REBEL STRAP CO. & RED STAR ADDS INDUSTRY VET TO MARKETING TEAM
Diane Gershuny to handle Artist & Public Relations for New JTM Merchandising Divisions

Huntington Beach, CA (July 5, 2006)—The Rebel Strap Company and Red Star straps—two new divisions of JTM Merchandising—announce the contract appointment of Diane Gershuny as Artist and Public Relations Manager. Diane brings over two decades of music industry experience, media relations and artist contacts to the marketing team. Based in Huntington Beach, California, The Rebel Strap Company is distributed worldwide by Fender®’s FMI Wholesale, with Red Star being distributed by D’Addario, USA. Both offer a variety of high quality guitar straps for sale at retail stores, at online retailers and at www.rebelstraps.com and www.redstarstraps.com respectively.
As Artist and Public Relations Manager, Gershuny will help develop the company’s roster of artists, while helping build the brand of Rebel Strap Co., and its line of innovative products, throughout the media. She has a diverse background, ranging from editorial to publicity to event production. She served as "Media Maven," handling public relations for Mackie Designs (1994-97), was the Frontline Editor at Fender Musical Instruments (2000-03), and spearheaded TASCAM’s PR and Artist Relations (2003-05). Diane has also served in an editorial capacity for MI titles including GIG, Drums & Drumming and Frets magazines, and has been freelancing for 20 years (Performing Songwriter, Keyboard, Guitar Player, Bass Player, Bass Guitar, DRUM!, Electronic Musician, ProSound News, and others). In the early ‘90s, she was logistics coordinator for Labadie Productions (producers of the San Jose Jazz Festival) and for the Paul Masson Winery Summer Series.
“What can I say? I’m thrilled to be working with this great team spearheaded by Joey Tafolla,” Diane related. “Not only is he a successful businessman with a great eye for innovative products, but has the creativity of an artist and a player who knows the industry inside and out. I’m excited to be working with him to help build his vision and take it to the next level.”