It’s rather odd here at the Festival theatre this time of year, the halls are kind of quiet –  yet buzzing at the same time. Here’s what’s been going on in the marketing department at the Shaw Festival these last couple of months.

• It was about a month-and-a-half ago that we closed the curtain on a successful 2009 season and just over a month ago that our 2010 season tickets went on sale to our Members.
• We’ve redesigned our Shaw Festival website with a new, fresh look that features our 2010 season, new Shaw Festival packages and revised News Room that makes it easier for you to read our media releases.
• We’ve put the finishing touches on our direct mail campaigns so you should be receiving the new 2010 season brochure in the mail any day now. And I must say this year’s brochure looks stunning! If you’d like an early look, you can download a PDF of the Shaw Festival’s season brochure.
• By now you’ve heard about our Festival Film series that runs from Dec 5 to Feb 17. The line-up is terrific and we’re proud to hear that The Young Victoria and An Education were just nominated for Golden Globe Awards
• We’re putting together some pretty exciting content for you this year on our blogs and our Facebook Fan page, so become a fan today and stay in the know about all that is happening on stage and behind-the-scenes! www.facebook.com/shawfestival

Saving you money!

Membership does have its advantages… along with the important support you offer us, and  invitations to lots of  special events that help you get to know us better, you also have ordering privileges and discounts – Members can order their 2010 tickets online or by phone now and save 15% off their order until January 31. If you’re not a member and would like to be, call our Membership Services Office at 1-800-657-1106 ext 2556 or visit www.shawfest.com/members to see the full list of privileges of membership here.

If you’re not a member, you can begin ordering your tickets online at shawfest.com on January 9^th and by phone starting January 16^th at 1-800-511-7429 and of course, save 15% off of your order until January 31. For more Ways to Save on your tickets to the Shaw Festival, visit www.shawfest.com/waystosave.

Give the gift of great theatre in the heart of Niagara Wine country!

Gift certificates to the Shaw Festival make great gifts any time of year, especially at Christmas, and make great stocking stuffers for your parents, siblings, friends, aunts, uncles or spouses, and can be redeemed for tickets or merchandise in Bernard’s, the Shaw Festival Shop. To order your gift certificate, call the box office at 1-800-511-7429 or online at http://gb.shawfest.com/support/gift.aspx

And finally, my New Year’s resolution this year is to provide our loyal Shaw patrons with more information and access than last year.  So look for the Shaw Festival’s eNewsletter to be available in your inbox and on the blogs in the New Year and more blog posts on a regular basis.

On behalf of everyone in the marketing department at the Shaw Festival, I’d like to wish you all a happy and safe holiday and a terrific New Year. See you in 2010!

Marketing Guy.