CI to Eye: Recent Episodes
Capacity Interactive
In an age of profound change, how must arts administrators evolve so our organizations stay relevant and thrive?
It starts by asking tough questions.
Erik Gensler, the President of Capacity Interactive (CI), a digital marketing consulting firm for the arts, speaks with thinkers and leaders inside and outside of the arts about leadership, marketing, organizational culture, and innovation. If you’re an arts administrator, you don’t want to miss these conversations created to spark your imagination and encourage you to think and grow in new ways.
Please join us to CI to Eye.
Marketing and development teams in arts and cultural organizations work toward the same goals: generating revenue, deepening relationships, and advancing the mission. But too often, they’re doing that work in silos—on separate timelines, using different tools, and speaking to the same audiences in different ways. The result? Missed opportunities and diminished impact.
In this episode, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Director of Marketing, Jeanna Vella, and Director of Development, Sara Clark, share what happens when we break down silos and create true cross-departmental partnerships. They reveal the tools and tactics that keep their teams aligned, the hurdles they’ve worked through, and what any organization can do to build stronger alignment between marketing and development.
CI to Eye Interview (time) - Dan sits down with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to discuss their experience breaking down silos and creating true cross-departmental partnerships.
CI-lebrity Sightings (time) - Dan shares his favorite stories of CI clients in the news. This episode spotlights Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Atlanta Ballet.
LINKS:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
The Violin Channel | Baltimore Symphony Receives $5m Gift Towards Family and Educational Programming
WLWT News | Cincinnati Art Museum planning expansion to make Art Climb more accessible
TODAY | 100-year-old ballet instructor shares his 3 simple tips for a long, healthy life
Recent political developments in the U.S.—from executive orders to proposed agency closures and evolving federal funding guidelines—have placed cultural organizations at the center of a national conversation about how institutions uphold their values and navigate their role in a rapidly changing America.
In this episode, Brett Egan of the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management breaks down what’s happening now, what’s at stake, and where cultural organizations might find unexpected opportunity in the turbulence.
CI to Eye with Brett Egan (1:30) -- CI’s President (Interim) Christopher Williams sits down with Brett Egan, President of the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management. They discuss how to prepare for threats to the arts and cultural industry, and rethink what resilience means moving forward.
CI-lebrity Sightings (31:55) -- Dan Titmuss shares his favorite stories about CI clients in the news. This month’s episode spotlights The Juilliard School, Louisville Orchestra, and San Diego Theatres.
LINKS:
DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management
Capacity Interactive | The Arts and Culture Sector is Facing a Funding Squeeze in 2025
New York Times | Juilliard Plans $550 Million Drive to Go Tuition Free
Sentinel News | Louisville Orchestra bring classical music to all corners of Kentucky
Broadway World | San Diego Civic Theatre Will Get $7.5 Million Renovation
Great experiences don’t happen by accident—they’re designed with intention. From the first click on a website to the moment a visitor steps through your door to engagement after they leave, every interaction shapes how people feel about an organization. So what does it take to create a truly exceptional guest experience?
Emily O’Hara, Senior Director of Guest Experience at the Detroit Zoological Society, thinks about this every day. In this episode, she shares how the Detroit Zoo fosters personal connections and creates a welcoming, engaging environment for every guest. We explore practical strategies for delivering wildly good experiences that turn visitors into raving (and returning) fans.
CI to Eye with Emily O'Hara (1:30) – Dan and Emily discuss the growing importance of hospitality in arts and culture, making our venues more accessible with thoughtful accommodations, and the magic of penguin exhibits.
CI-lebrity Sightings (41:00) – Dan shares his favorite stories of CI clients in the news. This episode’s roundup includes ArtsEmerson, Boston Ballet, The Children’s Theater of Cincinnati, The Huntington Theatre, and San Francisco Symphony.
LINKS:
WBUR | Free tickets drop for Boston kids as performance arts venues join city program
Broadway World | The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati Receives $2 Million Anonymous Challenge Gift
San Francisco Chronicle | S.F. Symphony and Conservatory of Music announce benefit concert for Los Angeles fire relief
As we face growing political tensions in the U.S. and unprecedented government interference in arts and culture programming, sustaining our commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility (DEIBA) is more critical than ever. Recent executive actions have limited resources for our industry and further silenced historically excluded voices in our field. As these challenges mount, we must find new ways to advocate, collaborate, and ensure our work remains inclusive.
This episode revisits a powerful conversation with Dr. Evelyn Carter from June 2023 about what it takes to uphold DEIBA commitments when the going gets tough. Dr. Carter shares heartening advice and actionable strategies for arts and cultural administrators to meet this moment with purpose and resilience.
SEGMENTS:
CI to Eye Interview (3:00) - Dan sits down with social psychologist Dr. Evelyn Carter to discuss the unique DEIBA challenges and opportunities we face in the arts and entertainment industry. Dr. Carter shares expert tips for living our values, creating welcoming environments, and addressing implicit bias in the workplace and beyond.
CI-lebrity Sightings (54:10) - Dan recaps his favorite stories of CI clients in the news. This month’s newsmakers include Detroit Symphony Orchestra, NYU Skirball, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Musical Instrument Museum, Los Angles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Pittsburgh Symphony.
LINKS:
NPR | 'Chilling effect': Arts organizations react to end of DEI initiatives from fed agency
CBS News | How Trump is reshaping the Kennedy Center, moving away from "woke culture"
CI to Eye | Sustaining DEIBA Commitments
WHYY | From a childhood dream to leading orchestras: The power of music education
New York Times | 'How Did I Get Here?' 7 Days in the Life of a Busy Arts Programmer
USA Today | 10 best music museums in the US that will rock your world
Symphony | 2025 Classical Grammy Award Winners
In this episode, we revisit some of the most powerful insights from last year’s guests to inspire and guide the year ahead. This isn’t just a look back—it’s a call to action for our industry. Listen as fourteen cultural leaders remind us why the arts matter and how we can continue to push boundaries, build connections, and lead with purpose.
The end of the year is a busy time for arts administrators, packed with holiday campaigns and fundraising deadlines. With so much happening, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. So today we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our “why.”
In this episode, we revisit a popular Boot Camp 2024 conversation with CI President Priya Iyer Doshi and Terri Freeman, President of The Lewis Museum, about purpose-driven leadership and the resilience of our industry. Then, we ask arts administrators to reflect on their year and what’s fueling their passion in 2025. It will leave you feeling grounded, inspired, and ready to tackle what’s ahead.
CI to Eye with Terri Freeman (1:30) - Live from Boot Camp 2024, CI President Priya Iyer Doshi sits down with Terri Freeman, President of The Lewis Museum. Together they discuss purpose-driven leadership, resilience, and navigating uncertainty with clarity. It’s a timely conversation and a powerful reminder of the importance of our work.
Ask The Industry (59:30) - Dan takes his microphone to the Boot Camp floor to ask arts administrators about their year in review. They share their excitements, challenges, and what’s keeping them inspired as we roll into 2025. Listen for familiar voices from Acadiana Center for the Arts, ArtOps, ArtsWave, Ballet BC, Carnegie Hall, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Charleston Gaillard Center, Cincinnati Arts Association, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Houston Ballet, Huntington Theatre Company, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Madison Symphony Orchestra, New York Theatre Workshop, Paper Mill Playhouse, Proctors Collaborative, Signature Theatre, Trinity Rep, University Musical Society, YoungArts, and ZACH Theatre.
In today’s post-pandemic world, keeping our audiences engaged and organizations financially healthy can feel like an uphill battle. Changing audience behaviors have disrupted traditional marketing strategies, and high churn rates among first-time visitors, subscribers, and donors are slowing revenue growth. But what if there’s a way forward that breaks from the traditional playbook?
In this episode, CI President Priya Iyer Doshi sits down with industry leader Aubrey Bergauer to discuss her new book, Run It Like A Business. Aubrey draws inspiration from outside the arts to rethink how organizations can boost relevance, drive revenue, and better serve our communities. Discover how adapting for-profit strategies for non-profit goals can help move your organization forward.
CI to Eye with Aubrey Bergauer (1:30) - CI President Priya Iyer Doshi sits down with Run It Like A Business author Aubrey Bergauer to discuss some of the book’s key ideas that can make a big difference in our organizations.
CI-lebrity Sightings (44:25) - Dan shares his favorite stories about CI clients in the news.
LINKS:
Aubrey Bergauer | Run It Like A Business Book Bonuses
CI to Eye | Bucking Trends with Disciplined Communication
Washington Post | The 20 best art museums in America
Washington Post | The best small art museums in America
Boston Globe | The Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts in 2024
Oregon Arts Watch | City announces $4 million+ in arts grants
The Guardian | Small step or a giant leap? What AI means for the dance world
Art Net | Hey Besties, Gen Z Marketing Scripts Have Infiltrated Museums Around the World
The world is full of injustice and inequity, and most arts organizations have the best of intentions to be responsive in thoughtful and meaningful ways. But it can be challenging–boards and long-time patrons can push back on programming and messaging that feels unfamiliar to them, and change can feel unbearably slow when your organization lacks the necessary connections or resources within its larger community.
