and on.  Whatever your talents are, there's a job out there that can keep you riding."  

While the name “Still Not Sponsored” might make you think this is just another “brofiles” website, hanging sponsorships like carrots to young riders, it’s actually a claim to the pride that comes along with riding because you love it.

StillNotSponsored.com launched in September of 2009 with the mission of promoting the "unsponsored" side of the snow and skate industry.  Among other things on the site, SNS hosts monthly photo, video and design contests to help up-and-coming members get recognition and develop their skills.

On SNS, members can get tips from industry pros and see where their style fits in with industry standards and current trends.  Pro Perspective, a video series with pros from various walks of the snow and skate industry, spot-lights different career paths, showing young people that there are other options besides being the next big pro rider.

SNS works with different companies to kick down prizes for the monthly contests.  In return, SNS builds and executes viral marketing campaigns for them.  It's great publicity for the companies who partner with SNS and great exposure for aspiring filmers, photographers and designers.

"We've been able to connect a lot up-and-comers with different companies," says Joe Booth. "It's our goal that some of these connections will turn into internships or jobs."

One recent company to team up with SNS is Mt Hood's Timberline Lodge.  

"Partnering with StillNotSponsored.com was an easy decision," says Brian Reed, Timberline's Marketing Director.  "We share the same core demographic and their social media and grass roots initiatives are ideal for promoting our camps."

"It doesn't matter how good you are or how many sponsors you have, if you're not having fun and following your dreams, then you're missing the whole point of riding," says Joe Booth.  "There's tons of easier career paths out there that will pay you a whole lot more money.  We do this because we love the lifestyle."

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StillNotSponsored.com is a marketing engine disguised as a social network. SNS promotes dynamic brands, talented photographers, sharp filmers, creative designers and ambitious riders. SNS offers its members opportunities to build meaningful experiences and promotes careers in the action sports industry. By hosting monthly photo, video and design contests, SNS helps its up-and-coming members get recognition and elevates the companies it works with. Please join the SNS crew at StillNotSponsored.com.