Welcome to 2023. Somewhere between hanging twinkle lights and singing Auld Lang Syne the holidays impose the inevitable: deciding what new year’s resolution will positively propel us into the future. Those of us who say “what’s the point” when asked about our resolution usually do so based on our past disappointing level of resolve and promptly omit ourselves from the competition. This year, however, the resolution-averse at DRMTM see a point to a 2023 intention: Purpose. Rediscovering and passionately living your purpose.

Recently our head of research, Surale, brought up the drastic trend we’re seeing among arts and culture organizations searching for answers to their make-or-break problems. With survival at stake and communities to engage, they simply want to know and affirm their purpose.

Defining your purpose sounds daunting, like searching for the Holy Grail. But trust us, it isn’t. In fact, DRMTM has been teaching arts and culture organizations how to connect with their higher purpose since our beginning. Here’s how.

Ask the bigger question.

What do you do? We get all kinds of answers when we survey organizations going through our branding process. “What do you do?” is a favorite question of ours. We get responses such as teach and perform music, dance or theater. Operate a children’s garden. Provide art therapy for youth and veterans. Then we ask the next question.

What do you really do? An organization’s higher purpose is at the pinnacle of programs, mission and vision. It’s where your true impact lies. You don’t just teach and perform – you nurture and promote human expression. You don’t just operate a children’s garden – you open eyes to life, creativity and ecology. You don’t just provide art therapy – you promote healing and well-being. You get it.

Have a community conversation.

Do your research. You won’t really understand your purpose until you know if it is aligned with what your community wants and needs from their arts and culture leaders. Are you making a difference? How? Is your presence meaningful to your community? We guarantee that if you aren’t sure of your purpose, the people outside your doors are. They can tell you your purpose.

For all these great reasons, we are pushing purpose in 2023 and beyond until every arts organization knows theirs. Heaven forbid the word purpose shows up on Big Duck’s list of overused words this year, ‘cause we love it and always will. Look for more purpose-full emails this month and February.

Reach out to us at  hello@thedrmtm.com or LinkedIn and we’ll help you find, know and live out your arts and culture purpose.

Here’s to doing it on purpose,

Surale + Laura + Cheryl

Each year as we head into the holiday season, DRMTM looks forward to an important reveal: Big Duck’s annual Words to Avoid Glossary. This brilliant list is one of our favorite gifts. As leaders teaching arts and culture brands how to craft bold, human and captivating messages, we appreciate an official volume of jargony, overused or misused words and phrases to point to. And we particularly appreciate how the Big Duck team admits their own guilt in avoiding these words altogether, because we also know from experience how hard it is.

The problem is that jargon and over-used words do nothing to spark a person’s passion or distinguish your place in the arts and culture community. (And yes. Community is on the list.) Sometimes it feels safer to rely on industry buzzwords to convince others that we are doing the right things and are worthy of support. Borrowing some examples from the Glossary, we’d like to suggest a couple of points to bring more clarity, connection and purpose into your messaging.

It’s our better than fruitcake re-gift to you.

Be “Impeccable with Your Word”

Sure, this is one of the Four Agreements. But it counts here, too. Choose carefully and be concise. Check out the Glossary’s example of how the beloved word Progressive falls short.

“We create progressive policies to advance justice,” sounds hollow compared to a statement like, “Our lawyers take on cases that set precedents for stronger health and safety standards in state prisons.”

Take a look at your mission and vision statements with this kind of clarity in mind.

Ask the Deeper Question

Sometimes we have to ask what we really want people to understand and how we want them to respond when connecting with our arts mission. The Glossary uses questions around the recently misused word Devastated (meaning ruined or helpless) to point this out.

So, maybe it’s worth taking a step back and reassessing: Are we devastated, or are we angry? Disappointed? How can we develop more actionable reactions and communications?

We’ve rightfully been sharing a lot of emotion the past couple of years. Is your message overwhelming patrons or encouraging their part in rebuilding the arts?

Here’s another special gift for you. Email us at  hello@thedrmtm.com and we’ll personally review some of your brand messaging to instantly improve your connection to the people who matter most to your mission.

Wishing you all a season of sharing, peace and plenty,

Surale + Laura + Cheryl

You might be thinking we are dissing on logos that aren’t circular. Not so! At DRMTM, we call “round brands” those that are the most informed and equitable because they emerged from a full, informed process. These brands were informed by research that asked the tough questions and resulted in brand messaging and design that is ultimately inclusive, representative and community-centered.

Why do we call leadership gatherings “circles” and expert discussions “roundtables”?

Because everyone is seated in a place of equal learning and contribution. No one is hogging the head of the table or relegated to the other end. Everyone is equidistant, visible and relevant no matter how small or large the table becomes. King Arthur was smart that way.

You might be wondering about the size and shape of your “table” as it relates to brand equity. Let’s measure!

Invite Folks to the Table

Who is your community? Has it changed? If you’re not sure, or haven’t talked to them in a while, your brand could be excluding some very important guests. Update your invite list, build a bigger table and have a real conversation.

Adjust the Chairs

A place at the round table means everyone also gets a seat at the right height, giving each an equal view and voice that informs your written and visual brand —  and builds a following of visitors, donors and patrons who trust and support you.

