we were told to come pick up flyers and pass them out wherever we could. When i picked mine up i was surprised to find they were black and white xeroxes. this is a huge event with 200+ bands at over 20 venues....so i took it upon myself to write them this email:
> Dear Anthony and Colleen,
I'm just writing to you about the flyers which i picked up yesterday.
I am very excited and pumped for Blowout, and I feel like it has the
potential to be a spectacular event. But I am seriously disappointed
with the flyers. I don't know is these are "pre-flyers", but in my
opinion they do nothing to promote the event. Apart from giving the
date and the scale of the event, the flyers don't let anyone know
where its at or who might be playing.....on top of it all they're
black and white xeroxes! In my experience with promotions this is one
of the biggest mistakes you can make. Although the production of such
flyers may save money it cheapens the overall outlook of the event.
When passing out these flyers last night I asked passers how this
flyer spawned their interest. The most common response was, it
incited no interest whatsoever and didn't even give them incentive to
research further information in the event.
In my opinion there are several design flaws in the flyer itself. I
believe that in order to make this event a real success, more time,
planning, and money should be spent on the flyers in order for them to
be a successful method of promotions. Color is the primary flaw, but
also some design and information would also help. I understand that I
am just a lowly intern on the totem pole, but please consider my
ideas. I am willing to help in any way possible with these issues
including design, and finding an economically efficient way to produce
them. I look forward to working more with you to make this the best
Blowout yet.
Sincerely,
Dustin Winter
which i felt was a professional way of giving them my suggestions without over stepping my bounds as an intern.
never the less i got this reply:
Dustin,
I have a problem with you (an intern) telling me (festival producer)
how to promote my event. It is not your place to tell us how to do
things. We've somehow managed to pull off this event without your
genius ideas for the last 7 years. Ideas are always appreciated but the
way in which you've communicated them to us has left a bad taste in our
mouths. We do not have room on the team for arrogant interns devoid of
manners. Please do not contact myself, Colleen or anyone else here at
MT again.
Anthony Morrow
i cant believe that shit!!!
i just needed to vent.
[Edited on Feb 10, 2005 10:05PM]
"We've somehow managed to pull off this event without your
genius ideas for the last 7 years."
Classic.
Oh honey...did you expect a different reaction? ohhhhh. Yeah, no...you can't buck the system. Promotions is nothing be egos and competition...no doubt they'd be threatened by your ambition.
Awww. Well.....lesson learned, yeah?