ENTREPRENEUR Phin Mackness always said that if he could find a way to bottle Manchester's
unique nightclub scene with its army of talented DJs and music culture credibility he
could sell it the world over.Now that is exactly what he plans to do following last
week's launch of Top1 Promotions, a brand new web-based business that aims to be a
one-stop-shop for party organisers and corporate event managers.
As well as being a shop window for the UK's most talented DJs - especially those from the
North West - Top1 say they can deliver vision, sound, lighting and staging to meet any
requirements across the whole of the UK. "Whether the event is in London or Glasgow,
Birmingham or Edinburgh, Top1 can help you make it happen," promised Phin, Managing
Director of the new company. "And if you require assistance with anything else from
web-site production, print or on-line ticket ordering, we can handle it all for you."
Lancaster born Phin, 27, who lives in city centre Manchester, was heavily involved in the
IT industry until he decided his passion for the Manchester music and club scene could be
turned into a compelling business opportunity. "Like many people my age, I've enjoyed the
Manchester scene and have developed a keen interest in the music, styles and fashion that
this city and its young trend setters have generated," he explained. "I've followed some
of the most successful DJs and their music and over the years I've got to know quite a
number of them as well as some of the city's big promoters. But it was only 18 months to
two years ago that it dawned on me that there was a huge audience out there who would be
prepared to pay for the services that these guys could provide. "Corporate event
management is a growing sector and one that could be well served by a business like Top1
and that is just one area I intend to explore."
Phin has taken offices in Deansgate and lined up a galaxy of star DJs who have signed up
to the Top1 service. They include names like Mikey Gallagher (Ministry of Sound), Simon
Forestiero (Chuff-Chuff) Stu Angus (Hypocrite Records), Jay-C (Monneypennys), Welly
(Pier), one desire (Sankeys), Jon Fitz (Subliminal, 2Risque), Gordan West (Hacienda),
Greg Fenton (Konspiracy), Anky K (Vibealite), Tim Owen (Kinky Malinki) and Jenny Harrison
(Monneypennys). "Visitors to the website will be able to see the full list of DJs
available and to ensure they make the right choice they can even listen in to some of
their performances," explained Phin. "We already know the website is going to be popular
with the music fans who follow these DJs but I believe it will become a useful tool for
event managers or anybody who wants to arrange a show for themselves."
Many of Phin's DJ associates attended the official champagne launch of the website where,
in deference to the party scene that is central to the central ethos of the new company,
attractive lady revellers strutted their stuff on the boardroom table. "Top1 is both fun
and different from anything else available and so it was appropriate that our launch was
different. In fact guests tell me they weren't disappointed," laughed Phin.
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