Philadelphia Orchestra launches marketing campaign

The Philadelphia Orchestra has rolled out a campaign to encourage ticket sales and donations during the organization’s bankruptcy proceedings. In the style of grassroots marketing, buttons and posters are hitting the streets to drive people to the orchestra’s new website, PhilOrchToday.org.

It’s been a month since the Philadelphia Orchestra declared bankruptcy. So far, that fact hasn’t helped, but it hasn’t hurt, either. More than 1,200 donations have come in, totaling $2.6 million, and long-range funds from corporate foundations are still coming in.

“The good news is, they were not taken away when we filed for bankruptcy, they have endured,” said Allison Vulgamore orchestra president. “They were given as in, ‘We still want you to plan for this part of your future.’ “

After years of declining attendance, the rate of ticket sales has not increased, but Vulgamore says since January it has stabilized.

The orchestra’s new marketing campaign, called “Listen With Your Heart,” encourages people to go to PhilOrgToday.org to learn more about the orchestra’s bankruptcy status, submit personal stories about the orchestra, and find easy ways to donate.