Matt Lehrman on Audience Building
Visiting with a colleague recently, we got to talking about what would be the THREE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS that a mid-career professional in ANY sort of arts or cultural organizations should be asking. We further imagined that the process of ANSWERING such questions might serve as some sort of rite of passage for early/mid-career professionals - with the organizations that employ them expecting, supporting and respecting a staff member's … [Read more...]
In this interview, I’m delighted to introduce you to Dr. Stephen Brand, President & Chief Imagination Officer of the New Enterprise Factory. His firm designs, launches and scales revenue-generating, mission-driven ventures. In his words, he “finds the profit in non-profits.” How do you define the word “innovation” for a non-profit organization? Is it synonymous with “risk?” It’s entrepreneurship that is synonymous … [Read more...]
I'm calling a flag on the play. This is the NFL signal for Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Normally, I'd be among the first to say, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." I've spent the last 18 years as a champion of Arizona's offerings of theatre, music, dance, art, festivals, culinary, science/technology and cultural attractions. I continue to be a vigorous organizer of collaborative audience development … [Read more...]
One of the great honors of running an organization dedicated to "audience development" has been the privilege to meet and work in partnership with the dedicated leaders of the Veteran Tickets Foundation - which is best known as VETTIX.org. (And imagine my delight to discover that this national 501c3 non-profit organization is based here in my hometown of Phoenix - less than 3 miles from my office!) Their mission: "Give without … [Read more...]
"Jonathan Chapman (September 26, 1774 – March 18, 1845), also known as Johnny Appleseed, was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. He became an American legend while still alive, largely because of his kind and generous ways, his great leadership in conservation, and the symbolic importance he attributed to apples." … [Read more...]
The work of arts & cultural marketing is a never-ending frenzy: pursuing PR, balancing budgets, gathering images, designing promotions, writing brochures, pulling mailing lists, designing ads, distributing fliers, reviewing sales figures, proofing draft after draft, scheduling mailings, managing print schedules, evaluating options, strategic planning, managing teams, coordinating with artistic, executive and board leadership AND SO MUCH … [Read more...]
Why is this night different from all other nights? Thus starts "The Four Questions" - the centerpiece of the traditional Passover Seder (held tonight) which recounts the story of the Jewish people's freedom from slavery in ancient Egypt. The Seder is more than a great meal with family and friends. It is an annual experience by which a Jewish family revisits the essence of its history, religion and culture in a way that conveys meaning and … [Read more...]
Remember the heat that NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman took last year for suggesting that the arts & cultural sector is suffering from over-supply? He was quoted by the New York Times saying, "You can either increase demand or decrease supply. Demand is not going to increase, so it is time to think about decreasing supply." As you may recall, he noted that the NEA’s 2008 Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA) reported a 5 … [Read more...]
Through his AUDIENCES EVERYWHERE workshop, organizations of all sizes & missions learn strategies and skills that build new pathways to audience engagement in ways both respectful of mission and embracing of entrepreneurial opportunity.
www.AudienceAvenue.com [Read More …]
For too long, arts & cultural marketers have operated under the premise that the key to their organization's success is to "pick the low hanging fruit.” I have come to reject that premise. Fundamental changes in personal interests & … [Read More...]
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