Ronda Billerbeck, city of Kent Cultural Programs manager, shows off the new ad that will be running on King County Metro buses. COURTESY PHOTO, Timothy Aguero Photography

Ronda Billerbeck, city of Kent Cultural Programs manager, shows off the new ad that will be running on King County Metro buses. COURTESY PHOTO, Timothy Aguero Photography

Kent concert series, historical society part of transit ad campaign

‘Less is More’ ads on buses and light rail encourage people to attend outside events

The city of Kent summer concert series and the Greater Kent Historical Society are part of an advertising campaign on buses and light rail vehicles to get people to attend outside events.

A group of 11 organizations, members of South King County’s Cultural Coalition (SoCoCulture), pooled their resources, and with the help of a grant from 4Culture, raised enough funds to advertise on transit, according to a press release from SoCoCulture. The cost of the campaign is $14,000, including an $8,500 grant for 4Culture, said a SoCoCulture spokesperson.

“Advertising is a marketing expense most cultural organizations in our region cannot afford, creating a barrier for them to connect with local and regional audiences,” according to the press release.

The “Less is More” advertising campaign will appear on King County Metro buses and Sound Transit light rail vehicles through June. The ads encourage self-care and invite commuters from all over the region to log off their digital devices and get outside.

Riders are invited to contemplate “Less desk chair, more fresh air” with the city of Kent summer concerts and “Less social distance, more shared traditions” with the Greater Kent Historical Society.

The pilot project was organized by 4Culture, Pacific Bonsai Museum and SoCoCulture to learn how to implement a collaborative marketing campaign and develop a model for others to follow in their efforts to increase access to audiences.

The other SoCoCulture groups participating in the ad campaign include Alimentando al Pueblo, Burien; Burien Actors Theater; Highline Botanical Garden, SeaTac; Lake Wilderness Arboretum, Maple Valley; Pacific Bonsai Museum, Federal Way; Pacific Islander Community Association of WA, Federal Way; Renton Municipal Arts Commissionse; Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, Federal Way; and Soos Creek Botanical Garden, Auburn.

SoCoCulture is a coalition of 60-plus cultural organizations throughout South King County.


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Greater Kent Historical Society members hold up their new ad that will be running on King County Metro buses. COURTESY PHOTO, Timothy Aguero Photography

Greater Kent Historical Society members hold up their new ad that will be running on King County Metro buses. COURTESY PHOTO, Timothy Aguero Photography

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