Employee Spotlight: Megan Jones
A lot goes into bringing a show to life long before the show date. Behind the scenes, our team is constantly creating, planning, and finding new ways to connect audiences with the artists and experiences they love.
Today, we’re spotlighting our Marketing Manager, Megan Jones. Since joining Pabst Theater Group in 2016, she’s worn just about every hat in our marketing department, taking on new roles and challenges along the way. She also managed weddings on the weekends for a number of years, so when it comes to keeping things moving, she knows a thing or two.
Read on to get to know Megan, discover some of her favorite shows at our venues, learn about the most unique marketing she’s ever done for a show, and find out what must see spots in Milwaukee she sends touring artists to.
What is the best show you’ve ever seen at our venues?
Well OBVIOUSLY it's hard to just pick one so I'M NOT GOING TO!
Most memorable (well... a little foggy): Snoop Dogg at the Riverside Theater with my dad in 2016.
Most sentimental: My now-husband and I's first date was a Deafheaven show at Turner Hall Ballroom in 2018.
Most "holy sh*t" moment looking back: Noah Kahan as an opener at Turner Hall in 2017 OR Sabrina Carpenter at Turner Hall in 2016... with an $18 ticket.
If you could bring any artist here (living or dead), who would it be?
Dead: Amy Winehouse. There just really is no one quite like her.
Living: The prettiest girl in America, Meg Stalter!!! She sings one song and then we go drink spritzes on the lake in matching sweatsuits.
What's one thing about your job that people would be surprised to learn?
You may pause to look at an Instagram ad or breathe heavily out your nose at a TikTok and scroll on by, but there's sooooo much more to show marketing than that. It's a lot of research, strategizing, reaching out to partners in the community and coming up with ideas to let people know their fave (or soon-to-be-fave) artist is in town. And every single show is totally different.
It's not all fun and games (but sometimes, it is - spoiler for question 6), but when you see 2500 people having the night of their lives, it's a pretty great feeling to know you helped get them there.
If a tour asked for one "must-see" spot in Milwaukee, where are you sending them?
Depends on the tour, but my top picks are Well Red Damsel if you need an amazing (h*rny) bookstore, Allie Boys if you need the best breakfast sandwich you've ever had, and Discovery World if you're a lil science nerd or wanna touch some stingrays.
What's something you learned about show marketing that you didn't know before?
Truly, every day is a new experience. There's an audience for literally everything and anything, and the marketing landscape is constantly changing. Is this a cop-out answer? Yup. But that doesn't mean it's not true.
What's been one of the most unique marketing promotions you've done for a show?
We had this show called Chefs in 2018, which was a "sizzlin' kitchen showdown" featuring male dancers.
To help promote it, the day they got into town, a coworker and I (hi Sara!) drove them to different news stations and offices in our little Pabst Van, where they promptly removed their clothing and slithered across the floor, on desks, around chairs - pretty much any available surface had a chef on it. The camera crews' eyes nearly exploded out of their heads. The newscaster women giggled and blushed. I contemplated my life and my job.
And you know what? I really learned something that day: Put your garlic cloves in a jar and shake 'em around for an easier way to remove the peels. Thanks, Salvatore (aka Ben)!
Megan has played a big part in bringing countless shows to life at our venues. After nearly a decade with the team, her passion for what she does continues to shine through in everything she takes on. We’re lucky to have Megan on our team and can’t wait to see what she helps make happen next!
Stay tuned for our next Employee Spotlight.
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