Ambassador and Sponsorship Programs for Endurance Athletes

I have collated a list of brands that have sponsorship or brand ambassador programs for triathletes and/or runners. The links go directly to the information page or application forms for these teams. See a more detailed summary of company and programs below the table.

I have unscientifically rated the programs on a scale of value to athlete 1 (low value) to 5 (high value):

When I don't have inside access I am basing my assessment on website information. More details on the package gets a better rating. I rate programs which offer cash and event cost compensation as more valuable than just product discounts and exposure. The resource is aimed at the competitive age grouper, not the professional athlete. 

Picky Bars

Company Summary

Bars and granola company founded by pro endurance athletes

When

Applications open for for a week in October 2020

What You Get

Generous welcome pack of products and swag. 25% off website store.

Expectations

Social media sharing. They ask for regular updates on activity.

Application

Application form here. Need an active public instagram account.

Exposure

Seems like only the pros are featured on the home page. So not much on the exposure side from their end. Overall though it's nice they give away a welcome pack. Yay, free stuff.

Overall Rating

★★★☆☆

Zoot Sports

Company Summary

Zoot has a pretty detailed description of their ambassador program on their website. They are a true triathlon company doing everything from apparel to wetsuits.

When:

Closes October 15, 2020 for 2021 team. Applicants advised in November. USA only.

What You Get

"Heavy discount" on the team store. Not exactly sure what that is. Also discounts with sponsor partners. ZOOT "gatherings" around the country.

Expectations

You have to buy the team kit and commit to one triathlon in the year. There are no performance or social media expectations. They also want you to be exclusively representing their team.

Application

Application form here. The questions seem more focused on community reach than performance.

Exposure

Seems like only the pros are featured on the home page. They have quite the social media community but it's up to you to push yourself.

Overall Rating

★☆☆☆☆

Clean Bottle

Company Summary

Makes hydration systems for the endurance athlete. Main product is the Original Clean Bottle.

When:

Ongoing.

What You Get

Free product and swag. Discounts for friends and family.

Expectations

Undefined social sharing.

Application

Currently a dead link!

Exposure

Limited. Clean Bottle doesn't appear active on social recently and no website profiles

Overall Rating

★☆☆☆☆

Zone3 Wetsuits

Company Summary

Triathlon wetsuits. They have a basic model Aspire and a premium style Advance. Also in Womens styles.

When:

Ongoing.

What You Get

Insider info says a 30% store discount

Expectations

No specified.

Application

Asks to provide social media account and followers as well as results.

Exposure

They are big on social media but can't see any particular mention of their ambassadors aside their sponsored pros.

Overall Rating

★★☆☆☆

Wattie Ink

Company Summary

All sorts of apparel for triathletes. And masks!

When:

Short window in September to apply and then team is announced end of October.

What You Get

So there's an Elite team and a Hit team (which they say is like an ambassador team). But there's a catch. You have to pay $250 to get on the Hit team. But "you will receive a credit to the Hit Squad team store for that amount plus your discount". So I'd consider that more a club than a team? The only other thing you "get" is access to their social community (other people that wear the same thing?) Perhaps that's where we're going with ambassador programs.

Expectations

Sounds like you can pretty much do what you want once you've Hit squad. Hey, you've bought $250 of their stuff they can't ask for much more...

Application

The application was taken down by the time I had a time to review.

Exposure

They have a big social media presence and active website but it looks like there are quite a few ambassadors so not sure how much exposure you'd get if you're not on the Elite team.

Overall Rating

★☆☆☆☆

Tifosi

Company Summary

Italian sunglass company which make glasses specific to running and cycling like the Tifosi Optics Sledge Sunglasses.

When:

Ongoing. What's unusual is you have to apply through your local dealer (retailer). Not exactly sure how this works.

What You Get

Doesn't say.

Expectations

Again not sure.

Application

The application is not available on-line. Have to go through your dealers which can be looked up here.

Exposure

They have a big social media presence and do very nice profiles on the 50 or so cyclists, runners and triathletes they sponsor (most you seems to have washboard tummies).

Overall Rating

★☆☆☆☆

Fitletic

Company Summary

Running belts, hydration belts and accessories

When:

On going.

What You Get

From their social media I gathered they receive a package of products. From their website they receive discounts on products and entry tickets for races.

Expectations

General spreading of the word.

Application

Application form here. The questions seem more focused on community reach than performance.

Exposure

There are only 10 listed on their website page so not sure how hard it is to get into or whether all ambassadors are represented.

Overall Rating

★★★☆☆

SiS

Company Summary

Nutrition. Gels and bars. Based in U.K.

When:

Ongoing

What You Get:

Doesn't say. Hard to rate until I know what's offered to the athlete.

Expectations

1k plus social followers on any one platform. Also, asks for results.

Application

by email.

Exposure

They have a blog which highlights ambassadors

Overall Rating

★☆☆☆☆

Nuun

Company Summary

Sports drinks and electrolytes.

When:

November/December time frame generally for January announcement.

What You Get

Discounted products (40% generally) is all that is specified on the website. Very extensive profile coverage their blog and website.

Expectations

Nothing specific or enforced but expected to join the social media networks and tag the company in posts.

Application

Very detailed application, most focused on social media but they seem to take on many teams and individuals.

Exposure

Good website profile page like this one. While you don't get any free stuff the exposure is fairly professional which pushes them up to a 2-star. Also, if your social media is strong you have a good chance of joining the hundreds involved.

Overall Rating

★★☆☆☆