In this episode, we’ll share never-before-aired insights on how to hold your organization accountable to its goals around representation, access, and equity, from a conversation recorded earlier this year between CI’s VP, Managing Director Christopher Williams and Canton Symphony Orchestra’s Rachel Hagemeier. Rachel discusses the Symphony’s podcast, Orchestrating Change, and the learnings and organizational shifts that have come out of those interviews, as well as the Symphony’s evolving model for community connection.
CI to Eye Interview (1:30) - CI’s Christopher Williams sits down with the Canton Symphony Orchestra’s Rachel Hagemeier to help listeners understand how to hold their organizations accountable to their mission and goals around representation, access, and equity.
CI-Lebrity Sightings (16:10) - Dan shares his favorite news stories about CI clients.
LINKS:
Institute for Composer Diversity | 2023 Orchestra Repertoire Report
Cleveland.com | ‘I can’t breathe’: Ohio authorities investigating death of man in Canton police custody
Know Your Own Bone | Trust Trends for Cultural Entities at Mid-Year 2024
Know Your Own Bone | The Causes Likely Visitors Care About Most as We Enter the Election Cycle
Gothamist | After 19 years, a docent at the Rubin Museum says goodbye to his ‘home away from home’
Times of San Diego | San Diego Symphony Celebrates New Look Jacobs Music Center with Concert, ‘Day of Music’
BroadwayWorld | Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, and More Take Home Equity Jeff Awards
A solid web analytics strategy gives the insight you need to better understand your audiences, optimize your campaigns, and ultimately, drive more ticket sales or donations. But for many arts marketers, justifying a greater investment of time and money in web analytics can feel like an uphill battle—especially when making the case to senior leaders who are farther removed from the digital weeds.
In this episode, we’ll help you bridge the gap between the technical side of GA4 and the high-level goals that matter to your organization’s decision-makers. With a few key tips, you’ll be able to show your boss and board members that investing in analytics is not only worthwhile, but actually critical for long-term success.
CI to Eye Interview (2:30) - Dan sits down with Yosaif Cohain, CI’s VP of Analytics, to help listeners bridge the gap between the technical side of analytics and the high-level goals that matter to arts organizations’ decision-makers.
CI-lebrity Sightings (23:10) - Dan shares his favorite news stories about CI clients.
Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent veto of over $30 million in arts and culture funding is more than just a financial blow to Florida arts organizations—it undermines the social and economic contributions our industry provides. How can we clearly communicate the vital role our organizations play to stakeholders and policymakers?
In this episode, CI’s VP, Managing Director Christopher Williams speaks with Chris Brown, Executive Director of Orlando Family Stage, about how advocates can make a stronger case for arts funding by highlighting the industry’s vital role in boosting local economies, fostering community well-being, and enriching society.
LINKS:
NPR | Hundreds of Florida arts groups scramble for funding after DeSantis vetoes grants
Orlando Sentinel | Budget Cuts Spotlight The Vital Role of Arts in Florida
Orlando Family Stage | Press Release: Budget cuts spotlight the vital role of arts in Florida
New York Times | A Bargain at the Opera: Philadelphia Offers All Seats for as Low as $11
The Architect's Newspaper | In Harlem, Apollo Theater’s first ever full-scale renovation is underway by Beyer Blinder Belle
Social media is more than just a content dumping ground. It's where your organization makes its first impression on potential audiences and fosters relationships with existing fans. Press refresh on your paid and organic social strategies to tap new audiences, drive ticket sales, and cultivate brand loyalty in the season ahead.
Digital Download (2:10) - Dan sits down with CI Consultant Natalie Martinez to talk about advertising on TikTok: when it makes sense, how to get started, and the kind of results you can expect to see.
CI to Eye with Rachel Karten (17:20) - Dan catches up with Rachel Karten, a social media consultant and author of the popular newsletter Link In Bio. They discuss the evolving role of social media in the digital marketing landscape, and what most arts and culture organizations get wrong about organic content.
CI-lebrity Sightings (37:40) - Dan runs through our favorite stories about CI clients in the news.
LINKS:
TikTok | Successfully Advertise on the World's Hottest Content Platform
Search Engine Land: 51% of Gen Z women prefer TikTok, not Google, for search
TikTok | Advertising Policies About Advertising to People Under the Age of 18
Taproot News | How arts organizations are working to attract younger audiences
Observer | Nicholas Baume On the Power of Public Art and What It’s Accomplishing in New York
New City Stage | Let There Be Luminance: How Lighting Designers Show Us the Show
The Kennedy Center | The 47th Kennedy Center Honors
A new cohort of inspiring and determined individuals has moved into leadership positions at cultural organizations—and they’re challenging traditional notions about what arts management should look like.
In this episode, CI’s VP, Managing Director Christopher Williams sits down with three young leaders to discuss generational shifts in leadership styles, navigating the complexities of people management, and the changes they hope to see in their respective arts communities and the industry at large.
2:20 - Canton Symphony Orchestra’s Rachel Hagemeier reflects on her promotion to CEO at just 25 years old. She shares hard-won lessons in people management, self-advocacy, and listening to your gut.
21:05 - Monica Holt chats about her career advancement at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the vulnerability of leadership, and the power of learning new skills.
41:40 - CI’s Priya Iyer Doshi pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to be a young president. She talks about bringing your authentic self to work, managing people with more years of experience, and listening deeply to your colleagues.
1:02:30 - CI’s Dan Titmuss shares his favorite stories about clients in the news.
What sets successful diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and access (DEIBA) initiatives apart? It's not about checking boxes; it's about prioritizing authenticity and thoughtfulness.
Some of the most impactful DEIBA work in our industry begins with arts organizations fostering genuine community partnerships and engaging audiences in meaningful ways. In this episode, we discuss inspiring examples of how embracing these principles can lead to profound, positive changes in our organizations.
Digital Download (2:15) - Dan sits down with Consultant Selia Aponte to talk about reaching new audiences with bilingual ads: how to use them, when they work best, and how to ensure a smooth audience journey for ESL attendees.
CI to Eye with John Orr (15:15) - CI President Priya Iyer Doshi chats with John Orr, Executive Director of Art-Reach in Philadelphia. They discuss how we can make the arts a more inclusive space for disabled and chronically ill audiences, and ensure the full spectrum of society is served through our programming.
CI-lebrity Sightings (42:00) - Dan highlights some of CI’s favorite arts stories in the news.
LINKS:
Art-Reach
New York Times | At Museums, a Revolution Gains Momentum
American Theatre Magazine | They Will Survive: Theatres That Are Beating the Odds
Associated Press | At 75, NYC Ballet is getting older. Its audience is skewing younger, and that’s the plan
Audience behavior has changed significantly over the past few years, and pre-pandemic benchmarks are all but obsolete. If we want to adjust to the demands of today’s market, we need updated markers for success.
Enter: CI’s brand-new Cultural Compass study. We pulled from our own bank of campaign data that spans over 150 client organizations to uncover the latest digital marketing benchmarks and emerging trends for our industry. In this episode, lead researcher and Senior Consultant Ali Blount discusses the biggest surprises in her analysis of more than 7,000 digital campaigns, and previews key findings to inform your FY25 media planning.
Audience engagement is critical for attracting and retaining new attendees. But what exactly does it look like in practice?
For Holly Mulcahy, “audience engagement” isn’t just a marketing platitude—it’s a promise. In this episode, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra’s Concertmaster and Partner for Audience Engagement shares what wine-tasting and birdwatching have to do with orchestral music, and why deepening audience relationships now will pay dividends for our organizations in the long run.
Across a variety of artistic genres, we see persistent gender imbalances among the creatives and leaders who make the art possible. That’s especially true for dance, where women continue to hold fewer artistic director positions and receive fewer choreographic opportunities than men despite making up a significant majority of the dance workforce overall.
As full-blown data nerds here at CI, we believe you can’t change what you don’t measure. So we sat down with the team at Dance Data Project® to discuss the latest industry stats and consider how to carve a path forward for gender equity in dance.
Dance Data Project® promotes gender equity in the dance industry through metrics-based analysis. In this interview, they overview their latest research, programming, and advocacy work to showcase and uplift women across the dance industry—from artistic and executive leaders, to lighting designers and commissioned composers.
LINKS:
Dance Data Project®
New York Times | Do Men Still Rule Ballet? Let Us Count the Ways.
Dance Magazine | Over 80% of Ballets Are Still Choreographed By Men
Pointe Magazine | Ballet's Gender Gap—By the Numbers
Data USA | Dancers and Choreographers Workforce
New Scientist | Doctors ‘nudged’ into prescribing far fewer antibiotics
ADDITIONAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT EQUITY IN DANCE:
Final Bow for Yellowface
Gold Standard Arts Foundation
Cultural Competency and Equity Coalition (C²EC)
The Equity Project
What do we do when “the classics”—those canonical treasures that embody the rich traditions of our genres—start to feel outdated for today’s audiences, or even at odds with our missions?
In today’s episode, we take a close look at celebrated works from the classical Western canon that include harmful portrayals of non-Western cultures, and hear how one artist is taking action to prune and preserve the art he loves.
Artist and advocate Phil Chan shares how performing arts organizations can approach works from the classical Western canon with enhanced cultural sensitivity and authenticity. He offers tips and real-world examples for updating outdated representations of non-Western cultures while maintaining the integrity of these works.
