Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Logsdon.
Hi Mark, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I was reared on a tobacco farm in Leitchfield, KY as the youngest of three boys. I remember getting hooked on music when I saw the music video for “Maybe It was Memphis” by Pam Tillis on CMT when I was a kid. From there, I started using my allowance to buy the latest cassettes and CDs. It didn’t click to me that I could pursue a career in music until a boy band named Next Page came to my high school during my senior year. They hosted a diversity and character development assembly during the day and came back the following day to perform a cover show. It was at that moment when I realized that if five guys from Atlanta can find my high school I could go the other direction.
Fortunately, after attending a few of their shows, they quickly picked up on the fact that I was interested in music and started teaching me how to set and take down the stage and sell merchandise.
I decided to move forward with learning more about the music business and enrolled in the music business program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Networking that kickstarted with connections from Next Page would land me a spot for a couple of summers at the Atlantis Music Conference in Atlanta. The executive director of that organization connected me with a management firm in Nashville called RLM/Mission Management, where I got to work with the launch of Little Big Town. Relationships that were built at MTSU would lead me to a temp spot at Sony/BMG Label. When that position ended, it was a referral from now MTSU Dean Beverly Keel that would land me my next opportunity as a Publicity Coordinator at PLA Media.
For nearly sixteen years, I have worked alongside the founder and team to build our roster of talent and tourism initiatives/attractions. I worked my way through Publicity Account Executive, Senior Publicist, and Executive Director roles before landing my current position as Vice President. Today, in addition to PLA Media, I also serve as the Communications chair for the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID).
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest struggle that I had to tackle was handling my sexuality, especially since I often found myself working in what would be considered conservative genres of music. It took me until the age of 29 to finally make my personal life public. I always feared losing an opportunity to work on a campaign because I was in the LGBTQ+ community. Fortunately, I’ve only had a couple of instances where it was ever an issue and, in those situations, you are faced with the decision of “does my moral ground outweigh the elevation that the campaign could bring to the firm?” For anyone who has faced the idea of deciding to be out in their work environment, I can say that it was the best decision I made. It allowed me to be my full self to my team and clients, and I had a supportive community at the office. My team even organized a surprise birthday at PLAY in Nashville shortly afterward and treated me to a drag show featuring Obsynity, a performer who often performs as Reba.
I was most proud of that decision a few years later when I had a younger member of our team leave me a note at the end of their term at our firm. That note stated that they were anxious about the decision to be out in this industry, but I showed him that they could be both out and have a successful career in the Nashville music scene. To this day, I keep that note on a bulletin board behind my desk to remind me that even when you least expect it you might not know that you are helping another generation light the way for tomorrow. Today, I serve on a board alongside that same individual which makes me so full of joy to see that individual continuing to excel in their work.
As you know, we’re big fans of PLA Media. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At PLA we offer strategic public relations, social media, graphic design, and website creation and management campaigns. Throughout my career, I have gotten the opportunity to work with some of the most incredible projects and people.
A sample of those project includes: The Tina Turner Museum, Lynn Anderson, Noah Galloway, Michelle Wright, Chase Rice, Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum, Nudie’s Honky Tonk, Skull’s Rainbow Room, Americana Music Triangle, Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Pilgrimage Music Festival, Bristol’s Rhythm & Roots, Nobody Trashes Tennessee, The Young Fables, Tim Williams, Tyler Williams, Devin Williams, The DEA’s Educational Foundation, RCA Studio A, Warner Chappell Production Music, Mark Chesnutt, Ben Rue, Ty Bates, Cherie Oakley, Legends of Tennessee Music Museum, Gary Morris, Immersive Van Gogh, Immersive Nutcracker, Disney Animation: Immersive Experience & many more. My team and I won multiple Tennessee Association of Museum awards for our work to launch the Tine Turner Museum.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
The pandemic reminded those of us who work in the entertainment industry that making a living in this field is a privilege that comes without any guarantees. One of the pillars of income streams for the company was the independent music scene and overnight that stream was dammed. Fortunately, our team quickly shifted gears and we jumped into the charity and live-streaming promotion arena. It proved to be a decision that allowed us to not only sustain but grow while other industries were halted.
We also realized that if we wanted, we could tackle our roles 100% from home and did so for a brief period of time.
We have since shifted to a hybrid environment where our employees work from home on Mondays and Thursdays, and we are in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I expect this will be our permanent schedule moving forward as the team enjoys the flexibility of work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.plamedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plamedia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PLAMedia/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-logsdon-5425718/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/plamedia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@plamedia/
Image Credits
Chrissy Yoder, Apple Music, and Ty Bentli – Becky Parsons
