As arts marketers, it’s easy to get distracted by shiny new digital marketing trends or bogged down with low-impact work. In this episode, we cut through the noise and help you focus on strategies that yield the greatest results for your organization. Media Moment (2:15) - News outlets, like Axios, have published eye-catching headlines about Google and Meta’s declining ad dominance. The articles are shocking, but should we really panic? Dan sits down with CI’s own Ally Duffey Cubilette to look a...
Jan 31, 2023•59 min
In this episode, we revisit a panel discussion from Boot Camp 2022 about creating a more inclusive and accountable arts ecosystem. Diversity strategist and consultant Theresa Ruth Howard sits down with colleagues Jane Raleigh, Director of Dance Programming at the Kennedy Center, and Melanie George, Director of Artist Initiatives at Jacob’s Pillow, to explore how institutional hierarchies can cap progress and how legacy structures can dampen organizational accountability.
Dec 13, 2022•53 min
As we near the end of 2022, arts organizations are still in recovery mode. Audiences are slow to return to cultural activities, and without proper benchmarks for attendance and revenue planning, arts leaders are without a compass. In this episode, we consider how audiences have evolved, propose fresh ways to engage and retain attendees, and share predictions for the new year. Media Moment (1:40) - Priya talks with CI’s VP/Managing Director, Christopher Williams, about a recent Washington Post ar...
Nov 29, 2022•59 min
In this episode, we navigate themes of authenticity and personal connection. From building teams that reflect the individual team members’ strengths to breaking down institutional facades, it’s time to get personal. Media Moment (01:00) - Erik and Priya nerd out about one of their favorite tools, the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment. They explore using this framework to bring teams together who can achieve more than the sum of their individual strengths. CI’s Stance (13:30) - Senior Consultant...
Aug 30, 2022•45 min
In this episode, we embrace the evolution of digital content. From the shift towards vertical video across social media platforms to the imperative of website inclusivity and accessibility, you’ll learn how to keep your organization moving forward. Digital Download (09:32) - CI’s graphic design team, Jess Berube and Stephanie Medina, share the scoop on Instagram’s new immersive feed with design tips to help your content shine in 9:16. CI’s Stance (12:36) - CI Senior Consultants Sam Kindler and L...
Jun 30, 2022•47 min
In this episode, we explore themes of transition and turnover. From shifts away from old digital tools towards new ones to an honest exploration of the “Great Resignation” and its impact on the arts, it’s time to adapt, grow, and evolve. Media Moment - Erik and Priya break down an episode of Adam Grant’s WorkLife podcast on “The Not-So-Great Resignation.” WorkLife Podcast with Adam Grant Digital Download - CI team members Madelyn Frascella and Ally Duffey Cubilette share what you need to know ab...
May 31, 2022•54 min
In this episode, Priya sits down with Johnna Fellows Gluth and MP to dive into the 2021 Performing Arts Ticket Buyer Media Usage Study. They talk about what it means to be a loyal ticket buyer two years into the pandemic and explore where those audiences spend their time online, how much time they spend on their devices, and what influences them to purchase a ticket.
Apr 21, 2022•39 min
In this episode, Erik speaks with CI’s new President, Priya Iyer, about her experience navigating a new and challenging leadership role. They discuss what supportive leadership really looks like, how to embrace feedback as a gift, and why it’s important to make space for celebrating your accomplishments. In this vulnerable conversation, Priya reflects on the imposter syndrome she’s felt in her new role and how her integrity has helped to carry her forward through challenges. Priya spent four yea...
Mar 17, 2022•47 min
How might the transformative events of the last two years impact the arts sector going forward? In this conversation, Erik interviews cultural leaders Indira Etwaroo and Alex Sarian for their perspectives on how the personal evolutions we’ve each undergone are impacting our institutions, our communities, and the arts sector. They also discuss how organizations are addressing historical inequities, what it means for an institution to embrace relationship-building, and how cultural organizations c...
Feb 17, 2022•57 min
How do you diversify your audience? You might start by rethinking whether that’s even the best question to ask. In this conversation, Theresa Ruth Howard poses alternative questions to leaders Zenetta Drew and Rachel Moore: What exactly does your organization mean when you talk about “diversifying audiences”? How do your organization’s values inform audience diversification initiatives? How can you demystify the word “community”? This conversation will inspire you to find your organization’s mos...
