Posts Tagged ‘linkedin’

Feb
7

NCCAF Twenty 10

Twenty 10, Two Thousand AND 10. Whatever year it is, last week was awesome. On stage on Thursday, Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton declared February 2010 DSI Comedy Arts Month (and then Mayor Chilton added, “Be it further resolved that Friday February 5, 2010 be recognized as Zach Ward Day in the Town of Carrboro” What? I was floored!) I haven’t called my Mom yet. I should do that.

Anyway, the shows were awesome. I was pumped for our local audiences to see some really great sketch comedy last weekend and I’m always excited to see Acts inspired by each other at festivals. We had Sold Out shows EVERY NIGHT, despite rain on Friday and snow on Saturday. And a fantastic day of workshops on Saturday with Second City Chicago’s Anthony LeBlanc, SAINTS FTW!

But we’ve got 3 weeks left and Standup Comedy starts Thursday

Last year when I was producing the Toronto Improv Festival I wanted to blog about what was happening in REAL TIME, problems, solutions, Festival details. I was pretty overwhelmed and out of the country so it didn’t happen, but maybe that can change for #NCCAF. You should keep me honest.

Let me know your questions OR any feedback you have.

Biggest issue so far. Last week I tweeted that we were experiencing a 2007 Horatio Level Event. Short backstory – In 2007, Horatio Sanz agreed to do the festival but he went into surgery on Tuesday before his Friday show. My friend Anthony calls me on Thursday to let me know Horatio won’t be coming. I scramble for 24-hours and Louis CK saves comedy. That was awesome. But… what could equal that?

HLE PROBLEM: Last week a venue we contracted for NCCAF 2010 Standup Week picked up the phone, only to let me know they were closed until further notice because of flooding and electrical problems. WTF? Especially 7 days out. ZW SOLUTION: I need a place that has a similar vibe, not a performing arts space that seems too sterile for standup and not just a bar because we need to charge admission, and preferably ONE VENUE for all three nights (7 total shows). The next morning I meet with Tyler’s Taproom owner and manager and we confirm a new venue. Speakeasy, 100 E Main St Carrboro. It’s actually two blocks CLOSER than the other venue. Two drawbacks, No raised stage. And it seats 65 instead of 100. But the venue is excited to host and most of the comics are also playing DSI so I think we did okay.

You could check it out and let me know. http://nccomedyarts.com/standup

Back to work.

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Jan
26

@SMCtriangle @DSIcomedy

I’m hosting the Triangle Social Media Club (@SMCTriangle) Meet-up Thursday at 7pm at my theater in #carrboro (DSI Comedy Theater). Do you hyphenate Meetup? I never want to, but I hate the dotted redline underneath correcting me every single time I write it. AHHHH! Now I’ve done both. But honestly, How many times do I write the words meet and up as a Noun? Anyway —

Register online, http://jansmctriangle.eventbrite.com/

social-media-club

I’ve been asked to talk about how the basics of IMPROVISATION can help you understand the psychology behind the online AND offline networking aspect of social media and how to use COMEDY to create a character and brand that inspires community. Expect an opportunity to participate in (or sit back, drink, and watch) some fun games that might just help you think about your social media activity.

+++

I am very proud of how my company has used Social Media to reach AND BUILD a community of fans online. We’ve been active on Flickr and Youtube forever and our staff regularly posts content on Facebook and Twitter — Btw, Thanks to Three Ships Media for the Social Media feature on DSI November 2009.

We recently pushed out a MercyCorps benefit for Haiti to raise $1345 ($655 short of our GOAL, if you’re feeling generous). You are? YOU ARE AWESOME! Thank you for your donations AND RETWEETS.

DSI also started work today to secure a $35K support grant from Intuit — Our social networks helped us reach 17 unique recommendations in under 2 hours. Do you love DSI? TELL THE INTERNET.

“If you get it, share it.”

Awesome.

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Posted in business, community, social media | No Comments »

Jan
19

Business of the Year

My company DSI Comedy Theater was just nominated and named as one of three finalists for Carolina Chamber 2009 Small Business of the Year. I am incredibly proud even for DSI to be considered. Our success would not be possible without my staff and the local community of students and fans.

The Business of the Year Award will be presented to the outstanding Chamber businesses that have shown growth, innovation of product, exemplary customer service, response to adversity, and/or contribution to the community.

We were humbled to be awarded 2006 Newcomer Business of the Year. I was told that DSI Comedy Theater was a business who “showed innovation in its field, creativity in its start up, likelihood of long-term success and contribution to the community” — I’ve worked hard to live up to that Newcomer Business of the Year, but today, when I read the notice about our recent nomination, it honestly meant more for me to recognize that WE ARE STILL OPEN. Despite some of the worst economic conditions in a generation, we are a small business that continues to make a significant impact on the local community.

/AWESOME

AWESOME

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Posted in business, community | 1 Comment »

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