Risdall Marketing Group Presents Ivey Ad Award to Illusion
Theater Illusion Theater recognized for outstanding marketing efforts
NEW BRIGHTON, MINN. (May 6, 2009) – Minneapolis-St. Paul is
internationally renowned for its performing arts scene, but with so many
theaters for patrons to attend, venues must promote shows, seasons and
events in a unique way to draw an audience. During the Ivey Award Board
Member Thank You event on May 4, the Illusion Theater
in Minneapolis received the Ivey Ad Award, presented by Risdall Marketing Group (RMG), in
recognition of the theater’s original marketing.
The Ivey Awards were
established in 2004 to increase awareness of Twin Cities professional
theater and create a celebration for all Twin Cities theater lovers.
Since the Ivey Awards began, participation in the program has increased
from 39 to 72 local theaters. RMG – one of the founders of the Ivey
Awards – created this year’s new Ivey Ad Award to recognize the
significance that effective marketing plays in keeping theater and the
arts alive. Judging criteria included originality, creativity,
connectivity and how well the efforts motivated people to attend the
theater.
“The Illusion Theater strives to reach a diverse audience to
catalyze social and personal change,” said Bonnie Morris, producing
director at the Illusion Theater. “Being recognized for our efforts to
connect with a new audience is a wonderful honor.”
Judged by the creative team at RMG, the entry from the Illusion
Theater was a witty brochure outlining its coming attractions for the
year. The piece offered the attitudes of non-theater-goers and featured
less-then-reverent quotes for reasons why people don’t go to the theater
including, “its cold outside,” and “there are liberals down there.”
This piece was unique because of its clean, crisp design, enhanced by
its ability to take the misperceptions of theater and turn these into
humorous statements.
“Theater is integral to the Twin Cities culture,” said John
Risdall, chairman and CEO of Risdall Marketing Group (RMG). “We’re thrilled to
recognize the successful marketing and advertising developed this year
that was essential to drawing an audience and creating a strong
reputation.”
About Risdall Marketing Group
Founded in 1972, Risdall
Marketing Group has annual capitalized billings of $190 million in
2008 and over 80 employees. Headquartered in New Brighton, Minn.,
Risdall is heralded as one of the oldest and most successful agencies in
the Twin Cities market and is recognized nationally for its
leading-edge interactive marketing capabilities. The full-service agency
embraces an integrated approach offering marketing, advertising, public
relations, promotion and collateral development, traditional and
interactive media, research and fundraising capabilities. According to
the 2008 Twin Cities Business Annual Business Information Guide,
RMG is ranked as the largest Web developer, fifth largest PR agency and
the seventh largest advertising agency in Minnesota. For more
information, visit www.risdall.com.
About the Ivey Awards:
The Ivey Awards were established in 2004 to celebrate Twin Cities
professional theater. The Ivey Awards has two primary objectives: to
increase awareness of Twin Cities professional theater and to create a
celebration for all people who love Twin Cities’ theater – those within
the theater community and those in the audience. The Ivey Awards are
administered by an advisory committee of local theater professionals and
theater-goers. For more information about the Ivey Awards, visit www.iveyawards.com.
About Illusion Theater
Illusion Theater’s mission is to create theater that illuminates
the myths and realities of our times and to catalyze personal and social
change. Illusion Theater’s philosophy of learning is rooted in
theater’s potential to be a compelling educational tool. The Outreach
and Education Program has been successful at breaking through and
transforming the fear that often surrounds difficult and controversial
social issues. Since its inception in 1977, the program has presented
workshops and performances to over one million children and adults in
all 50 states and the Virgin Islands. For more information visit www.illusiontheater.org.
John Risdall
Risdall
Marketing Group
651.286.6702
john@risdall.com
Amanda Draxton
Risdall
McKinney Public Relations
651.286.6776
amanda@risdall.com
< Back to News