Hi Everyone, does anyone have experience as a ‘social media ambassador’ for different brands and companies? I have seen many applications available for these type of positions, and I am wondering what the general opinion is. Is it worth it? What kind of responsibilities are there? Thanks!
Usually they are looking for a junior rider on the A-circuit who has a big Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter followers. Post cute pictures of you wearing their product, etc. I think it’s more of a sponsorship type thing…
It does break the rules for amateur status.
Pretty much, you post pictures, run contests, and interact with them, and you get to all yourself an ambassador and get free stuff.
They do tend to give you free things here and there but mostly a discount on there products in exchange for you to basically be a model for there product and to get people to buy it. If they just gave you free things, then it would be considered a sponsorship. I think that being an ambassador is great for an aspiring professional rider to get them ready for sponsorships if they do make it to the pros!
I’m actually a Representative for a clothing company, and it has been so much fun. I think it depends on what you want to give out of it. I promote them not only on social media, but at horse shows and clinics wear their logo. Go above and beyond, and you’ll build a solid relationship with the company if you can prove that you make a difference in their sales.
I’ve been a rep for almost three years, and it’s grown quite a bit. They do send me lots of freebies. I also receive 10% commission, which make it really beneficial for me. It’s nothing to make a living off of, but a nice chunk of change twice year. I have a code my fans use to save 15% off themselves.
I’m not an amateur, and started when I was still a junior. It’s a great way for juniors to learn about marketing and get some cool products
There have been threads on this before, and someone did contact USEF and the verdict was that an ambassadorship (even if you only get discounted stuff) is breaking the rules because you are still getting something of value (ie. a $500 discount on boots or something)
Hi guys!
I created a COTH account to reply to another thread about fave small businesses and did a quick search and found this one!
I thought I’d hop in for a second and add a couple of thoughts, as it’s a really relevant topic I discuss with other pros in ALL THE TIME!
It was definitely my personal decision to adopt a policy to consciously not jeopardize anyone’s ammy status.
All of our ambassadors are either juniors or pros. When juniors age out, we make sure their resignation is documented (in case their ammy status is contested) and they are welcome back, should they decide to go pro (and that has happened!)
I am really careful of protecting the interests of the MBC Ambassadors. They are a huge HUGE part of the brand.
We vet potential ambassadors (pun intended) very carefully and send out a very extensive information package and agreement. In order to be accepted, junior riders must have (signed) parental permission and a referral from a trainer. I saw a lot of kids accepting ambassadorships without any guidance and felt parental involvement was really important.
Also, new ambassadors are mentored quite closely by me, a select group of industry pros who donate their time and smarts, and the older MBC ambassadors. We have a FB group where we regularly discuss social media, marketing, growing their personal brand, business practices, ambassadorships and all things pony-related.
Every company has their own way of doing things, but since our brand is kid-centric, we try to go the extra mile to make sure the ambassador program is as good for them as it is for us.
I’m happy to answer questions anytime!
Feel free to email me at mybarnchild@gmail.com
Have a great day!
Averill
Owner, My Barn Child
www.mybarnchild.com
[QUOTE=Belmont;7868711]
It does break the rules for amateur status.[/QUOTE]
I could be wrong (it’s happened before once or twice 
) but if you are under 18, it does not jeopardize your ammy status.
[QUOTE=molly8it;8513655]
I could be wrong (it’s happened before once or twice ) but if you are under 18, it does not jeopardize your ammy status.[/QUOTE]
If you are under 18 the ammy/pro divide doesn’t exist. Not saying that ought to be true, but there is no “ammy status” to be violated if you are Child Labor. By the same logic, if you are a pimped out pony jock (as has been discussed in those terms recently), you cannot be an amateur, by definition.
[QUOTE=molly8it;8513655]
I could be wrong (it’s happened before once or twice ) but if you are under 18, it does not jeopardize your ammy status.[/QUOTE]
If you’re under 18 you can do anything you want - there is no “ammy” status for a junior. Juniors can get paid for anything they want and they’re still juniors.
ETA: Jinx, mvp!
[QUOTE=AmmyByNature;8513671]
If you’re under 18 you can do anything you want - there is no “ammy” status for a junior. Juniors can get paid for anything they want and they’re still juniors.
ETA: Jinx, mvp![/QUOTE]
Hehe… edited to add the nice prostitution spin we have put on elite child athletes who have the means to get discovered… and lured into the brothel that is high-dollar horse showing.
[QUOTE=molly8it;8513655]
I could be wrong (it’s happened before once or twice ) but if you are under 18, it does not jeopardize your ammy status.[/QUOTE]
I’m well aware. I was speaking for the 18+ year old’s out there, that think it’s okay to rep a brand as an ambassador, but have aged out… Trust me, it goes on PLENTY with many companies.
