BT invests in the North West Music Scene

This summer musicians not only from the North West, but across the island of Ireland will benefit from a major arts partnership between telecoms giant BT and the North West’s leading music and arts venue, The Alley Theatre in Strabane.

For decades BT were seen as little more than the company that supplied your phone line. Since the birth of the internet however, BT has become something of a pioneer in bringing services such as Broadband, wireless, mobile phone internet and business networking to a global market. Today they are a vibrant, appealing brand, right down to slashing their moniker from the old British Telecom, to the cooler and more casual BT. Now this revolutionary company is investing in Strabane and the Alley Theatre’s Sounds Like Summer Music Festival, which is taking place throughout August and is aimed at profiling the very best in unsigned bands.

So how did they shake the image of being the company that supplies the curly cord phone to that of a world-leader in telecommunications in a relatively short space of time?
The answer is simple. Good marketing. BT is the world’s oldest communications company and a direct descendant of the first ever telecommunications service, The Electric Telegraph Company back in 1846. Few could have realised then that 150 years on, they would be responsible for making the emergency 999 number a household device or that they would send the world’s first email in 1981.

For much of its life BT has been regarded as simply a multi-national phone company. But David Beck, Head of BT’s Marketing Communications in Ireland has been quietly working away behind the scenes chipping away at that old image. David and his team have been working at moving the BT brand out of the UK and Ireland’s capital cities and bringing it to an audience in smaller, harder to reach areas. One perfect example of this move is this year’s Sounds Like Summer music festival.

BT have come on board as the festival’s main sponsor and have put up a first prize of the opportunity to record a single in a professional studio to go with the video which will be shot by a top team of producers. Meanwhile, they have agreed to give the winner or winners a year’s free Broadband. The last part of the prize might sound like only a minor addition to what really is a fantastic prize for anyone looking to make their way in the music industry. But again, it is an example of the BT marketing team’s desire to win over the hearts and minds of a younger and fresher demographic. Convincing a name as huge as BT to come on board for what is essentially, a regional music event was a major coup for everyone involved with Sounds Like Summer. But as David explained, it is exactly the kind of vehicle BT in the 21st century are looking for.

“John Kerr, the Alley Theatre Manager, was a massive influence in us coming on board,” David explained. “He approached us some months ago and pitched the idea of Sounds Like Summer to us. So initially we bought into John because he knew what he wanted from the off. But as we learnt more about the actual event, we realised that it very well established and commanded a lot of appeal. What we tend to do is concentrate so much of our efforts in and around the Belfast area so Derry and Strabane are areas we are very keen to raise our profile in. Sounds Like Summer is very much about us supporting our investment in areas outside Belfast,” he said. Does Sounds Like Summer sound good to you? Are you a young upcoming band or musician? Then why not join the race to sign up for this year’s competition. Simply log on to www.connect2yourtunes.com/soundslikesummer for more information.

Arts and Business - Spacey style!

I found this rather interesting debate taking place in the Times recently. Kevin Spacey, the famous Hollywood actor and currently artistic director at the Old Vic, rebuts criticism about the arts not being worthy of support during these tough economic times.

Spacey shows the arts for what they are, not just a investment in our children, inspiring and educating all ages, but a valuable tool for the business community to invest in! The UK and Ireland have a very successful arts industry. which is the envy of the world and has a lot to offer all sections of the community and industry, in particular the business community (read David Adairs comments concerning PWC view on the arts).

The Old Vic and the Alley Theatre would have a lot of similar issues, working in areas of high unemployment, however committed to regenerating the area, promoting the arts and developing a strong education programme for a new generation of actors, artists and musicians.

See the letters below and enjoy Mr Spacey putting his superb argument together!

From The Times
May 9, 2009

I won't apologise for defending the arts
It’s not charity or empty philanthropy. It’s an investment in jobs and our collective soul

by Kevin Spacey

Open any newspaper or turn on the TV and you are confronted with the realities of recession. So it is perhaps inevitable that there will be some who frame the arts and culture as luxury items and accept that they will have to survive on shorter rations. And in the grand scheme of things, what does it matter, they say.

I believe that, far from being luxury items, arts and culture are a necessity in our lives, as individuals and as nations. Culture is the strongest ambassador of the human condition we exchange around the world. Countries may go to war but it is culture that unites us. The arts inspire, uplift, challenge, stimulate our conversations, drive our debates and remain in our memories.

For those still unconvinced there is an equally powerful economic argument. Our cultural life contributes to the financial health of communities across the nation. Cultural centres create jobs and generate income for the hotels, restaurants and countless other businesses in the areas where they operate. I, for one, do not want to see another regeneration plan that does not have arts and culture at its heart. Without them we are not building rounded communities, but ignoring the fabric and soul of society.

