Portfolio Item – EMSI - Swank Creative Inc.

The brief

Early Music Society of the Islands (EMSI), a non-profit arts organization, partnered with Swank Creative to revitalize their marketing strategy and reconnect with audiences. Facing declining attendance, they recognized the need for a holistic, long-term approach. Swank Creative stepped in to assess their current efforts, develop a clear strategy, and provide the structure needed for sustainable growth.

With ongoing support, including campaign planning, performance analysis, and post-event evaluations, EMSI now has the tools and guidance to strengthen its outreach. As they continue to refine their marketing efforts, Swank Creative remains a key partner in helping them build lasting connections with early-music lovers in Victoria and beyond.

Timeline:

2023
Strategic Marketing Plan
Digital Marketing Audit

2023/2024
Fractional CMO Services
Digital Marketing
Flex Pass Campaign

2024/2025
40th Anniversary Campaign
Dinner and Opera Promo

2025/2026
Annual Strategic Plan
Refreshed Membership Campaign

color palette

from the client

Swank Creative Inc’s strategic marketing services for the Early Music Society of the Islands comprised a series of essential phases. Commencing with an in-depth strategic planning session, which included a SWOT analysis, the process laid a solid foundation for the subsequent strategic actions.

A crucial aspect of the initial phase involved Swank Creative Inc gaining access to all existing digital marketing assets. This was followed by a meticulous audit of the previous year’s performance, providing valuable insights into the society’s past marketing endeavors. Additionally, one-to-one interviews with board members and the team were conducted to capture diverse perspectives, culminating in a comprehensive report detailing the collective findings.

Following the information-gathering phase, a dedicated 2-hour strategic planning meeting ensued, wherein the identified opportunities and challenges were thoroughly discussed. The subsequent focus shifted to campaign planning, outlining actionable steps for the upcoming period. Post-implementation, a comprehensive report detailing the results after three months was presented, offering a thorough performance overview.

To fortify the Early Music Society’s marketing approach for the future, Swank Creative Inc developed campaign implementation checklists and creative design templates for the upcoming year. This holistic strategy not only addressed immediate needs but also laid the groundwork for sustained success and growth. An Annual Process that we continue to review, evaluate, and optimize for them year after year.

THE RESULTS

2022 TICKET SALES

2023 TICKET SALES

2024 TICKET SALES

95% Growth in Annual Ticket Sales Since 2022

Hundreds of Administrative Hours Saved
as audiences now purchase tickets online in advance instead of at the box office on concert day.

Secured Multiple Five-Figure Sponsorships & Donations
through a targeted sponsorship campaign

Surpassed Pre-COVID Attendance & Revenue,
ensuring continued growth and long-term sustainability

Ongoing Training & Knowledge Transfer
for board members and volunteers to maintain institutional expertise

Scalable, Ongoing Support
from a fully onboarded creative team, optimizing campaigns for continued success

The implementation of a robust marketing strategy, inclusive of checklists, website optimizations, and consistent campaign design, played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Early Music Society. The strategic approach provided a clear roadmap for effective communication and engagement. Through regular reports, the society gained valuable insights into campaign performance, allowing for informed decision-making. Moreover, the integration of editable templates empowered the team, fostering a sense of autonomy and flexibility in adapting to evolving needs. This holistic marketing framework not only supported the society’s immediate goals but also laid a foundation for sustained success and adaptability in the ever-changing landscape of the arts community.

from the client

“We were referred to Kathryn and her team after working with a larger agency in Victoria. Swank Creative Inc. provided us with the holistic approach to our marketing that we needed, rather than just focussing on a particular campaign. This involved providing us with a strategic marketing plan, refining our website and social media channels, providing immediate insights and optimizations that had a substantial impact. They also furnished us with a detailed analysis of results, editable templates, and checklists for membership renewals and event promotion, allowing us to replicate successful campaigns.

Our goal was to evolve to be more savvy and proactive about our marketing and promotional activities. Kathryn and her team have moved us forward in achieving that goal not only by designing and managing our campaigns, but by helping us develop insights and skills that allow us to leverage the advice and technical work we receive from her.

We have experienced concrete results since starting to work with Swank Creative Inc. as we claw our way back from the pandemic’s impacts. We have seen a direct relationship between our marketing efforts and our 36% year-on-year revenue growth and 51% increase in subscriptions. Most importantly, we are seeing not only the recapture of our pre-pandemic market, but the building of a new audience, with 69% of the growth represented by new audience members, and a 35% increase in our mailing list.

Kathryn’s responsiveness, transparency and willingness to share her knowledge and expertise truly set her apart.”

William Jamieson | Artistic and Executive Director

Early Music Society of the Islands

@earlymusicislands

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