LINKS:
Final Bow for Yellowface
Gold Standard Arts Foundation
Boston Lyric Opera | The Butterfly Process
Dance Magazine | Indiana University Removes Offensive Caricatures in New Productions of The Nutcracker and La Bayadère
Holding the artistic reins of an organization is no easy feat—especially when that organization has been around for generations and has a deep-rooted legacy. As a leader, how do you honor the rich history of your institution while effectively steering it into the future?
As New York City Ballet celebrates its 75th anniversary season, Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford reflects on the Company’s continued evolution, how they’ve adapted to this new digital era, and the unique challenges of leading such a storied cultural entity.
The changing digital landscape might present challenges, but it also presents a great opportunity to reassess and refocus as we head into a new era of digital marketing.
At CI, we pinpointed five key areas that will set arts and cultural institutions up for success in 2024. Catch up on the first two priorities in Part One, then delve into the final three priorities in today’s episode. You’ll get insights and tips from CI consultants so you can confidently navigate the changing digital landscape, drive results for your organization, and refocus as we head into a new era of digital marketing.
From the rise of AI-driven advertising to the imminent third-party cookie crunch—which developments deserve your valuable time and attention in 2024?
At CI, we pinpointed five key areas that will set arts and cultural institutions up for success in 2024. Join us over the next two episodes as we delve into each area so you can confidently navigate the changing digital landscape, drive results for your organization, and refocus as we head into a new era of digital marketing.
Crank the volume on Part One, and be on the lookout for Part Two in the coming weeks. We’ll round out the list of priorities and offer even more tips and insights from CI consultants.
LINKS:
Capacity Interactive | Your 2024 Digital Priorities
Pew Research Center | How Americans Use Social Media
Happy Black History Month, podcast listeners! Our latest episode coincides with the vibrant celebrations of Black history and shines a spotlight on the incredible contributions of Black and Brown composers, whose musical genius continues to enrich the classical repertoire.
Join us as we journey deep into the world of classical music—how we define it, how we enjoy it, and how we ensure everyone feels welcome and represented in our concert halls. This conversation is just the start of breaking down barriers to attendance and ensuring classical arts organizations connect with audiences for generations to come.
LINKS
Loki Karuna (Formerly Known As Garrett McQueen)
Star Tribune | Radio Host Garrett McQueen Agitates for Change While Elevating Black Artistry
New York Times | Pandemic Woes Lead Met Opera to Tap Endowment and Embrace New Work
NPR | Terence Blanchard Makes History At The Metropolitan Opera
CI to Eye is back with a healthy dose of inspiration to help you re-center at the top of the new year.
In 2023, we spoke with remarkable thought leaders both within and beyond the realm of the arts. Guests ranged from executive directors and arts researchers to experts in DEIBA. They all answered the same question: "If you could broadcast one message to executive directors, leadership teams, staff, and boards of thousands of arts organizations, what would it be?"
We call this their “CI to Eye moment,” and in this special episode, Dan revisits these key insights to offer encouragement and perspective for the year ahead.
QUICK LINKS
Capacity Interactive | Boot Camp 2024 Registration
The holidays are upon us, which means strategic planning is seriously heating up. Try as you might to enjoy your hot cocoa in peace, you’re already fielding ideas from colleagues about the marketing experiments you should try next season or the digital efforts your team simply needs to add to its list.
Stay cool, arts marketers. We’re bringing you a special recording of our panel discussion from Boot Camp 2023 all about knowing when to say yes. And since it’s the holiday season, we’ll also take a look back at the year with all of you.
Empowered Decisions: Knowing When To Say Yes (1:25) - Sara Villagio from Carnegie Hall moderates a discussion with leaders from the Kennedy Center, the Apollo, and Sesame Workshop about how they innovate digital marketing strategies, inspire their teams, and question how best to use their (limited!) time.
End-of-Year Reflections (1:02:45) - Hear from fellow arts marketers and Boot Camp attendees about their biggest learnings from the past year and what they’re most looking forward to in the months ahead.
We’re swiftly approaching one of the busiest times of year for arts marketers… and with it, holiday programs, gift campaigns, end-of-year donation pushes, and—to top it all off—strategic planning for next season. If the holiday hustle has you feeling a bit frigid, this episode will warm you up with actionable tips and smart questions to end the calendar year on a high note.
Digital Download (1:40) - Dan catches up with Senior Consultant Jess Isgro to discuss how to get the most out of your holiday gift campaigns, juggle concurrent end-of-year priorities, and implement learnings from the past year as you plan for 2024.
CI to Eye Interview (22:00) - CI President Priya Iyer Doshi sits down with Tara Mohr, a revered leadership expert and best-selling author who shares subtle mindset shifts that can grow your confidence in the workplace. Get ready to kick self-doubt to the curb as you tackle high-stakes strategic conversations for next season.
LINKS:
Capacity Interactive | Ask CI: How Do I Optimize Holiday Gift Campaigns?
Tara Mohr | Playing Big Leadership Program
Subscription numbers continue to dwindle at arts organizations across the country, begging the question: Is it time to rethink subscription/membership models? Tune in for a transparent conversation with arts marketers who are doing just that, and gather tips for revamping your own offerings to meet audiences’ evolving needs.
Digital Download (2:05) - Dan digs into client data with fellow senior consultant Ali Blount to determine where arts buyers search, and whether social platforms like TikTok and Instagram are giving traditional search engines a run for their money.
CI to Eye Interview (11:40) - Sara Villagio, CMO of Carnegie Hall, leads a follow-up discussion with our subscriptions and memberships panelists from Boot Camp 2022. Hear how their season-long experiments fared and what new tactics they’re excited to test in the season ahead.
LINKS:
Capacity Interactive | Ask CI: Where Do Arts Buyers Search?
New York Times | For Gen Z, TikTok Is the New Search Engine
Capacity Interactive | 2021 Performing Arts Ticket Buyer Media Usage Study
Arts administrators wear a lot of hats, and that trend has only intensified as our industry finds itself in recovery mode. With all of our energies focused on audience re-engagement and revenue growth, organizational culture can often take a backseat. But with more news of quiet quitting and high burnout levels, investing in your people has never been more critical.
Discover simple adjustments you can make today to lead stronger teams and create healthier work cultures that energize and empower the people around you.
Digital Download with Ali Blount (2:30) - Dan joins fellow senior consultant Ali Blount to review newly released benchmark data from CI’s clients and share inspiration as you begin planning for the upcoming winter season.
Media Moment with Molly Shoemaker (14:35) - Dan chats with CI’s Director of People Operations and Recruiting about finding your footing with flexible work and helping your team thrive in and out of the office.
CI to Eye Interview with Snehi Bhatt (29:45) - CI’s President, Priya Iyer Doshi, sits down with a longtime friend and Leadership Development Executive at Admired Leadership to discuss the key pillars that set leaders up for success.
LINKS:
Capacity Interactive | Ask CI: Crafting The Perfect Digital Holiday Campaign
Work Appropriate | Remote Work Done Right with Marissa Goldberg
Admired Leadership | Field Notes
In the summer of 2020, George Floyd’s murder and the protests that followed sparked crucial conversations about racial equity and social justice. Many arts organizations made public commitments to do better—both in their programming and behind the scenes. It’s been three years since that pivotal moment, and it’s still imperative to hold ourselves accountable to move the needle on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility (DEIBA) in the arts.
In this episode, Dan sits down with social psychologist Dr. Evelyn Carter to discuss the unique DEIBA challenges and opportunities we face in the arts and entertainment industry. Dr. Carter shares expert tips for living our values, creating welcoming environments, and addressing implicit bias in the workplace and beyond.
LINKS
Paradigm
Many of us are staring down end-of-fiscal-year goals, but it’s hard not to feel discouraged by prevailing economic uncertainty and ever-changing audience behavior. How do you keep your team motivated and mission-focused when the sands are shifting beneath your feet?
Hear from fellow arts marketers who are leading their teams in fresh and creative ways, and dig into positive industry trends that show us the way forward. Today’s episode is the boost of inspiration you need to cross the fiscal finish line.
Media Moment (1:55): Dan sits down with CI Senior Consultant Ali Blount to discuss our industry’s road to recovery. They review heartening research from IMPACTS Experience, share promising trends they’re noticing with CI clients, and offer tips for adapting your digital marketing strategy to meet the moment.
CI to Eye Interview with Van Ackerman (17:15): Dan joins Van Ackerman, VP of Marketing & Communications at Cincinnati Arts Association, to reflect on the resilience of the arts. They discuss leadership lessons from the ‘08 recession and the power of psychological leadership to motivate a team.
CI to Eye Interview with Charles Buchanan (33:38): Dan catches up with Charles Buchanan, Senior Director of Marketing & Audience Development at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. They discuss innovation during challenging times and tips for avoiding digital marketing ruts.
LINKS
JCA Arts Marketing: Subscription decline is an opportunity—not a threat.
