COSE Arts Network - Present Yourself: Sales and Marketing, March 12, 2008

Speaker: Marty Geramita, business manager for Strhess and artist Derek Hess Marty Geramita, business manager for Cleveland based artist Derek Hess, will share the story of their success developing Derek’s career from CIA student, to internationally known artist with multiple outlets for his artwork. Derek Hess’ artwork spans from concert posters to politically charged fine art pieces. In 1993 his concert flyers caught the eye of Marty Geramita, who suggested that Hess turn his flyers into a business venture. In the years immediately following, Hess, with Geramita as his manager, garnered the attention of countless bands as well as both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the infamous Louvre in Paris, who both have Hess’ art in their permanent collection. In addition to posters for bands such as Pantera, Thursday, Pink Floyd and Pearl Jam, Hess has also created CD covers for bands like Motion City Soundtrack and Unearth. He has also been featured on television show and in magazines - MTV, Fuse, VH1, Alternative Press and Juxtapose as well as many others. More recently, Hess started a clothing line, Strhess, as well as Hessfest and the Strhess Tour, a collaboration of music and art that features bands such as Thursday, Shadow’s Fall, Stretch Arm Strong and Taking Back Sunday. Marty Geramita will discuss the key turning points in Derek’s career, including developing collaborations with the fashion and music industries, and how they developed online marketing strategies for expanding Derek’s audience around the world.