Now I can't see why anyone would begrudge us practitioners the chance to fight for our cause, but in this very paper Richard Morrison criticised the “usual suspects” for spreading “propaganda” by citing that arts and culture are essential and transformative. The creative industries are fortunate to have many vocal cheerleaders, with names famous enough to get column inches. But frankly, it seems an odd slur to accuse Dame Judi Dench, Antony Gormley, Philip Pullman and Nicholas Serota of being biased merely for having spoken out on behalf of their own professions.

This attack left me confused, just as folk are when I try to explain that my own theatrical home, the Old Vic, receives no public subsidy at all. Some things just don't make sense. Who else should stand up and fight for cultural support other than its practitioners? Should public health policy be advanced, not by NHS leaders, but by lorry drivers and dressmakers? Should arguments about environmental issues be advanced by policemen and pilots?

I don't hear anyone demanding special treatment for the arts above other important and vital public services, but it is an important debate. This isn't about showbusiness and it isn't a trivial argument. This recession is claiming many victims and the arts are under threat. That's why so many of us feel the need to shout about the value that cultural programmes bring to millions of people across the UK, as well as the economic impact of the creative industries throughout the world.

I am delighted to take on Mr Morrison when he states that arguments in favour of arts funding are “as essential and transformative as a wet sock”. That most schemes designed to introduce young people to arts and culture are destined to fail. This notion does a huge disservice to the dedicated professionals who create inspiring programmes for young people.

I have watched as young children from the Old Vic's neighborhood have attended workshops, school projects and community productions and seen them totally engaged and enthralled. These are thousands of kids from low-income families, not some middle-class-only playing field. This is true not only of our work at the Old Vic, but of programmes that the National Theatre, the Young Vic and countless other institutions are providing in London and beyond.

Education through the arts enriches the next generation, and not just of artists. Theatre, for example, teaches young people to communicate, to resolve conflicts, to collaborate and to explore emotions. It's not about whether these kids want a career in the arts when they grow up. These programmes can be good for business as they contribute to a wide range of interpersonal skills. So it's not charity or empty philanthropy, it is an investment in the future of our society.

Kevin Spacey is artistic director of the Old Vic

This is an abridged version, for the full article visit the Times Link below

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6251188.ece

And here we have the supporting statement from David Adair from PWC, a man who I would love to introduce to the work of the Alley and demonstrate how well we could develop his CSR strategy in the North West of Ireland.........

From The Times
May 12, 2009

Sir,

I fully endorse Kevin Spacey’s sentiment that support for the arts is about more than “mere charity or empty philanthropy” (Opinion, May 9). Not only do the arts enrich the next generation, but, importantly, they also enrich the business community. Whether people participate as a student or a corporate volunteer, participation in the arts widens and essential skills in the workplace are developed.

Last year we had more than 4,500 volunteers taking part in community-based activities, far away from their day-to-day business responsibilities. That contrast encourages creative thinking, better use of language and improves teamwork and interpersonal skills. All this while enthusing young people with transferable skills and qualities that will ultimately enhance the workplace they will join. Such investment is vital to enable communities and businesses to transcend the chill winds of recession.

David Adair
Head of Community Affairs, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Times Link http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article6268724.ece

Mike Absalom - New Alley exhibition set for major press coverage

The Alley Theatre is currently hosting a new exhibition by Mike Absalom and Paul McGuckin which you should really check it out, it's truly exceptional.

This exhibition has been one of my highlights this year, mainly due to finding a truly hidden PR gem for a marketing officer.

In preparation for the PR for the exhibition, Googling the artists backgrounds, I soon became aware that one of the artists, Mike Absalom, had a terrific back story, which would generate exceptional interest in the local and regional press. After getting the green light from Radio Foyle, The Derry Journal, The Strabane Chronicle/Ulster Herald and the Strabane Weekly/Tyrone Con for interviews, we arranged for Mike to travel down from County Mayo for an afternoon of interviews and tours in the Alley's impressive gallery space.

So what was his back story?

Well after growing up in England and Canada, Mike went onto Oxford to study German and French, however a meeting in a train carriage with a Cambridge student studying Classical Persian, Mike changed courses. However University wasn't what you'd expect, "I went to a few lectures, read a few books, then partied the next 4 years". After completing University Mike decided to launch a music career, after a dubious "Rugby Bar room anthem album", he went onto release a number of folk albums in the mid-late 60's. Success soon followed him, including performances on the Old Grey Whistle Test and the Royal Albert Hall, where David Bowie came back stage to talk to him about his performance. He also had the honour of playing on the same bill as the Sex Pistols in the early 70's at a University Student Union gig, "I have to admit I didn't think much of them, their guitars were un-tuned and their dress was rather unpleasant!".

After his music career went quiet, he had various jobs including a job in Iran selling English courses (thanks to his connections with the Prime Minister of Iran and the son of Afghanistan), busking in Paris and Greece, teaching in Canada, performing in an all-female harp group in America, teaching in Sweden, a children's entertainer......the list goes on. Throughout the day Mike had a great habit of talking about his life and dropping into the conversation some incredible facts and stories about his life, for example "Oh that was the time when I travelled across Europe in a old school bus which fell off a cliff, then took a train carriage where I was attacked by a mob not for money but my body, thankfully saved by a Russian, who let me live in her house in Tehran" As many commentators stated "How he survived the party lifestyle of the 60's and the music scene in the late 60/early 70's is a truly remarkable story in itself". I could agree 100% with that comment by the end of the day.