Capacity Interactive: The Return Of Meta’s 28-Day Attribution: A Full Picture Of Audience Buying Behavior
Capacity Interactive: 2023 Digital Priorities: Institutional Campaigns
IMPACTS Experience: Increased Digital Engagement Is a ‘New Normal’ for Cultural Entities
Capacity Interactive: 2023 Digital Priorities: Google Machine Learning
IMPACTS Experience: Here’s What Organizations That Recovered Fastest Post-Pandemic Have in Common
Bain & Company: The Value of an Existing Customer
AI is generating a lot of buzz in the marketing sphere—but is it really worth the hype? In this episode we pull back the curtain on AI, explore its strengths and limitations, and consider how it can help arts marketers meet their goals more efficiently.
Don’t miss this special, extended conversation with CI’s Managing Director Christopher Williams and Senior Consultant Dan Titmuss. They cover AI’s impact on the arts industry and pinpoint areas where AI can have the largest impact on your day-to-day work.
LINKS
McKinsey & Company: The state of AI in 2022—and a half decade in review
Capacity Interactive: Google's Machine Learning
Capacity Interactive: SEO for Content Creators
ChatGPT
Rytr.me
Jasper
More than ever, arts marketers need to be purposeful about data collection, responsive to privacy regulations, and respectful of their audiences’ preferences. In 2023 and beyond, it’s all about staying user-centric and privacy-focused.
Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with expert insights from CI consultants, a data privacy expert, and a fellow arts marketer who's been in your shoes—and has a few words of advice.
Digital Download (2:20) - Dan chats with fellow Senior Consultant Alison Goldberg about changes in the data privacy space and why this topic is so time-sensitive for arts marketers. They break down commonly used acronyms so you can feel confident tackling this topic.
CI to Eye Interview with Jodi Daniels (13:30) - Certified data privacy expert Jodi Daniels shines light on the human side of this technical subject, and offers suggestions for ensuring your organization’s practices are both legally compliant and trust-building.
CI to Eye inerview with Rob Macpherson (44:44) - Arts marketer extraordinaire Rob Macpherson reflects on his experience implementing privacy regulations at Birmingham Hippodrome, one of the U.K.’s most prolific theaters. He shares his first-hand experience and offers sage advice to U.S. marketers just starting on this journey.
LINKS:
CMSWire: Future of Data Collection: From Coercive to Consensual to Collaborative
Pew Research Center: Half of Americans have decided not to use a product or service because of privacy concerns
KPMG: The new imperative for corporate data responsibility
Capacity Interactive
Red Clover Advisors
Creating Impakt
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 at how U.S. ad spend is changing and what this really means for arts marketers.
Digital Download (10:30) - Dan chats with Principal Consultant Nick Nolte about the digital tools and strategies you should prioritize in 2023 and beyond. They’ll cover topics like first-party data, Google Analytics 4, and SEO-focused content to help you gain high-impact results.
CI to Eye Interview (27:43) - CI’s Managing Director Christopher Williams catches up with Ballet Austin’s executive director Cookie Ruiz, who shares her team’s unique approach to customer service. You’ll also learn more about their powerful on-site engagement strategy and how it’s turning newcomers into brand evangelists.
LINKS:
Slow fade for Google and Meta's ad dominance
Forecast 2023: Ad Spending Will Slow Down Next Year But Will Continue To Grow
CI Ticket Buyer Media Usage Study
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.
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 article highlighting the pandemic’s influence on human behavior.
CI’s Stance (8:44) - Principal Consultant Sam Kindler connects with Sara Villagio, CMO of Carnegie Hall, who led a panel at Boot Camp 2022 on the future of subscriptions/memberships. They discuss crucial learnings to help you meet your audience's evolving needs.
CI to Eye Interview (23:22) - Priya sits down with Colleen Dilenschneider, Founder & Managing Director of IMPACTS Experience, to discuss the driving factors for audience behavior today and the power of mission and storytelling. Colleen also dives into pressing visitor engagement trends for 2023 as we continue on the road to recovery.
LINKS:
Washington Post: Is the Pandemic Over?
DMBC 2022: The Future of Subscription and Membership Models
JCA Arts Marketing: Subscription decline is an opportunity—not a threat
Know Your Own Bone
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 Alison Goldberg explains why Apple’s Mail Privacy Protection may have skewed your email metrics for the last year and how to use these shifts to level up your user-centric email strategy. CI to Eye Interview (17:25) - Erik sits down with branding expert Jessica Watson to uncover why great branding evokes a feeling, what institutional authenticity actually looks like, and how you can manage change more sustainably by starting small. LINKS:
Tom Rath on The Elevate Podcast with Robert Glazer
Learn more about Mail Privacy Protection (MPP)
Points North Studio
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 Laura Dauksewicz discuss why it’s time for your organization to explore TikTok, and how you can take the first step.
CI to Eye Interview (18:47) - Christopher Williams sits down with web accessibility expert Sue Ann Rodriquez from Digital Accessibility by WeCo to find out what it really means for your website to be accessible to disabled users, from your site map to your purchase path.
LINKS:
Digital Accessibility by WeCo
CI Blog: Creating Accessible Social Content
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 about sunsetting two digital marketing tools: Expanded Text Ads for Search Marketing and Google’s Universal Analytics.
CI Blog on Responsive Search Ads
One-Sheet on GA4
CI’s Stance - CI’s Natalie Martinez and Rachel Purcell get real about the shift towards machine learning in digital as they break down Responsive Display Ads.
CI to Eye Interview - Priya sits down with Tom O’Connor, President of Tom O’Connor Consulting Group, to talk about the firm’s new policy around salary transparency, what’s really behind the “Great Resignation” within the arts industry, and how our work culture can adapt to be more sustainable for those with a passion for this field.
A Message from Tom O’Connor on Salary Transparency
Original Music by whoisuzo
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.
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 years serving on the consulting team at Capacity Interactive and in July 2021 returned to CI in the role of President. Prior to CI, she worked in marketing and sales on Broadway. In 2019, she moved from NYC to Southern California where she lead the client services team at a full-service creative agency. Outside of work, Priya enjoys soaking up the sun, dancing, exercising, spending time with friends and family, traveling with her partner Neil, cuddling with her dog Bibo, and taking quiet time to unwind and meditate.
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 can be community anchors.
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 most authentic path to audience development.
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 resources, including fully subsidized arts education for NYC public schools and the highly successful curriculum series, New Victory Arts Break. Among numerous honors, Granet was recently named by Crain’s New York as a 2020 Notable LGBTQ Executive.
In this episode, Erik speaks with Courtney and Russell about the New Victory Theater’s Spark Change research, quantifying the positive impact of performing arts education on kids. They discuss why early exposure to arts education fosters a lasting love for the arts, builds interpersonal skills, encourages innovation, and builds hope for the future in young people. They also share their insight into the New Victory is creating opportunities for access to the arts in the schools that need it most.
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 with the sector to better support the wellbeing of performing arts workers across the country. In January, 2020, Claire was recognized with an Order of Australia for services to the arts and community.
While many U.S. arts organizations are preparing to reopen their venues, organizations in Australia—where the virus has been effectively contained—began the reopening process as early as January. In this episode, Claire shares the lessons she’s learned from Arts Centre Melbourne’s reopening. She also explains why her team put most of their digital programming on hold and discusses the importance of acknowledging and supporting team members’ mental health challenges in the workplace.
The CI to Eye Podcast will be taking a break for the summer. We'll be back with new episodes after Labor Day! In the meantime, check out the CI to Eye Episode Guide Blog Post for a guide to which past episodes you might want to revisit in the meantime. Have a great summer!
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 of its powerful effects on health and productivity. If you’re looking to re-center and relax, Nik leads a 10-minute mindfulness practice in the episode!
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.
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 safely reopen.
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 conversation about the Arts Industry Data Analysis: Pandemic Response research. They explore the methodology and share never-before-heard insight into what the data means for arts marketers now and into the future.
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 adapting her leadership during the pandemic, the Motown Museum’s ongoing expansion, and why virtual environment opportunities have forever changed the museum’s programming.
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.
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’ Culture Restart Audience Tracker, an audience sentiment tracking survey that aims to understand attendees’ attitudes toward engaging with culture now and in the future. Robin also explains why behavioral audience segmentation is crucial, how socially distanced seating can become a premium offering, and how organizations can address digital programming pricing challenges.
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 opportunity for arts organizations between the very extreme zone of low ticket prices and enormous major gifts. In this episode, she shares how arts organizations can create significant new earned income revenue streams through in-depth educational and experience-oriented programs. She also explains why arts organizations are underutilizing their vast human capital and shares how your organization can leverage its assets to help close budget gaps.
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.
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 talk about her efforts to combat the workaholism culture in her organization and the challenges of fundraising as a person of color. Betty also questions the impact of Primarily White Institutions who are now taking on funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion work, possibly channeling funds away from organizations that have long existed to serve those needs.
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.
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 theater design. They discuss how seat layout impacts the way comedy is received, why some roadhouses have "absurd capacities," and why Broadway theaters are so uncomfortable.
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
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 engagement efforts to attract and engage a more diverse visitor base.
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, minds, and social lives of Americans during these uncertain times.
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 together thousands of industry players. The forum's mission was to "heal, listen, and hold itself accountable to its history of white supremacy while moving towards becoming an anti-racist and equitable space."
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.
