Sponsor Communication for Teams with Unusual Names

[xXhunter47Xx]

While I personally cannot speak for that (since my team's name isn't really that odd), I'd first start off by saying why you chose that name. Is there a reason why you chose Narcissists as your team name?

[mrnoble]

We actually went through a name change for exactly this reason. 2004-2007 we were team GhettoBot. It was entirely a snotty response to misperceptions (or perceived misperceptions) of our school and community. We later saw that all we were doing was perpetuating stereotypes and giving ourselves a reason to be jerks. We adopted our school mascot and changed our name and I'm really glad we did.

[xXhunter47Xx]

Originally Posted by mrnoble

We actually went through a name change for exactly this reason. 2004-2007 we were team GhettoBot. It was entirely a snotty response to misperceptions (or perceived misperceptions) of our school and community. We later saw that all we were doing was perpetuating stereotypes and giving ourselves a reason to be jerks. We adopted our school mascot and changed our name and I'm really glad we did.

That's what we did too.
Our (well theirs, I was actually recruited right after they bagged 2013's robot) team was named "No Robot!" in our rookie year. We changed it for many reasons, but misconceptions could be drawn from it so we too adopted our mascot, and now we are "Patribots".

[Whippet]

Originally Posted by mrnoble

We actually went through a name change for exactly this reason. 2004-2007 we were team GhettoBot. It was entirely a snotty response to misperceptions (or perceived misperceptions) of our school and community. We later saw that all we were doing was perpetuating stereotypes and giving ourselves a reason to be jerks. We adopted our school mascot and changed our name and I'm really glad we did.

If I were capable of changing the name, I would do so in a heartbeat. However, our three teacher sponsors and principal have an inexplicable attachment to the name, so it's not going anywhere anytime soon. It actually originated as a joke on the way home from competition last year and was intended to be ironic, as we as a team are anything but narcissistic, and have a tendency to underestimate the capabilities of our robot.

[philso]

Originally Posted by mrnoble

We actually went through a name change for exactly this reason. 2004-2007 we were team GhettoBot. It was entirely a snotty response to misperceptions (or perceived misperceptions) of our school and community. We later saw that all we were doing was perpetuating stereotypes and giving ourselves a reason to be jerks. We adopted our school mascot and changed our name and I'm really glad we did.

There is a difference between having a name that is odd or whimsical like "Exploding Bacon", "Cheezy Poofs", "Eastside Boiler Invasion" or "DiscoBots" and a name that has negative connotations. I suspect that the later would likely turn off many potential sponsors but the former would likely only turn off sponsors with no sense of humour

[Whippet]

Originally Posted by philso

There is a difference between having a name that is odd or whimsical like "Exploding Bacon", "Cheezy Poofs", "Eastside Boiler Invasion" or "DiscoBots" and a name that has negative connotations. I suspect that the later would likely turn off many potential sponsors but the former would likely only turn off sponsors with no sense of humour

So under this logic, would we fall under the latter category?

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by Whippet

So under this logic, would we fall under the latter category?

Well, I rarely call someone a narcissist as a compliment...

You could try mostly marketing your initials or something of the like. Frankly, the name your team has paints a very negative picture without ever having met you, and you're already at a disadvantage trying to raise money. While I'm sure your team is nothing but graciously professional, I at least would perceive your name as an active disadvantage.

[Steven Donow]

Originally Posted by philso

There is a difference between having a name that is odd or whimsical like "Exploding Bacon", "Cheezy Poofs", "Eastside Boiler Invasion" or "DiscoBots" and a name that has negative connotations. I suspect that the later would likely turn off many potential sponsors but the former would likely only turn off sponsors with no sense of humour

Just saying, Cheezy Poofs is a reference to one of the most controversial/edgiest cartoons of all time.

[David8696]

Originally Posted by Steven Donow

Just saying, Cheezy Poofs is a reference to one of the most controversial/edgiest cartoons of all time.

True. The first episode, in fact.

http://www.southparkstudios.com/full...-an-anal-probe

[philso]

Originally Posted by Steven Donow

Just saying, Cheezy Poofs is a reference to one of the most controversial/edgiest cartoons of all time.

Sorry. Missed that one. I haven't watched TV for the last 30 years.

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by philso

Sorry. Missed that one. I haven't watched TV for the last 30 years.

He's referring to South Park

[cxcad]

Originally Posted by Steven Donow

Just saying, Cheezy Poofs is a reference to one of the most controversial/edgiest cartoons of all time.

...but NASA

[David8696]

Originally Posted by cxcad

...but NASA

.....but South Park http://southpark.wikia.com/wiki/Cheesy_Poofs

And South Park is capable of intelligent social commentary. It's just that it's also capable of wonderful-but-utterly-idiotic humor.

[Whippet]

So, given the obvious negative connotations of our nickname, would it be better for us to exclusively market with our school name, and only use the nickname at competitions?

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by Whippet

So, given the obvious negative connotations of our nickname, would it be better for us to exclusively market with our school name, and only use the nickname at competitions?

That would be an elegant way around the problem. _____ High School Robotics is a bit dull, but at least it's not actively working against you. Plus they're mostly likely going to remember you by your high school/ team number anyway.