Radio Promotion Powerhouse SKATEBOARD MARKETING Celebrates 35th Anniversary

Founded 35 years ago on August 12, 1991 by Munsey Ricci (pictured below),Skateboard Marketing has operated at the heart of hard rock, heavy metal, and heavy music culture, working across commercial, satellite, syndicated, and college radio to break new artists and support legacy acts for three and a half decades with passion and precision. It's a legacy built on relationships, experience, and an unwavering commitment to the bands that define the genre.

The company has now announced its 35th-anniversary party will take place at The Meadows in Brooklyn on Friday, October 9, 2026. The all-star event will be hosted by comedian Don Jamieson, who states: "Super pumped to be a part of Skateboard's 35th anniversary! I've known Munsey for over 40 years and amazing that I'm still in cahoots with that curly-haired dude from L'Amour."

Ricci adds: "There is nothing more fitting than getting everyone together in a room for drinks and a celebration. It has been 10 years since our last party so this year it's important to have a massive gathering for everyone."

Skateboard Marketing is known for convention showcases. Every year since its fifth anniversary, there's been a party. Past venues include Don Hills, The Bowery Poetry Club, Webster Hall NYC and Coney Island High in New York. Some of the biggest names in metal have privately performed, including FEAR FACTORY, BLIND GUARDIAN, GRAVE DIGGER, WARRIOR SOUL and OTEP. This year's gala will feature an all-star jam band sure to raise the roof.

As the company evolves, radio promotion is more important than ever before. It is a launching pad for many new developing artists, as well as mainstay legacy bands, transcending the voice of the artist through their art is key to keeping legacy bands current and exposing new talent such as LORNA SHORE, SIGNS OF THE SWARM, SHOWING TEETH and TORN OPEN to the audience.

"As fans change, a company must change with the fanbase" states Ricci regarding the growing trend of new formats in the metal world. "I feel truly graced by God to have this career/life and to be able to remain relevant in this industry for the last 40-plus years."

In 2016, Skateboard Marketing launched Metal Contraband, a reporting and information platform that provides labels, managers, and artists with accurate visibility into metal radio performance through commercial, college, and syndication metrics, along with charts, news, street dates, add dates, and more. When CMJ discontinued publishing in 2017, there was a empty void without a chart or metal section for labels and artists to gauge weekly airplay. It went a step further with a full radio editorial section run by Chelsea Nelson-Fernandez along with complete tour dates, upcoming adds section as well as Q&A. All was created in conjunction with Beatrix Danko and Steve Walker at Radio Contraband. As a necessary media outlet, Metal Contraband grew to become one of the industry's mainstay press outlets for radio.

Since 1991, Skateboard Marketing's campaigns have supported an enormous spectrum of heavy music — from underground breakouts to globally recognized icons — across major and independent labels alike. The company has contributed to national radio strategies for a roster that includes MOTÖRHEAD, TESTAMENT, JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH, DIO, OVERKILL, SOULFLY, SEPULTURA, PARKWAY DRIVE, EXODUS, DEATH ANGEL, SOILWORK, IRON MAIDEN and Ozzy Osbourne.

Keeping metal on the dial since 1991, Skateboard Marketing remains focused on its mission: supporting artists, growing new fans, serving the culture, and keeping heavy music loud.

David Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH) commented: "Skateboard Marketing have been a vital part of most every record I have released in the last 30+ years. There's no replacing their passion and boots on the ground regime when putting out metal records. People like Skateboard have kept metal alive in the trenches for the last 35 years. Congratulations Munsey Ricci and his staff on a job well done.... happy 35!"

Wendy Dio, president, NIJI Entertainment Group Inc., said: "Congratulations to Munsey Ricci and everyone at Skateboard Marketing on an incredible 35 years. It has been a pleasure working with Munsey and his team for over 30 years and we are grateful for his continued support of Ronnie James Dio's legacy and NIJI Entertainment Group. We wish Munsey and Skateboard Marketing continued success for many years to come."

Tommy Victor (PRONG) said: "Happy 35th anniversary to Munsey and all at the legendary Skateboard marketing Ltd. Thank you for all the years of dedication in promoting intense groundbreaking sounds to the radio world."

Full Metal Jackie, syndicated radio host, said: "Munsey has been bringing me music since my college radio days, long before Full Metal Jackie existed. He's been a constant throughout my entire career, and his commitment to getting great heavy music heard has never wavered. Metal radio is better because of him. Congratulations on 35 years, Munsey!"

Maria Ferrero at Adrenaline PR commented: "Skateboard Marketing and Munsey Ricci are national treasures when it comes to hard rock and heavy metal bands getting radio airplay. For decades I've considered Munsey a trusted source. His crew are the only game in town ....and the work they've done carries a ripple in bands' careers that really makes a difference"

Before launching Skateboard Marketing, heavy music fanatic Munsey Ricci built and ran the first dedicated metal radio department at PolyGram Records and its affiliates (Mercury Records, Polydor Records, RooArt and London Records),working releases from KISS, RUSH, SCORPIONS, Doro Pesch, Yngwie Malmsteen, MORTAL SIN, ONSLAUGHT, Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore, COMPANY OF WOLVES and L.A GUNS. Prior to that, Ricci worked at Combat/In-Effect Records and CMJ Media, giving him a rare perspective from both the promotion and programming sides of the industry. Spending four years in college radio gave Ricci the inner workings of radio and how things were shaped and evolve something from nothing. That background helped shape Skateboard Marketing into what Loudwire described as a driving engine behind the scenes of heavy music discovery.