Better Badges
| Founded | 1976 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Joly MacFie |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Products | Badges, Fanzines, Cassettes, Flyers |
|
Production output
|
Printing, Manufacturing Cassette duplication |
| Services | Publishing, Distribution |
A Better Badge (formerly Better Badges) was a London button-badge manufacturer, started in 1976 by Joly MacFie. During the years 1977–1984 it became the leading publisher and merchandiser of 'punk badges' - exporting millions worldwide from their offices at 286 Portobello Road. Better Badges was a major player in the punk and postpunk scenes from 1976–1983 - a pioneer viral marketer, fueling the independent labels' fan-based promotional successes of the time.
1976 4 July, first punk badges sold at the Ramones and Flamin' Groovies show at The Roundhouse, London. The Better Badges stand went on to become a fixture.
1977 May, First mass-production of punk badges for sale at Mont de Marsan festival in France.
Commenced weekly badge top ten ad in NME.
1978 Better Badges expanded from its original location in a lock-up garage in St. Stephen's Mews into the top floor of 286 Portobello Road.
Better Badges published sets of badges for U2 - their first ever commercial product, and Rob Gretton's first act as manager of Joy Division was to order a set of badges from BB.
Later, after discussions with Gretton, MacFie ended BB's unwieldy royalty system, moving to one where bands just got a flat donation of badges.
1979 MacFie purchased in-house printing equipment which, in addition to badges, was used to produce many fanzines which BB also distributed. Titles included Jamming!,No Cure and Panache Promotional materials were also made for budding UK labels such as Mute Records and Rough Trade. Some artists, such as The Raincoats and Young Marble Giants used BB to publish small booklets.
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