Brian Kameoka's blog

Anthropologie Blog

I noticed that Urban Outfitters recently relaunched their blog and it reminded me that my Anthropologie blog post from earlier this year has continued to see a lot of traffic.  There seems to be a lot of interest in searches for "Anthropologie Blog" and Google has served up my post.

Actually, I think what people are searching for is The Anthropologist, which is technically the official Anthropologie Blog though the company doesn't call it that.  Instead, this blog is a very subtle branding play - creating an online home for inspiration, just as the Anthropologie stores strive to inspire with their store experience.  The blog launched with three creative artists: Scottish photographer David Eustace, filmmaker-photographer Andrew Zuckerman and Oscar Award winning director Jane Campion (The Piano).  Currently the blog features photographer Phillip Toledano.

Anthropologie blogs are quite a phenomenon, with many, many loyal customers taking to the web to blog all about their favorite store.  Here are a few of the most prominent blogs:

 Anthropologie Girl  |  Anthroholic  |  Effortless Anthropologie
 Breakfast at Anthropologie  |  The British Anthropologist
 Craving Anthropologie  |  Anthropologie Addict
 Anthropologie Treasurebox  |  Anthropologie on Twitter

Social Networking workshop w/League of Sacramento Theatres

Chris McSwain (Twitter: @ChrisMcSwain) and I are presenting a workshop on social networking next week for the League of Sacramento Theatres.  Space is limited, and the League is handling RSVP's, so if you're interested contact me and I'll put you in touch with the right person.

If you're not familiar with the League of Sacramento Theatres, check them out at SeeAPlay.com 

Social Networking on the Web 101
A League of Sacramento Theatres Marketing Workshop

Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blogging and MySpace ... gibberish? confusing? a way to kill time online? Perhaps, but also a practically free way to engage current and potential audience members. The session will introduce various online social networking sites, talk about what works and doesn't work, and give tips on increasing the number of your fans, friends and followers. Learn innovative ways to entertain your audience and promote your productions on the Web. Bring your Internet success and horror stories to share.  Presented by Chris McSwain and Brian Kameoka on Monday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m.

 

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Road Trip Feb '09 - part one

I've been on a great road trip to the Pacific Northwest, or the "Cascadia" region (Oregon, Washington, British Columbia).  First stop, hung out in Seattle with old friends from Unexpected Productions for a reunion poker game (we used to have a regular Sunday night game).  I won the game!  Then I checked out the open mic at Swannie's because a bunch of U.P. folks were performing (the U.P. people I saw were great).

I met up with my good friend David Wahl, of the must-read blog Creative Creativity and co-author of the Archie McPhee book Who Would Buy This?, and we tried to go to the Grouchy Chef but as you can see below, it was closed:

I was really disappointed - I had always heard about this place in vivid detail from David (check out his blog post here), and wanted to experience it myself.  There was another sign on the door from the Grouchy Chef - see David's blog for the picture.

From Seattle, I headed to Vancouver, stopping by the Upfront Theatre to say hi.  It was great to learn that Billy Tierney had been named Artistic Director.  In Vancouver, I was graciously hosted by Alistair Cook and got to meet up with a ton of improvisers in town for VTSL's St. Valentine's Day Massacre, an annual Theatresports tournament.  Steve and Lee from Crumbs; Kevin, Amy and Kirsten from Rapid Fire; Billy, DK and Morgan from the Upfront; Renee and Matt S. from Dad's Garage; Taz and Ryan from Vancouver.  Oh! And the Seattle team of Mark, Elizabeth and Leona.

Today I'm in Portland to perform with the Brody Theater tonight and tomorrow.

How to promote your show

Last night I was hanging out with some friends and was asked my advice on how to promote an improv show (two in the party are in a group looking to promote their performances).  My advice was that I thought the best marketing advice is "try a lot of stuff and keep what works."  This is lifted from Good to Great by Jim Collins, a great and insightful book about business.

Then today, I remembered a really great list that Dan Goldstein wrote up, "How to promote your show: 14 things to do."  Here is this list.  Simple, direct, effective.  While it was written in New York five years ago (note the mention of subways), I think everything on this list is right on.  Dan is a Assitant Professor of Marketing at the London School of Business and an expert in the field of decision science (he gets name checked by Malcolm Gladwell!).  He also is an incredible improv talent, as a performer and director/creator of shows.

(photo "Jerm and Marc's improv flyer" by Marc Majcher, licensed under Creative Commons, some rights reserved)