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 discuss his bold, new, modern vision for Actors Theatre of Louisville as its first queer, Black leader. Throughout the conversation, they address how capitalism, equity, race, and theater history intersect.
Kamilah Forbes is an award-winning director and producer and serves as the Executive Producer of the World Famous Apollo Theater.
In this episode, Kamilah and Erik speak about the Apollo's historic and current foundational role in American culture and the global Black community. They also discuss the Apollo's planned physical expansion, their evolution from a presenting house to a curatorial and residency non-profit venue working to develop a broader American canon, and the importance of getting comfortable with discomfort in this moment of historic change for cultural institutions.
In this episode, we reflect on the wisdom of six CI to Eye guests who have shared their thoughts on racism and inequity in the arts and suggested steps to ensure cultural organizations are becoming more equitable institutions.
Listen to Full Episodes
President of the National Civil Rights Museum: Terri Lee Freeman
Listen Now
Multicultural Marketing Maven: Donna Walker-Kuhne
Listen Now
Dissecting Privilege, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Traditional Orchestra World: Jessica Schmidt
Listen Now
Is Your Organization Anti-Racist?: Cardozie Jones
Listen Now
Examining White Fragility: Robin DiAngelo
Listen Now
Classical Music’s Diversity Crisis: Afa Dworkin
Listen Now
Drag superstar Jackie Beat has been entertaining audiences across the U.S. and in Europe for over thirty years with her razor-sharp comedy and hysterical song parodies. Jackie has written special material for the likes of Rosie O’Donnell, Margaret Cho, Sandra Bernhard, Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Coolidge, Elvira and more.
In this episode, Erik interviews his favorite drag queen because arts administrators can learn a lot from Jackie about pivoting from live to digital programming and connecting on social media. Plus, at this point in quarantine, we can all use some laughs!
James Langley is the President of Langley Innovations, a strategic consulting and training firm, which he founded to help institutions advance a philanthropic revolution. Over his career, James has worked with institutions across the country at different levels to help raise over $3 billion.
In this episode, Erik and James discuss his humanistic view on philanthropy, which prioritizes long-term relationship-building over short-term results. Based on those principles, James shares how to authentically cultivate first-time donors—like those you may have acquired recently through refunded tickets or online fundraising campaigns—and evolve them into lifetime supporters.
Seth Godin is the author of 19 books that have been bestsellers around the world. He has five TED talks and is involved in projects that spread his wisdom and generosity, like the altMBA, The Marketing Seminar, and his podcast, Akimbo. His blog is one of the most popular in the world.
In this episode, Seth Godin—one of Erik's heroes—shares his ideas for arts leaders in crisis and beyond. Please listen to these ideas carefully, think about them, and share them widely to unlock the future for the arts.
Colleen Dilenschneider is the publisher of Know Your Own Bone, the powerhouse website that provides data-driven insights about marketing, fundraising, engagement, and more for arts administrators. It's required reading for anyone working in arts and culture today. Colleen is also the Chief Market Engagement Officer at IMPACTS Research and Development, a data and technology company.
In this episode, Erik asks Colleen to share her research about how COVID-19 is impacting intentions to visit cultural entities and which types of organizations attendees intend to visit post-crisis. She also revisits her data on why cutting marketing budgets during financial difficulties is the wrong move.
Matías Tarnopolsky is the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Philadelphia Orchestra. He previously served as Vice President of Artistic Planning for the New York Philharmonic, Senior Director of Artistic Planning for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Producer for the BBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC Singers.
Before temporarily closing its doors, The Philadelphia Orchestra gave a final performance on March 12, 2020, to an empty hall, yet still reached half a million people through livestream, video, and public radio. In this episode, Erik and Matías talk about how amid this crisis and beyond, every arts organization must transition to a media company.
Brett Egan is the President of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland, where he provides training for arts leaders on strategic planning, fundraising, board development, and marketing.
In this episode, Brett and Erik discuss the seven clear steps arts leaders should consider when institutions are being put to the ultimate test. Brett also provides his guidance around fundraising, marketing, programming, and leadership during this unprecedented time.
COVID-19 Resources for Arts Organizations:
Americans for the Arts Economic Impact Dashboard: https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/disaster-preparedness/the-economic-impact-of-coronavirus-on-the-arts-and-culture-sector
Americans for the Arts COVID-19 Resource and Response Center: https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus-covid-19-resource-and-response-center
Nonprofit Finance Fund COVID-19 Tools and Resources: https://nff.org/covid-19-tools-and-resources-nonprofits
CI to Eye with Zannie Voss: https://ideas.capacityinteractive.com/ci-to-eye-podcast-episodes/critical-research-for-arts-leaders-zannie-voss
DeVos Institute of Arts Management COVID-19 Announcement: http://devosinstitute.umd.edu/What-We-Do/News-and-Announcements/Announcements/Announcements/COVID19%20Announcement
Anna Glass has been involved in the performing arts as both an artist and arts administrator for over twenty-five years. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem where she co-launched a collaborative initiative, with Virginia Johnson, addressing racial inequity in ballet.
In this episode, Anna and Erik talk about the challenges of leading an organization through the loss of its founder. They also discuss how the Dance Theatre of Harlem came back from its hiatus and received its biggest gift yet, a $4 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, to hire more dancers and grow its administrative staff.
Adam Roberts is Co-Founding Artistic Director of Austin-based TILT Performance Group, a theatre company comprised of paid adult performers with disabilities.
In this episode, Adam and Erik talk about the branding and positioning of the company. They also discuss what other arts organizations can learn about working with people with disabilities and how Adam and his colleagues have built a growing company with such loyalty that season tickets actually cost more per production than single tickets.
With more than 70 episodes, it can be overwhelming to dive into CI to Eye. This short episode highlights the archive so you can prioritize episodes that make the most sense for you. From leadership to marketing, fundraising and ED&I, there is something for every arts administrator at any career level.
Emily Simoness is the Founder and Executive Director of SPACE on Ryder Farm, a nonprofit artist residency program and organic farm located on a 225-year-old, 127-acre family homestead in Putnam County, New York. Artists from all over are invited to live and work on the farm, with the space and time they need to create their art.
In this episode, Emily and Erik talk about how SPACE on Ryder Farm transformed from an idea into one of the premier centers for the development of new artistic work in the U.S. They also talk about the radical power of analog connection in our tech-obsessed world.
Since CI to Eye's launch in 2017, Erik has asked each guest, "If you could broadcast to executive directors, leadership teams, staff, and board of 1,000 arts organizations, what advice would you provide to help them improve their business?" This is their "CI to Eye moment," and we’ve compiled all of last year’s moments in this special episode.
At Digital Marketing Boot Camp for the Arts 2019, we hosted a panel called Fostering Change in Your Organization. You may work in an organization that fears change or does not evolve as quickly as you would like. This session asked, "How can you enact change and develop a culture that embraces innovation?"
Jennifer Zaslow, Erik's executive coach and a two-time guest on CI to Eye moderated a panel that included:
Terri Lee Freeman, President of the National Civil Rights Museum
Andrew Haines, Director of Marketing & Communications at Seattle Rep
Lynette Shy, Director of Marketing, Sales, & Communications at BalletMet
At Digital Marketing Boot Camp for the Arts 2019, we hosted a panel called “Should Your Arts Organization Produce a Podcast?” With podcast listenership on the rise, we wanted to hear from arts administrators about their efforts producing podcasts.
Alison Goldberg, Consultant at Capacity Interactive, interviewed three arts administrators about their organizations podcasting efforts:
Laura Diffenderfer, Associate Director, Content Strategy, The Joyce Theater
Elke Dehner, Director of Marketing and Communications, The Rubin Museum of Art
Meg Stoltz, Digital Marketing Manager, Seattle Opera
After more than a decade of serving in marketing leadership roles at arts organizations across the country, Sean Kelly is now the Founder of Vatic, a company that provides automated dynamic pricing software for the performing arts.
In this episode, Sean and Erik discuss what Sean's tenure at Starbucks taught him about using data to understand patrons, why people who work in the arts should not be choosing ticket prices, and what your patrons are telling you through their ticket-buying behavior.
Peter Linett is the President of Slover Linett Audience Research, a firm of social researchers who work with performing arts organizations and museums to help them become more inclusive, innovative, and relevant.
In this episode, Peter and Erik discuss some recent studies that examine how consumers decide which arts events to attend. They unpack why uncertainty is a more significant barrier for audiences than unfamiliarity and how marketing and positioning can help audiences overcome that uncertainty. They also discuss how arts organizations can adapt to meet the needs of 21st-century audiences.
Terri Lee Freeman is the President of the National Civil Rights Museum, where she works to emphasize the connection between the historic events of the mid-20th century Civil Rights Movement and the current issues affecting society today.
In this episode, Terri and Erik dive into the history of the National Civil Rights Museum, how it aims to carry on the legacy of Dr. King and other leaders of the Civil Rights movement, and the museum's role in helping people connect the past to the present. They also discuss the need to be "apologetically human" by owning up to our mistakes and adopting a growth mindset.
As Director of Customer Experience at The Cleveland Orchestra, Robert Phillips leads efforts in creating a new vision for the arts and culture customer experience. He previously led similar efforts at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and The 5th Avenue Theatre. Robert has also worked in hospitality consulting for BARE International and FreemanGroup Solutions.
