PAPER & PLASTIC is a visually driven conceptual book that explores the unexpected cultural, psychological, and artistic significance of backstage passes and tour credentials. Rather than presenting them merely as security tools, the book argues that passes become artifacts that communicate ideas, provoke thought, preserve memories, and reflect human behavior.
The book is organized as a series of short thematic chapters. Each chapter pairs: A broad concept (such as Authority, Legacy, Beauty, Utility, Compliance, Recognition, Fact Checks, Perceived Value, Interpretation, or Creative Concepts), a brief explanatory essay, examples of corresponding pass designs, and a quotation that reinforces the theme.
Across the book, the author demonstrates how simple materials—paper, plastic, ink, and design—can carry messages far beyond access control. Passes become:
historical records, works of art, social commentary, satire, tributes, memorials, psychological experiments, branding tools, conversation starters, and symbols of identity, power, and culture.
Running beneath the entire work is the larger idea that design communicates, often in subtle ways that influence perception and behavior. The author repeatedly encourages readers to look beyond appearances, question assumptions, recognize symbolism, and appreciate the layered meanings embedded in ordinary objects.
The final chapters conclude that, while credentials may lose much of their practical security value over time, they gain enduring value as artistic and cultural artifacts. In this sense, Paper & Plastic is presented less as a book about tour passes than as a meditation on communication, symbolism, creativity, and the intersection of security and art.
About the author
Todd Fox is the Founder and Managing Director of the Close Protection Corps, a specialized services firm that works with celebrities, dignitaries and C-suite executives in challenging environments. The company was founded in 1999 with their initial services focused on the Latin market.
Fox’s company became known for a number of successful service operations in challenging environments such as Mexico, Colombia, Haiti, Iraq, Bosnia, Turkey, and Russia. The company has performed protective operations in 163 countries across the full spectrum of clients ranging from Madonna and Janet Jackson, to Supreme Court Justices and UN Officials.
Fox is a former U.S. Marine who served honorably for 12-years. He was assigned duties that spanned the Corps’ broad gamut. Assignments ranged from washing dishes to operating with JTF-6. His access to “B” billets offered insight into unique realms outside the military. Fox is also a former law enforcement officer. He was responsible for the creation, development and training of a regional law enforcement special response team (SRT). His team participated in the protection of humans and assets during several pivotal national events. He is a graduate of multiple advanced programs at the Counterterrorism Division (CTD) of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC). He is certified by the Force Science Institute (FSI) as a Use of Force Analyst.
Fox has been a lifelong martial artist. He holds three black belts in uniquely different arts. While in the Marine Corps, he fought in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA/NHB) and retired with a professional record of ten wins and two losses. Fox holds dozens of titles in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). He is a Black Belt American National Champion (IBJJF), Black Belt African Continental Champion (AJP), Pan American Medalist (IBJJF), Black Belt U.S. Open Champion (AGF), Black Belt World Champion (NAGA), Black Belt Mexican National Champion (AJP) and Black Belt Colombian National Champion (AJP). He continues to actively train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai.
Fox has authored six books. Three of which are on protective service operations and one on force instruction. Four of these publications are available on Amazon; Underpinning: Foundational Concepts in Force Instruction, Protection for & from Humanity, All Access: The Secrets of Tour Security, and Protective Perspective: A Peek Behind the Curtain. His most recent release is Coffee Notes: 2025 which focused on unique coffee experiences he had in Latin American coffee shops.
Mike credits his early military training as the one thing that kept him disciplined through the many years. He currently works for an agency within the DoD.
