Wichita Symphony Orchestra Season Campaign
A season of recurring newspaper ads that gave each upcoming show its own moment while keeping the WSO brand sharp, clean, and unmistakable.
Client
Wichita Symphony Orchestra
Categories
Context
The Wichita Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is one of the oldest active arts programs in the state of Kansas, with more than 70 years of programming and a mission to enrich the community. A hallmark of the Wichita metro area with a long-standing reputation for excellence.
The Challenge
WSO has long had a sharp, clean look., ut previous seasons' newspaper ads were typically lists of several upcoming shows and the next show on the calendar got lost in the lineup. Symphony goers needed be more aware of what's coming up soon, not just down the road.
What I Did
- Reframed each ad around the next upcoming show, treating it as a special event rather than one in a list.
- Built a reusable header and footer system, plus recurring typographical elements, to maintain a sense of continuity between ads across the season.
- Gave each show its own stand-out identity within that consistent framework letting the artist or program drive the visual hook.
The Results
- Each show in the season got its own focused, event-style ad; a clear upgrade from the previous list-based format.
- A reusable system carried the WSO brand across the entire season without a redesign for every placement.
★ A Note In The Margin
What I'd Do Differently
While the Symphony marketing team was open to the idea of making each show more of a Special Feature, the ads were still very copy heavy. I would like to have seen them pared down even further, making the ads look and feel more like a movie poster, with only the most critical information written out.
★ What's Next