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What
Not
To Ask
MANAGEMENT
JUNE 2015 •
PPB
• 65
Safety Match
PROMOTIONS
69
HE PROMOTIONS
INDUSTRY is a
magnet for cre-
ative types. Take Stacy
Hudson, owner of Waxhaw,
North Carolina-based distrib-
utor Iconic Promos, powered
by Proforma (UPIC: PROFOR-
MA). He has worked in the
promotional marketing indus-
try for more than 15 years, in
addition to gaining valuable
experience developing mar-
keting campaigns, copywrit-
ing, selling advertising and
even performing voice-over
work. But before he joined
the industry, Hudson was a
lead singer for hair-metal
bands from the late 1980s
through the mid-1990s. Most
notably, he was the front man
for Phantom Park, which
attracted a cult following and
gave Hudson the opportunity
to open for major acts such
as Vince Neil from Mötley
Crüe, Warrant and Ozzy
Osbourne.
PPB
spoke with Hudson
about his musical background
and how it informs his work
as a distributor.
PPB
How did you come to
join the promotional prod-
ucts industry?
Hudson
I had to cut my hair
and get a “real” job. Luckily, I
found out how fun this indus-
try is.
PPB
Do you have a lot of
clients in the music industry?
Hudson
I still sing for a local
cover band, Cloud9, and I
have a lot of fellow musician
friends who will come to me
for branded merchandise for
their bands. I also work with a
few talent agencies/event
planning firms that need pro-
motional items for festivals or
local events.
PPB
How has your experi-
ence as a musician helped
you in the industry?
Hudson
It has definitely
given me the courage to take
center stage with prospects
or clients. And I don’t worry
about beer bottles being
flung at me if I were to ever
blow a presentation.
Promotions are a lot like
writing and performing music.
You have to be creative,
driven, rehearse—and talent
doesn’t hurt. Most of all, you
have to make connections
with other human beings with
what you create. If you fail to
connect, then the promotions
or songs aren’t going hit the
mark either.
PPB
Based on experience,
what products do you like
best for music-related
promotions?
Hudson
Nothing can replace
the tried-and-true black
rock-concert tee with your
favorite band logo on it.
Aside from that, I try and
think of promotional prod-
ucts that will reinforce the
band’s name or the vibe
they are going for. Most
bands are known to enjoy an
adult beverage from time to
time, so a very cool four-
color digital can insulator
may be a good fit.
T
Five Minutes With
Stacy Hudson
Owner Of Iconic Promos
True Confessions Of
A Compliance Officer
PRODUCT SAFETY
75
79
Stacy Hudson