Professional Sports Planners announced today, January 14, 2010, that cyclist Kit Karzen has launched a series of videos in collaboration with his personal sports sponsors on ways to become sponsored as an athlete and ways to increase brand awareness.

“I found that people wanting to know how to become sponsored is the number one question I come across when speaking with my peers. Therefore I am creating a positive learning tool to help those asking this question.”

The participating sponsors in the series include: Oakley Eyewear, Zipp Speed Weaponry, ParkPre Bicycles, Northwave Shoes and Vittoria Tires. Among the 15 personal sponsors that Karzen has currently formed relationships with, he is becoming widely known as a leader in the field for athletes aspiring to be sponsored.

“I’ve come to understand the importance of brand awareness over the few years I’ve been in the sport of cycling, and I feel obligated to help increase awareness of the world of sponsorships, so that the sport of cycling can grow as a whole.” The videos are currently posted on Karzen’s You Tube account and will be syndicated through other digital media including Kit’s sponsors over time.

Bicycle.net was able to catch up with Karzen and we asked him a few questions regarding his new video series:
B.net: Why did you decide to use the video format to get your message out?
KK: ” Everything is going digital. To be able to use electronic media to host these messages allows for easier access and the ability to reach a broader audience.”

B.net: What do you hope to accomplish by sharing your secrets?
KK: “I wouldn’t call them secrets as much as tools of the trade. Communication is key when it comes to not only sponsors, but life. Everything my sponsors are explaining is no secret, just not often asked. The true secret lies within the relationship I have constructed over the years with these companies, from which I now call my family. In due time, I hope these videos will give new hope to the athletes that have no idea on brand themselves. Knowledge is power, and I feel cycling has gone into a direction where the business side of it has become lost in the mix of things. When the athletes start taking themselves a bit more seriously in terms of their brand and business sense, our sport will grow like none other.”

B.net: When you look back at your, as of today, short racing career, and soon to be long career in cycling. How has, and how will, your personal sponsors help you to achieve success?
KK: “I can honestly say that I would not have as many opportunities as I have today without my sponsors. And no, I am not pulling that out of my butt-kissing quote book. They obviously take off some of the financial pressures of this expensive sport, but my sponsors and I go on a much deeper level. They become my mentors, my teachers, and my friends and family. We collaborate on ways to improve on both sides, and they give me the chance to understand our sport in a completely different eye.”