Experience Ability Flair
Company
Judy Totton Publicity was founded in 1979 by Judy Totton. That the award-winning company has prospered for so long is testament to its attitude, its ability to deliver and its professionalism. The aim of the company is to get the best possible coverage in the best interests of its clients.
For over four decades Judy Totton has provided a quality service combining flair and sensitivity with efficiency and drive. The ability to generate widespread coverage, a down to earth approach and a commitment to each client’s individual needs are the qualities that have won Judy the Music Industry’s Top PR Award on four separate occasions.
Personal recommendation and word of mouth have generated much of the company’s business over the years. The company focuses on editorial coverage across print, radio, TV and internet while photography is an additional service offered – Judy herself is an accomplished professional photographer.
Judy Totton Publicity has handled events as varied as the Chinese State Circus and Castle Donington’s 72,500 capacity annual Monsters Of Rock festival, companies as large as EMI Publishing and international stars as big as David Bowie, Dire Straits, Kiss and Nana Mouskouri. Major shows have included 2018’s ‘Evening With Eric Cantona’ and 2019’s Drum Legends festival. Judy has also worked on successive talks by His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the launch of Bill Wyman’s 2002 best-selling book and subsequent solo album and dates for Pink Floyd.
Additionally she also handled the high profile return to the UK of Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs. One of the biggest stories of 2001, Judy Totton Publicity oversaw the Biggs’ family’s media coverage, initiated interviews and press bulletins and arranged and hosted press conferences.
Personal profile
Having gained a BA (Hons) from Exeter University and an MA from the Royal College Of Art. Judy spent a short time working in theatre before joining Magnet Records, the No 1 singles label of the time, under the consultancy guidance of legendary PR Clifford Elson. In 1978 she left Magnet to become Press Officer at CBS Records (later to become Sony). Among the many artists she represented were Abba and The Jacksons featuring a young Michael Jackson.
In 1979 Judy set up her own company and within a month was engaged by Status Quo. They were to remain on her roster until she went on tour with David Bowie a decade later. Another long-standing client throughout the 80s was Toyah, named Singer Of The Year in 1982, while other artists included The Only Ones, Orange Juice, the Beat, John Cooper Clarke, Doll By Doll, Haircut 100, Landscape, Dr Feelgood, Fischer Z and Gary Numan. Latterly the company has handled PR for many artists including Steve Miller, the Kinks, Joan Armatrading and Joe Brown.
Employed by promoters for tours and events (including 11 years looking after the Donington Rock Festival, and the Blenheim Palace Festival), management companies, record labels and artists, Judy Totton has represented a diverse range of clientele over the years. Although working mainly within the music industry, corporations, book launches, art exhibitions, sporting heroes, obituaries, magazines and circuses – the Chinese State Circus, the Circus Of Horrors and Cottle & Austin – have also benefitted from her expertise.
On a more personal note, Judy has contributed photographs and articles to many publications and has been a panellist at various music industry seminars. She has also donated her time and energy to a variety of charities including environmental and humanitarian causes.