Why would I be the zone sponsor?

1. Access to the top County Durham companies
CDDC has cultivated relationships with science, engineering and technology businesses in County Durham for 20 years - there aren't many that we don't know.  Sponsoring NETPark Net will put your brand name out there for all to see.

2. First choice
As the zone sponsor your brand name will be the first thing that users of NETPark Net will see. The zone will be in your corporate colours and your logo will be prominently displayed.

3. Preferential content
As zone sponsor, you will provide much of the content for your zone including news, events, opportunities, forums and blogs, articles and best practice guides.  This will also channel business to you.  The zone sponsor will provide an Expert for our "Ask an Expert" facility.

4. First choice for events
NETPark Net will provide workshops on a number of topics and the zone sponsor will be the first choice content provider for these workshops.  NETPark Net also offers clinics where experts are available at NETPark for a half once a month (or whatever suits) for companies to drop in and see them.

About NETPark Net
The objective of "NETPark Net" is to disseminate the benefits of NETPark to appropriate companies across County Durham initially, followed by the North East region. This highly specialised service will:

• Generate spin-out activities throughout the network
• Maximise and commercialise IP
• Access new opportunities and deal-flow for improved performance, competitiveness and job creation
• Move activities up the value chain
• Enhance chances of business survival through support, training, development and experience exchange.

NETPark Net is a formalisation of CDDC's existing networks and links to maximise access by as many companies as possible.  NETPark Net is offering the same (and more) services available for companies at NETPark but, instead of being delivered in buildings, CDDC is taking advantage of new technology to deliver these services to companies around County Durham and the North East.  NETPark Net will achieve its objectives by giving companies access to tailored consultancy, counselling and specialist advice, systematised best practice, opportunities and deal-flow.

Currently in Beta version, NETPark Net will be fully operational soon and will be formally launched in October.  NETPark Net aims to have 200 registered users and 500,000 hits by end of March 2009.  Content on NETPark Net is "zoned" - there are legal, marketing, financial and technology zones which means there are opportunities for companies to become zone sponsors.  Companies who sign up now will take advantage of discounted rates.

Packages available
To maximise building the brand of the sponsor and build the relationship between CDDC and the sponsor, NETPark Net offers 2 main packages which are designed to bring your brand to the attention of the top companies in County Durham.  The 12 months package includes all these elements and is £12,000 (discounted rate £10,000):

• Expert for "Ask an Expert"
• Branded content provision
• Workshop presenters
• Clinic host
• Logo on zone homepage
• Zone homepage in corporate colours
• Click through banner advertising on zone homepage
• Featured partner article on main NETPark Net homepage - at least one month per year.

The 6 months package is £7,000 (discounted rate £6,000) and will include elements above (pro rata as appropriate).  This can be taken as 6 consecutive months or 6 alternate months if you would prefer to work in partnership with another service provider.

Other opportunities
There are opportunities to combine other sponsorship with NETPark Net. CDDC edits NETWorks magazine, the science, engineering and technology magazine for North East England.  Currently published quarterly, with a readership of 3,000 (including private sector, regional press, local, regional and national government organisations, embassies and universities), each issue is accompanied by a media campaign with copies sent to trade press and an e-newsletter sent out to a relevant network and a banner ad on that network's homepage.  Advertising by service providers is strictly limited to 6 pages per issue.  CDDC is interested in arranging sponsorship of this publication for a year.

The small print
CDDC is approached by many service providers wishing to access Co Durham companies - CDDC is a government body and therefore maintains a neutral stance.  It will be made clear on the zone page that CDDC makes no warranty for the quality and accuracy of content and the chosen sponsor must be mindful of this.  Likewise CDDC makes no guarantee to sponsors of business development - sponsors must be aware that users of NETPark and NETPark Net have access to a wide range of service providers and will choose the one most appropriate to them.

What's next?
Register your interest by calling 01740 625180 or emailing innovation@uknetpark.net.