Alltheparties: Notables on the Scene: Nick Storm

Nicks7b

NICK STORM
HPNOTIQ
NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PROMOTIONS

Many of you that go out or look at these pictures may see some of the same faces time and time again. I'm sure some of you may wonder exactly who are these people and what do they do so that they're partying all the time? And what do I need to do so I can party like a rockstar at all times? So we've created the column, Notables on the Scene to shed some light on the subject. From time to time, we will spotlight folks on the scene to learn a bit more about them. So without further a due, we present Nick Storm.

Nicks8a He is the hustle behind Hpnotiq and he is feeling far from blue. Since its launch five years ago, Nick Storm, National Director of Promotions for Hpnotiq, drove the popular blue liqueur to mainstream status from the trunk of his car.

Storm exchanged Hpnotiq bottles for dollars from the back of a car like he was selling CDs. “We had no money for magazines, commercials … honey, we barely had money for flyers,” he said.

Storm just kept an ear to the streets to assess what was hot and new. Then he used the “guerilla tactic,” which he described as, staying in people’s faces about the product, to promote Hpnotiq at clubs, album release parties, events, and other promotional outlets.

It led him to his greatest accomplishment: selling the drink in 17 countries with almost 2 million cases sold. He used his background in the music industry promotions field as a tool to build a brand. “I would speak to everyone, whether you were a big time A&R [artist and repertoire] or an A&R assistant. I even was cool with the people in the mailroom. Now look, some of those people are big time executives,” he said. Eventually, Hpnotiq maneuvered its way into popular hip-hop videos and song lyrics. In return, he gave back to the people he represented by co-sponsoring non-profit events, one of the joys of his job.

Another pleasure of Storm’s is partying. He has to be out with the people in order to see what they are eating, drinking, and talking about. “I can’t do it from the office,” he said. You're likely to catch him at Monday Night Football (Any Given Monday) at Justin’s Restaurant and the afterparty (The Player's Lounge) at Sol, along with 40/40, Home, or B.E.D. on other nights. Although most people desire to be in the VIP section, Storm prefers to mingle with the consumers. “I party with them,” he said. His favorite DJs are DJ Clue, DJ Self, and DJ S&S.

The best party he attended recently was his own birthday party (Nick Storm's B-Day Bash at Sol). “It felt like a Diddy party!” he exclaimed. Except, there was no VIP area because everybody is special to Storm. Of course, there was plenty of Hpnotiq to go around. “It’s a party drink,” he said.

Nicks11a When Storm first got involved with Hpnotiq, many people told him a blue bottle would never sell, especially in New York City. However, he started in the heart of the city – Manhattan – and now is riding high on Hpnotiq's national level of success. He's now setting his sights on overseas markets. Storm believes he's destined for a similar if not higher level of global success, “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.”