Agents Corinne Forbes, Carl Stirk and Ian Bradley offer musical revelations
Climbing every mountain and fording every stream may be a bit extreme but indie sales agents make sure they get to customers in all corners of the country.
And, with Wicked working its magic at the box office and new musicals hitting the high notes in theatres, PG has introduced a chorus line of agent Guys & Dolls to share the score of trade over the past year.
In the last of the series, PG hears from Corinne Forbes, Carl Stirk and Ian Bradley as they also revealed their musical of choice as well as what’s bringing the hills alive with the Sound Of Music in their patch in 2025.
Corinne Forbes
Corinne’s territory is the whole of Scotland which she covers with sub-agents Roberta and Lynsey representing publishers including Belly Button Designs, Five Dollar Shake, Janie Wilson, Molly Mae, Paper Salad, Stop The Clock and Wendy Jones-Blackett
A Wicked-ly good or Les Miserables year? “It was Wicked-ly good I’m delighted to say. Most customers were happy with how busy they were from mid-November onwards. More customers contacted me in December to re-order Christmas cards than the previous year, which was great. There will always be The Grinches who have stopped sending Christmas cards due to cost of postage, etc, but I do believe they’re still the minority.
“The high notes of 2024 were new products and ranges. It constantly amazes me how talented publishers are and how they keep coming up with new ranges time after time. It’s so important to keep our customers interested and excited to see and buy new on a regular basis. Stranger Things may happen but generally no low points. We have amazing and loyal customers and fabulous products to sell – what more could you want!”
The 2025 Sound Of Music: “I’m just hoping for another Wicked year really!”
Your musical alter ego: “I would love to appear in Mamma Mia – who doesn’t love a happy ending?!”
Carl Stirk
Carl covers the north-east representing The Art File, Cinnamon Aitch, Five Dollar Shake, Hammond Gower, Rachel Ellen, Rosie Made A Thing, and others
A Wicked-ly good or Les Miserables year? “It was both Wicked-ly good and, at times, Les Miserables. It was quite a challenging year which saw a few casualties.
“The political uncertainty, wars and high inflation caused a very financially-conscious customer and spending downturn. On a brighter note, the companies I represent have continued to bring out amazing and innovative new products for retailers to inspire their customers with, which all contributed to a very busy Christmas.
“In a Back To The Future feeling, while some long-established retailers closed their doors when their leases came to an end, deciding on retirement, on the other hand I saw new accounts opening and companies I represent going from strength to strength.”
The 2025 Sound Of Music: “I’m feeling as energised as Mary Poppins! Hopefully, like all good musicals, we’ll see a happy ending to wars and more certainty in the market.”
Your musical alter ego: “I would be The Greatest Showman because everyone and everything counts. It’s great to be a part of industry that brings so much joy to us all.”
Ian Bradley, of Bradders Agencies
Ian covers the Midlands representing Glick, James Ellis, Katie Pythian Design, Lagom Design, Louise Mulgrew, Lucilla Lavender, Paper Salad, Portfolio and Rush Design
A Wicked-ly good or Les Miserables year? “It was, without doubt, a bit of a rollercoaster ride. There were highs and lows across the year. One month I was Singin’ In The Rain and the next Walking On Sunshine. What with a mild wet winter and election blues for month after month, retail trade never seemed to settle into its usual rhythm.
“The Producers – the fabulous companies I work with – are always the highlight of my year. Along with this, it was amazing to take part in the annual Cardgains Charity Walk once again but, Mamma Mia!, was I happy to see the Christmas trade start early for the shops and keep its momentum right up to the last week.”
The 2025 Sound Of Music: “At the start of the year, I was very optimistic but, on reflection, 2024 can Beat It into distant Memory. Somewhere Over the Rainbow I see 2025 standing tall with One Vision – to be a great year.”
Your musical alter ego: “Given that I’m one of The Greatest Showmen I would undoubtably have to perform as Freddie Mercury in We Will Rock You. Playing my air guitar mic stand and prancing around in some typical Bradders fancy shirt – and leggings of course! I’m done with all the Innuendo so, I just Want to Break Free and I’m going Headlong into 2025 so, Don’t Stop Me Now as I take on the challenge with my own Kind Of Magic.”
These views were first published in the February issue of Progressive Greetings magazine, and can be read here.
