The Second City’s Post

I said it at the start of the year, and we’ve stuck to it. Here’s the context! There are digital comedy creators who need help making the leap to stand-up comedy. At the same time, they need to keep maximising their commercial opportunities through their strong digital presence. But these aren’t two separate services—they come together. Why just focus on commercial opportunities through digital platforms when you can integrate them on stage as well? —— Now, fast forward to the start of Q4.. We’ve seen that opportunity grow and continued to ramp up our Live Booking efforts, especially with Hailey Cuttler joining our New York City-based team. The Gold Studios - As the Home of Digital Comedy & Entertainment, we believe we’re not only curating digital talent but also developing them into the entertainers of the next generation. By adding value both digitally and through live bookings, I truly believe we’re demonstrating that. —— Hey, Chris J Smith here. If you want to stay updated on my continued journey of building a commercial department, the 700+ partnerships (and counting) I’ve secured for our exclusive content creators and more, give me a follow! 😃

Check out these key takeaways from our Broadway Audience Series! #audience #research #data

In business, it’s a common belief that specialization is the key to success. Many argue that honing in on one particular product, service, or market segment is what drives traction and growth. However, the Variety Playhouse stands as a compelling counterexample to this notion. Despite its multi-faceted approach to entertainment—hosting everything from indie rock concerts to comedy shows—it has managed to carve out a distinct name for itself. Like the Variety Playhouse, we aim to be known not merely for doing one thing well, but for doing many things exceptionally. https://lnkd.in/dv-5XN2z #mocktheagency #marketingagency #graphicdesignagency #atlantamarketing #varietyplayhouse #thespiceoflife #domanythingswell

"My mission is to make comedy movies for global audiences. Hollywood has historically struggled with making global comedies because jokes don't always translate across cultures. Together, with my team, I am designing a formula for 2.5X American comedy movies' average box office revenue from foreign markets. The share of total theatrical revenue from international sales for US comedies' has hovered at just 28%. Compare that to the 70% (revenue from foreign sales) achieved by other top movie genres and you can see the opportunity ($3B as per our estimates).  Several companies had produced electric vehicles before Tesla, but Elon Musk was the first to mass-manufacture them. Similarly, comedies have occasionally proven that such a domestic-to-foreign revenue ratio is possible. My mission is not very unique, but is differentiated. I am systematizing a process for repeatedly driving up comedy's revenue from foreign sales.  I am devoted to not only serving the unmet need amongst international comedy moviegoers but to also providing high returns faster than any other business model for my private investors; they are the fuel that lights my vision's fire. They are the fuel that will ignite laughter around the world."

Business isn't always a competition. Any comedy fans out there know that there has been a revolution within the stand-up comedy space, where over the last decade comedians are constantly working together and promoting each other's material through collaboration. I think business owners should take this same approach. In the last two days I have spoken to two very talented buy-side advisory groups that do similar work to DealGen Partners. Instead of figuring out how we could beat each other, we both recognized the blue ocean of opportunity that is M&A and spent both meetings talking through ways we can work together to grow. We ended up signing referral agreements with both firms where we can send business back and forth and monetize more opportunties than we currently are through working together.

Let's hear it for our Dazzle winners! 👏 Check out this blog post where we interviewed them about their experiences in the Big Apple. 🏙 🍎 🚕 https://lnkd.in/gEifWsEM #playhousesquare #DazzleAwards #JimmyAwards #Broadway

Watching "The Greatest Night in Pop," the documentary about the creation of "We Are the World" nearly 40 years ago, is a delight, especially if you're of a certain age. But even if you're not, the film is packed with fascinating stories. You get a backstage pass to the chaos of organizing the recording session, with icons like Tina Turner, Cindy Lauper, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan crafting the song on the fly. Beyond being pure entertainment, the documentary showcases the exceptional people skills of Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones, which are truly inspiring. It's not just a trip down memory lane; it's a lesson in #leadership, #collaboration, and #empathy. One key takeaway is that effective teams thrive with a clear #purpose. In this case, it was about fighting world hunger through music. With everyone focused on that goal, each artist brought their A-game, playing to their strengths while working together seamlessly. Quincy Jones acted as the coach, with Lionel Richie as the charismatic captain. If you're looking for a feel-good watch, "The Greatest Night in Pop" is it. Just be warned: you might find yourself humming "We Are the World" for days afterward. #wearetheworld #netflix #documentary #music #80s #storytelling #teamwork

Did you know that our suburban audience is down 27% from pre-pandemic levels?  That's a lot of butts in seats that could keep shows open longer and more theatermakers employed.  Honored to be chairing a subcommittee on getting those 'burban audiences back to Broadway more regularly.  Business 101 says that it's always easier to get those who have purchased your product before to purchase again . . . so look out, suburbs.  We're coming for you.  And if you're a suburban audience . . . tell me, what can we do to get you back to Broadway, or get you coming more often? #Broadway #BusinessOfBroadway #BroadwayData

Alright, let's talk business. DEI initiatives in Broadway aren't just the 'nice to have' — they're the 'need to have' for a profitable future. Here's the deal: Diverse and inclusive teams on AND off stage aren't just for show; the data shows they result in higher profits and a longer life on the boards. By embracing diversity, we're not just checking a box; we're tapping into new markets, expanding our reach, and creating work that resonate with the world today. So, fellow Broadway producers, let's ditch the outdated playbook. DEI isn't just about the right thing to do; it's about securing a thriving, profitable future for our shows and our industry. Time to invest in diversity, equity, and inclusion — it's not just a trend; it's the future of Broadway. #DEIinArts #InvestInDiversity #DEI #Producers #BroadwayProducer #FilmProducer #Advice #CareerCoach 

I’m thrilled to share exciting new research No Guarantees has commissioned in partnership with leading trends and generation research firm Culture Co-Op. The report explores what Gen Z and Millennials think about Broadway, examines the reasons they aren’t showing up, and suggests strategic steps the industry can take to cultivate new, engaged audiences. The research shows that Gen Z and Millennials’ lack of Broadway attendance is not due to details like a particular show’s cast, subject matter, or number of awards it has received. Instead, it’s a handful of deep misconceptions about Broadway itself, like confusion about ticket prices, the number of shows playing at any given time, access to tickets, and who Broadway is even meant for. The great news for Broadway is that while Gen Z & Millennials may not know much about individual shows or what’s happening in the theater industry, the Broadway brand remains extraordinarily strong. They are curious about us, and 91% even reported being more interested in Broadway simply by taking the survey! They’re ready to be brought into the fold. This gives all of us the ability to appeal to the existing interest of new, young audiences and develop a modern, actionable strategy to make it happen - to meet people where they really are. There’s so much to dive into so please check out the full report, which you can download at noguarantees.com. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or ideas!