Resellers
International Market Development Funds Program*
Program Details
The Black Box Market Development Funds Program is designed to help support
Black Box international partners in their efforts marketing Black Box networking products.
The guidelines below describe the activities that can be funded by the
Market Development Funds Program.
Black Box makes market development funds available to you for a limited time
through this program. They’re to be used to achieve specific marketing and business
development goals using a wide variety of marketing activities and products (listed below).
Examples include e-mail marketing, newsletters, print advertising, trade show support,
promotional items, banners and signage, and demo equipment.
Partners can use funds for activities that are intended to:
• Identify you as an authorized reseller of Black Box Technology Product Solutions
• Expand your marketing presence in your authorized territory
• Enable you to grow your business selling Black Box Technology Product Solutions
Program Timeline
The Program begins on January 1 and ends December 31 of each calendar year for the accrual
of funds. Any funds remaining will be forfeited on March 31 of the year following accrual.
Market Development Program Eligible Activities
• E-mail marketing and newsletters
• Web marketing
• Print advertising
• Telemarketing
• Radio/TV advertising
• Marketing collateral
• Brochures/direct mail pieces
• Promotional items
• Banners and signage
• Vehicle decals
• Trade shows and event support
• Demo equipment
• Certification training
• Black Box Partner University
Qualifying for Funds
All authorized Black Box international partners in good standing (i.e. current on payments) are eligible
to participate in the Market Development Funds Program.*
If your International Reseller Agreement is terminated or not renewed, any unused funds revert
to Black Box. If your account is past due or is otherwise not in good standing, you must bring
your account current before you are eligible for reimbursement.
Fund Accrual and Spending
To build a partner’s Market Development Fund, Black Box sets aside a percentage of the net
purchase price (partner’s purchase from Black Box) of each partner’s product shipments,
excluding tax and shipping, as the shipments are invoiced throughout the year. These funds
accrue from January 1 through December 31 of each calendar year. Partners must submit all
reimbursement claims by February 28 of the year following accrual. Any unused funds are
forfeited on March 31 of the year following accrual.
Claims and Reimbursement
Before any claim is reimbursed, you must:
- • Obtain
prior approval for all eligible activities.
- • Submit all Prior Approval
Forms to Black Box for review at least 15 days before the start of any activity.
- • File any claims within 60 days after the end
date of an activity or event—and no later than February 28 of the year following accrual—with all
proof of performance unless otherwise authorized in writing by Black Box. Claims submitted later
than 60 days after the end date of an activity are subject to denial.
* Available only to partners in select countries. To find out if there is an MDF program in your country,
please contact your account manager.
To be reimbursed, you must follow both the prior approval and claim processes as outlined in these Guidelines (below).
- • Reimbursements
will not exceed the amount of the prior approval unless authorized in writing by Black Box.
- • Reimbursements for approved claims will be
available up to the current balance in your account and will be closed for further reimbursement.
- • When an activity promotes items
other than qualified Black Box products, reimbursement will be proportional to the overall percentage
of activity devoted to Black Box products.
- • Any claims regarding Black Box
products must be truthful. Any false or misleading claims will result in a denied claim.
- • All activities must be in full
compliance with local, state, and federal laws as well as comply with all Market Development
Funds program guidelines.
Prior Approval Process
You must obtain prior approval for all eligible activities unless otherwise stated. All forms
must be submitted at least 15 days before the start of an eligible activity.
To begin the approval process, click here
and completely fill out the Prior Approval Form.
If you are submitting an approval form for print or advertising materials, you must also submit
a draft of the marketing concept.
The Black Box Program Administrator will notify you of your request’s approval or denial.
Claim/Reimbursement Process
Within 60 days of the eligible activity’s completion, you must submit a reimbursement claim form along
with a copy of the approved Prior Approval Form. You must also submit all invoices, proof of payment,
and proof of performance.
Claims submitted later than 60 days after the activity end date are subject to denial.
Send all materials to mdf@blackbox.com.
Please allow a minimum of 2-3 weeks for claims review. Incomplete paperwork will be returned.
Approved claims will be reimbursed by credit memo to your account. Credits will be issued within
30 days of the claim audit and approval for reimbursement.
Accounting Process
If you’re first to submit a claim, and your registration meets the minimum criteria, you will receive
your approval within 48 hours. Funds will be applied to claims when they are available. If a claim is
in excess of available funds, it will be held until the funds exceed the claim, or it will be partially
credited at the end of the life of the claim. Smaller claims may be processed during the interim. Please
note that there is a possibility that claims could expire while waiting for the accrual of funds.