Matt Lehrman on Audience Building
Do you hear the people sing? I really want to. I absolutely loved the new Les Misérables movie. In fact, I just returned from doing something I have NEVER done before: saw the movie again while it is still in the movie theater. I wanted another opportunity to drink in in the film's visual richness. I wanted another injection of the emotional heroin that literally left me sobbing. I wanted to wrap myself in the virtuous flag … [Read more...]
Crista Cloutier travels the globe teaching her original workshops, The Working Artist, The Working Creative & The Writer’s Life. More than a teacher, Crista is a nurturer, emboldener and coach to career-focused individuals engaged in all sorts of artistic and creative pursuits. Her website is: www.theworkingartist.info. In this interview we explore how the “marketing” and “audience development” challenges of individual … [Read more...]
I have the greatest respect for Adrian Peterson, the Minnesota Viking's running back who improbably returned from major knee surgery to complete an incredible season in which he fell just 9 yards short of the all-time rushing record for an entire season. Oh so close. It made me recall my closest brush with marketing "perfection." As the marketing director of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in the late 1990's, we had the … [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...]
Entirely wishful thinking on my part. But consider this: Now is an opportune - and incredibly necessary - time to connect the nation's arts & cultural policy to our country's most profound challenges. With all due respect and appreciation to NEA Chairs of the past, the ideal leader for President Obama's second term is someone who can substantially inspire, articulate and mobilize the significant opportunity of the arts & cultural … [Read more...]
New Years Day is an excellent time to reflect on the beliefs we choose to carry forward into the new year - the pillars upon which our future efforts will be based. Here are my TOP FIVE. I welcome discussion - and would love to hear yours, too! --- An empty seat never recommended anything to anybody. Arts & culture is a business driven by word of mouth. Every empty seat (or whatever that looks like for your type of … [Read more...]
In today's edition of You've Cott Mail, Thomas Cott invites predictions for the arts for 2013. I am very grateful for his question because it compelled me to sit down and articulate a concern that's been gnawing at me for quite some time. Here is my prediction for 2013: This year, the term “Value Proposition” will replace “Sustainability” as the focus of public policy, philanthropic and audience development efforts for the … [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...]
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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