Development & Marketing Manager Report

Development
  • Individual Giving for FY17:
    • Received as of 7/21/17: $127,405 (with pledges receivable: 103% to goal)
    • Last year, we ended the year at $115,097
  • Joe and I met with David Stamps, a consultant from the Center for Organizational Development, to discuss a framework for working together.
    • Dave will work with me to create strategies to grow Cantus’ individual giving. 
 
Songs of Travel
 
Cantus and Sweet Honey in the Rock
  • Sales have been slow. As of 7/17/17: 345 tickets totaling $20,914
    • This could have something to do with the number of messages we’re sending to our audience this time of year. Historically in June and July, Cantus has spent energy marketing Covers, subscription renewal, and end of year giving. This year, we’ve also been marketing a new chamber concert series as well as Sweet Honey.
  • Joe and I will meet with Anne Ulseth (local publicist) next week to discuss PR strategies for the concert and season.
  • The singers will be meeting with Sweet Honey in Iowa next week while on tour – and will attempt to capture video content that will help drive sales.
  • MPR is interested in live streaming and broadcasting the concert.
 
2017-2018 Season Subscriptions
  • As of 7/21/17: $32,340
  • Gross totals from the past several years:
    • 2016-17: $44,248
    • 2015-2016: $55,560
    • 2014-2015: $50,080
  • Single tickets will slightly increase by $2-$5 to match our increased venue expenses; Subscriber tickets will remain at $30/ticket
  • Season brochure will hit in late August/early September.
 
MPR Partnership
  • Paul and I had a great meeting with Classical MPR’s programmatic staff. Collaborative projects under consideration include:
    • Cantus and Sweet Honey in the Rock live broadcast
    • Cantus video series – filmed and edited by MPR – to be released in early September to promo the season
    • Christmas with Cantus live broadcast
    • Cantus special along the lines of Thanksgiving with Cantus or Valentine’s Day with Cantus
    • Open rehearsal live streaming
    • Cantus performance in UBS Forum