Partnership Proposal
An ArtsBoston and Asylum Parternship
ArtsBoston and BosTix have been an important part of the cultural landscape in Boston for decades. Providing support for artists and organizations large and small, ArtsBoston has given voice to the arts world that has historically been lacking in the City of Boston. It’s been an institution that we’ve admired for quite some time. The Asylum family of companies has been a growing brand for over 25 years, with theatres, comedy clubs, training programs, and corporate team building divisions. We also know the challenges that any organization faces in a ever-changing arts and entertainment landscape —never mind the evolving nature of advertising, marketing, and social media. And... keeping up with the current business practices of live entertainment in a post-Covid world is an unwritten rulebook we’re all navigating. We’ve outlined some ways that the Asylum family of companies can work with ArtsBoston to continue to its’ mandate of amplifying all of the amazing theater, music, art, and culture that is happening all around Boston and beyond.
Operational Support
Currently ArtsBoston operates two point-of-purchase sales and information kiosks in Boston — Faneuil Hall and Copley Square. Working under the assumption that these kiosks haven’t been staffed for some time, we would offer operational support to these prime locations. We see an opportunity to bring back the human touch that’s been missing in an age of online sales and social media. Over 15m people are projected to pass through Faneuil Hall this year alone. We currently operate an information kiosk on the other side of Faneuil Hall. The amount of foot traffic we get is fantastic, and feedback we receive from people interacting with our smart, fun, and funny “booth attendants” is extremely positive. People get first-hand recommendations and information in a way that allows true human connections to be made. This translates into the ability to recommend shows (currently our own as those are the only ones there, but soon to be more) in a way that comes across as authentic and knowledgeable. The Asylum already operates a robust Customer Service Center, handling online and phone sales for multiple venues. The Asylum could provide live staffing for each kiosk with a member of our operation/CSA team, handling live walk-up sales, recommendation for shows, and general information about what is going on in the city at any given time. This would increase sales for ArtsBoston as well as the venues and shows ArtsBoston works with as well as bring life — and personality back to the kiosks.
How Would / Could It Work?
Not assuming the financial or operational structure that ArtsBoston currently works under, we see a number of potential opportunities to collaborate, including, but not limited to: - The Asylum assumes staffing the kiosks on an agreed-upon schedule with ArtsBoston, including all scheduling, payroll, and logistics around staffing. This includes the putting up/taking down of show posters and other communications, as well as keeping all information being advertised or promoted at the kiosk up to date
- The Asylum CSA team handles all sales, in-person and online that come in through ArtsBoston channels
- All sales are powered with the AsylumTix, our proprietary ticketing platform
- ArtsBoston helps train staff regarding ArtsBoston’s operational procedures as well as messaging
- ArtsBoston contributes some dollar percentage to the Asylum to help with staffing costs
- The Asylum trains the ArtsBoston staff how to build shows, operate and interact with the AsylumTix platform
- The Asylum sales teams would explore other advertising and sponsorship opportunities, with ArtsBoston guidance and direction, for the kiosks. The Asylum would retain an agreed-upon commission, defined by ArtsBoston and the Asylum, for all sales generated by the Asylum sales team - Our audience data could be added to the current ArtsBoston reach numbers that is used to sell to current advertisers and sponsors. With a combined mailing list from Improv Asylum and Laugh Boston of over 100,000 users, this could be very valuable data for potential advertisers and sponsors With a large and active audience base, the Asylum companies would help amplify ArtsBoston’s message and mission to the greater Boston area, through direct messaging, promotions, and dispensing information through our digital and social media channels.
Final Thoughts The Asylum Companies’ organizational infrastructure, as well as our solid and predictable (for the arts and entertainment industry anyway! ), revenue base allows us to be able to operate multiple venues, shows, classes, trainings, trolleys, and tours. We have the processes in place, and a workforce that is actively looking for more opportunities within our companies. Operating the ArtsBoston kiosks would fit nicely into our currently existing operations structure, while taking that burden off of ArtsBoston. The addition of live customer service representatives on site at the kiosks will lead to more sales for ArtsBoston, the affiliate shows that ArtsBoston works with, as well as adding value to the current advertisers and sponsors who already work with ArtsBoston. Add in the ability to grow the advertising and sponsorship dollars by having our professional sales teams be able to bring in new customers allows ArtsBoston to generate new revenue to help support its ongoing operations and cultural mandates. ArtsBoston and The Asylum Companies have been important leaders of the Boston arts and entertainment landscape for 40+ years. Each or our organizations has a vested interest in the continued support, health, and growth of arts and entertainment in our city. I think our two organizations are uniquely positioned at this time to leverage the strengths of each organization to work together and achieve great things for ArtsBoston, the Asylum Companies, the City of Boston and all the amazing artists that call Boston home.
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Join us to start the conversation
If you haven’t been to our venues, we’d love to show you what we do. Be our guest to check out a show at either Improv Asylum or Laugh Boston so that we
can talk about the potential of the partnership we’re envisioning. Email us and we’ll show you how we can have a blast together!
200 STATE ST. UNIT C-1 | BOSTON | 617.263.6887
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