Trade Advertisements

Stax Records advertised frequently in Billboard and Cashbox, the prominent recording industry trade magazines of the era. Each issue contained sales charts, information on new releases, new technology, artist news, and recent business transactions. Nearly every record company, record distributor, retail outlet, and radio station had subscriptions to these magazines, so it was imperative that Stax highlight its artists and catalog to pique the marketplace's interest and highlight the label's growth and success. In such a competitive market, drawing the attention of those who could make or break a release was critical, resulting in some ads going beyond being provocative and venturing into the absurd.

Click on a trade advertisement below to view a larger version...