7845 Harwood Avenue  |   Wauwatosa, WI 53213  |  Phone 414.443.0850  |   Fax 414.443.0875

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John Michael Kohler Arts Center

Tenacious media relations efforts drive traffic for “hidden gem” destination

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center continually looks to Buzz Monkeys to build regional awareness for its exhibitions. Through the Wisconsin Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) grant program, the Arts Center’s marketing efforts focus on driving audiences from across the state and the region, including Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan. Buzz Monkeys works to reposition each exhibition to tell the artist’s or artwork’s story in a way that is relevant and compelling to reporters and their travel audiences. Through extensive media relations, Buzz Monkeys has placed stories with countless regional and national outlets including Minneapolis Star Tribune, Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal. A recent Associated Press article received extensive regional pick-up, and monthly attendance nearly doubled when the exhibition opened. In addition, Arts Center gift store receipts showed an increase in zip codes from Northern Illinois.