Publicity

Originally Published in the Cherokee Tribune
on Sunday, February 27, 2005
(reprinted with permission)

Marketing Specialist Volunteers Services to Promote Canton Theatre

By Erin Semple
Cherokee Tribune Staff Writer

The Canton Theatre has stepped up marketing for its new season, which is larger and more diverse than in past years.

The city-owned theater will produce seven plays this year and a children's series of three shows performed by the Capital City Opera.

Canton resident Lori Reed Tilt, who owns Tilt Marketing, is volunteering her services to promote the theater's season, which has expanded this year and features plays that are both more popular and more mature.

The season opens Thursday with the musical "Cabaret" and the line-up also includes "Dial M for Murder" and "The Miss Firecracker Contest."

Canton Director of Economic Development Melanie Whitt said the new season and Mrs. Tilt's work should help the theater grow.

"Mrs. Tilt comes from an exceptional background, which helps the theater to have someone focusing on contacts through schools, businesses and groups," she said. "It will allow more events to go on downtown, provide diversity in programming and open the theater and downtown to many more groups of people."

To market the theater, Mrs. Tilt started a sponsorship drive and is writing press releases, promoting children's shows through mailing lists, grant writing, helping with correspondence and speaking to local groups about the theater.

"It helps them refine their marketing focus," Mrs. Tilt said of her work, which she is doing at no charge in exchange for credit as a sponsor and tickets to the shows. "I'm able to focus on contacts and getting the word out. I also focus on improving the quality of written materials and being a resource for them."

A graduate of the University of Georgia's journalism school, Mrs. Tilt worked for 15 years in marketing roles for Atlanta companies before starting her own firm last year.

Mrs. Tilt said she thinks the theater season's expansion will do more than increase attendance.

"Since the theater is located in the historic downtown, we hope by more people coming to the theatre, the downtown traffic will increase," Mrs. Tilt said. "We can be very proud of the theater, because it is like a crown jewel for our community."

Theater General Manager David Neace said he's optimistic about the new marketing strategy.

"Lori has been very instrumental in getting us more sponsors," Neace said. "She has good communication skills. She is helping us to promote new programs such as the children's shows."

This year, the theater will begin a children's series, with three shows performed by the Capital City Opera: "Hansel and Gretel" in April, "Seuss-some Two-some" in September and "The Ballad of Bremen Band" in November.

The theater also will sponsor a two-week acting camp for children ages 5 to 12 in June led by Yvonne Rice of Clubhouse Kids.

Other changes include a reduction in prices for certain patrons. For the regular season plays, adult tickets remain at $20 per show, but tickets for students and seniors now are $18.50 and children's tickets are $16.50. The Sunday matinee has been moved to a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. and all tickets are $18.50 and general admission only.

Tickets for the new children's series shows are $5 each.

Dr. Mac Miller, chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, which oversee the theater, said he is excited about the marketing expertise Mrs. Tilt brings with her.

"The theater is like the focal point of the downtown area, and the success of the theatre has launched local restaurants," he said. "Her work ensures the stability of the theater and hopefully the downtown area. This year we added children's programming as well as musical avenues to try to respond to the community we serve."

For information, call the theater at (770) 704-0755, or visit www.cantontheatre.com