In this episode, Robert and Erik discuss what the arts can learn from the hospitality industry and how The Cleveland Orchestra has made customer service part of its organizational culture. Robert also explains why arts organizations can benefit from focusing less on service recovery, less on "surprise and delight" and more on the everyday interactions with patrons.
Mark Price is the Founder of Alchemy Collective. After 20 years as a musical theater performer, Mark discovered Vedic meditation and it turned his life around. He decided to dedicate his life to sharing this knowledge with others.
In this episode, Mark and Erik talk about why successful people meditate and how Vedic meditation differs from other practices. Mark also shares a few techniques to help cultivate present-mind awareness from the comfort of your own desk.
Diane Ragsdale is a faculty director of the Cultural Leadership Program at Banff Center for Arts & Creativity; an assistant professor and program director for the Masters in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship program at the New School in NYC; and a frequent speaker, blogger, writer, and adviser on a range of arts and culture topics. She previously worked in philanthropy and ran two cultural institutions. She is a doctoral candidate at Erasmus University in the Netherlands, where she lectured from 2011-2015.
In this episode, Diane and Erik explore the relationship between beauty and human development. They also question the distinctive purpose of the nonprofit professional arts, the conflation of mission and venue, and the problem of "permanently failing arts organizations."
Sir Clive Gillinson is the Executive and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall. He oversees all aspects of the Hall's artistic, education, and social impact programming as well as the management of the world-renowned music venue. In his fourteen years at the helm of the 128-year-old institution, Clive has been looking ahead to the future with the Hall's potential to influence music and music education around the world.
In this episode, Clive and Erik discuss Clive's unexpected but monumental career in arts administration. They also talk about the significance of asking the right questions rather than looking for the answers, how partnership is vital to Carnegie Hall's success, and why money follows a vision.
Cardozie Jones is the founding principal of True North EDI, a consulting firm committed to equity, diversity, and interdependence. Cardozie has worked with the Capacity Interactive team as well as many other organizations on the practices, policies, and systems that have the potential to create inequity and exclusion in our workplaces and society.
In this episode, Cardozie and Erik talk about the societal influences that inform how we experience the world. They also discuss how to distinguish between diversity and representation and the protocols that keep us from having productive and meaningful conversations about race.
Melissa Cowley Wolf is the director of Arts Funders Forum (AFF), a new initiative from advisory firm M+D designed to increase private support for arts and culture in the United States. She’s also the founder of MCW Projects, dedicated to expanding the next generation of philanthropists and cultural audiences around the world.
In this episode, Melissa and Erik talk about the findings of a recent survey conducted by the Arts Funders Forum and M+D, including millennial giving behaviors, how the cultural sector can adapt to engage a new donor class, and why collaboration and transparency among arts institutions, funders, artists, and communities, are critical to the success of the arts in the 21st century.
Mark Schaefer is a globally-recognized business consultant and author. His customized programs specialize in content marketing, digital marketing, social media, and personal branding. Mark is the author of six best-selling marketing books, and his most recent release, Marketing Rebellion: the Most Human Company Wins, is a must-read for arts marketers.
In this episode, Mark and Erik talk about how your most loyal patrons are your marketing department, the difference between “personalized” and “truly personal,” and the five human truths that businesses must understand to succeed in the 21st century.
Deborah Cullinan is the CEO of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), the cultural anchor of San Francisco's Yerba Buena Gardens development. By using culture as an instrument for social change, YBCA is reimagining the role an arts institution can play in the community it serves.
In this episode, Deborah and Erik discuss Yerba Buena Center for the Arts’ position as a cultural incubator and the role of change management in nurturing organizational health. They also talk about the iterative evolution of an organization's mission and website.
Lily Weiss is the Executive Director of the Dallas Arts District, the largest contiguous arts community in the United States. Six different Pritzker Prize-winning architects have designed buildings in the district, which spans 19 blocks in the northeast corner of downtown Dallas. In this episode, Lily and Erik talk about the history of the Dallas Arts District. They also discuss why collaboration among arts organizations in the district is vital, and how auxiliary elements like parking, dining, and transportation impact patron participation.
Lisa Niedermeyer is the Producing Director for Disability Dance Works, a production company founded by disabled dancer Alice Sheppard to launch art experiences at the intersection of disability, technology, and design. In this episode, Lisa and Erik talk about why it's important to have meaningful cultural experiences centered around disability. They also discuss how venues can create "joy equity" experiences and how digital experiences should be compatible with assistive technologies.
Darren Sussman is the co-founder of the Institute of Financial Wellness for the Arts (IFWA). The IFWA provides financial education and personal planning solutions to artists and arts professionals. Before launching the IFWA, Darren was the co-founder and president of TheaterMania and OvationTix. In this episode, Darren and Erik talk about why it’s crucial for arts professionals to have the freedom of financial wellness. They also discuss financial planning offense and defense (trigger warning: sports metaphor) and growth lessons from Darren’s years at TheaterMania and OvationTix.
Dr. Robin DiAngelo is the bestselling author of White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism and Is Everybody Really Equal?: An Introduction to Key Concepts in Social Justice Education. Dr. DiAngelo has been a consultant and trainer for over 20 years on racial and social justice issues. In this episode, Robin and Erik talk about why diversity is essential among those who control the art and entertainment we consume. They also discuss combatting white solidarity among our peers, why claiming color-blindness can contribute to a continued bias, and acknowledging white fragility to overcome it.
Ronnie Brooks is the founding Director of the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute in Saint Paul Minnesota. In that role, she has worked with many arts leaders and their organizations to help them clarify their core values and better focus the purpose of their work. Since her formal retirement earlier this year, she has put her extensive experience to use as a strategic planning, leadership development, and nonprofit governance consultant. In this episode, Erik and Ronnie talk about the necessity of taking care of yourself in order to become a more effective and leader, the importance of aligning your actions with your core values, and the need for creativity and vitality among leaders to meet the vast challenges of nonprofit work. If you’re looking to become a better and more fulfilled leader, this episode is for you.
John Schreiber is an Emmy and Tony Award-winning producer and the President and CEO of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). NJPAC is the state’s largest cultural institution which presents over 600 events each season and reaches over 100,000 students annually. In this episode, Erik and John talk about the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s innovative use of real estate development to help fund and further their mission. They also discuss programming for diverse audiences, structuring an effective board, and the importance of mission alignment.
Linda Shelton has been the Executive Director of The Joyce Theater Foundation since 1993. She was highlighted as one of “The Most Influential People in Dance Today” by Dance Magazine in 2017. She also sits on the boards of Dance/NYC, Dance/USA, and has served as a Tony Awards nominator. Under her leadership, The Joyce received the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Liberty Award in 2011 and the William Dawson Award for Programmatic Excellence and Sustained Achievement in Programming in 2019. In this episode, Linda and Erik talk about developing the appropriate purview for a board of directors and the Joyce Theater’s community in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. They also discuss the joint effort between Eliot Feld and Cora Cahan to transform the former movie house into a renowned home for dance.
Cameron Herold is an executive coach, best-selling author, and Founder of the COO Alliance. Cameron coaches leaders primarily in the commercial space but has valuable lessons to share with nonprofit arts managers about leadership, recruiting, and managing teams. In this episode, Erik and Cameron talk about the importance of hiring the right people to drive an organization’s success, the value of keeping employees happy, how to spend your hours at work efficiently, and establishing a company culture that is reflected externally as much as it is internally.
Ben Cameron is the President of the Jerome Foundation and former Program Director for the Arts at the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, which received the National Medal for the Arts from President Barack Obama. Ben also has extensive expertise in grantmaking for the arts. In this episode, Erik and Ben talk about the ideal role of the Board of Directors, the importance of defining the values that underlie an organization’s mission, and how the arts can help create unity in our divisive political climate.
Since CI to Eye’s launch in 2017, Erik Gensler asks guests an important question at the end of each episode. He asks, “If you could broadcast to executive directors, leadership teams, staff, and board of 1,000 arts organizations, what advice would you provide to help them improve their business? This is called their CI to Eye moment, and we’ve compiled last year’s moments in this special episode.
Chris Boneau is the co-founder of Boneau/Bryan-Brown. Since founding his theatrical press agency with partner Adrian Bryan-Brown in 1991, Chris has represented over 400 plays and musicals which have won 222 Tony Awards and 11 Pulitzer Prizes. In this episode, Erik and Chris talk about his experience doing press for notable Broadway productions like Angels in America with director George C. Wolfe. They also discuss the challenges of pitching institutional stories, what it’s like to work with A-list celebrities, and how theater criticism has evolved.
Jessica Schmidt is the Principal Consultant at Orchestrate Inclusion. Before her work as a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant to arts organizations, she led education and community engagement work at Boston, Pittsburgh, and Dallas Symphony Orchestras. In this episode, Erik and Jessica talk about her experience implementing DEI initiatives in orchestras and processing change in a world that is often steeped in tradition. They also discuss how to broach difficult conversations, and define “privilege,” “microaggressions,” and other important DEI terms.
