About us
The Concept
After twelve months of consultation with some of the world’s leading brands and agencies, Global Searchlight went online in May 2007. By January 2009 membership had swelled to more than 1800, as more and more people become aware of our track record for helping hundreds of brands find new international business partners swiftly and efficiently.
The site was created as a response to the lack of a global resource that connected the various sectors of the fashion industry.
It is the state of the art database and matching system that makes Global Searchlight truly unique. The system uses complex algorithms to match companies according to the criteria given in your registration and profile page. Each profile page is password protected, which means only the people desired see your information.
Consequently, this is the only place that a brand can find partners in new export countries, or agencies can identity and contact brands looking for representation, in complete security.
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 have set firm foundations for Global Searchlight.
In this time, through working with brands, owning brands and acting as worldwide sales and marketing consultants, it became apparent that there was no one resource that could bring all potential partners together in one place, let alone identify and contact these partners in a discreet and professional way.
Even for the best brands, finding the right partner in a new export market can be 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 finding the right agency can still be down to luck, rather than judgment.
Global Searchlight has changed all of this forever. We have built 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.
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.
What you Get
Every member has their own micro web site - 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, a fee of £500 will be due, constituting only a small payment each season that you work with them.
Similarly, if you are a PR agency and we provide a match, there will be a matching fee of £300 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:
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 Home + 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.
Barnaby Moore: Business Development
With more than a decade as a central member of Drapers magazine, the UK’s leading trade publication, there are few people with the contacts and credibility of Barnaby Moore. This experience has left Barnaby uniquely placed to draw upon his knowledge of the industry when it comes to new business opportunities.
Tony Bennett: 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 The Clear Agency: a premier agency that is distributor, agency, brand owner and PR agency based in the UK but with partners around the world.
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.
For more information on the team behind Global Searchlight email: info@globalsearchlight.com