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

NEWS RELEASE — FRENCH & VANESSA CLAIRE STEWART SET TO HOST 2015 OVATION AWARDS

FRENCH & VANESSA CLAIRE STEWART
SET TO HOST
THE 2015 OVATION AWARDS CEREMONY
AT THE AHMANSON THEATRE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 AT 7:30PM

French and Vanessa Claire Stewart have been set to host the 2015 LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards Ceremony on Monday, November 9 at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center. Red carpet arrivals begin at 6pm and the curtain will rise at 7:30pm.

French Stewart has been a proud participant in L.A. theatre for the past 30 years, both as a member of Justin Tanner’s legendary Cast Theatre (Zombie Attack, Pot Mom, Party Mix, Teen Girl and Happy Time Xmas) and as a member of Sacred Fools Theater Company. Selected stage credits include Matthew Modine Saves The Alpacas, Watson, Voice Lessons, and Stoneface (at The Pasadena Playhouse). Stewart is best known for his work on the classic TV series Third Rock From The Sun. Other television credits include Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show, Just Shoot Me, The Drew Carey Show, Newsradio, Community, Psych, Bones, The Closer, Castle, Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, Mom, and a recurring role on The Middle. Stewart’s film credits include Stargate, Leaving Las Vegas, Surveillance, The Flock, and cult favorite Love Stinks.

Vanessa Claire Stewart is co-artistic director of Sacred Fools Theater Company. She co-wrote and starred as Keely Smith in Louis and Keely: Live at the Sahara which won Ovation Awards for Best Actress and Best Musical and the LA Weekly Award for Best Musical. She also penned Stoneface for husband French Stewart. She is writing the book and lyrics for an original musical about serial killer HH Holmes entitled Deadly which was recently workshopped at Sacred Fools and The Chance Theater. Film and television credits include The List, Girls Girls Girls, Rules of Engagement, The Wanda Sykes Show, and the upcoming Sensitive Men.

Sponsors for this year’s Ovation Awards ceremony are The Sheri & Les Biller Family Foundation, TheaterMania, Goldstar, Walt Disney Imagineering Creative Entertainment, USC School of Dramatic Arts, UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, Variety, Green Hasson Janks, Bakers Man Productions, Performances Magazine, City Tavern, Peter Konerko Photography, and Ken Werther Publicity. For more information and details on how to attend the Ovation Awards ceremony on November 9, visit www.OvationAwards.com.

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10-27-15