How does your table measure up? DRMTM can help you set a table for success. Join us for a happy half hour of free expert advice and you can sit anywhere you like. Email hello@thedrmtm.comtoday!

And no matter if your Thanksgiving table this week is round, square, oval or oblong, we wish it to overflow with great bounty and happiness.

Here’s to a Horn of Plenty,

Surale + Laura + Cheryl

Meet a new DRMTM Bold Brand: Triangle Youth Music.

This dynamic youth jazz and orchestra program in the Triangle area of North Carolina was out of tune with their community and knew it. Their former name, Philharmonic Association, carried a proud tradition of excellence in music education and performance, but left some community members feeling the organization was not for them. Worse, some believed they would not be welcomed there. As an arts and culture program dedicated to student diversity, this misconception was harmful and far from the truth — but an outdated brand reinforced those assumptions.

Like a fine musical instrument, a properly tuned brand sings with clear, true resonance. How did Triangle Youth Music find their brand’s new inspired sound?

They Listened to their Audiences

DRMTM research identified the notes that weren’t resonating, confirming that a name and brand change would inspire confidence from a new generation of young musicians, parents, teachers and patrons.

They Composed a Brilliant Score

Music falls flat if the notes create dissonance. Just like words. To make their message soar, updated beliefs, values and key words reflecting their true identity took center stage in the conductor’s circle, while program information was re-seated in the nearby balcony.

They Made Beautiful Visual Music

Perfectly tuned logo and graphic elements delivered the right composition for a stellar brand experience. A fresh, artistic interpretation of musical staffs and notes joined the play on triangles, including a fun font with its own angle on style.

The result? Perfect harmony from a bold and captivating brand that clearly hits all the right notes.

Can you hear the applause? Glimpse some of the musical magic below. 

How is your brand’s performance these days? Let’s write your symphony. Join us for a happy half hour of free expert advice that will be music to your ears. Email hello@thedrmtm.com today!

Here’s to Your Standing Ovation,

Surale + Laura + Cheryl

DRMTM opens this note with a love letter to our fellow Floridians as they rebuild their lives, communities and cultural resources after the devastation of Hurricane Ian. Our thoughts are constantly with you.

Haunting Brand Problems SOLVED

Recently we sat down with three arts and culture organizations from around our state who were searching for clues to solve their big branding mysteries:

A Case of Stolen Identity

One cultural center’s identity was completely possessed by their events calendar, resulting in a brand whose mission appeared to be ticket sales.

The Invisible Museum

A museum under the brand umbrella of a large arts center was held captive, struggling to be recognized for its own community value.

The Ghosts of Founders Past

A small-town history museum with a long local tradition was haunted by fear of change and the spirit of founding board leaders.

Each of these organizations knew something was spooky about their brand’s lack of connection to the communities they serve. However hard they tried, efforts weren’t materializing in greater capacity for their programs and operations.

Let’s hop in the DRMTM Mystery Machine and solve this stuff.

• Being brave enough to exorcise the events calendar from their homepage freed the cultural center to tell the community what they really wanted to be: an open place where people aren’t afraid to be heard and seen through artistic experiences.
• Leading with their purpose (to share the untold stories of the unique art they possess), not with programs and events, allowed the art museum to elevate their position and recognition within the main brand.
• And research to ask their community what they wanted the history museum to be for them dispelled any lingering ghosts of doubt about which future direction to go in.

Mystery solved! Let’s scare up some time together to solve your own brand mystery. It’s a happy half hour of free advice from experts who can help you cast a spell of success for frighteningly good friend- and fund-raising. Email hello@thedrmtm.comtoday!

No Toil or Trouble at All,

Surale + Laura + Cheryl

DRMTM just returned from the Florida Association of Museums (FAM) annual conference held this year in Miami. It was the first gathering like this for many of us since COVID shut down most professional development opportunities the past few years.

The theme, appropriately, was about embracing change.

We were fortunate enough to present our 90-minute Bold Brands for New Times workshop there. As participants followed along the brave brand revolution of our special guest, Jen O’Brien who leads the creative reuse arts center Resource Depot, several organizations landed on the same question:

What is the shelf life of a brand? When do you check it for freshness?

Unfortunately, brands don’t come with a stamped “best used by” or expiration date. But they can lose their flavor. Staying fresh and relevant during changing times is challenging.

The answer? In general, all brands need their shelf life looked at occasionally to make sure they are aligned with your community and your mission.

The time to check on your brand is at the first sign you feel it doesn’t properly connect who you are today with the people inside or outside your organization. You might need to take some time to strengthen your visual or written brand, or it might need an overhaul. Either way, DRMTM’s research and assessment will tell you in no uncertain terms if your brand is performing its best.

After the FAM workshop, three museums met with us at our Help Desk to talk over their brand challenges. We offer this free half-hour consultation to anyone who would like expert advice to instantly improve their brand.

Click here to schedule a FREE Happy Half Hour consultation and we’ll lift up the freshness seal on your brand and let you know if you’re safe for consumption. 

Stay fresh,

Surale + Laura + Cheryl