Marketing - Sam Freeman

I’m an Arts Marketeer with over 15 years’ senior leadership experience in regional theatres across a range of scales. My track record spans brand relaunches, data-led pricing, digital growth and lots more. I’ve spoken at events including the Arts Marketing Association Conference and Arts Council seminars. I value a pragmatic, audience-focused approach that maximises resources and embeds great planning. Read my CV here and my blog here.

What makes me different?

I combine commercial experience with a theatre-makers perspective, having written, directed and toured original work alongside a full-time leadership career. If you’d like to find out about my creative background click here.

Get In Touch

What can I help with?

I’ve worked in theatre my entire life – from early days ushering at Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s Stephen Joseph Theatre to North Wales’ cultural powerhouse Theatr Clwyd as Director of Audiences & Insight. I’ve always been fascinated by selling more tickets so that more people enjoy cultural experiences.

I like solving problems. Problems like “how can I make our audience book earlier”, or “this series of work is dying how can I save it” and “how can I spend less but get better results”.

They’re my catnip – finding a way to make the impossible, more possible.

Organisations.

Theatr Clwyd
Unity Theatre
Torch Theatre
York Theatre Royal
Pilot Theatre
Duncan Clarke PR
Shakespeare North Playhouse
Lawrence Batley Theatre

My Strengths.

Pragmatism
Clarity
Challenging convention
Data analysis
Copywriting
Design & Artworking
Planning
Strategy
Budgeting
Segmentation
Filming & Editing
Social Media
Pay Per Click Advertising

My Services.

Marketing Planning

Realistic marketing plans built with venues or touring productions — using the full marketing mix to give the best chance of putting bums on seats with a planned, methodical approach.

I could… improve planning and put in robust implementation strategies.
I could… help plan your budget for a year, season or production.

Marketing Strategy

Help develop strategy for organisations facing instability, capital or declining sales.

I could… support your team in making change and long-term plans
I could… help plan capital communications, from consultation to completion
I could… help you price to maximise income and improve audience experience.

Brand

Work to develop your brand, protecting core identity while introducing new audiences.

I could… help you find quick wins to make your brand work better for you
I could… help you develop a new mission statement to inspire audiences and your teams

Artwork, Design & Print

Ready-to-go artwork with an end-to-end service – from season brochures to annual reports – created by a designer who can also interpret and write.

Need artwork turned around quickly… designs, copy & proofing under one roof.
Brochure feels flat… Let me help find new ideas and inspiration.

Digital Advertising

Need a facebook or google campaign creating? Or a multi-layered digital plan to bring in new audiences?

PPC across Meta, Google Ads & Microsoft Ads
Email marketing via Dotdigital, Mailchimp & SendInBlue
CRM-integrated campaigns using Spektrix data

Analytics

Data-led decision-making for arts organisations — from dashboard builds to audience surveying — helping teams move from guesswork to evidence.