Shows With Terrible Marketing

[TheThreadMaster]

What advertisements for shows have you seen that were just flat out no good? 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

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. 

[JennH]

I like Waitress's TV ads, I think they're adorable in their own right...and yes to Bandstand, I can't say I've seen anything otters than print ads for it :/ 

But number one I can think of right this second? BRIGHT.STAR. Terrible marketing in every way possible. 

[Lot666]

I loved Groundhog Day, but I don't think its plain white poster with multi-color cutouts of Mr. Karl was very inspired or effective at communicating the nature of the show.

[TheThreadMaster]

I think School of Rock's current online one that appears on the side of the screen is stupid. "Shows end by 9:30, thats stickin it to the man". I feel they would sell plenty more tickets if they advertised that it is kids playing their instruments live on stage/critics pic/pull quotes/ etc.

[Marianne2]

Bandstand did have commercials at some point.  they didn't do a great job of telling you what the show was about,  but I remember.  

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Bridges of Madison County. It was...sad.

[TheSassySam]

The most profound thought I had looking at Amelie's ad was, "Are those raspberries or strawberries?" 

[ChildofEarth]

American Psycho.

[whatdoesntkillme]

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? 

[Rainah]

I am constantly disappointed with the marketing for Comet. They need to start billing it as weird art, something different, and reach out to that crowd of people. If you come in to Comet expecting a traditional broadway show, you're going to be disappointed. If you come in knowing it's going to be some Weird Art, you've a much better likelihood of appreciating it for what it is - weird, eclectic, different, challenging. There's a whole new market there of people who aren't traditionally broadway fans, and it would reduce the number of people leaving at intermission. 

[darquegk]

The "true" in Wicked relates to the show's conceit that the story of the Wizard of Oz that we know is, in universe, mostly lies and political propaganda. 

[asimplegal2]

Catch Me if You Can! Loved the show but the marketing was so cringey and frustrating. Chorus girls in short skirts were exciting in 1930, but not 2013! The show is not half as sexy as they tried to make it seem. Also they didn't showcase Aaron or Norbert at all

[BroadwayConcierge]

In Transit was the worst I've seen in recent memory.

[CorkySt.Clair]

Rainah, I totally agree on Comet. I also think (perhaps this was cuz they started with Groban) that they lean a little too heavily into having a "name" rather than the show itself. I've seen a couple comments recently under the lines of "I like shows that don't need big stars to carry them", which is really unfortunate. Comet has so much to offer in terms of story, music, staging, lights....but some people can see it only as a show with a "name" attached. 

[SueBee06]

Not an ad, but the art for The Norman Conquests was just awful. Combined with a title that made you think it was a period drama, it didn't help them at all. That trilogy was one of the most entertaining things I've seen on a New York stage with an amazing company of actors that worked together seamlessly. It really deserved a better campaign.

[Jordan Catalano]

HANDS ON A HARDBODY was a victim of atrocious marketing. One of the best shows I've ever seen and it was just killed by marketing. The cast, to this day, is still angry about how it was handled. 

[BroadwayRox3588]

Bright Star is my favorite musical ever...which is why I would put it at #1 on this list. I was so frustrated by its marketing.

[poisonivy2]

Uh ... Hello Dolly! It's selling out because of Bette but the total ban on media appearances, refusal to release official cast pictures, ban on cast members promoting the show on social media, and reliance on that one huge red poster is just arrogant "I don't need marketing" marketing. Compare this to the media appearances of the cast of Hamilton or DEH (other monster hits) and you realize how in the dark ages and inflexible Scott Rudin is about this sort of thing.

[Rainah]

CorkySt.Clair said: "Rainah, I totally agree on Comet. I also think (perhaps this was cuz they started with Groban) that they lean a little too heavily into having a "name" rather than the show itself. I've seen a couple comments recently under the lines of "I like shows that don't need big stars to carry them", which is really unfortunate. Comet has so much to offer in terms of story, music, staging, lights....but some people can see it only as a show with a "name" attached. "

Right? If you sell your show as SEE COMET WITH JOSH GROBAN and then he leaves, everyone is just going to go "Why do we care when it no longer has Groban in it?" 

Like it or not, they positioned the show as Groban being the most valuable thing about it. Even now it's SEE INGRID and SEE HAMILTON'S OAK. I was at that stage door, the people hoping to meet Ingrid were dwarfed by the people wanting a piece of Lucas Steele. 

 

Actually, related: Considering that a lot of big fanbases for smash hit shows skew heavily towards young women, you'd think they'd try and play up their sexy young men more. "SEE SEXY BAD BOY LUCAS STEELE, he put his arm around someone and they fainted dead away." Hell, it's what Hamilton did! When Lin left we got 20 articles about "See Javier, the Sexy Hamilton"

[castlestreet]

The ad campaign for the ill-fated revival of "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever" was terrible 

[raddersons]

Absolutely agree in regards to Great Comet. They should be trying to appeal to the Sleep No More / Queen of the Night crowd instead of making it a star vehicle. It may be more of a structured and plot-driven experience than either of those, but people who like those types of experiences will love Great Comet and will spread some amazing word-of-mouth.

[BuddyStarr]

Jordan Catalano said: "HANDS ON A HARDBODY was a victim of atrocious marketing. One of the best shows I've ever seen and it was just killed by marketing. The cast, to this day, is still angry about how it was handled. "

Really?....really?  One of the best shows you've ever seen?  SMH

[Rainah]

raddersons said: "Absolutely agree in regards to Great Comet. They should be trying to appeal to the Sleep No More / Queen of the Night crowd instead of making it a star vehicle. It may be more of a structured and plot-driven experience than either of those, but people who like those types of experiences will love Great Comet and will spread some amazing word-of-mouth."

Like honestly. You're in NYC, not small town Ohio. People will come out to see Weird And Challenging Art if you let them know it exists!

[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: