Thomas "Fat Thomi" Hairston
Summary
Committed and engaging CEO bringing exceptional marketing and promotional skills with over 20 years experience. Persistent leader eager to lead and grow organizations. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, and communication with good understanding of business principles, project management and team leadership. Collaborative with relentless work ethic.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Adjunct Professor
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, Hip Hop
01.2022 - Current
- Develop creative marketing strategies to increase enrollment in Music department
- Lecture and encourage class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
- Displayed professional demeanor and served as role model for students.
- Built relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional and academic goals while providing coaching on meeting industry standards
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Developed curriculum standards, lesson plans and syllabi.
Commissioner
PETERSBURG PLANNING
01.2020 - Current
- Ward 6 / Commissioner
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry citizens.
- Assist in the writing of the 30 year comprehensive plan
Senior Vice President and General Manager
1203 ENTERTAINMENT
01.2014 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all marketing, promotions, distribution, and manufacturingactivities related to records produced for 1203 Entertainment
- Manage a team responsible for executing effective marketing campaigns, promotions, and distributionstrategies to maximize the visibility and success of the company's releases
- Oversee the renowned Maverick Dirt Road Street Team, ensuring its efficient operation and leveragingits expertise in grassroots promotions to enhance brand awareness and drive audience engagement
- Collaborate with artists, producers, and internal stakeholders to develop and execute targeted marketingplans tailored to the unique needs of each project
- Stay abreast of industry trends and market dynamics, identifying opportunities to optimize marketingand distribution strategies for maximum impact
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with key industry partners, including distributors, retailers,and digital platforms, to facilitate effective product placement and promotional opportunities
- Monitor and analyze market data, consumer insights, and performance metrics to informdecision-making and drive continuous improvement
- Oversee budgeting and resource allocation to ensure cost-effective operations and maximize return oninvestment
- Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the team, providing guidance, mentorship,and professional development opportunities.
Founder/Owner and CEO/President
01.2003 - Current
- Oversee all aspects of company operations, ensuring smooth and efficient functioning
- Identify, sign, develop, and promote talented artists, including notable acts such as Antoinique, Lil
- Nikki, GMC, The Young Bloodz, Kristian Michael
- Successfully negotiated and secured a pressing and distribution deal with Malaco Music Group,bolstering the reach and distribution capabilities of XRCORDS
- Personally signed promising artists to the label, fostering a roster of diverse and impactful talent
- Negotiated and drafted contracts for artists, ensuring mutually beneficial terms and protecting theinterests of the label
- Established and managed marketing and promotions budgets to maximize the exposure and success ofartists and releases
- Developed and executed comprehensive marketing and promotions plans, employing innovativestrategies to generate buzz and expand audience reach
- Negotiated employment agreements and salaries for key personnel, assembling a highly skilled andmotivated team
- Directed the hiring process for key positions, including publicists, promotions teams, marketing staff,and radio promotions team
- Created, monitored, and allocated the annual operating budget, ensuring financial stability and effectiveresource management.
Founder/Owner and CEO/President
Fat Thomi Promotions
01.1993 - 01.2003
- Successfully booked and promoted high-profile artists and concerts, featuring renowned acts such as
- Frankie Beverly and Maze, Lil Wayne, and The Cash Money Millionaires, Outkast, and Tamia
- Negotiated lucrative promotions contracts with major record labels including BMG, Arista, La Face, and
- Bad Boy Records
- Strategically promoted artists in diverse markets, spanning Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, NC, and
- Richmond, VA
- Took on the roles of promoter, host, and street agent for platinum-selling artists like The Wu-Tang Clan,
- Keith Murray, Eric Sermon, Nas, Outkast, Usher, Foxy Brown, Jay Z, Craig Mack, TLC, Goodie Mob,
- Tribe Called Quest, Da La Soul, Biggie, Mase, and Puffy at clubs and concerts
- Demonstrated expertise in securing artists and skillfully negotiating contracts
- Developed and effectively managed advertising and operating budgets to maximize promotional impact
- Secured venues through adept contract negotiations, ensuring successful event execution
- Employed strong negotiation skills to secure agreements with Sound and Light companies and vendors
- Cultivated and maintained strategic alliances to strengthen promotional efforts.
National Director of Promotions
Arista Records
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Spearheaded the development, implementation, and oversight of national HIP HOP promotions foresteemed labels including La Face, Rowdy, Bad Boy, and Arista Records
- FatThomi@gmail.com | 1201 Halifax Street Petersburg Va 23803 | 804-255-7276 Page | 2
- Collaborated closely with multi-platinum artists such as TLC, Outkast, Monica, Goodie Mob, Biggie,
- Puffy, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, and many more to orchestrate impactful promotional campaigns
- Devised and executed a comprehensive national urban radio plan, national mix show plan, and nationalstreet show plan to amplify artist visibility and drive engagement
- Coordinated and facilitated compelling radio interviews to generate buzz and foster strong connectionswith listeners
- Successfully planned, implemented, and managed national promotional tours to expand artist reach andcaptivate audiences across the country
- Effectively allocated and oversaw the disbursement of the promotions budget, ensuring optimal resourceutilization for maximum impact
- Cultivated and nurtured national relationships with club owners, radio programmers, and promoters,fostering valuable partnerships and securing prime promotional opportunities
- Maintained strategic alliances with influential Hip Hop magazines, TV shows, and College DJs,leveraging these connections for enhanced promotional reach and industry influence.