Dec 16, 2021•58 min
Courtney J. Boddie is the VP of Education and School Engagement at the New Victory Theater. In 2019, TYA/USA awarded her with the TYA Community Impact Award for her leadership in New Victory SPARK (Schools with the Performing Arts Reach Kids), a robust multi-year arts program that has transformed New York City school communities previously underserved in the arts. Russell Granet is President & CEO of New 42. Under his leadership, New 42 expanded its virtual presentations and educator resourc...
Dec 02, 2021•39 min
Claire Spencer is the CEO of Arts Centre Melbourne, a massive multi-disciplinary performing arts center in Melbourne, Australia, that stages over 4,000 performances and public events per year for an audience of 3 million annual visitors. Claire is largely credited with changing the course of Arts Centre Melbourne and has spearheaded the establishment of the Arts Wellbeing Collective (AWC) a mental health and wellbeing innovative collective set-up by the Arts Centre Melbourne in collaboration wit...
May 27, 2021•45 min
Nik Rama is Principal Analytical Lead at Google, where he also leads mindfulness sessions as part of the gPause program. He is interested in the intersection of neuroscience and meditation, particularly how to use these practices to help reshape the mind, improve wellbeing, and accomplish goals. In this episode, Nik shares the science behind how meditation can change your brain’s structure. He also outlines the research that convinced Google to incorporate meditation into their company because o...
May 13, 2021•27 min
In response to demands for increased user privacy, Apple’s iOS 14 update will make it easier for users to control how their data is shared with apps. Following suit with legislation like GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California, Apple and other tech companies are making updates that will change the entire digital marketing ecosystem as we know it. In this episode, Erik talks with four CI consultants about what arts organizations can do to prepare.
Apr 29, 2021•41 min
Andrew Recinos is the President and CEO of Tessitura Network , a member-owned non-profit dedicated to advancing the business of arts and culture through technology, service, and community. In this episode, Andrew shares what he’s learned from hundreds of arts leaders during his nine-month "listening tour" before becoming CEO of Tessitura. He also discusses what it’s like to take on a new role during a pandemic and explains why he’s confident the arts will experience a surge when venues can safel...
Apr 01, 2021•39 min
Madeline Pollis is the Industry Enrichment Content Producer & Assistant to the President at Capacity Interactive. A former opera singer, Madeline joined Capacity Interactive in 2018, where she produces the CI to Eye podcast and CI to Eye Live! She also works on the Arts Industry Digital Marketing Benchmark Study, Performing Arts Ticket Buyer Media Usage Study, and is part of the team that produces Digital Marketing Boot Camp for the Arts. In this episode, Erik and Madeline have a candid conv...
Mar 18, 2021•43 min
Robin Terry is the Chairwoman and CEO for Motown Museum in Detroit, a cultural gem founded in 1985 by her grandmother, the late Esther Gordy Edwards, who was a senior executive at Motown Records and sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Robin has devoted the last two decades to preserving the legacy of Motown's iconic brand. In this episode, Robin shares why celebrating Motown’s history can unite people from different backgrounds during this period of political polarity. She also discusses adapt...
Mar 04, 2021•39 min
In this episode recorded live at Boot Camp 2020, Theresa Ruth Howard and Mariclare Hulbert explore multi-layered marketing challenges, including how to respond thoughtfully to social media criticism and how to communicate equity-related issues. They also investigate various power dynamics between marketers and organizational leaders, artists and organizations, and the general public and organizations.
Feb 18, 2021•57 min
Robin Cantrill-Fenwick is the CEO of Baker Richards, a UK-based arts software and consultancy specializing in earned income strategy and audience development for arts and culture. He was previously the Deputy Executive Director of the Mercury Theatre Colchester and led digital transformations for organizations including the UK’s National Trust, The Royal Society (National Academy of Science), and the University of Westminster. In this episode, Robin shares data from The Insights Alliances’ Cultu...
Feb 04, 2021•41 min
Jennifer Rosenfeld is a business coach who collaborates with top musicians to create profitable and impactful online education businesses. A leading arts entrepreneurship educator and speaker, Rosenfeld has worked with non-profits, university music programs and conservatories, and professional musicians on developing a wide range of educational and artistic projects. She received her JD/MBA from Stanford University. In this episode, Jennifer Rosenfeld believes there is a massive financial opport...
