Staff Spotlight: Mark Truett, VP of Marketing & Communications
1/8/2020 12AM
Mark Truett came to the Center three years ago with decades of experience in the performing arts industry.
When you present top national artists in world-class performance venues, you’d think the tickets would sell themselves, but that’s not the world we live in these days. Potential audiences have so many distractions in the marketplace and so many other ways to spend their time and money, it takes a lot of work and strategic thinking to catch a corner of their consciousness and seal the deal with a ticket purchase.
Enter Mark Truett, who has been working the business side of the performing arts since his days as a part-time usher while studying at the University of Houston. After picking up his degrees in marketing and management, he worked his way up through the ranks of the city’s venues and presenters until that fateful day three years ago, when he learned of a plum post here in Central Indiana. The Georgia native and his wife packed their bags and became Midwesterners.
Truett took a break from the grind to tell us a bit about himself.
In a nutshell, what do you do around here?
I am responsible for overseeing the strategic planning, development and execution of the marketing, advertising, communications and audience engagement initiatives of the Center and its affiliate organization, the Great American Songbook Foundation.
What would you like more people to know about the Center?
Next season (2020-2021) will be our 10th Anniversary Season, and we are working on booking a lot of great artists. I know that is subjective, but there will be something for everyone – and their friends. Unfortunately, you will have to wait a few months for the details.
Who are you most looking forward to this season?
I am curious about Doolin’ (an Irish folk band) and the Zach Brock Quintet (featuring the violinist from Snarky Puppy), but I have really been waiting to see Piaf! The Show, a multimedia journey through the life and music of the great Edith Piaf.
What artist would you most like to see perform at the Center?
I would like to see Harry Connick Jr., because I missed his 2018 engagement here, the New Orleans Tricentennial Celebration tour.
When you’re chilling on your own time, what musical artists do you listen to?
I listen to a variety of music, depending on what I am doing or my mood, but New Orleans jazz would be my standard. I grew up around New Orleans, so that style is what I enjoy listening to when I am cooking or relaxing.
