Live Events During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jake and Vinnie discuss the current state of live events, where the opportunities are for promo, and what lies ahead.
Just a few months ago, the 2020 summer concert and festival season seemed as promising as ever, boasting plenty of great shows and, of course, opportunity for promo products. Then, the pandemic hit.
Like dominoes, concerts started falling victim to cancellations and postponements as COVID-19 spread rapidly across the U.S. With social distancing and stay-at-home orders now the norm, the event industry -- the lifeblood for many in promo -- came to a screeching halt.
In this informative podcast, Jake Krolick and Vinnie Driscoll discuss the current state of live events and how they are not, indeed, dead, where the opportunities are for promo products professionals, and what lies ahead for the future of one of the most important markets in our industry. They also provide six case studies on how artists and venues are using promo to support themselves during these difficult times.
Podcast Chapters
2:00: Events aren't gone, they've just moved online
4:20: The well has dried up for many artists
7:59: Case studies
19:45: How do we move forward?
Case Studies
#1 - Low Cut Connie
Artist Low Cut Connie created merch for devoted fans -- nicknamed "Tough Cookies" -- of their online broadcasts.
#2 - Social Distortion
Artist Social Distortion created "Social Distancing" T-shirts, a play on their name, for sale on their website.
#3 - My Morning Jacket
Artist My Morning Jacket created a "Couch Kit" for people sheltering at home that included sweatpants, puzzles and shirts.
#4 - Union Transfer
Philly venue Union Transfer started selling pandemic-related merch on their website that reflected important health concerns as well as all their spring and summer tour postponements.
#5 - Love From Philly
Virtual festival "Love From Philly" was a huge hit and inspired lots of merchandise.
#6 - Thursday
Artist Thursday took all of their summer concert tees and had them turned into social distancing masks and donated them to first responders. All of the proceeds from the branded ones for sale on their website goes directly to hospitals in New York and New Jersey.