Jan 21, 2021•36 min
The guests on CI to Eye during 2020 provided hope, guidance, and insight during an unprecedented year. Listen to all of their “CI to Eye moments" in this special episode as you rebuild and reimagine the future of the arts.
Jan 07, 2021•34 min
Betty Avila is the Executive Director of Self Help Graphics & Art , an organization on the East side of Los Angeles. Working at the intersection of arts and social justice, Self Help's mission is to foster the creation and advancement of new art works by Chicana/o and Latinx artists, with a focus on printmaking. Betty was named one of C-Suite Quarterly Magazine’s NextGen 10 in Philanthropy, Arts and Culture, and an Impact-Maker to Watch by City Impact Labs. In this episode, Betty and Erik ta...
Dec 03, 2020•34 min
This top-rated session from Capacity Interactive's Boot Camp 2020 explores what three incredible arts leaders have learned navigating their teams and themselves through this turbulent year. Whether you’re a team member, lead a department, or run an entire organization, this session will give you inspiration and insight as we move through this uncertain time.
Nov 12, 2020•1 hr
Joshua Dachs is one of the world's leading theater design consultants. Drawing on a background as a violinist, an architect, and a theatrical set and lighting designer, he has led FDA's consulting practice since 1984. He provides planning, programming, and design leadership for hundreds of successful projects, including the Mariinsky II Opera House in St. Petersburg and the newest Broadway theatre, the Stephen Sondheim. In this episode, Joshua and Erik lift the curtain on the mysteries of theate...
Oct 29, 2020•35 min
What is the state of the arts in 2020? Where are we? Where are we going? How have arts organizations responded to the massive changes driven by the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and the reckoning of systemic racism? In this episode, Erik speaks with three consultants to understand how the arts landscape has evolved and how it is moving forward. Tom O’Connor Consulting Group’s Performing Arts Marketing Roundtables COVID-19 Sector Benchmark - TRG TRG 30...
Oct 08, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Kristie Swink Benson is the Director of Communications at the High Museum of Art , where she has helped position the museum as an integral part of the fabric of Atlanta and developed a passionate and diverse audience. She built her communications career in government and the for-profit sector. In this episode, Kristie and Erik discuss how the High Museum programs beyond blockbusters, targets their institutional marketing to a three-to-five-mile radius around the museum, and employs thoughtful en...
Sep 17, 2020•48 min
Arthur Cohen is the Founder and CEO of LaPlaca Cohen . He oversees the company’s research project, Culture Track , an ongoing study tracking the shifting attitudes and behaviors of cultural audiences in the United States. In this episode, Arthur and Erik discuss the findings of LaPlaca Cohen and Slover Linett’s recent Culture Track study. This survey of arts audiences and the wider U.S. public seeks to answer a range of urgent, complex questions about how arts and culture fits into the hearts, m...
Aug 20, 2020•39 min
Britton Smith is an actor who has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally. He is also the President and co-founder of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition , which builds the capacity of directly impacted advocates, artists, students, organizations, and communities to use the arts as an integral part of their social change work. In this episode, Britton and Erik talk about the recent Broadway for Black Lives Matter virtual forum, a public conversation about racism in theater that brought to...
Aug 13, 2020•39 min
Anastasia Boudanoque is a classical talent manager, producer, and impresario who has been involved in the careers of some of the most compelling performers of our time. In this episode, Anastasia and Erik discuss how online views of classical music content have skyrocketed during the pandemic. This data suggests a much larger interest than previously assumed and a much higher potential for engagement with the art form.
Aug 04, 2020•36 min
Robert Barry Fleming is the new Executive Artistic Director at Actors Theatre of Louisville. A native Kentuckian, this is his first year at Actors Theatre after serving as Associate Artistic Director of the Cleveland Play House and Director of Artistic Programming at Arena Stage. He previously worked as a producer, director, choreographer, performer, and teacher. Tune in to his weekly podcast, Borrowed Wisdom , which asks what we can learn from one another. In this episode, Robert and Erik discu...
Jul 16, 2020•44 min
