Thirty-five years. Five continents. Five thousand stores. Seven million fans. Three thousand live shows.
And still our passion rocks on.
Since 1976, Showtech Merchandising Inc. has been driving big sales for some of North America's most recognized rock bands.
Why do artists like Rush, Cheap Trick, Great Big Sea, Steven Page and The Trailer Park Boys choose to work with us year after year? Because of our strong ethics and the pride we take in producing and selling merchandise that blows the fans away every time.
We're a family company and we love what we do. The clients we've partnered with - some for more than three decades - tell us our experience shows. From product design and events sales to social networking and logistics, Showtech has shipped there, handled that, and sold the kick-ass T-shirt.
Like what you've heard so far? Get in touch to learn more.
Founded in 1976, Showtech Merchandising Inc. is a full-service designer, distributor and retailer of licensed apparel and accessories. Artists and rock bands such as Rush, Great Big Sea and The Trailer Park Boys entrust us to handle everything from touring and retail to online sales, fulfillment and logistics.
Creativity, air-tight controls and attention to detail have helped our North American-based company become one of the merchandising industry's most respected firms. And what a ride it's been.
Here are some highlights from the road.
1976 - Showtech (formerly Showtime Marketing) lands its very first gig - creating tartan merchandise for The Bay City Rollers and shipping it the world over.
1977 - Showtech begins producing merchandise for the now legendary Canadian rock band Rush. The relationship remains intact for 35 years, with the band and Showtech recently embarking on the 2012-2013 Clockwork Angels World Tour.
1982 - Showtech signs prop comedian act Gallagher. Fans are treated to watermelon-inspired t-shirts, ponchos, keychains, and hats for well over a decade.
1986 - Showtech celebrates 10 years of operating their mail order division, selling and shipping merchandise to fans worldwide. This business would later expand dramatically with the introduction of the internet.
1990 - We need a bigger truck! Showtech once again upgrades its large touring truck to a Freightliner FL70 24-foot straight truck. This truck was pure luxury, complete with air-ride suspension and two-bunk custom sleeper.
2003 - Showtech sells out of the first release of Rush Bobbleheads in the first week, and starts a wave of bobble-mania throughout the Rush fan community. Rock Radio HITZ-FM jock Christy Knight is quoted as saying the Geddy bobblehead "Christy Knight is quoted as saying the Geddy bobblehead is 'really cute'!"
2004 - Showtech produces the Rush Complete Tourbooks 1977-2004 for Rush. The striking 400-page coffee table book is a collection of the band's 15 previous tour books, edited by Rush's own drummer and wordsmith, Neil Peart. Since some of the original books were pre-digital, we scanned and re-touched them to ensure a perfect reprint. The first 500 books were given limited edition status and sold out in less than a week.
2006 - The key to Showtech's longevity has always been our willingness to push the envelope for our clients. Unlike most merchandising companies who rely on domestic suppliers, we scour the globe to find the most interesting and profitable mix of products. During one of our annual trips to Hong Kong and China, we struck gold, securing suppliers of high-end canvas bags and custom knit socks. The result? The ultimate rock music fan Christmas gift: a three pack of custom knit socks, detailed in band graphics, and gorgeous leather-handled canvas totes.
2008 - A record-breaking year! Showtech designs, sources and sells more than 250,000 garments including sweatshirts, T-shirts, lingerie and children's wear. We sell another 100,000 accessories including electronics, sporting goods, leather products and toys.
2011 - Showtech moves to a new head office facility. Our team is capable of picking, packing, and shipping 600 fan orders each day. enjoys regular Friday barbeques on the huge patio.
2012 - Showtech celebrates its first year anniversary in June working with the iconic rock band Cheap Trick. The band tours the arenas of North America with headliner Aerosmith.
What's the best way to build a complete product line that channels the spirit of the artists we work with and brings home big sales?
By starting from the ground up.
Our design, development and sourcing team work one-on-one with artists and managers to develop unique, profitable products that fans can get excited about.
Showtech's creative team includes designers with specific experience in fields such as screenprinting, pattern-making and offset printing. And while they carefully translate CD artwork into multiple products, our sourcing department scours the globe for impressive new merchandise and affordable suppliers.
The result? Unforgettable products that fans, artists and managers will love.
When our artists hit the road, we hit the road with them. Our Road Merchandise Managers have the experience and finesse to handle any of the many challenges that live event sales can present them with - jet lag and airport security included.
That means artists and managers can relax, knowing that their merchandising is being handled professionally. Whether it's a 50,000-seat stadium, a 2,000-seat theater, or a standing-room-only pub, our reps are there to deliver the highest merchandise sales possible.
When you've been a player in this industry for as long as we have, backstage access is a given - wherever you go.
Showtech has longstanding relationships with retailers and licensees from Austin to Zurich, which means we can place products where fans want them - in traditional retail stores.
From mass market to independent, we have merchandise ranging from belt buckles to bobbleheads, calendars to caps, and tees to thongs in shops around the world. Consistent attention to the retail and license roster ensures our artists can maximize this income stream. And by keeping our eyes on global retailers, we're able to vigorously protect the integrity and intellectual rights of our artists.
Showtech has been selling online merchandise to fans since the infancy of the Internet. And as online sales have grown, so have we.
Our web stores are fully customized to integrate with the artists' existing website and image. Our e-commerce platform can handle massive amounts of simultaneous order processing and traffic, which means your online merchandising is a crash and burn-free zone. Plus, we offer fans the highest level of security encryption possible, allowing them to shop without worry.
In addition to a great online shopping experience, we provide a toll-free phone line for questions or concerns. Our customer service staff is as psyched about the merchandise as you are, and their tremendous knowledge of the products we sell helps our customers make satisfied decisions.
No matter how committed your fans are, not all of them will have the chance to see you live in performance. Good thing there's more than one way to build an audience.
Showtech is committed to helping your fans find you - and each other - through fast-paced, proactive social networking. Our digital media campaigns harness the power of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, E-mail Marketing, and other social media tools to help you share news, event information, promotions and new product releases with thousands of fans around the world. We will build a large fan database so that we can offer you digital ad campaigns that fit like a glove.
Best of all, we won't alienate your fans with a hard sell, or bog you down with daily updates. Showtech will manage your social media campaigns - and make them fun (seriously) with guerilla-style photo ops from the road and creative contests that bring your fans to you - no matter where they are.
Logistics, customs clearance, packaging, kit construction, waste disposal. We live for this stuff so you don't have to.
Shipping products to your customers or reps can be a tedious battle. Showtech's complete fulfillment solution can take the headache of fulfillment out of your life. We will package, ship, warehouse, and even provide customer service to retail or wholesale customers. Some of our fulfillment services include:
- Order Receipt and Order Fulfillment (including picking, packing and processing)
- Worldwide Distribution
- Mailing Services
- Import/Export Coordination
- Receiving and Inspection
- Inventory Management
- Warehousing
- Kit Assembly
- Custom Packaging
- Repackaging
- Database Management
- Operational and Management Reporting
