Luke Frazier On Passing The Baton and The Power of Inclusion - Chief Influencer - Episode # 001
Today, we spoke with a special guest that is committed to creating opportunities for the next generation of music makers and lovers through touring live shows, assisting underserved schools, and providing free children's programming. Luke Frazier is the Founder and Music Director of The American Pops Orchestra. Luke shares his unique insights into envisioning a future unconstrained by the status quo, the importance of providing many points of entry for your audience, and the power of a community-focused organization.
Takeaways:
- Challenge the predictable and formulaic elements of everything you do. For example, many people regard going to an orchestral performance as very expensive, however, Luke has worked to change that thinking by innovating his pricing structure.
- Creating a welcoming, accessible, representative environment allows you to connect with more diverse audiences. For example, consider how representation, through a presenter or performer, creates a more inclusive space.
- Don’t accept the status quo. Luke focused on incorporating diversity of all kinds into his concerts, both amongst those performing and what they were performing. By committing to diversity, even a simple concert can make a bigger impact.
- Consider how leaders in other industries have solved issues similar to those you might be facing. For instance, Luke shared he was influenced by subscription streaming services in developing the pricing strategy for his concerts.
- Financial transparency is crucial to Luke because it allows the communities he serves to see where their monetary support goes, whether it is better art or better administration.
- When an organization is supported by a community, instead of a few wealthy donors as is typical for orchestras, it is not beholden to the tastes of the fortunate few. Because of this, an organization can be more representative of the community at large and cater to their collective interests.
- If you want your marketing to reach the right audience you need to research them and meet them where they are. This is a much more sustainable way to grow than forcing people to go somewhere else just to communicate with them.
Quote of the Show:
- “I believe all people need to have that voice and all people need to feel seen and represented from a stage.” - Luke Frazier
Links:
- The American Pops Orchestra Website: https://www.theamericanpops.org/
- The American Pops Orchestra Twitter: https://twitter.com/theamericanpops
- Personal Website: https://lukefraziermusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukefraziermusic/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lukefrazierconductor/
Ways to Tune In:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0DjyDgAnBZ1Pgy4Lyojgs1
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chief-influencer/id1688769403
- Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/27c24d98-1121-465a-bd8f-d7314a9a4482
- Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/chief-influencer-podcast-5328948
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chiefinfluencer
Creators and Guests
Host
Anthony Shop
Anthony Shop believes in the power of people-centered branding and marketing to create a bright future. He chairs the National Digital Roundtable, the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers. Anthony also is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, a digital services firm that helps companies and non-profits establish winning strategies with social media, websites, creative, and advertising. An enthusiastic presenter and teacher, he has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, Anthony was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the boards of Leadership Greater Washington and LearnServe International. He earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, where he teaches as an adjunct lecturer.
Guest
Luke Frazier
Founder and Music Director of The American Pops Orchestra. Luke is committed to creating opportunities for the next generation of music makers and lovers through touring live shows, assisting underserved schools, and providing free children's programming.
Producer
Robert Krueger
Robert is an Executive Director for The Communications Board, an organization with the mission of providing high-quality professional development for every communicator in every location. He is also the Global Lead for Partnership Communications at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. Prior to his current role, he performed executive and CEO communications for Gensler, and was the senior director of public relations and social media at the Urban Land Institute. He obtained an MA in Communications and an MA in History from George Mason University. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Robert has taught communications at universities including George Mason University, West Virginia University, and the University of Florida. Robert currently serves as Immediate-Past President for the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) -- the nonprofit’s largest chapter.