Shows With Terrible Marketing

[Jordan Catalano]

Yes, Buddy. And be sure to S your DH until it falls off. 

[LesWickedly]

whatdoesntkillme said: "Some people thought it was perfect for the show, but I always thought Something Rotten's campaigns did not align with the show at all. I had no desire to see the show based on the ads, but then I saw it with a group and loved it. 

Also, while we're at it, can we talk about Wicked using the phrase "the untold true story of the witches of Oz".... like, they know it's fiction, right? 

 

"

I've never seen it say true. Most look like this:

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Ooh, I'd love to hear a juicy story from the Hardbody cast about the marketing failures.

[carolinaguy]

My main problem with the Comet marketing is you can't even tell what the real title is. I think the posters had Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (which is a chase-people-away title) on them, but you could really only read The Great Comet part well, then on the Tonys they just referred to it as The Great Comet.

[NewYorkTheater]

Hands down worst marketing campaign in memory was the one for "Race" by David Mamet in 2010. The play centered on a firm of lawyers defending a man accused of a sex crime, in which the (unseen) victim's red dress becomes a crucial element of the plot. The marketers sent out attractive women dressed in skimpy red dresses to hand out flyers in Times Square.

[CorkySt.Clair]

^oh dear goodness, that's so tasteless!

[Fan123]

Regarding the title of 'Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812', I didn't bother clicking on the threads or articles about the show for the longest time because it sounded like one of those dime-a-dozen pretentious modern non-musical plays. Although, I'm not sure what would have worked better. 'Natasha/Pierre: The Musical'? Hmm.

Although I wish this upcoming Australian production of 'Brigadoon' well, could they have made this promotional image any cheesier? (This is a professional production.)

[theater_tech]

Bridges of Madison County  takes the cake for me. Besides their terrible marquee, there was one particular commercial where it looked right out of a soap opera with cheesy narration in the background (... it made her feel so.... ALIIIIVE!!).  I still laugh every time I remember it. 

I love Comet with all my heart, but I've been so frustrated with their marketing since I could remember. I particularly hate the ad they plastered at the side of the Imperial, featuring the ensemble leaping out of nowhere against an ugly grey background. What the hell is that suppose to tell me about the show??? The photo cover on their website (with the stage and cast in their full glory) would be a much better option. 

[mc1227]

Itonlytakesajourney said: "In terms of flat-out bad/embarrassing marketing? I'd say Waitress's commercials are pretty bad. But for like zero marketing? Bandstand by far. I haven't seen a single ad on TV, or anywhere in NYC besides Broadway. 

I'm quite surprised at this post.  I actually think the marketing for Waitress is one of the best ever.  They have capitalized on Sara Barrelius and pie at very turn.  They are still running commercials showing Jessie Mueller even though she was 2 Jenna's ago and no one outside of theater regulars knows the difference.  They have people in Times Square dressed like waitresses giving out flyers and promos on a regular basis.  I give much credit to their marketing for the shows continued good attendance this summer.  

 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

mc1227 said: "Itonlytakesajourney said: "In terms of flat-out bad/embarrassing marketing? I'd say Waitress's commercials are pretty bad. But for like zero marketing? Bandstand by far. I haven't seen a single ad on TV, or anywhere in NYC besides Broadway. 

I'm quite surprised at this post.  I actually think the marketing for Waitress is one of the best ever.  They have capitalized on Sara Barrelius and pie at very turn.  They are still running commercials showing Jessie Mueller even though she was 2 Jenna's ago and no one outside of theater regulars knows the difference.  They have people in Times Square dressed like waitresses giving out flyers and promos on a regular basis.  I give much credit to their marketing for the shows continued good attendance this summer.  

 

 

Waitress has good marketing outside of the commercials. It just feels like the TV ads are cheesy and don't properly convey the show.

 

[bdn223]

I've said it numerous times on these threads, but Hands on a Hardbody's should have forced out of business for the gross incopitence of their campaign. 

The show itself had a easy marketing gimmick to exploit. The show is literally about 10 people trying win a truck by keeping their hands on it the longest. How and Why did the marketing team not recreate the contest in time square to build buzz?!?!  What does a truck cost $30k and they could of gotten it sponsored by Ford or Nissan.....then partnered with GMA to broadcast it over the course of a few days? Add to that all of the puff pieces the local NY news outlets would do and yet it was never done. 

On top of that many thought the show dealt with an x-rated subject based on the Title, which the marketing failed to dispell.  Its been 5 years and I still can't believe how poor that marketing campaign was..

Although I must admit the show debuted one Presidential administration too soon, as in my opinion the show would receive a much warmer welcome in (he who shant be named)'s America. Especially considering it opened during the 2012 election, where it was the Obama diversity colalition and against the then Republican elitist/religious establishment, for a show about the problems of the white working class.