The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art (OOMA) in Biloxi, Mississippi reopened in an entirely new construction last year in 2010. The museum, originally named the George Ohr Arts and Culture Center first opened in 1994, in 1999 designs of the new museum were underway and by 2004 building had begun. Disastrously in 2005 Hurricane Katrina destroyed the new building as well as the already established Center. Successfully, 5 years later after reconstruction, Phase 1 of the museum which includes the Sound Welcome Center, the IP Exhibitions Gallery, the Gallery of African American Art and the Pleasant Reed Interpretive Center were opened.
OOMA has a packed official website; it features everything a person could possibly want to know about the new museum. The home page displays pictures of George Ohr, the new building and other photos from inside the museum. It highlights all updates, the newest exhibitions, how to schedule a tour, how to become a member, info about the store, café and new campus. The site is lively and exciting to browse through.
The museum is not so active in social media. OOMA has a Facebook page. On the page, followers are kept up to date on what OOMA features as the best and most interesting upcoming exhibits. The events tab also shows upcoming events a few months in advanced, there are plenty of photos as well. Unfortunately I don’t see a lot of interaction with the public or communication at all except to announce events. There is a lot more OOMA could be doing as far as internet PR. I suppose because of the reputation of the museum, the PR team may feel that word-of-mouth is enough. And while it is effective, why not put a word in yourself??
The museum should have a Twitter page, also highlighting events but mainly focusing on art and all aspects of it. Perhaps giving arts and crafts advice or having conversations among various artists in South Mississippi or specifically with or about whomever or whatever the museum is exhibiting that week. A Foursquare account would also be helpful and popular, giving discounts on tickets after a certain amount of check ins; that could raise awareness and bring more visitors. Also on the museum website, they should have a Keeping up With OOMA tab in which they feature all ongoing Social activity and conversations. Another great PR idea would be for the museum to start a blog; blogging about exhibits and the theme of that exhibit each week or day, deeming it the OOMA Pick of the Week.
All of these things could benefit the museum in more ways than one, not only awareness but a feeling of being involved by the public. And when the public feels involved, they get involved, and when they get involved, they support, donate, volunteer and become long-lasting customers.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
No Just An Audience
The Mahalia Jackson Theater (MJT) in New Orleans, Louisiana reopened in January 2009 after being shattered by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The theater originally built in 1973, is a celebrated Performing Arts theater that has added to the historic culture of New Orleans. The theater features orchestras, operas, ballets, Broadway shows and tours of various world renowned entertainers. Since its reopening, the theater has come a long way in productions, ticket sales and acknowledgement among the community.
The evolution of PR has made the people in the seats not just an audience but the public, the critics, the press, they are the influencers that can make or break the MJT. Since its reopening, the MJT has updated and recreated the official website. It highlights all upcoming events, the history of the theater, virtual tours of the new renovations and how to contact them. It is splattered with creative and attractive colors and is very user friendly when trying to navigate through the site. The site also has a few photos previewing shows and links to their Twitter and Facebook pages.
The MJT is active in internet social media. The twitter page is maintained by a representative, Allie, who converse with other artists as well as posts updates on events and of their Facebook page. Allie posts often and stays connected not just with MJT but with all World Theater and arts news and occasionally shares links to them. The Facebook page is also up kept on a regular basis. On there is where contests are introduced and the most current news of what’s happening with the MJT. The contests are very creative and require for followers to participate sharing “the simple joys in life”, to win tickets to the Color Purple showing Feb.11. The page also informs fellow FB friends of productions happening outside of MJT and keeps a positive attitude, responding to comments and making an effort to show the “audience” that they matter.
The MJT PR team is taking baby steps, if not crawling, toward productive interaction with social media. They seem to have basic knowledge of the target market and how to reach them; even though they are not utilizing all the different Internet channels that can further benefit them and the public. As a theater I see it only right that they establish a YouTube channel, with clips of their shows. The YouTube channel can be another way for the public to share their experience and inquire others to go and share that experience. The theater can also take advantage of Foursquare, one of the main things they do is invite people to different productions. Using Foursquare to check into locations of different productions and shows is just one more way for them to connect.
The evolution of PR has made the people in the seats not just an audience but the public, the critics, the press, they are the influencers that can make or break the MJT. Since its reopening, the MJT has updated and recreated the official website. It highlights all upcoming events, the history of the theater, virtual tours of the new renovations and how to contact them. It is splattered with creative and attractive colors and is very user friendly when trying to navigate through the site. The site also has a few photos previewing shows and links to their Twitter and Facebook pages.
The MJT is active in internet social media. The twitter page is maintained by a representative, Allie, who converse with other artists as well as posts updates on events and of their Facebook page. Allie posts often and stays connected not just with MJT but with all World Theater and arts news and occasionally shares links to them. The Facebook page is also up kept on a regular basis. On there is where contests are introduced and the most current news of what’s happening with the MJT. The contests are very creative and require for followers to participate sharing “the simple joys in life”, to win tickets to the Color Purple showing Feb.11. The page also informs fellow FB friends of productions happening outside of MJT and keeps a positive attitude, responding to comments and making an effort to show the “audience” that they matter.
The MJT PR team is taking baby steps, if not crawling, toward productive interaction with social media. They seem to have basic knowledge of the target market and how to reach them; even though they are not utilizing all the different Internet channels that can further benefit them and the public. As a theater I see it only right that they establish a YouTube channel, with clips of their shows. The YouTube channel can be another way for the public to share their experience and inquire others to go and share that experience. The theater can also take advantage of Foursquare, one of the main things they do is invite people to different productions. Using Foursquare to check into locations of different productions and shows is just one more way for them to connect.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)