NEWS RELEASE — WEST COAST-BASED VP OF MARKETING STRATEGY JOSEPH YOSHITOMI JOINS THEATERMANIA

JOSEPH YOSHITOMI
WEST COAST-BASED VP OF MARKETING STRATEGY JOINS THEATERMANIA

NEW POSITION WILL FURTHER THE COMPANY’S
NATIONWIDE MISSION TO CONNECT THEATERS TO AUDIENCES
THROUGH EXPANDING EDITORIAL COVERAGE, OVATIONTIX, AND MORE

TheaterMania, the New York-based media and technology company, has tapped Joseph Yoshitomi, a senior marketer based in Los Angeles, to lead the company’s business and consumer outreach across the country. The privately held company also plans to open a West Coast office to better serve an expanding list of advertising and OvationTix partners. TheaterMania.com and its associated social channels are the leading source for consumers to access information and tickets to live theater performances in local markets across the nation. In addition, TheaterMania provides sophisticated online, box office, call center ticketing, fundraising, and customer relationship management services through its cloud-based technology platform, OvationTix.

Said TheaterMania CEO Gretchen Shugart, “We enjoy strong market share with audiences and theaters alike on Broadway and Off-Broadway, and we have a growing footprint across the United States. Joseph’s experience in regional theater — especially a place as prolific and diverse as Los Angeles — provides opportunity for us to gain a stronger foothold in cities around the country.” She continued, “Joseph, along with our planned expansion in research, development, sales, and service, will benefit our partners across the country for years to come.”

Joseph Yoshitomi joins the company as Vice President of Marketing Strategy bringing 15 years of arts administration experience to the newly created position. He most recently served as Director of Marketing & Communications for Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles where he oversaw marketing during the not-for-profit theater’s largest sustained expansion of artistic programming and earned revenue since its founding 20 years ago. In addition to his six years at that organization, Yoshitomi has consulted for symphony, touring productions, and presenting venue clients. He is a speaker at national conferences such as INTIX and those organized by Americans for the Arts and Theatre Communications Group. His marketing and communications methods have been reported as innovations in the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and American Theatre Magazine. He serves on the board of LA STAGE Alliance, has independently produced theater, and began his career as a Los Angeles County/J. Paul Getty Arts Administration intern.

TheaterMania.com, Inc. is a leading media and technology company focused on providing products and services to the live entertainment industry. Founded in 1999, the company owns and operates www.theatermania.com, for information and tickets to theater across the U.S., and www.whatsonstage.com, for information and tickets to theater across the U.K., as well as related apps and social media properties. In addition, the company owns and operates OvationTix™, web-based technology used by hundreds of theaters across the U.S. to manage ticket sales, fundraising, marketing and customer information. TheaterMania presents the annual Drama Desk Awards show at New York’s Town Hall, and WhatsonStage presents the annual Theatregoers’ Awards in London.

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01-21-16

Press Release: LA Stage Alliance Announces 2nd Annual LA Stage Day, Sat 5/17

LA STAGE ALLIANCE 2ND ANNUAL
LA STAGE DAY
A DAY-LONG COMMUNITY EVENT
FOR PERFORMERS, DESIGNERS, ADMINISTRATORS,
STUDENTS, VENDORS, AND PATRONS OF THE ARTS
ON THE CAMPUS OF
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES
SATURDAY, MAY 17

LA STAGE Alliance has announced its second annual LA STAGE DAY, a day-long community event for the greater Los Angeles performing arts community. Generously hosted by California State University Los Angeles, the activities will take place on the campus of CSULA on Saturday, May 17, from 10am – 6pm.

LA STAGE DAY will open and close with mini-lectures from some of LA’s most engaged arts provocateurs. Throughout the day, interactive sessions and workshops will explore various elements of the performing arts community. In the afternoon, a bazaar/expo (free and open to the public) will showcase arts organizations, including LA STAGE Alliance member companies, partners, and affiliates from all over greater Los Angeles.

“We’re thrilled to bring the community together for our second annual LA STAGE DAY,” said LA STAGE CEO Terence McFarland. “Many of this year’s sessions focus on more deeply engaging stakeholders — board members, philanthropists, audiences, and elected officials. I’m certain our provocateurs will challenge and inspire attendees with their wishes for the LA performing arts community.” He continued, “Attendees can expect to walk away rejuvenated by networking with their peers, empowered with practical tactics to engage their community, and emboldened to strengthen the performing arts community through unique partnerships. Our community is filled with brilliance; LA STAGE DAY hopes to shine a light on the best of what we have to offer.”

A multitude of discussions, workshops, and sessions designed to inspire and exchange creative ideas will be offered throughout the day. Some of the categories scheduled to be explored are Arts Philanthropy, Directing Actors in Dialogue Roles, Applying for Local Grant Programs, Digital Marketing, Engaging with Government Agencies, A Director’s Role in Team-Building, and more. A private Marketing Master Class led by Jim Royce and Joseph Yoshitomi will also be offered (for an additional fee). Participants will have the opportunity to engage in marketing case studies specific to their individual organizations.

Scheduled speakers are Bill Ahmanson, Sheri Biller, Danielle Brazell, John D’Amico, Castulo de la Rocha, Amy Edlin Kramer, Olga Garay-English, Jim McCarthy, Joy Meads, Nina Ozlu Tunceli, Seema Sueko, Pamela Vanderway, Craig Watson, Renae Williams Niles, Laura Zucker, and more.

LA STAGE Alliance, a non-profit organization empowering artists and engaging audiences since 1975, is dedicated to building awareness, appreciation, and support for the performing arts in Greater Los Angeles by strengthening the sector through community building, collaborative marketing, audience engagement, professional development, and advocacy.

LA STAGE DAY is sponsored in part by Schweickert & Company, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and California State University Los Angeles. LA STAGE Alliance programs are sponsored in part by Actors Equity, The Biller Family Foundation, California Arts Council, California Community Foundation, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, DatabaseWorks, the DEW Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Goldstar, James Irvine Foundation, Andrew Mellon Foundation, Bakers Man Productions, Ken Werther Publicity, Live Event Pros, Los Angeles County Supervisors through the LA County Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, 4 Wall Lighting, Pacific Coast Entertainment, The Shubert Foundation, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Check-in for LA STAGE DAY is at 9:30am, and tickets are $40. To purchase tickets and for up-to-the-minute info, go to lastagealliance.com/lastageday.

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04-30-14