So after a impressive music career, travelling the world, teaching the harp in South America, mixing with every type of social class, learning several languages including Irish, Swedish, Spanish, French Persian, producing poetry and escaping a mob on a train, Mike thought he would take up painting around 6 years ago. Since then he has major exhibitions around Ireland and the UK, creating a new network of people interested in the creative genius of this mild mannered yet passionate artist. His artwork is now highly valued and has been purchased across the UK and Ireland, including a couple of paintings to major TV stars.

After 6 years of painting he now feels interested in developing his understanding of ceramics, so in typical Mike style he told me "I have never done it before, however I have bought a kiln and intend to make pottery artwork in the next few weeks". For many people this would be a major investment and career step to take.....for Mike, its just another adventure to add to a very long list.

Speaking to one journalist, we came to the same conclusion after speaking to Mike, "this guy needs to write down his life story, because the tales he has to tell would fill 1000 newspapers not just a column." Why not make your mind up and check out Mike's exhibition at the Alley Until May 29th 2009.

For further information visit http://www.alley-theatre.com/exhibitions/%20or or visit his official site at http://www.mikeabsalom.com/

New report shows the arts are enjoyed by all in Northern Ireland

Audiences NI have come up with a new report that in my opinion explores some of the myths about theatre attendance in Northern Ireland.

"A new report shows that the arts are enjoyed by people from all walks of life in Northern Ireland, exploding the myth that the arts are the preserve of an elite minority. The Audience Audit is based on data drawn from 22 arts organisations across Northern Ireland and looks at who went to the arts in 2008, what they spent and when they attended. Audiences NI has produced the report using the socio-demographic classification system Mosaic NI. This system divides Northern Irish consumers into nine ‘groups’ based on a range of indicators including income and lifestage. The Audience Audit report shows that people who go to the arts are drawn from all nine Mosaic groups, including Farming Communities and Housing Executive Tenants. Additionally the report demonstrates that the arts contribute significantly to the Northern Irish economy, with ticket sales alone generating £13.5 million in 2008. "

The Alley Mosaic Report 2008 showed that our largest groups comes from Farming Communities and Housing Executive Tenants, which is replicated across Northern Ireland in this new report.

Our core aim is to develop the arts and increase arts participation across the whole of the community, and I think this report and our own research shows many critics that arts are not only for the middle class, but for all groups in society.

"Alan Sugar" vs The Alley Marketing Dept

The Alley Marketing officer recently took part in the Arts and Business course entitled "The Art of the Pitch", a 2 day practical development training programme (27 & 28 April 2009) which offered the Alley and 5 other arts organisations the opportunity to develop and hone our business skills to 'pitch' to the business world. A mixture of the Apprentice and the Dragons Den, this exciting course really made me think about how to make the perfect pitch and avoid being fired.......

Held in Blick Studios in Belfast (thanks for opening up early guys!) and Whitenoise Creative Design Studios, the training culminated on a third day, entitled 'pitch' day, where all six participants were given the opportunity to 'pitch' to a panel of local business representatives (30th April 2009), including representatives from Autoline, Royal Mail, Davy, FG McClure Watters, BT, Texeco, Tesco and PWC.

The training was undertaken by Cathy Law from Cathy Law Communications (great trainer, gets a 5 star report) in partnership with Arts & Business (great as usual, thanks Beverly) and a crack team of experts to including a creative team of designers (whitenoise), a presentation expert from UTV and a really interesting talk from image consultant Paul Smyth from Outlook, a personal image consultancy.

Some top tips from Paul Smyth
1. Wear a blue tie to show calmness and authority

2. Wear a red tie when you want to grab attention, the "look at me" idea

3. Always look well groomed, you never know you might meet your sponsor when you do the weekly shop, do you really want him to see you in your joggers and ripped T-shirt?

I have to admit these three little golden rules are now my mantra! For more information about Paul Smyth and his personal image work, visit http://www.outlook-image.com/

The Grand Opera House Marketing officer won the overall pitch competition, however as the yanks would say "Everyone was a winner", as many of the participants overcame major fears in developing or presenting a pitch.

One thing I would certainly say is one of the major things on the course I thought I would not enjoy, but did, was the South African image consultant, Paul Smyth....well worth further investigation!

Whitenoise - what an inspiration!

I'm sorry to say the Alley did not win the recent Dragon's Den competition, however what a 3 days!

The role involved two days work at Whitenoise Creastive design studios, a fantastic company with overflowing talent. Check out their website at http://www.whitenoisestudios.com/

A full "Dragons Report" will be posted shortly.