We all know products have to be advertised but this video spot for Depend undergarments titled “Orchestra” is utterly ridiculous. Try to set aside the annoying inaccuracies such as pulling open the curtain on the downbeat and the “conductor” that isn’t conducting with the beat and just pretend not to notice the “magic wand” reference (note to self: don’t hire copy writers who wear Harry Potter t-shirts to the office). Sadly, those are the advertisement’s highlights but enough words, just watch the video…
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How Satisfied Are You With Your Ticketing Software?
Thanks to Joe Patti over at Butts In The Seats for posting a link on 4/6/2010 to the Center for Arts Management and Technology’s Ticketing Software Satisfaction Survey report (pdf). It is filled with an enormous amount of useful data by way of a comprehensive cross-section of arts orgs and ticketing software platforms in the study. Of particular interest are the sections devoted to identifying ticketing needs…
Things That Make You Go Buh!?! CNBC
It’s been a full two weeks since I’ve been able to blog about anything and over that time, I’ve been building up one doozy of a rant. In this instance, the seemingly willful lack of journalistic integrity from CNBC, the self anointed “world leader in business news” is at fault. It isn’t often that the business behind art makes it to television news so I was initially enthusiastic to see CNBC’s report on the economics of opera. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for enthusiasm to degrade into disgust…
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Lynn Harrell
I couldn’t think a better way to round out this year’s Take a Friend to the Orchestra program. Renowned cellist Lynn Harrell‘s contribution is a touching final passage to an already wonderful series. It serves as a strong reminder that amidst growing conversations questioning classical music’s ideal role in society the one thing that shouldn’t get lost is the power of artistry. Regardless of whether it’s shared with friends, family, or colleagues it brings us together in ways no other art form is capable…
TAFTO 2010 Contribution: Brian Wise
Why limit TAFTO to friends? Why not Take A Date to the Orchestra (TADTO) or perhaps Take More-Than-a-Friend to the Orchestra (TMTAFTO?). Freelance music journalist and WNYC Radio producer Brian Wise was wondering the same thing and being the proactive producer-type of guy that he is, decided to do something about it. His results are infinitely better than reality television and chocked full of useful feedback to the question “What steps could an orchestra take to reach the culturally curious young couple who might otherwise choose a museum as a date venue?”…