NG Farrell Marketing

Sitting here in the NG Farrell offices, we often wonder aloud about a number of wonderful and fantastical things. No doubt a great many of these fantasies are inspired by the passion and commitment we see from our clients.

But sometimes, it comes out of nowhere, and we begin imagining incredible things that are interesting enough to blog about.

And so here we are now, talking about the day in Canada when sports and the arts will truly unite, and create the ultimate synergy of society-bettering, community building, fun-loving goodness.

What would be so wrong with pairing a little WHL hockey, with, oh, I don’t know, the opera? Or getting a discount on your subscription to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra when you buy your Vancouver Canadians seasons tickets.

At first glance, these are fairly dissimilar activities, either to take part in or observe. There’s not much akin between throwing a baseball and playing a bassoon. Meanwhile, the atmosphere at Nat Bailey, with the popcorn and scattered crowds is, well, different from the Orpheum’s organized performances.

But what is so different? Last week, Budget 2010 came down from the provincial government. Hang on, don’t leave yet, this is not dry government talk it’s actually relevant.

2010 Sports and Arts Legacy. It’s not a mistake why these two words share the same sentence and the same funding structure.

They are:

1. Both equally relevant to a flourishing society
2. Featuring needing “practitioners”, artists and athletes
3. They are both engaging, interesting and honest expressions of the human form and spirit
4. They are important

Who’s to say that these two industries shouldn’t try to find some common ground, and common audiences?

I love opera, but I'm also a hockey fan. Would I be happy supporting both if the opportunity presented itself? You bet. Doesn’t mean everyone else might, but it’s a thought.