Confessions of a Marketing Groupie – Jodi “Roadie” Jacobs
New to their cause, and the band scene, I was brought on board by the NSCA Education Foundation to help provide a marketing platform for the band to build momentum as they turn their sights on InfoComm14 and to keep them growing.
Great things can grow from tears of grief. As I learned on the road with my “boys” – the Drunk Unkles came to be after the untimely death of industry colleague and friend Clif Govier, an AV consultant who was literally struck by lightning and taken out of this world quite prematurely. An avid musician, his mourners felt a tribute of some sort was in order to honor his name and to help support his family.
The Unk’s segued from charitable giving to a fellow colleague’s grieving family to helping an industry Foundation when Chuck Wilson, Executive Director of NSCA came to NYC to meet with Steve Emspak (Aerosmith songsmith, Shen Milsom Wilke principal, and all around great guy). Steve happened to be “gigging” out that evening at The Cutting Room. Chuck, always up for networking with industry colleagues attended the show, saw a packed house and a room full of possibilities. After the show, he asked the Drunk Unkles to come play at the NSCA show. And play they did!
The band was booked at The Beach in Vegas in 2006, and then Howl at the Moon in Orlando in 2007, and from then started a tradition of sharing great music with colleagues and friends. In 2009, NSCA sold their show to InfoComm but the band’s popularity ensured that it played on. Whether in Orlando or Vegas, the Unk’s have been playing music to the delight of hundreds of colleagues, family and friends each year. Their charity event is held during InfoComm and is considered a highlight for nightly entertainment.
This year, my inside sources tell me that the Drunk Unk Show has been moved to the OPENING NIGHT of InfoComm14 and fans and followers can plan on joining me as we celebrate them on Wednesday, June 18th from 8:30 – 11:30PM. Final venue is still under wraps but will be revealed around March 1st Sponsorship opportunities this year will be really inventive and the band expects to be able to top last year’s fundraising dollars and provide even more help to the NSCA Education Foundation.
Stay tuned and better yet, follow the Drunk Unks on Facebook and Twitter (@DrunkUnks) !