My KISS Life

My KISS Life; sharing my collection of 30+ years, my feelings about the KISS legacy and the news that I think matters. If you want news about the T-shirts, trinkets and trash and toys, and Gene’s ego-boosting updates, read Kissonline.com and GeneSimmons.com. My KISS Life is going to share photos and audio that I have collected over 30 years, including the many years I spent running the official KISS website, Kissonline.com, some of it very rare! Hope you enjoy!

Upon graduating from Mankato State University I accepted a position as Director of Marketing with DKP Productions, an artist management firm in Chicago. While at DKP Productions I represented a band, The Ultraviolet, that Gene Simmons’ Simmons Records pursued for a recording contract. Subsequently, I was recruited by Red Light Records to head their National Radio Promotions department.

In 1995 I launched my first website, KISS Otaku, after teaching myself html. Within three years, I had designed and launched websites for Perris Records, Creative Communications, Sportmart and Montgomery Wards.

In 1998, I was personally recruited by Gene Simmons to develop and manage KISS’ official website, KISSonline.com. I managed the website for seven years, building it to a level of a half million visitors a month. I was involved in the online marketing efforts for New Line Cinema’s release Detroit Rock City, Universal Records’ Billboard Top 10 debuting release Psycho Circus, KISS The Box Set, Sanctuary Records release KISS Symphony Alive IV on CD and DVD, Regal Cinemas’ KISS Symphony Alive IV big-screen debut, Showtime’s PPV The Last KISS, Livent’s Phantom of the Opera and Wilshire Financial’s KISS Visa card. KISSonline and my efforts were profiled by companies such as Adobe, Amazon and TechTV. I received Gold RIAA awards for my efforts in promoting KISS’ Psycho Circus, the KISS Box Set and KISS Symphony Alive IV.

While managing KISSonline as a Director of Web Services at Signatures Network, a Sony/CMGi company, I also launched official websites and fan clubs for high-profile artists such as Madonna, U2, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Meat Loaf, John Mellencamp, Alan Jackson, Thalia, Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Aaron Carter, Fleetwood Mac and Rod Stewart.

I was at the forefront in the development of the VIP ticket experience program. After an initial trial launch with Sammy Hagar, I developed the Platinum VIP ticket program for KISS’ World Domination tour, co-headlining with Aerosmith. This program set the mark for all other VIP programs, offering front row tickets, exclusive merchandise, personal photo with the band and a meet-and-greet for $1000. Over the course of a 60-date tour, the VIP program sold out at every show.