| Millennium Marketing Group |
| Millennium Marketing Group Travis Niehues, Does MMGs Services Really Go beyond a Media Kit? Maybe Not. Overland Park, Kansas |
| 25th of Jun, 2011 by User212775 |
| Shortly after obtaining a patent on two of my inventions, I received correspondence from MMG. Since I had my own list of companies that I intended to approach, I trashed their letters. After 4 years and having already paid my first maintenance fees, I still have not been able to market my devices. In May 2011, I received identical letters for each of my two patents. This time I opened them up and sent an email query to Travis Niehues, VP-Product Development at MMG. Immediately, this guy was all over me with multiple mile-long emails and hardcopy mail-outs including a DVD by Scott Norman, describing their business. I recognized from the DVD that I had not formulated a good business plan and agreed with Normans comments about being able to get your foot in the door to see the right person. I also discovered from those manufacturers with whom I had met, most were more interested in the potential bottom line than the actual merits of my invention. I had struck out with the major manufacturers but knew there were probably a number of smaller firms that I hadnt yet identified. So, with interest, I filled out MMGs questionnaire and sent it in. Because they invited me to enclose any additional information of interest, I sent them my 67 page, color illustrated product syllabus that included my own market research, product description and applications. In addition, I provided them my product flyers, marketing PowerPoint presentation, and supporting published literature, some of which I had authored. Coinciding with about the time that Niehues would have received my materials in the mail, I received a bizarre email from him inviting me to call him for a brief conversation to find out what I wanted MMG to do for me. I telephoned MMG 4 times and Niehues was either not in yet or in a meeting. I was forwarded to his answering machine. He had my office and home phone numbers but I never received a return call. I emailed him asking how I might be able contact him and he emailed back, Lets continue to play phone tag. Admittedly, Im slow but I finally caught on. This was quite a contrast to the hot pursuit from MMG that I had witnessed the week before. I began to suspect that when Niehues saw the materials that I had sent him, he realized that they had nothing to sell me, such as a "media kit", that would exceed what I had already created. Of course, they could say that they looked closer at my invention and decided it was a loser but I dont think they would have had time to digest the information I gave them in the time period that it took Niehues to make his oddball email response. And even if my invention is a loser, I dont think this is the way you close a contact with a potential customer. After all, there might be more inventions down the road! After researching the multiple complaints about MMG on the internet, I feel my suspicions were confirmed. Fortunately, and unlike so many other poor folks that were duped by this scam of a company, I am only out the cost of the package I mailed them. Too bad. There really is a place for a reputable company that can help inventors market and license their products. |
|
|
|
|
| I'm glad you posted this information. Fortunately my lawyer found this and similar reports while I was getting excited about signing on with MMG, and it saved me from making that very bad decision. As you point out, we really need a legitimate place to go with our patents. Thanks again for your mail. |
|
|
|
| Evidently they have just changed their name, but not their tactics. It is now BankOnIP, and Travis is still trolling for patents. We were contacted the same way, filled out the same forms, and provided the same types of marketing. Travis's boss. Jim McDonald, called me to make sure that I understood that we failed in our merchandising attempts due to lack of proper branding and marketing, that they could provide. Nothing felt right about the almost insulting boiler plate approach ending in his informing us of how much it would cost us up front, in addition to a 20% off the top for any deals made. I'm glad to have found this post. |
|
|
|
| Did BankonIp ask for $ at time of signed agreement? |
|
|
|
| We also were BankOnIP statistics. First they started at $7, 000.00. When we said that we did not have any extra funds it was reduced to $6, 000.00. Again we stated that we did not have any available money they countered with monthly payments, $1, 000.00 up front and 25% off the top for any deals. Thank you for your postings as they have saved us from financial ruin. |
|
|
|
| Someone close to me has already signed up with Bankonip. And Bankonip have been taking $500 a month since November. We've been trying to get a hold of Bankonip and Travis for an undate but no one will return the calls with an update, but month by month they are taking out that $500 from our bank account. And I bet when they don't get their money for the month they will return our calls. Those scumbags, they won't get away with scamming people. |
|
|
|
| Signed with BankonIP in what they call a performance based contract for 7000.00. 2500.00 upfront to start, 4 months later another 2500.00 to finish the media kit that a high school student could have made. Next step was to have been posting to a website and pushing to companies to license patent. After last payment, 2.5 months ago, no one has called me and communication has gone dead. If I had to look on the bright side, looks like they saved me the last 2500.00 payment. Worst 5000.00 PowerPoint presentation I have ever paid for. Don't believe or bother with this company. |
|
|
|
| They're still at it. I was just contacted. Just tore up the letter. |
|
|
|
| I got close to doing this as well, but my guy is named Andrew Neihues. I got became more and more leery. The website has no details, no success stories. A friend did research and found this site. My lawyer also said to back off. We are done with them. |
|
|
|
I'm being pursed by Bank On IP myself Andrew Niehues. Lots of promises just something is off. Had family strife told him trying to get things together. He informed me they just signed a deal with a Hopital which was also interested in my idea.
Said could make payment arrangements, for the 6, 000 dollar fee. Guarantees get it done or pay me to travel for a year to get it done. Hummm???? |
|
|
|
| You guys need to report them to the BBB!!! They have a A+ rating! |
|
|
|
It is NOW 2018 and my partners & I received a letter from BankonIt and talked to a man named Norm &Matt Blando. They pitched a Good Game & Talked the Talked.
They said "Norm was one of their Investor & has financed many deal for BankonIt, So they bad mouthed our previous people who tried to get us a licensing agreement. So then Norm said he is going to request BankonIt make it work for a budget of $15, 000 & he would JV with us, all we had to do is put in $7, 500 & he will put in his $7, 500, our pymts was to be $2, 500 every 3 months (total of $7, 500), once the 1st pymt is rec'vd they will star their marketing program".
Now that we see this site, what we would like to know is this similar to what you experience? |
|
|
Post your Comment
|
|
|
