[brassplyer]

An indie artist who I bought an album from is once again passing the
hat, saying Sennheiser is offering her an endorsement deal but on
condition that she have and use a Sennheiser mic. In itself of course
this seems logical and reasonable. She says they'll give her an
"artist's discount" on a mic. She's apparently trying to raise $600 to
get the mic. I've emailed her to ask which mic she's eyeballing, no
response as of this time.

If someone is considered prominent enough to be worthy of an
endorsement deal, do they not just give the artist a piece of gear? I
assume the markup from manuf to retail is pretty substantial. I assume
an endorsement deal means they're compensating the artist for
advertising their product?