Desk Research
Establishing context before deeper analysis
Desk research brings together existing information to establish context and direction.
We review published reports, licensed databases, audience data, media coverage and competitor activity to identify benchmarks, trends and gaps. This work often forms the foundation of a wider project, helping organisations understand what is already known before investing in new data collection.
Desk research supports clearer prioritisation and sharper decision making by separating signal from noise.
Clarity before you commit
Our desk research helps organisations understand what is already known, where the gaps are, and what analysis is genuinely needed next.
Use cases
- Establishing context at the start of a project to understand what is already known
- Benchmarking markets, assets or competitors using credible, published evidence
- Identifying gaps in existing knowledge before commissioning new data or analysis
- Informing the scope of further analysis to focus effort where it adds most value
- Supporting early-stage commercial decisions with structured context and benchmarks
Proven outcomes
- A clear, structured view of existing evidence
- Benchmarks and context grounded in credible sources
- Insight that helps focus next steps
Delivery model
Desk research draws on published reports, licensed data sources, audience data and media coverage to establish benchmarks, context and direction before further analysis is commissioned.
Platformation did a great job for MarkSetBot on this project. It really helped launch both our marketing and fundraising efforts. We highly recommend them!
Matthew Morin
A valuable partner offering constructive input and innovation from across the world of football and beyond.
Petr Zascherinsky
Platformation have provided great insight and recommendations across our broad, diverse portfolio of events and content.
Walter Böhm
Andrew’s experience and understanding of the field offered great confidence and the rigour they applied to such a complex challenge was best in class.
Fiona Fletcher-Smith
Andrew and his international network of suppliers delivered a comprehensive set of valuable insights.
Simon Thomas
Resourceful and skilled, with a fantastic network and incredible experience. A valued and trusted business partner.
David Sim
Client Solutions
We support the different audiences involved in sponsorship decisions, each approaching value from a distinct perspective.
What they share is the need for credible, independent evidence to support confident commercial choices.
Advising on, structuring, or activating sponsorship partnerships
Objective sponsorship insight to support confident Agency recommendations when value, pricing, or performance are challenged.
Investing in sponsorship to drive brand and commercial outcomes
We help Brands evaluate whether sponsorship investment is delivering value, connecting ROI, exposure and impact to support confident, evidence-led decisions.
Owning, managing, or commercialising sponsorship rights
Rights Holders are responsible for maximising the value of sponsorship assets while balancing pricing, renewal and long-term partner relationships. Understanding what assets deliver in practice, and how that value stands up in negotiation, is essential.
Delivered Work
We provide independent analysis to rights holders, brands and agencies on sponsorship decisions where evidence must be clear, credible, and commercially grounded, and able to withstand both internal and external scrutiny.
Insights and Analysis
Our Insights bring together research, reporting and observations, from our work across sponsorship, media, and events. They range from structured reports to practical commentary, focused on understanding what is happening, why it matters, and how evidence should be interpreted.
How to define value in modern sponsorship
Boards want evidence. Stakeholders see value differently. Our framework for defining sponsorship value around purpose, performance and efficiency brings clarity before the contract is signed.
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