SUN Sports and Entertainment Company Creates Industry First

The founders of SUN Management Group, Inc., was looking for a market niche in the sports and entertainment management arena. They did not want to compete in the world of “Jerry Maguire” like all the other agents and managers. They did want to capture a large portion of the hundreds of millions of dollars a year being spent on stars, athletes and speakers by Corporate America.

“No one was representing the biggest spenders in the sports and entertainment industries,” stated Mary McKay, a veteran sports and entertainment manager and one of the founder’s of SUN Management Group, Inc. “Most of these customers have no experience with how much a star should cost them or how to locate the perfect match for their campaign or promotion. In many instances, the prices being quoted to many corporate customers are simply outrageous, but the typical corporate customer has no way to find out.”

The lack of fare and consistent talent rates is not the exclusive problem of Corporate America. It is a problem for most fringe businesses utilizing high profile athletes, celebrities and speakers. Too many talent rates change daily; independent middlemen trying to cash-in on a certain celebrities demand have altered actual rates. Fees also change depending on the talent and their current schedules. But, the biggest problem facing anyone and especially Corporate America with its constant employee promotions and or turnover, is finding the actual celebrity or his or her personal agent to negotiate an appearance or endorsement.

“It is simply amazing how many people in our business or who are slightly removed from the business, have no idea how to contact celebrities and athletes,” states McKay. “I’ve had a major sports network come to SUN for assistance, as well as, major convention centers around the country.”

SUN established one of the largest talent databases in the industry by negotiating net non-exclusive agreements with many of the biggest sports and entertainment agents and management companies in the world. “It was actually quite easy,” states McKay. “We contacted these agencies and told them we wanted to ally with them, not compete against them. They can continue doing business as usual, but SUN will introduce a new level of demand for their clients by tapping our corporate customer base and creating venues for talent placement.

Winning the broad support of the corporate world required SUN to offer local representation in the backyard of their corporate customers. The company accomplished this logistical task by creating the first international Franchise for sports and entertainment management. They are projecting the addition of 100 franchised locations by the end of 2006.

SUN’s new approach to sports and entertainment promotion allows the company and its highly trained franchisees to become agents for Corporate America. SUN’s training includes identifying the needs of the corporate customer and knowledge to create a venue to accomplish the task, if required. Having access to the widest range of talent anywhere allows SUN and their franchisees to select the perfect fit for the corporate customers needs, rather than the industry norm of trying to make a few exclusive talent’s fit every request.

One Call – One Company is the marketing mantra for SUN. The company trains all franchisees on the intricacies of sports and entertainment management. The training includes contract negotiations, booking talent, handling stars, and creating profit venues. Whatever the request of the corporate customer; a celebrity golf tournament, fundraiser, charity event or major convention, SUN franchisees are prepared to handle the event.

Each franchisee is selected on their financial strength, business background and people skills. All SUN offices are equipped with videoconferencing equipment allowing the franchisee and their corporate customers to interact directly with talent they consider using before making a final decision.

About SUN Management Group:

Industry veteran, Mary McKay and partners, CJ Comu and Douglas Keane, created SUN MANAGEMENT GROUP. The company is the first franchise in the sports and entertainment industry. Franchisees are sold exclusive areas based on the local potential market impact of locally rated sports colleges and universities and or recognized professional sports teams in the area. The company started Franchising in December of 2005.