Vic Firth I think is the only manufacture that does bricks of 6 pairs. Everybody else is 12.

I believe endorsement does depend on skill

Last year my high school competed in the PSOC
(percussion scholastic open division) and got
2nd place, as it did last year. Someone noticed
we use IP mallets since the label is on our mallet
bags, and my instructor got called up by IP. Now
he's endorsed by them. Sucks since now he had to get
ride of all VF sticks, but its still pretty cool being
endorsed by them.