In March of 2021, theatres around the world were just beginning to come back to life. Having been forced to close their doors for over a year, many were facing significant losses in revenue, general uncertainty among audience members, and the unprecedented hurdle of producing intimate gatherings of people while maintaining social distance.
Despite these challenges, there was a renewed sense of optimism in the industry. Theatres and theatre professionals across the globe had begun to look at the pandemic as an opportunity to reimagine what theatre could be, and to explore new ways to connect with audiences and to tell stories that are relevant and impactful. On a stoop in Harlem, the idea for Marquee Digital was born.
A QR-code activated digital program seemed like a simple solution to a contemporary problem theatres were facing–how to eliminate touch points between patrons and theatre staff. And yet, as the co-founders of Marquee Digital began unwinding the knot of this idea, they discovered a host of untapped opportunities that had been previously unaddressed:
Today, Marquee Digital offers a range of digital programs for live events of all sizes and budgets, with clients ranging from traditional theatrical producers to presenters of art fairs, fundraisers, conferences, livestreamed concerts and more. The Marquee’s sleek design can be customized to fit the needs of each event, incorporating multimedia elements such as video interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and interactive links to related content. Through the connectivity of social media, attendees of Marquee events can connect not only with the event itself, but with the artists, speakers, and causes these events espouse.
The Marquee strives to be the premier digital extension of these very ideals, projecting us forward into a future of unparalleled live-digital experience.
Why Change the Formula?
Let's take a deeper dive into the Marquee Digital philosophy.
Major Disruption Calls for Major Innovation
The past few years have seen unprecedented levels of disruption and uncertainty in many areas of society. Business leaders worldwide have seized on this opportunity to replace antiquated systems and structures with innovative digital solutions that facilitate creation and connection at a global scale while eliminating unnecessary costs and redundancies. At Marquee Digital, we believe that this new normal is an opportunity for the live event industry to do the same.
The Marquee is the dynamic, digital-native, and future-focused answer to an ever-changing landscape. With contactless access, our fully interactive digital program facilitates measurable audience engagement and deeper connectivity throughout the live event experience, all while reducing printing costs, eliminating paper waste, and fostering accessibility in ways that transcend the possibilities of paper. Last-minute changes, typos, or unexpected announcements? No need for costly reprints or labor-intensive inserts, nor printing deadlines with extraordinary lead times. Agility is an intrinsic part of the Marquee's DNA.
The Future Is Paperless
In 2015, the United Nations Member States adopted The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This global partnership is an urgent call to action for all countries and communities, seeking to end poverty and deprivation with strategies that “improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth–all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.” *
Sustainability is a guiding force in the buying decisions of tomorrow’s consumer. Millennial and Gen Z consumers in particular have shown a greater willingness to pay premium prices for products and services that align with their own values--especially when it comes to products that are sustainable, environmentally friendly, or socially responsible. Eliminating paper waste from your company’s business model is an easy and cost-effective way to show your commitment to a greener future.
*https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Give Back
As a Seed Partner of Eden Reforestation Projects, Marquee Digital funds the planting of 200 trees for every Standard Marquee we build, restoring ecosystems and generating fair-trade jobs in historically impoverished areas of the world.
Eden Reforestation Projects is a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring natural and societal ecosystems around the world. With a mission to create sustainable communities and combat climate change, Eden works with local partners to identify areas in need of reforestation and provides resources and education to ensure the success of their planting projects. Through their efforts, Eden Projects has already planted hundreds of millions of trees, providing shade, fresh air, and economic opportunities to communities that have historically been left behind. With a commitment to long-term sustainability, Eden Reforestation Projects is dedicated to creating a greener, more equitable world for generations to come.
Cutting Costs; Boosting Sales
Paper memorabilia has become an intrinsic part of the live event experience, with music fans collecting ticket stubs, doting families memorializing wedding pamphlets, and theatre-goers saving programs from their favorite theatrical experiences. For many theatre producers and presenters, however, printing programs is little more than a costly guessing game–balancing the reduced cost of an initial print run against the potential of overstock programs on closing night. At a fraction of the cost of paper printing, Marquee Digital offers a paperless program solution that is sleek, modern, and waste-free.
The affordable Marquee Subscription allows theatres and other live event producers and presenters to offer a hybrid print-digital model if they wish, meeting the needs of the traditional theatregoer of today while attracting the attention of the tomorrow’s digital native audience. We also encourage our clients to boost sales by marketing a limited run of souvenir programs for purchase, or even as an exclusive incentive for season subscribers. At Marquee Digital, we do our best to take the guesswork out, bringing prospective sales and audience engagement in.
The Team
Carlyn Connolly
Carlyn Connolly is a NYC-based performer, voice actor, producer, and entrepreneur. She began to hone her unconventional tech background as a researcher and content creator for Tech Dojo in 2020, and has since delved into projects centering on regenerative agriculture, climate, crypto, Web3, and beyond. Carlyn is a firm believer in the power of the arts to affect change in the world, and seeks to empower the arts and arts organizations to broaden their reach and amplify their voices in pursuit of social justice, environmental integrity, and the exploration of the human condition.
Joe Chisholm
Joe Chisholm is a NYC-based performer, web developer, and entrepreneur. After teaching himself to code, Joe launched his web design company, Chisholm Designs, in 2011. With clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies, startups, world-renowned doctors, and award-winning Broadway shows, designers, and performers, Joe is known for his intuitive designs, clever dynamism, and an acute ability to capture and distill his clients’ essence into concise and compelling web content. Joe has been seen in multiple Off-Broadway plays and on stages around the world.
Islay
Islay the Goldendoodle is a NYC-based yodeler, tentative cuddler, and unpaid intern. Present at the inception of Marquee Digital, Islay continues to make her opinions known on a daily basis, leaving her pawprint on every major decision made inside Marquee HQ.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Marquee Digital, LLC resides in the ancestral homelands of the Munsee Lenape and Wappinger Peoples. We honor the history of this land and its people, and continue to grow our awareness of the ongoing consequences of colonialism and oppression still unfolding in our society. We commit to supporting and celebrating the life, work, and spirit of the Indigenous stewards of this land, and hold ourselves accountable to carry on the legacy of their careful stewardship with honor, integrity, and allegiance.