National Director of Hip Hop Promotions
Warner Bros. Records
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Led the development, implementation, and management of national Hip Hop promotions for Warner
- Bros
- And Quest Records
- Collaborated with renowned artists, including Shaquille O'Neal, Tamia, DJ Kool, Something For The
- People, Eric Benet, and others, to drive impactful promotional campaigns
- Devised and executed comprehensive national strategies for urban radio, mix shows, and street shows toamplify artist exposure and engage diverse audiences
- Coordinated compelling radio interviews to generate buzz and foster strong connections with listeners
- Successfully orchestrated and oversaw national promotional tours to expand artist reach and cultivatefan bases
- Strategically allocated and supervised the disbursement of the promotions budget to maximize impactand ROI
- Cultivated and maintained national relationships with club owners, radio programmers, and promoters tosecure valuable promotional opportunities
- Nurtured strategic partnerships with prominent Hip Hop magazines, TV shows, and College DJs toenhance promotional reach and visibility.
National Urban Radio Consultant
Def American Records
01.1994 - 01.1996
- Spearheaded the development, implementation, and oversight of comprehensive urban promotionsstrategies
- Collaborated with notable artists such as DJ Kool, Chino XL, and others to drive successful promotionalcampaigns
- Devised and executed a national urban radio plan, national mix show plan, and national street show planto maximize audience reach and engagement
- FatThomi@gmail.com | 1201 Halifax Street, 23803 | 804-255-7276 Page | 3
- Coordinated impactful radio interviews to generate buzz and increase artist exposure
- Led the planning, implementation, and management of national promotional tours to enhance artistvisibility and fan base expansion
- Effectively allocated and oversaw the disbursement of the promotions budget, ensuring optimal resourceutilization
- Cultivated and nurtured national relationships with club owners, radio programmers, and promoters tofacilitate strategic collaborations and promotional opportunities
- Maintained valuable partnerships with prominent Hip Hop magazines, TV shows, and College DJs,leveraging these connections for enhanced promotional reach and impact.
Partner & VP of Promotions
Nubian Entertainment
01.1992 - 01.1993
- Successfully negotiated and secured the contract to promote the Phoenix Dance Club, establishing it asthe official venue for prestigious events like the "Jack The Rapper" music convention, MCA President
- Heavy D's party introducing Mary J Blige featuring DJ Kid Capri, Sony Records' Party featuring Shaba
- Ranks and Rakim Allah, So So Def President Jermaine Dupri's party featuring Kris Kross, Priority
- Records' party with Ice Cube, Yo Yo, and Ghetto Boys, and Busta Rhymes' event, among others
- Expertly secured talented artists and skillfully negotiated contracts
- Developed and allocated advertising and operating budgets to optimize promotional efforts
- Secured venues through effective contract negotiations
- Successfully established partnerships with Sound and Light companies, ensuring top-quality eventproduction
- Forged strong relationships with vendors, securing favorable contracts
- Leveraged strategic alliances to enhance promotional initiatives.
Education
Manchester High School
Chesterfield Va Skills
- Over 20 years of Music Industry Networking High Profile Music Experience
- Worked on projects that totaled over one hundred million albums sold
- Worked on projects that received more the 25 Grammy awards
- While working at Def American wrote , implemented and oversaw DJ Kool "Let Me Clear My Throat" Project which sold gold in first 3 weeks
- As head of Hip Hop at Arista wrote and oversaw marketing and promotion plan for Outkast "Aquemini" which sold 2 x platinum
- Fat Thomi Promotions created, marketed and promoted BET's Black College Day
- Wrote, promoted and/or oversaw promotions plan for every TLC project from "Oooooooh on The TLC tip to Fanmail"
- Fat Thomi Promotions is responsible for breaking Outkast, Craig Mack, and D'Angelo
- Created Black Future Month for the City Of Petersburg
Timeline
Adjunct Professor
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY, Hip Hop
01.2022 - Current
Commissioner
PETERSBURG PLANNING
01.2020 - Current
Senior Vice President and General Manager
1203 ENTERTAINMENT
01.2014 - Current
Founder/Owner and CEO/President
01.2003 - Current
National Director of Promotions
Arista Records
01.1998 - 01.1999
National Director of Hip Hop Promotions
Warner Bros. Records
01.1996 - 01.1998
National Urban Radio Consultant
Def American Records
01.1994 - 01.1996
Founder/Owner and CEO/President
Fat Thomi Promotions
01.1993 - 01.2003
Partner & VP of Promotions
Nubian Entertainment
01.1992 - 01.1993
Manchester High School
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