New marketing agency launched for North East cultural sector.
Audiences North East (ANE), the new audience development agency for the North East, funded by the Arts Council is now opening its doors to new members.
ANE aims to develop activities which increase the number and range of people engaging in cultural activity in the region to the mutual benefit of audiences and cultural providers.
A series of lunch events are being held across the region for potential members to hear about the benefits of joining and working together to promote the sector more effectively. Members will represent the whole cultural sector including dance, theatre, visual arts, music, film, literature, heritage and museums.
Benefits for member include access to online website promotions and online ticketing, opportunities for networking, specialist advice and research services at discounted rates and even a free text marketing trial. There is small annual joining fee of £500 for all companies joining before April 2006.
A new Marketing Manager Alison O’Hara has also been appointed to help take the recruitment drive forward. Alison previously worked for the Arts Council.
Elaine Wilson Chief Executive said: “We want to bring a more customer led approach to cultural marketing, there are still lots of people in the North East who want to be more aware of what’s going on but who maybe aren’t being persuaded by our current methods. If we want to increase audiences then we have to continue to be proactive in our approach. We also want to support organisations with their individual marketing efforts by offering a range of services from consultancy through to research.”
Mark Dobson, Chair of Audiences North East board said: "The last few years has seen a remarkable growth of cultural activity and the construction of some wonderful new buildings right across the region. Everyone working in the cultural sector is determined to ensure that the opportunities that have been created can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Audiences North East has been created in response to demand from cultural organisations large and small to have a company they can join and run that will combine and share the very best work in developing audiences for the benefit of more people in the North East.”
For more information please contact Alison O’Hara, Marketing Manager phone: 0191 233 3869 or email alison.ohara@audiencesnortheast.org.uk
Notes to Editors
- Audiences North East (ANE) is the regional agency that exists to increase the number and range of people engaging with cultural activity in the North East to the mutual benefit of audiences and cultural providers. It is a membership organisation core funded by Arts Council England with a growing membership representing dance, theatre, visual arts, music, film, literature, heritage and museums. In addition, ANE works to develop higher standards and share good practice in cultural marketing.
- Audiences North East is a Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee. The Company has established a strong initial Board of Trustees as follows:
- Deborah Anderson, Head of Communications, Tyne & Wear Museums
- Janet Archer, Artistic Director, DanceCity
- Andy Balman, Managing Director, The Biscuit Factory
- Andy Bairstow, Director of Marketing, Nexus
- Philip Bernays, Chief Executive, Theatre Royal Newcastle
- Mark Dobson (Chair), Chief Executive, Tyneside Cinema
- Mark Elliott, Business Director of Digital City, Teesside University
- Tim Flood, Director, Whitley Bay Playhouse
- Judith Green, Director of Marketing, University of Sunderland
- Miriam Harte, Director, Beamish Open Air Museum
- Sarah Raad, Marketing & Development Manager, Live Theatre
- Anthony Sargent, General Director, The Sage Gateshead