Years ago I worked for a company called Redgate. We bought a widely used free tool called .NET Reflector from its original author. The idea was that the recognition we received from owning and continuing to provide .NET Reflector for free would translate into additional sales of our other tools.
It didn't work.
For other related examples see the numerous social media stars/influencers who have moderate to large followings, but don't necessarily make that much money. The majority don't make enough to give up their day jobs.
Recognition often isn't worth that much. The real test of how much people value something is whether they'll pay for it.
A good example of how little recognition is worth, thought I’m slightly surprised I never heard about that purchase given I did hear about your flying sharks.
It’s a shame the sponsored spaceflight never worked out; but I guess even though Virgin Galactic still isn’t flying customers, that scheme brought more recognition than Reflector.
Indeed: it's frustrating that we were legally obligated to offer a cash alternative. It would have been cool to send someone into space regardless of any other benefits, real or imagined.
Anyway, I wasn't involved at all, so you have to understand that this is my personal viewpoint and not the view of the company but, again, the idea was that the recognition from that contest would translate into additional sales of our tools.
I remember that! I think it actually hurt the brand of Redgate. I just remember .NET Reflector being a free shareware tool which everybody used, and suddenly Redgate bought it and made it cost money.
It didn't work.
For other related examples see the numerous social media stars/influencers who have moderate to large followings, but don't necessarily make that much money. The majority don't make enough to give up their day jobs.
Recognition often isn't worth that much. The real test of how much people value something is whether they'll pay for it.