Know Your News

If I had an online buisness in the motorcycle, truck or hospitality industry I'd find this interesting:

Toyota said Monday it would extend its sports-related activities via multiyear sponsorships of several leading motorcycle events, starting with the 2006 racing season. Read rest of article.

Varooom! There are a ton of link marketing opportunities here - let's break them down and take a look.

"The company will become the title sponsor of the American
Motorcycle Association Toyota Motocross Championship (TMS) presented by FMF Racing, Rancho Dominquez, Calif.; and the Toyota AMA National Arenacross Series; and will also become the official vehicle of the Amp'd Mobil Supercross Series. In addition, Toyota will add support to the K&N Filters presents BooKoo Arenacross Championship Series "

There are four race series mentioned here plus a major Association in the field of motorcross. The racing series offers programs and websites to purchase link space from and the Association can be joined for lots of opportunities, linking being one. (could buy email lists, network etc). If your link buying budget isn't huge, consider offering prizes/merchandise/offers in exchange for link space and sponsorship.

"The Torrance, Calif.-based company said that marketing and public relations programs developed and executed by Toyota will accompany each of the sponsored racing series and will be unveiled in early 2006. "

Get a jump on your competitors and contact Toyota now about getting involved, don't wait until it's formally annouced. For people in the hospitality industry - find out what cities host these events and ask to be the official hotel/restaurant to the race. Don't forget to contact the City's CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) about additional exposure and promotional opportunities. Make getting website links part of every deal.

“The truck market continues to be a major growth opportunity for the auto industry and trucks and motorcycle racing go hand-in-hand,” Brian Smith, TMS corporate manager, truck operations, said in a statement. “The average motocross fan is about 23 years old and about 75% have a pickup truck in their household. This is where truck customers go and it's what they're doing and Toyota wants to be part of their activities and their interests.”

Interesting info in terms of demographics. Target this age group in your link offers and advertising.

I'm only looking at this in terms of securing links but there are MANY other opportunities you could work on with information like this. Taking the time to visit sites like BrandWeek are worth their weight in gold, be proactive in your niche and find other publications like this to help you!