The Cooking Group

Advertising Trends

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:53:10 +0000

The market is tightening up. Media buys are up significantly for 1^st and 2^nd quarter 2012. Media are raising their rates and starting to play the “supply and demand” game. Seeing radio rates increase upward of 40% and TV the same.

The medium that is tightening up the most is outdoor. As more and more outdoors companies move to digital boards, static/vinyl boards decrease. In some markets this is mandated by local governments i.e. take down one vinyl and put up one digital board. For the outdoor companies, they make 8x the money per digital board as there are multiple advertisers.

On the plus side, print continues to struggle and fight for whatever dollars they can get. Also, online banner ads CPM are being pushed down.

Now more than ever, strong relationships with the media are crucial. It’s not just about the buy, but also added value and creative scheduling.

Till next time.

Steve

The Gipsy Kings in Dallas

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:41:26 +0000

The Gipys Kings performed to a full house on May 2 at the Artist Square at AT&T PAC in Dallas. Over 2,000 people came and enjoyed the rythmatic sounds of the Gipys Kings in this great outdoor setting. The Dallas POPS co-presented this show with the AT&T PAC.

Now Booking Live and Let Die

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:39:37 +0000

The Cooking Group is happy to announce that we are now booking Live and Let Die-A Symphonic Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney. This show has performed to sold out audiences all over the United States. Is a great show for the orchestra and the audience.

Please contact us at info@thecookinggroup.com for more information.

Thank You Dallas!

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:37:09 +0000

Wow! That’s the best way to describe the Do You Hear the People Sing concert on March 23rd at the American Airlines Center. It was amazing. The thought behind this show was to create a once in a lifetime event that was affordable to the masses. Happy to say, think we succeeded…

The Dallas POPS Orchestra (sister company to TCG) did a wonderful job. The players were happy to be there and played great.

The Broadway singers line up was amazing. Lea Salonga, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Stephanie J. Block, Terrance Mann, Peter Lockyer, and Marie Zamora. All of the singers are the best at what they do. To have them sing together one one stage was truly memorable.

Add to that, members from the Turtle Creek Chorale and ladies chorus rounded out a terrific cast.

For me, working with Alain Boublil and Claude Michel Schonberg was the highlight of the project. This creative “dream team” wrote Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and many others shows. They are truly Broadway Royalty. It was great to see the reaction that they received not only during the week in Dallas but also the standing ovation the crowd of almost 7,000 gave them.

What an evening!

Till next time,

Steve

Do You Hear the People Sing at AAC

admin — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:56:13 +0000

Do You Hear the People Sing-The Arena Spectacular is coming to the AAC on March 23. The Dallas POPS Orchestra, 100+ person chorus, kids chorus, and an all star Broadway line up including Lea Salonga, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Terrance Mann, Stephanie J. Block, and more will perform music from Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, and more. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com

Welcome Annie Moses Band

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:29:18 +0000

The Cooking Group is happy to announce the representation of the Annie Moses Band for symphony and performign arts center dates for for the 12-13 season. Contact us for more information.

State of the Arts

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:27:50 +0000

It continues to be rough fall for symphonic and performing arts organizations. There seems to be at least once announcement per week regarding the financial peril of a an arts group. Has been described as a “perfect storm”…bad economy, heavy cost structures, lack of ticket sales, and dwindling donors.

What’s has been interesting to watch is how organizations address this. Most are forthcoming about their situation and ask the public for help, whether it be donations or ticket sales. Others have cut costs in form of layoffs, marketing, guest artists, or in case of orchestras, the musicians. Still others, live in denial. Thinking “all will be okay…” Usually, that doesn’t turn out so well.

There seems to be no signal that 2012 is going to be any better. In fact, many believe is going to be worse.

Till next time,

Steve

Now Booking for 12-13

admin — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:10:17 +0000

The Cooking Group roster is now booking for the 2012-2013 season. Our roster consists of top level artists and thematic shows. We have many shows that perform with orchestra as well as shows that perform without orchestra.
For more information contact us at 972-727-7779 or steve@thecookinggroup.com

Symphony Industry Fall Update

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:29:40 +0000

It has been a rough start to the 11-12 season for US orchestras.

Orchestra of all sizes have had board walk outs, bankruptcies, labor strife, etc. These continue to fester and in some cases grow as the seasons start. The economic reality has set in and conventional wisdom says that it will be this way for quite some time. Makes it a really tough time for development to raise money and to sell tickets for shows that aren’t marketable.

More than ever, it is important for orchestras to reach out to their patrons to determine what they want. I recently talked to a Canadian orchestra who provides their patrons with a listing of potential programs and asks them to rate them. Really good idea. Give the people what they want!

Till next time.

Steve

Announcing Dallas POPS

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:18:06 +0000

TCG Productions and The Cooking Group is proud to announce the launch of Dallas POPS. Dallas POPS is will bring top artists to North Texas to perform with the Dallas POPS Orchestra. In addition, we will present one of a kind concerts without orchestra such as the farewell tour of Riverdance. For more information, go to www.dallaspops.com

Till next time,

Steve