Exec Spot Light "TC Thompkins"

1. 2 0 1 1 EXECUTIVE SPoTlIGhT www.BREmagazine.com
THOMPKINS MARKETING INC.
An Industry Vet Offers Forward-Thinking Service By Hedi Butler
W
hen your résumé includes the history-making company is more artist- and material-oriented,” he says. “We tailor
promotion of Michael Jackson, what do you do for our work specifically to the type of artist and genre of music, while
an encore? For T. C. Thompkins, known widely helping our clients understand that this business requires hard work
as “T.C.,” the answer was simple: set up shop and and is not the quick moneymaker many assume. We try to prevent
bring the best of your successful experience at the highest levels of them from making costly mistakes in shark-infested waters.”
the music industry to bear on the careers of your clients. This hands-on approach has produced well-documented results
Thompkins did just that after leaving his post as a Vice President and a track record that continues to attract new and established
at CBS/Epic. In fact, he was strongly encouraged to establish his artists and companies. Over the last few years alone, Thompkins
entertainment consulting company precisely because of his strategic Marketing has had three top 20 singles on the national urban AC
knowledge and close working relationships with legendary artists charts, one top 5 single on the Christian charts, one number one
and other industry movers and shakers. Also key to this decision R&B release and two top 20 gospel releases.
was his valuable national contacts in radio – still a major factor Thompkins just inked a long-term marketing and distribution
in his consulting, particularly in providing a promotion boost for deal with Motor City Hits Records, a new indie whose first
major artists. release next year will bring the legendary sound of Detroit back
Thompkins’ career path began in Memphis with a stint at with a compilation including The Four Tops and The Dramatics
Stax Records that gave him, he says, “the love and respect for (both featuring the late lead singers Levi Stubbs and Ron Banks,
the hard work that came with bringing the music to the people.” respectively), The Miracles, LJ Reynolds, and others.
After relocating to Dallas, the Texas-born executive moved on to Thompkins boasts a strong clientele, too, in other music genres
regional promotion posts with Capitol and ABC Records. But and entertainment arenas, including gospel (John Mandeville and
he was to have his greatest impact as a music marketer when he Ed Montgomery), jazz, and the radio-fueled comedy of J. Anthony
joined Epic Records at its corporate offices in New York and took Brown, for whom he provides physical and digital distribution. He
on the national promotion responsibilities, including the Jackson is also expanding his corporate reach into international markets –
campaigns, upon which his enduring reputation was built. among those clients are emerging artists in Europe and the Middle
As CEO of Sugar Land, Texas-based Thompkins Marketing East.
Inc. and its subsidiary, Thompkins Marketing and Media Group Commenting on the diversity of his work – which broadly covers
Inc., he is as hard-driving and results-focused in his second act artist, music, film, and video development through marketing,
in the industry as he was at the outset of a career that now spans promotions and distribution – he cites a common denominator:
over three decades. He is equally attuned to the latest promotion “Good music and good product in any genre sells. Period.”
trends, including a strong digital and social networking presence, It is no wonder that Thompkins receives high marks for his
as he and his staff offer professional media consulting, national mastery of the game: “A real pro you can always count on,” “One
distribution, and artist and business development to clients seeking of the finest promotion professionals in the music business,” “A
to build or enhance careers throughout the spectrum of music and detail-oriented manager who watches the balance sheet…without
entertainment. ever losing sight of the strategic objective.”
But Thompkins is also an adherent of time-tested guidance. “Our And by all accounts, he has earned them all.
For more inFormation on thompkins marketing, visit the website www.thompkinsmarketing.com,
contact inFo@thompkinsmarketing.com or call 1-888-603-1999
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