national advertising for broadway shows

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 2:11am

just wondering why producers wouldn't want to nationally advertise for their broadway shows... is it a personal choice or a money thing? if tourists make up a huge portion of broadway then why wouldn't they want to make 30 second commercials much like for movies... i know that my friends only know what's playing in new york becuase i tell them... usually when they are in new york they just see the signs and make judgments on that...

along that... did they used to advertise this way?

[roseaddams]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 3:22am

I don't know if there used to be national Broadway advertisements, but I don't see why there would be now. In order to sell someone in, say, Middle America, tickets to go see In the Heights (hell, let's go super-commercial and say Young Frankenstein), you've also got to sell that person transportation and hotel costs, as well as ancillary costs of the stay in New York. I don't think enough people are willing to shell out that kind of money to make national advertising cost-effective.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 4:34am

rosea--I agree somewhat.
Broadway is such a NYC staple nowdays (hasn't it always?), that producers know, when tourists visit NYC, it is a given that they will look at what is playing. If they use a travel agent, ususally these are a good source to advice on shows, etc...Once in NYC, now, THAT"S when they try to advertise their shows to the tourists who actually made it to the city. Makes sense...?
I have seen some commercials, though, on TV, for certain shows.
Updated On: 5/14/08 at 04:34 AM

[cello_dude]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 9:50am

Here in the chicago playbills they advertise for Little Mermaid and YF

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 10:45am

There's often advertising in the Washington Post too.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/14/08 at 11:14am

"Here in the chicago playbills they advertise for Little Mermaid and YF"

Playbill is a national magazine...so that's not surprising. As far as advertising Broadway shows across the nation, unlike travel destinations like Disney or Vegas, it is just not logical. It could come across as confusing because theatergoers may think that a tour is in town, which could get producers trapped in consumer fraud litigation with the state the ad is showing in. Plus, most people don't travel to New York specifically to see one Broadway show.