How do we love Flickr? Let me count the ways

L. Corwin Christie put up a post last week on her Technology in the Arts blog with an excellent list of museums who are using Flickr well.

I'd like to add one to that list. The Nasher Museum of Art has always done a nice job with keeping content current on Flickr.

But a few months back Wendy Livingston and the gang decided to uniquely integrate Flickr with with the opening of their exhibition Big Shots: Andy Warhol Polaroids. The exhibition features images that Warhol used as studies for later portraits. The Nasher has assembled over 300 images for Big Shots.

To tie in with the exhibition opening, guests at the event were photographed in Polaroid style and were then directed to find their mugs on the Warhol exhibition Flickr page.

To see Warhol's original works check out the exhibition here. (I'd share all the images on this blog but I prefer to steer clear of copyright lawyers whenever possible.)

It was a fun idea and a great example of marrying medium and message.

Added Value in New Jersey

When we negotiate media contracts, we are always asking what else can we get for our contract. Bonus commercials, web banners, contests, etc. These days getting "added value" has gone a lot further than our media buys. Truth is I've come to expect to get something more than I paid for in almost every deal we do.

So the following story really shouldn't surprise me as New Jersey's Star Ledger looks at how local theatres are using the "more for my money" attitude of local audiences to their advantage.

N.J. theaters up their game to attract customers

Michael Kaiser on the Huffington Post

The President of the Kennedy Center responded today to the push back he's getting across the country on his "don't cut programming" stance.

His messages starts:
"Many arts managers are angry with me. They do not appreciate my advice not to cut programming during this recession. I continue to say that creating large, important projects is central to creating fiscal health. Especially when there is less money for the arts (and there is less money for the arts today), arts organizations must compete harder."

Full text in the Huffington Post here.

Have you provided the Back Story?

It's almost time for the Olympics in Vancouver to begin. I was struck by this article from the Vancouver Sun that briefly talks about the evolution of television coverage for the Games and sports in general.

I don't think it's a big secret that you see more personal profiles on the athletes during the Olympics because networks like NBC want to attract female viewers to the coverage. Forgive the oversimplification but broadcasters have learned that men, simpletons we are, will watch competition with no regard for the participants. Ugh, Grunt, me like watch ballgame.

Meanwhile women generally won't spend their time on sports unless they feel connected to the athletes. Where did they come from, what's their family story, did they overcome personal struggles to get to the podium. The broadcasters putting on the games believe that women care more about that connection, that they want the back story.

And I trust that with a couple of billion in rights fees on the line, the TV execs have spent the research money for the data that backs up this strategy.

That leads me to wonder if we shouldn't take a lesson from the TV folks for once and make one of the measures of our marketing the "Back Story" test. A consideration of how well we introduce the performer not just as an artist but as a person. After all, if you're like a lot of arts organizations women easily make 60% or more of the purchasing decisions for your shows or exhibitions. That connection might allow your performance or exhibition to stand out with those women.

The "Back Story" could be created through interviews posted on your website, archived video from the artist's career, a link to their personal blog, greater depth on their bio, etc. Of course this all goes into your PR efforts as well, making the pitch a richer story, both for the reporter and their reader/viewers.

Just a little food for thought. Let the Games begin.

If you need Mom's attention, get in line

New whitepaper out from Advertising Age titled "The New Female Consumer: The Rise of the Real Mom". Puts a nice little dent in any idea that we've achieved gender equity. Lots of facts to ponder, from pay inequities to household duties.

If women are the primary decision maker in your audiences, which is true for most arts organizations, the report is well worth a read. I've included one table from the report (above) to whet your appetite. Now if you'll excuse me, it looks like I need to stop writing and start pulling my weight on the laundry.

Say...That's not a bad idea

There was a victory for the arts last week in Toronto, sort of. For a few years now local arts organizations have been pushing for a tax on billboards, with the money to be designated to go back into beautification projects and the arts.

Apparently the idea was a little too good.

On December 7th councilmen voted to approve the tax, all except the benefitting the arts part. Seems city government will place the over $10 million in taxes into the general fund. With budget short falls being what they are this year, I suspect we all know that money won't be going to arts groups anytime soon.

To read the full story check it out in the Toronto Sun here.

Technology in the Arts

This evening I had the opportunity to go to dinner with some very interesting and passionate arts marketers from across the country.

One member of the group was Corwin  Christie, the primary author of a blog you should read if you haven't run across it before.  Technology in the Arts consistently has good, new information on the use of technology, from mobile to the web, in the marketing of arts organizations.

Check out Corwin's thoughts at technologyinthearts.org