Q: Is the Sidekick pre-recorded?
A: No. The performance is live, in real time. We set up a studio backstage and video project the Corporate Sidekick character onto the screen.
Q: We can’t have our executives talking to a Corporate Sidekick. They’d look silly!
A: Just the opposite. The technique makes them look self-confident and in-the-know. Bob Lutz, GM’s cigar-chomping, MIG-piloting Vice Chairman of North America says: “It shows the dealers we can take the shots and keep smiling.”
Q: What role would the Sidekick play in our meeting?
A: It depends on your audience. The Sidekick character usually plays the role of audience advocate, saying the things that are on their minds, but they would never say out loud. For a sales audience he’s a salesman. Dealer events, a dealer. Employee meetings, one of the troops.
Q: How long have you guys been in business?
A: 25 years!
Q: How’d you guys come up with the idea?
A: We didn’t, we just perfected it. As a young actor in New York, Jack did gigs at an animation house that had a similar technique. Jack’s client’s liked his work, but not the animation house, and encouraged him to set up his own shop. He did and we’re still going strong today.
Q: And the animation house?
A: Long gone!
Q: Is the Sidekick on screen the whole time?
A: No. We integrate the Sidekick into the meeting from time to time as needed to develop the message and keep the audience alert and on their toes.
Q: Is it all ad lib?
A: Not at all. We professionally script the comedy routines based on input from you and your executives.
Q: Does this take a lot of time?
A: Although we can meet with you face to face, one or two conference calls are usually enough to bring us up to speed. We’ll email you first drafts, make any necessary revisions, then the scripts will be ready for books or Teleprompter.
Q:How can you possibly understand our business in one or two phone calls?
A:We can’t. But we can get enough of a handle on your message and your audience to script some lively comedy routines that will help get your message across.
Q: But our message is very serious. And we have some real hard issues to tackle.
A: All the better. The Sidekick allows you to address the hard issues right up front, get them out of the way and get everybody focused on the message at hand. Here’s what John Smith, General Motors Group Vice President of North America vehicle sales, service and marketing says about it: “Our old way of communicating was to basically ignore issues that were difficult to address. With (Sidekick) “Max” we clear the air right up front.”
Q: Sounds interesting. But how much?
A: We have set fees we charge for days on site, scripting, electronic equipment and royalties. And there are expenses. Call us with the parameters of your meeting and we can quickly pull a budget together.
Q: But for the same money we could get a quality guest speaker.
A: With the Sidekicks, the emphasis is on your message and your executives. They’re always in the thick of it, not merely introducing someone then stepping aside. Plus the Sidekick is integrated throughout your entire event which is cost-effective versus guest speakers or custom-produced media. And unlike guest speakers, the Sidekick’s material is completely customized to your message.
Q: How soon can you be ready for an event?
A: Turnaround can be quick as a week or two. The scripting process is the most time consuming, and we’re really fast.
Q: What kind of equipment do I need to provide?
A: None. We’re completely self-contained. We ship our equipment to the meeting location and can set it up in under four hours. We send our audio feed to your sound technician and our video feed to your projectionist. (And if you need those guys, we can get ‘em for you.)
Q: Our executives schedules are very tight. How much practicing do they have to do before the event?
A: One quick read through with your presenters on stage is the only rehearsal necessary. The fun of the Corporate Sidekicks® is that they appear spontaneous, so too much rehearsal is actually counter-productive.
Q: What is a typical schedule for this?
A:For a typical one-day meeting, day one is travel and set up…day two is rehearsal…day three is performance, strike, return travel.
Q: Our convention lasts three days. Would it cost three times as much?
A: Most of the budget goes to getting up and running on the first day. Corporate Sidekicks® are quite cost-effective in multiple day events. According to Jim Wilson, Executive Vice President of United Van Lines: “We used to have fall off from one day to the next. But since we’ve been using our Sidekick attendance actually builds from one day to the next. Everybody wants to see what Durwood’s going to do next!”
Q: What would you say is the number one benefit in doing this?
A: The character actually humanizes management. Makes them seem more approachable. The Corporate Sidekicks® warm up the audience, put the speaker at ease and take the pressure off the speaker to be witty and entertaining. Most of all… it’s FUN!
Q: Say this works as well as you say it does. How do we top it next time?
A: By having us back! One great benefit of the Sidekicks is that they quickly become part of a corporate culture, and most of our business is repeat business. We’ve done 11 consecutive United Van Line conventions. Dealer shows for DaimlerChrysler for 10 years. General Motors employee meetings for 6 years. Goodyear events for the past 12 years. The Sidekick is often a reassuring continuity device from one management team to the next!