MDF Co-Op Programs Only Work When Campaigns Actually Launch

Introduction

MDF (market development funds) and co-op marketing programs are designed to help your partners grow—but if the campaign materials aren’t accessible, compliant or tracked, the funds go underused or misused.

Too often, MDF co-op programs create more confusion than results:

• Partners don’t know what they can promote
  
  
• Campaigns aren’t structured around eligibility
  
  
• Marketing can’t track what was used or when
  
  
• Reimbursement becomes a manual mess
  
  

GearBox® by IRIS Strategic Marketing Support (IRIS) gives brands a way to deliver MDF-aligned campaign kits to the right partner, at the right time—while maintaining full brand, legal and fulfillment control.

What Is an MDF Co-Op Program?

MDF (market development funds) and co-op programs both provide financial incentives to partners for executing pre-approved marketing activities.

The difference?

• Co-op funds are reimbursed based on proof of activity (usually post-campaign)
  
  
• MDF funds are often allocated upfront, based on partner tier, commitment or region
  ‍

Both require structure to work:

• Which assets qualify
  
  
• Which vendors to use
  
  
• How to personalize safely
  
  
• What proof is required
  
  
• Who gets what—and when
  
  

Why MDF Co-Op Programs Fail Without Execution Structure

1. Asset Access Isn’t Filtered
Partners use old, off-brand or unauthorized content that disqualifies them from reimbursement.

2. There’s No Fulfillment Logic
Print and signage vendors get files via email—no routing, version control or campaign tracking.

3. Marketing Becomes a Ticket Queue
Every file request, logo question or template tweak comes back to the national team.

4. No One Can Prove What Was Used
Reimbursements become subjective—without a clear trail of asset use, version and campaign launch timing.

How GearBox® by IRIS Powers MDF Co-Op Campaign Execution

With GearBox®, MDF and co-op campaigns are preloaded into the system—ready for the right partner based on eligibility.

GearBox® supports:

• Campaign kit assignment by partner tier, license or region
  
  
• Locked templates that protect brand, legal and layout
  
  
• Safe customization of contact info, pricing, location-specific offers
  
  
• Vendor routing built into the platform—no more emails or uploads
  
  
• Full usage tracking by partner, market or campaign
  
  
• Compliance visibility for funding validation
  
  

Instead of funding chaos, you get campaign clarity.

Use Case: Fiberon Ties Co-Op Kits to Campaign Logic

Fiberon supports a national dealer network with co-branded campaigns, print signage and seasonal programs.

With GearBox® by IRIS, they:

• Delivered signage kits by dealer type, region and funding eligibility
  
  
• Locked key brand elements and compliance standards
  
  
• Enabled dealers to personalize locally—without risk
  
  
• Routed fulfillment to the correct vendors
  
  
• Tracked who launched what and when for MDF validation
  
  

Read the Fiberon Case Study

This allowed the co-op program to operate smoothly—driving participation without constant manual review.

Conclusion

MDF co-op programs can drive serious growth—if your execution system is ready to handle scale, compliance and tracking.

GearBox® by IRIS helps brands operationalize funding programs by tying asset access, routing and tracking directly to partner eligibility. Campaigns launch faster, with less lift—and funding compliance is no longer a scramble.

Talk to IRIS to learn how to make MDF and co-op execution painless.