Eduardo Vilaro is the Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Hispánico. He’s led the organization since 2009 but first joined the company as a dancer in 1985. Eduardo oversees both the artistic and administration of the company. In this episode, Erik and Eduardo talk about how the company’s emphasis on Latinx culture manifests throughout the organization, from what’s on stage, to the staff and board. They also discuss the politics of being a Latinx dance company in America today.
Dr. Andrew Simnick is the Senior Vice President for Finance, Strategy, and Operations at The Art Institute of Chicago. He and his team have applied data and analytics to decision-making across many areas of their organization, including building a fantastic model that can accurately predict weekly attendance at the museum. In this episode, Erik and Andrew talk about this model and other tools he and his team have built, the importance of starting not with data, but with the right questions, and ensuring your organizational culture is ready to put insights into action.
At Capacity Interactive, we get asked a lot of questions about digital marketing for arts organizations. In this episode, we have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions from our teams and asked our Vice President of Client Strategy, Ashley Dunn Gatterdam, to answer them with Erik. In this episode, Erik and Ashley talk about how you should approach benchmarking your results to your peers, why you should not be buying ads on your local newspaper’s website, how frequently to post on social media, and much more!
Karen Brooks Hopkins is the President Emerita of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), where she worked from 1979 until her retirement in June 2015. Crain’s NY named her one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in New York.” Karen recently completed a term as a Senior Fellow in Residence at the Mellon Foundation, where she researched anchor institutions. She is also the author of the book, Successful Fundraising for Arts & Cultural Organizations. In this episode, Erik and Karen talk about how arts organizations should adopt an anchor mission to better serve their communities, and what an anchor institution is. They also discuss how chain stores are a threat to the future of cultural districts, and how running a successful fundraising campaign is very much like mounting a military operation.
Donna Walker-Kuhne is the founder Walker Communications, a marketing firm that provides Broadway shows and non-profit arts organizations with multicultural marketing and group sales consulting. She is also the author of Invitation to the Party: Building Bridges to Arts, Culture, and Community.
In this episode, Erik and Donna discuss what the arts can learn from the film Black Panther, how she has worked with communities and churches to develop new audiences, and why creating a diverse and multicultural audience requires a budget and a firm commitment from executive leadership.
Harold Wolpert is the Executive Director of Signature Theatre, an Off-Broadway theater in New York City. Harold is new to his role at Signature after serving as the Managing Director at Roundabout Theatre Company for the last 11 years. Before that, he served in executive positions at Manhattan Theatre Club and the Alley Theatre in Texas. Harold was also the Vice President of the League of Resident Theaters.
In this episode, Erik and Harold talk about the importance of demonstrating a healthy work/life balance as a leader, what it takes to cultivate successful partnerships with external providers, and how every patron touchpoint ultimately affects an organization's fundraising efforts.
Colleen Dilenschneider is the author and publisher of the popular website, Know Your Own Bone, and Chief Market Engagement Officer at IMPACTS Research. Colleen uses big data to help cultural organizations understand everything from what gets people off the couch, to what social channels potential patrons are using. This is a unique episode - it's a break from our typical Q&A format. We are sharing audio from Colleen's keynote session at 2017 Digital Marketing Boot Camp for the Arts. In this episode, Colleen discusses why digital engagement is anything but optional for arts organizations today. From increasing reputation to bumping satisfaction, driving attendance and securing donations, Colleen talks about how social media and digital engagement play significant roles in the solvency of cultural engagement. You can find the full video session on Capacity Interactive’s Facebook page.
Jennifer Zaslow is an executive coach at Clear Path Executive Coaching. She's also the first guest to return to the CI to Eye podcast! In this episode, Erik and Jennifer talk about slowing down, the importance of recognizing and having crucial conversations with colleagues, and the art of third level listening in our hectic and busy world.
Kathleen McFarlane leads search initiatives at Capacity Interactive. Her team focuses on paid and organic search efforts for arts organizations. Recently, Google made significant changes to the Google Grant program. In this episode, Erik and Kathleen talk through this evolution and discuss how arts organizations can manage these changes. They also examine many of the updates to the Grant program, the continued importance of mobile, and how organic search should play a role in arts organizations' digital efforts.
Jim Andrews is the Senior Vice President at IEG and ESP Properties, an organization that specializes in sponsorship. Jim is a 30-year sponsorship industry veteran and an arts lover. In this episode, Erik and Jim talk about how arts organizations should cultivate and work with sponsors, examples of notable sponsorships in the arts, and how arts organizations can position themselves to attract and retain sponsors.
Joe Melillo has been the Executive Producer of the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) for more than three decades. Known for its strong brand and cutting-edge programming, BAM is one of the oldest continuously operating performing arts centers in the country. BAM’s success is closely tied to the renaissance of Brooklyn. Joe is a programmer with a marketing background and strong visual and artistic point of view. In this episode, Erik and Joe talk about how BAM attracted people to Brooklyn when it was very a different place than it is today, Joe's successful collaboration with Karen Brooks Hopkins, BAM’s President for much of his tenure, and how he worked with his team to develop one of the strongest brands in the performing arts today.
Sharon Gersten Luckman was the Executive Director of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation for 16 years. She is largely credited with breathing new life into the organization, which was on the verge of bankruptcy when she took over. In this episode, Erik and Sharon talk about how she worked to rescue the Ailey Organization from the brink of bankruptcy, the importance of audience lead generation for not only marketing but also for fundraising, and the secret to a successful relationship between an executive director and a board.
Michael Kaiser is "the turnaround king." In his distinguished career, he has worked at Kansas City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, and the Royal Opera House. Perhaps he is best known for serving as the president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from 2001–2014. Michael has also written several books including, The Art of the Turnaround: Creating and Maintaining Healthy Arts Organizations and The Cycle: A Practical Approach to Managing Arts Organizations. In this episode, Erik and Michael talk about the traits that differentiate healthy arts organizations, how the cycle of marketing, fundraising, and programming work together, and how cutting marketing budgets is the absolute wrong move when faced with a declining audience.
Jane Chu is the eleventh Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). She has a background in arts administration, philanthropy, and is an accomplished artist and musician. During her tenure to date, Jane has awarded more than $400 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and artists, issued new research reports on arts participation and the impact of the arts and cultural industries on the nation's GDP, and has visited all 50 states. Before coming to the NEA, she served as the president and CEO of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri. In this episode, Erik and Jane discuss the history and mission of the NEA and dig into how the independent federal agency distributes funds to arts organizations and artists. They also talk about how participating in the arts helped Jane through a challenging time in her life, and propelled her to her to eventually become the head of the NEA.
Gina Gibney is the head of the newly renamed Gibney, an artist-founded and women-led organization that provides space for dance, physically and metaphorically in New York City. With 23 studios and multiple performance spaces, the company is a performing arts and social justice powerhouse. Dance Magazine named her as “One of the Most Influential People in Dance Today,” and The New York Observer called her the “Power Broker of Contemporary Dance." In this episode, Erik and Gina discuss her secret to fundraising success, how to work with a board of directors, her role as a female leader, and “The Upward Spiral,” which is her organization’s code word for incremental growth.
Bonnie Siegler is the founder of the design studio Eight and a Half. She’s worked with clients including HBO, the Brooklyn Public Library, The New York Times, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. She has an immense amount to teach us about building successful relationships with creatives. She is the author of the beautiful and insightful booked called “Dear Client....This Book Will Teach You How To Get What You Want From Creative People. Sincerely, Bonnie Siegler.” As arts administrators, part of our jobs involve working with creatives and consultants and those relationships can sometimes be fraught. Lucky for us, her book is a toolkit for this very challenge. In this episode, Erik and Bonnie discuss how arts administrators can better work with creative people to get the output they want for their organizations.
Johnna Fellows Gluth, a Senior Consultant at Capacity Interactive, worked alongside CI's study partners at WolfBrown, to create the Performing Arts Ticket Buyer Media Usage Study. Johnna oversaw the research and analysis of a survey of nearly 27,000 recent ticket buyers to help the field understand media habits of likely arts attendees. The survey provided tangible takeaways for arts administrators. In this episode, Erik and Johnna discuss the survey methodology, review key takeaways from the data, and explore how arts organizations can use this information to guide strategic thinking.
Zannie Voss is the Director at Southern Methodist University’s National Center for Arts Research. She oversees the creation of evidence-based research to help arts and cultural leaders increase impact. In a world of declining audience participation and increasingly challenging financial scenarios, her studies are critical reading for anyone working in the arts today. In this episode, Erik and Zannie talk about a number of studies Zannie oversaw including their recent "Bottom Line Report," which examines troubling data about the financial health of arts organization in the U.S. They also discuss a study highlighting how distance from an arts organization impacts participation, and compelling data about how arts and culture aren't an elitist extravagance, but critical to the American economy.
Aubrey Bergauer is the Executive Director of the California Symphony. When Aubrey took over at the California Symphony, it was in rough operational and financial shape. Under her leadership, the company has implemented changes that led to an increase in subscription revenue by over 70%, an increase in audience size by over 70%, and an increase in contributed revenue by over 40%. Using data coupled with a clear strategy and support from the board of directors, she was able to swiftly implement discipline and rigor to how the organization markets, fundraises and communicates with patrons. In this episode, Erik and Aubrey talk about the California Symphony's "Orchestra X" project to better understand user experience purchasing and attending a concert, and the website changes they made based on their findings. They also discuss the California Symphony's disciplined approach to patron communication, as well as their recent Public Organizational Commitment to Diversity across programming, staffing, and the board.
