The Percussion Marketing Council (PMC) hosted a percussion industry leaders panel at the 2015 NAMM Annual All-Member Meeting on January 23. The “Get Involved in Growing the Percussion Industry and Create More Customers in 2015” panel was moderated by Modern Drummer Publications Vice President Kevin Kearns. Panelists included industry leaders: Remo Belli (Remo Inc.), Alan Vater (Vater Percussion), Andy Zildjian (Sabian), Don Lombardi (Drum Channel), and retail leaders: Randy Pratt (Musicians Friend), Shane Kinney (Drum Center, Portsmouth, NH), Rob Andre (Chicago Drum Exchange, IL), Jim Rupp (Columbus Percussion, OH).
PMC Executive Board member Karl Dustman commented, “Under the campaign headline of ‘Get Involved,’ we wanted to connect with the entire tapestry of the percussion industry by bringing together internationally respected industry experts from both sides of the industry, manufacturing and retail to discuss building the market through all elements of our industry.” For the past 20 years, the PMC has been recognized as the catalyst for much of the percussion industry’s growth and expansion through market development programs and campaigns like International Drum Month, Percussion in the Schools, Drums Across America, Vans Warped Tour Free Drum Lessons, and Roots of Rhythm.
Additionally, the PMC announced that Shannon Larkin of Godsmack will be the celebrity host/ spokesperson for the 2015 International Drum Month (May 2015) “Roadie for a Day” Grand Prize. Through our 2015 International Drum Month (IDM), the PMC will encourage want-to-be drummers to visit a local music retailer to enter to win the grand prize: “Drum Roadie for the Day.” One lucky drummer will win the opportunity to go backstage for a day with Godsmack drummer, Shannon Larkin, for a behind-the-scenes view of what it’s like to be a drummer on tour.
“I strongly believe in music education and want to share my experience on tour with a hopeful drummer. During this May’s IDM, we will get more people engaged in playing drums, through the PlayDrums.com website and local music stores across the country,” says Larkin. “We are going to have a blast that day as someone gets to see the inner works of what I do for a living!”
The May campaign will direct new drummers to find a participating music retailer or drum shop by visiting the PlayDrums.com website. Retailers are encouraged to sign up now as a participating IDM store at www.PlayDrums.com/retail. The PMC will send each registered store a life-size Shannon Larkin IDM POP display with entry information for customers visiting their store. It’s that easy!
The 2015 IDM program will reach beyond the music industry through targeted Internet marketing to create excitement for drums and drumming, while driving new drummer-customers into local music stores or drum shops. Using banner ads, social media, and Google Adwords, PMC will target young, diverse audiences that are potentially interested in drumming as a creative and healthy alternative lifestyle activity. Potential drummers will be able to connect to the PlayDrums.com website 24/7—engaging them immediately with all aspects of drumming, instructional material, videos, and drummer profiles. PMC member website links will automatically connect new players seeking information about products, brands, and selection options.
PMC Marketing and Promotions Advisory Board member Billy Cuthrell states, “At the very center of the May IDM effort is creating a positive first-drumming introduction and experience that support all music retailers, and of course, our entire PMC membership. May has been identified as the best month for kicking off in-store related promotions that also tie into the summer tour schedules. IDM will become the starting point, connecting all the programs, instead of just an annual one-month campaign. It now extends through our Vans Warped Tour Lesson Lab program, Percussion in the Schools, and other educational connections.”
To sign up as a participating IDM store visit www.PlayDrums.com/retail
Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and anyone interested in International Drum Month, can contact the PMC through PlayDrums.com for more information and downloadable application and membership forms.