Back OT.
Sigh. I’m not into the whole thing-- the fusion of commercial and non-commercial promotion of a product and every last person having something to hawk and an economic interest in my attention or behavior.
It makes me not trust anyone’s endorsement (because those are increasingly bought and, often, for little). It makes me think that when I buy a product, I’m paying for that company to court the favor of people already well-heeled enough to have the horse show- and social media presence that (purportedly) qualifies them to recommend stuff to the rest of us. Please. Can’t you just make a good product and advertise it’s quality that way… and price it such that I’m paying for the product and not the advertisement?
I suppose this is like holding back the tide. But if one’s opinion and effort on social media can be bought for, say 10% off some merch, what’s that opinion worth? How much care does that person put into the research that led them to promote this product over that one?
I miss things like Mike Plumb’s Horse Journal as it was when it started. I really appreciate COTHers’ (non-commercial) recommendations.
I’m an ambassador for a few companies and it can be worth it for discounts and for the “prestige” of being associated with them.
It seems like the latest spin on corporate journalism. I really don’t like companies teaching kids to use their “friends” on social media as an income source. I also hate the use of the term “ambassador” for corporate brand promotion - ugh. If you are a representative you are a representative. Is a brand a nation? Are you a diplomat? Doing some sort of public service by hocking overpriced belts and clothing?
Have any of you been hectored on Facebook recently by that equestrian branded skincare line? The one that has the the two initial block letter logo? I honestly forget the name of it.
It seems to have subsided recently but I was getting a number of personal messages from young women trainers I know who were repping the brand. I never replied to any of them and they eventually stopped. But I found it annoying.
It is also worth mentioning that this is true for Canada as well (and it is much more formally written into the amateur rules I believe).
Personally, I don’t mind as long as it is stated that the promotion is paid or product was given for free (much like how the UK at least requires sponsored videos on youtube to state they are ads). This kind of promotion is hugely valuable in getting people to know your product is out there, but it’s the “opinions” that I always take with 16 grains of salt. If you are paid to give an opinion there is a bias. I will always take the advice of friends and trainers when buying stuff, not random people online, but I might start asking what non sponsored riders think of something after seeing it on a pro’s instagram for example.
[QUOTE=mvp;8513700]
Back OT.
Sigh. I’m not into the whole thing-- the fusion of commercial and non-commercial promotion of a product and every last person having something to hawk and an economic interest in my attention or behavior.
It makes me not trust anyone’s endorsement (because those are increasingly bought and, often, for little). It makes me think that when I buy a product, I’m paying for that company to court the favor of people already well-heeled enough to have the horse show- and social media presence that (purportedly) qualifies them to recommend stuff to the rest of us. Please. Can’t you just make a good product and advertise it’s quality that way… and price it such that I’m paying for the product and not the advertisement?
I suppose this is like holding back the tide. But if one’s opinion and effort on social media can be bought for, say 10% off some merch, what’s that opinion worth? How much care does that person put into the research that led them to promote this product over that one?
I miss things like Mike Plumb’s Horse Journal as it was when it started. I really appreciate COTHers’ (non-commercial) recommendations.[/QUOTE]
Interesting, nothing about the actual products. Seems to make mvp’s point for her.
[QUOTE=RockinHorse;8514442]
Interesting, nothing about the actual products. Seems to make mvp’s point for her.[/QUOTE]
Indeed. And why is it “prestigious” to be chosen by a company to sell their stuff?
Once people realize that those endorsing it are doing so for reasons other than the pure quality or value of the product… it seems to me that the endorsement stops working.
Which just happened! You saw it with your own eyes.
And another thing!
Doesn’t this reek of the Tupperware Party of the Ladies of Yestercentury? Some of you might remember how your mom handled a friend or neighbor who invited her to one of these. She tried not to go. She did. Once. She bought something out of obligation. She did.not.go.to.another one, having felt that she had fulfilled her duty.
I just wouldn’t want to be “sold to” by a friend simply because we were friends.
[QUOTE=mvp;8514633]
And another thing!
Doesn’t this reek of the Tupperware Party of the Ladies of Yestercentury? Some of you might remember how your mom handled a friend or neighbor who invited her to one of these. She tried not to go. She did. Once. She bought something out of obligation. She did.not.go.to.another one, having felt that she had fulfilled her duty.s
I just wouldn’t want to be “sold to” by a friend simply because we were friends.[/QUOTE]
It’s more like Avon:) Ding Dong! It’s your ambassador calling…
