About us
The Concept
Global Searchlight is a concept that has been created with the help of many people across the fashion industry. It evolved through a lack of a global resource that connected the various sectors of the fashion industry together and the demand for one.
The state of the art database and matching system makes Global Searchlight truly unique. The system uses complex algorithms to match companies according to the criteria you give in your registration and profile page. Each profile page is password protected, which means only the people you want to see your information can do so.
Our Global Headquarters are in London but we have a team of specialist consultants based in America, Australia, Asia and Europe.
Background
Decades of combined experience in the fashion industry, including over a decade’s experience in running one of the UK’s premiere fashion sales and PR agencies, lay at the heart of Global Searchlight.
In this time, through working with brands, owning brands and acting as worldwide sales consultants, we have helped many brands to find the right partners in a country.
Throughout, we noticed that the problem isn’t just finding a partner, but finding the right one. The sending of indiscriminate emails that are clearly not right smacks of desperation and the best companies and individuals do not like receiving circulars.
At the same time, the brands’ export departments spend much time and money contacting, visiting and speaking to any potential partners in the, often vain, hope that someone will be right for them. It’s a long and drawn out process that largely involves trust, guess work and luck. More than anything it takes the two most precious commodities that most brands don’t have - time and money.
Brands these days often show at International trade shows, not to land new retailers, but new international partners. The cost of this can run into tens of thousands and it really is more luck than judgment should someone right for you walk onto your stand.
We have created something to change all of this forever. A completely unique system that will scour our database of thousands of members worldwide and put you in front of only the relevant potential partners in a discreet and controlled way. Thus, nobody except the right people will even be aware of your details.
What to Do
All you need to do is upload your details on your private micro site. Most of the details will appear once you have filled in the relevant questionnaire. All you then have to do is upload any relevant logos and images to enhance your site. The pages will only be available to view for the few select agencies/distributors who match your specific criteria. Think of it as a closed, invitation-only stand at a trade show where the attendees are not retailers, but relevant partners (be they agents, distributors, brands, etc) for the entire country (region).
Members will receive the information in the form of an e-newsletter which alerts them to a new match that fits the criteria of what they too are looking for, or should be interested in. This information may be graded in terms of relevance. These members must then go to the password protected site to find out more about the match, whether it is a brand, a job, a manufacturer, a supplier, etc.
Those that are interested will submit their details via the site with just a click of a button.
By March 2007, when the site is online and fully operational, the number of members will run into thousands worldwide. With essential information translated in to all the major languages, there is simply no comparable fashion network available to connect with anywhere in the world.
What you Get
Every member has their own page - password protected - which carries a comprehensive profile of the company (or individual) with images and full contact details, together with all the essential information necessary to provide a sound match.. These details have been checked. Nobody else in the world can offer such comprehensive information that takes all the guesswork out and takes you straight into the advanced stages of the appointment process. And nowhere else can offer you such a quick and direct route to improving your own or your company’s position.
We have made the costs so small because we believe that this opportunity should be available to all and not just to the few.
Matching Fee
If you are a brand and we help secure an agency or distribution agreement we will then be due a small payment each season you work with them.
Similarly, if you are a PR agency and we provide a match, there will be a matching fee due to Global Searchlight.
These fees are stipulated clearly on the contract. There are no hidden costs.
We do not ask for a large down payment before any business is done, instead we are confident in our matching abilities so take a small amount over a longer period. That way, if for some reason, the relationship does not work out, nobody is massively out of pocket.
We are not recruitment consultants. We do not push any one company over another equally qualified. We just let the system give you the best matches then leave it up to you.
When you compare it to the amount of money you spend at a trade show the amount is negligible. You will gain access to the best and most relevant potential partners in each country across the world and we guarantee results. Just let us show you how we can grow your business in a revolutionary way.
Some of the people behind Global Searchlight include:
Eric Musgrave: Consultant Director
With a CV that includes the launch of FHM and 40 Degrees, in addition to spells with Sportswear International and Emap Plc there are few more important and respected individuals in the global fashion industry. Eric recently left his position as Editor-in-Chief of Drapers after overseeing the re-branding from rather tired looking Drapers Record to the new and unrivalled market-leading trade magazine in the UK.
Jon Clements: Sales Director
Former “rising star” of Emap began life on Drapers classified section before ascending through the ranks to become the senior figurehead of the sales team. From there, Jon took up a similar position at FHM and Arena before resigning as Fashion Advertising Manager at Arena and Arena Homme + to lead the team at Global Searchlight. His experience in the industry is matched only by the high regard in which he is universally held.
Tony Bennett: Sales & Marketing
With experience as Sales Manager of 40 degrees & MXL in the UK and European Brand Manager of MAGIC International, the largest apparel show in the world, Tony’s experience and contacts have increased further in recent years through his Directorship of Subranded: a premier agency that is distributor, agency, brand owner and PR agency based in the UK but with partners around the world.
For more information on the team behind Global Searchlight email: info@globalsearchlight.com