Colleen Dilenschneider is the publisher of Know Your Own Bone, the powerhouse website that provides data-driven insights about marketing, fundraising, engagement and more for arts administrators. It's required reading for anyone working in the arts and culture today. Colleen is also the Chief Market Engagement Officer at IMPACTS Research & Development, a data and technology company. She has keynoted several state, national, and international conferences including Digital Marketing Boot Camp for the Arts last year! She is full of enthusiasm and data to help solve some of the most pressing challenges in our industry. In this episode, Erik and Colleen discuss the importance of an organization's reputation in driving attendance, why people donate or don't donate to institutions, and how cutting marketing budgets when times get tough is the absolute wrong move.
Andrew McIntyre is a co-founder of Morris Hargreaves McIntyre, a cultural research agency based in the UK. Andrew is one of the UK’s leading authorities on cultural audience motivations and behavior. His firm works on what they call “Culture Segments,” a segmentation system based on people’s cultural values and their beliefs about the role that culture plays in their lives. In this episode, Erik and Andrew talk about how arts organizations often segment based on past behavior and how that is not always the most effective, how understanding cultural segments can increase attendance and participation, and why dumbing-down marketing copy to appeal to the masses is the wrong move. They also discuss why it's essential to build a deep connection with your audience rather than just selling them tickets.
Allison Fippinger is an independent certified project manager and change agent who works with non-profit arts organizations on large-scale strategic projects including website redesigns and CRM implementations. In this episode, Erik and Allison discuss how organizations can be more successful when it comes to conducting large- scale projects that require cross-organizational participation and major change. Not surprising, success often comes down to culture. Erik and Allison also discuss the pros and cons of bringing in an outside project manager, why most of us underestimate the time projects like this will take, and the magic CRM and ticketing platform that will solve every organization's challenges.
Mark Ciglar knows how to use video to sell theatrical performances. Formerly an actor and a commercial director, Mark is now the President of Cinevative, an LA-based video production company that uses visual effects technology to create promotional videos for arts organizations. In this episode, Erik and Mark talk about the appropriate length for promos, how to not let a lack of assets limit your creativity, and why it's more important that videos communicate a feeling, rather than show exactly what's on stage.
Afa Dworkin is the President and Artistic Director of the Sphinx Organization, whose mission is to transform lives through the power of diversity in the arts. In this episode, Erik and Afa discuss the very real societal structural barriers that limit inclusion, how most American orchestras present works by mostly white men, and why risk averse leaders must make big changes in staffing and programming to align their organizations with changing demographic realities in order to keep classical music relevant and alive in this country.
David Stewart is the Guthrie Theater's Director of Production and an outspoken advocate on issues of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. In this episode, Erik and David talk about the lack of diversity in the arts both onstage and behind the scenes, how the Guthrie has begun to confront these challenges under a new artistic director, and how we all need to recognize our blind spots and the larger societal and organizational structures that inhibit progress.
Jenny Kreizman is a Senior Analyst at Capacity Interactive. She came to CI with no analytics skills and is now a website analytics and optimization pro. Her story of learning these technical skills is inspirational. In this episode, Erik and Jenny talk about flexing one’s curiosity to learn new skills, what it is like to be a woman in a highly technical role, and how arts organizations can better use website analytics and optimization to improve their web experiences.
Karen Girty is the Senior Director of Marketing and Media at New York City Ballet. Under her leadership, the organization has become a media powerhouse, producing some of the most stunning video content in our field. She also helped launch Art Series, New York City Ballet's groundbreaking audience development program. In this episode, Erik and Karen talk about the organization's rebrand, video production efforts, and how Art Series helped transform the makeup of their audience into nearly 50% Gen X and Gen Y-ers.
John Berardi is the co-founder of Precision Nutrition, the largest private nutrition coaching and education company in the world. Erik has been using Precision Nutrition coaching for over a year and it has made a huge impact on him both personally and physiologically. Erik first discovered Precision Nutrition through their stellar digital marketing content- so not only is he a huge fan of their work, but also their marketing- which is almost entirely permission-based. In this episode, Erik and John discuss the philosophies that make Precision Nutrition's coaching so effective, how their company uses content and permission marketing, and how focusing on and prioritizing marketing channels leads to success.
Meghan Keaney Anderson is the VP of Marketing at HubSpot, a company that was built on and exemplifies stellar content creation. Meghan’s team of 20 content strategists get to experiment and test more channels than most arts marketers could ever dream about. In this episode, Erik and Meghan talk about HubSpot's experimentation in Medium, Messenger apps, podcasts and many other outlets, and what arts organizations can learn from these experiments. They also discuss lessons she’s learned from managing a large team and the importance of giving tough feedback. This episode is full of useful marketing tips and strategic takeaways for arts administrators.
In this unique episode of CI to Eye, the tables are turned and Erik Gensler, CI's President, becomes the interviewee. Led by Ashley Dunn Gatterdam, Senior Consultant at Capacity Interactive, Erik and Ashley discuss the origins of CI, lessons in leadership, digital strategy, and the evolutions within the company and field over the years.
For four decades, Paula Scher has been at the forefront of graphic design crafting identities for renowned corporate brands and cultural institutions. From Citibank and Tiffany & Co. to The Public Theater, MOMA, Jazz at Lincoln Center and New York City Ballet, her identities have become case studies for the contemporary identity of American brands. In this episode Erik and Paula talk about why cultural organizations need a cohesive design system, how the move to screens changed branding and identity work, and how institutions can best work with designers.
Adam Huttler is the founder and CEO of Fractured Atlas, an organization that provides artists and cultural groups with business services. Adam is currently working on the "Exponential Creativity Fund," a venture capital fund that makes early investments in entrepreneurs who are using technologies to empower or enhance human creativity. In this episode, Erik and Adam discuss arts entrepreneurship, advances in AI and robotics, and organizational diversity and inclusion.
Jeff Hiller and Jenn Harris are two hilarious New York City based actors. You may recognize Jeff from 30 Rock or Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, or Jenn from the film Gayby or Off-Broadway's Silence! The Musical. Jeff and Jenn have their own hysterical podcast, Touche, which touches on being in the middle of their lives and their careers. In this unique episode, Erik, Jeff, and Jenn discuss the life of a working actor, the power of creating one's own content, and what arts administrators can do to best collaborate with artists.
Laura Matalon is the President of Allied Live, a marketing agency for the commercial theater industry that works with touring Broadway productions. In this episode, Erik and Laura discuss marketing Broadway on the road, diversity and inclusion within arts administrations, and the importance of mentorship.
Digital strategist Mohan Ramaswamy is a partner at Work & Co, a digital design agency based in Brooklyn, New York. His team is responsible for Virgin America's responsive website (a favorite of Erik's!). In this episode, Erik and Mohan discuss their most transformative digital experiences, why focusing on your most heavily used website pages is critical, and how to collaborate to get the best product when working with an outside partner.
Jack McAuliffe is an organizational coach for arts organizations. He's had a long career in arts leadership including serving as the first Director of Marketing at the Kennedy Center and as the COO of the League of American Orchestras, where he commissioned several audience engagement studies including the legendary Orchestra "Churn Study." In this episode, Erik and Jack discuss the findings from four large audience research studies, why a good marketing director should have a role in programming, and how storytelling and context are so important for arts organizations.
Monica Holt is the Director of Marketing at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. In this episode, Erik and Monica discuss the privilege of leadership, the best ways to get buy-in for digital marketing at large and complex arts organizations, and how being a good employee does not necessarily make you a good manager (and how that is totally okay).
In this podcast we focused on what the arts can learn from sports marketing. Erik spoke with Amber Cox, VP of the Connecticut Sun and New England Black Wolves. Amber has spent her career in leaderships roles at sports franchises across the country serving as CMO of Major League Soccer teams, Associate Commissioner for Women’s Basketball at the Big East Conference, and President and CMO of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. In this podcast, Erik and Amber talk about what she learned in marching band, how sports teams use social storytelling to grow loyalty, and how to keep a marketing team motivated even if your team is losing.
Steven Roth is the President of JCA Arts Marketing. Steven is an expert in pricing and revenue management for the cultural field. In this episode, Erik and Steven talk about pricing theory: how to increase revenue even if you have a small venue, how to avoid panic discounting, and what to do if your show is not selling.
To arts administrators Thomas Cott is perhaps best known for You’ve Cott Mail, an emailed digest of news and commentary about the arts he sent for free almost every weekday for over 20 years. Thomas' career has encompassed producing and administrative roles in dance, theater, opera, and the humanities—from Broadway to the New York Public Library. He's currently at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as Senior Director of Marketing and Creative Content. In this episode, Erik and Thomas talk about what marketing was like before the Internet, the origins of You’ve Cott Mail, how Alvin Ailey is working to speak to millennials, and they may chat a bit about Beyoncé.
In this podcast Erik and Jill talk about how people are more valuable than data, how organizations need to take responsibility for the success and failures of their employees, and how organizations must be as excellent throughout the whole institution as they are on the stage.