Do marketing companies deal with situations like this one?

[nissim42]

I am "patent-pending" on a music related product that I intend to bring to market.

I am curious to find out how common or uncommon it might be for a marketing firm to get involved with a product on the bottom floor in exchange for either a share of revenue or for equity in our LLC.

By bottom floor, I mean prior to looking for venture capital or having a tangible retail-ready product.

If situations like that are possible (even if they are uncommon) - are there any advantages to attempting to go that route at this stage?

If viability of the product is a factor, I've put together a short video presentation that describes the product and everything else in detail - though I would rather just go under the assumption that this is a ground-breaking product for the sake of this question.

Here is the link to the video: http://www.blackclouddigital.com/

Any info about the marketing companies or opinions on the product itself would be a huge help.

Thanks!

[rheged]

Once you have an invention that is categorized as 'novelty & utility', you could go ahead to apply for patent protection. If I've read your question correctly, I believe you are at that stage now. What next is to test the market. Usually, you get a marketing firm involved. The marketing firm would investigate whether the gadget is sell-able and what what price. How should the device be packaged to make it more attractive etc.

It's good to have a marketing company involved since they know more people. Usually, they want you to sign a contract with them on different terms, such as, their commission per unit sold throughout the life of the device, the cost for advertisement, other expenses etc.

The marketing firm needs a workable unit for the demonstration. To protect yourself, you could sand off the part-numbers of certain key components in your prototype.

A lot of people think they can make a success without paying other companies to help. It really life, you can't. When it comes to money, you can pocket it all.