Michigan Citizen: Fascinating Detroiter
Ty Townsend has had a long career in the entertainment industry. As a Casting Director, he has worked on films and numerous stage productions. Detroit native has saw one thing that was consistent in that business, the need for advertising and promotions. One of the entertainment industry’s primary routes of promotion over the years has been merchandising. If you attend a concert, in the lobby you are likely to find stands where you can buy a T-shirt, Water Bottle or other item emblazoned with their face or logo. Known as Merchandising, these items are key in the promotion of a new artist. But, they are not just for artists, businesses, colleges, even non-profit organizations benefit from the creation of original merchandise with their name, logo and website information on it.
“By working in the entertainment industry, I realized that we were always purchasing these materials from someone else,” Townsend states, “I decided to partner with people who had the means of production and be able to provide the materials for less.” Starting his business, Next Level Promotions has been a learning process for Townsend. He began by reaching out to potential clients via email, however, he soon decided to open a showroom with the assistance of a grant from the State of Michigan due to his disability, he suffers from Herniated Disc Disease, and with a money from the United Way IDA Matching Grant program. Townsend his happy to tout the United Way who helped him through a program that matches low-income applicants four dollars to every one dollar that they earn or raise to start a business, pay for college or buy a home. More information on the program can be obtained by calling the United Way by dialing 211 from a landline phone. Townsend, who is the father of three, is using his unique merchandising background to help numerous companies and agencies. His business has worked with Wayne County Community College District, Comcast Cable, and recording artists, Slum Village and Dwele. He is proud of his status as a minority owned and operated business who is local and guarantees his work. He promises that he will save his clients money, offering specials to readers of The Michigan Citizen 20% off a new order when they mention this article. Next Level Promotions has a different special every month, for May, he is offering 100 T-Shirts with a one color imprint for only $300. T-Shirts are a specialty of Next Level Promotions. He is proud to offer glitter screening, digital processing, heat transfer, metallic ink, embroidery, and more. Townsend enjoys doing family reunion shirts that are a part of bringing families together. Next Level Promotions can also create 10,000 other promotional items, ranging from ashtrays to water bottles. Customers can visit the showroom to see samples of his products. Townsend is looking to build relationships with other Detroit area business owners and collaborate for success. As a small business owner in the City of Detroit, Townsend knows what it takes to succeed, “You have to see it, and the build it. Businesses need to create a brand identity. If you are in business, you have to advertise, in some way. Without advertising, a very bad thing happens… nothing
