Where will the growth take place?

[wolfgang]

If each year is an average of minus 1 corps from the year before, and also each year has an average (conservative) of 2-3 fewer total shows per year to see the corps perform, where will DCI's growth come from?

Or, forget growth...where will the maintaining come from? How are potential new fans going to hear about corps except through youtube clips or word of mouth in high schopl band?

In other words, what is the marketing master plan beyond "old legacy fans with money please keep donating to Friends of DCI?" 

Is "DCI Finals sold so many tickets the crowd wrapped around to the end zones" a proper overall metric to use?

[Algernon]

Hmmm, when you sent an email to DCI and asked what the marketing plan was, what was the response?

[wolfgang]

21 minutes ago, Algernon said:

Hmmm, when you sent an email to DCI and asked what the marketing plan was, what was the response?

It was "we will have our smart alec dcp troll give a smart alec response to shut down discussion about a drum corps topic... on a discussion forum about drum corps."

There are many topics on this forum about individual corps and DCI. What did all those different posters say when you asked them what the individual corps and/or DCI's responses were to the numerous issues addressed on dcp?

[ranintothedoor]

- I wonder if AI ruining the online digital music landscape (ie, what's even real on the internet anymore) will give live music events/experiences a boost? If DCI can hold on long enough to reach that point.

- The WGI / SoundSport model is interesting.  Smaller, indoor performing ensembles, with any instrumentation.  If you direct money to these ensembles, you will grow the business.  

- Allowing things to naturally take their course and being smart about how to build up what's left.  As organizations fold under the weight of the DCI model, other organizations continue to grow.  Lean into what's left.  Consolidate so to weather the storm until inflation comes back down (40 years... ha).

- Groups like Muete, Youngbloods Brass Bands, Snarky Puppy... they're expanding their imprint on the live music culture from different directions.  DCI has something amazing in its hands... allowing it to move away from "marching band" and toward "broadway" naturally will allow the unique spectacle to reach more and more people. 

- Have you seen the British reaction videos online over the last couple years? What we have is truly special; as long as there's one group producing this kind of art, the culture will appreciate and absorb it.  

- Think about how powerful Banana Ball has become within the baseball subculture.  It might be time for a "Spectacle" division within DCI where the top groups begin making arena-style art that entertains surrounding crowds.  DCI + WGI + Basketball arenas.

- I know this sounds like a G7 thing.  It's not.  Both and... both and.  Keep the touring model (struggling though it is), get SoundSport units paid somehow, and create a cash cow division that moves off the football field and into broadway/basketball stadiums/etc.  Banana Ball is "competitive"... but it's entertainment.  Lean into that for the Spectacle division.  People will pay!

 

[Jeff Ream]

i have no idea what the answers are. every time i think i find something that will help, five things pop up that kill that idea.

[David Hill]

Leadership and infrastructure.

Depends on how every voice in the room chooses to define both.
There are no quick fixes.

[mcjordansc]

This is what I think needs to be done. 

1. Create a unified parent organization—“Marching Arts Alliance”—combining DCI, WGI, BOA, and SoundSport for shared resources, media, and sponsorship. 

2. Restructure DCI into two competitive tiers:

   • Premier Division (17–18 corps) as the “Major League.”

   • Championship Division (Open Class) as a developmental league with reduced touring costs.

3. Adopt a promotion/relegation system similar to Major League Soccer or European football: bottom corps in Premier move down; top corps in Championship move up (pending readiness standards).

4. Expand SoundSport into true regional leagues that act as feeders for Open Class—low cost, flexible instrumentation, festival-style events.

5. Implement regional touring pods for the first half of the season to drastically reduce travel expenses for all divisions.

6. Shift only the top corps into a shorter national tour window (mid-July to championships), while others finish their seasons at regional championships.

7. Create shared housing networks and fleet co-ops to reduce bus, truck, and housing costs across all corps.

8. Launch a unified streaming platform offering DCI/WGI/BOA/SoundSport under one subscription with docuseries, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive features.

9. Develop a “Marching Arts Academy” to certify staff, support member safety, and promote consistent educational standards across all circuits.

10. Use a clear “talent ladder” to grow participation: SoundSport → Open Class → Premier Division, giving every group a pathway upward and creating a healthier, more sustainable marching-arts ecosystem.

[Jeff Ream]

BOA and WGI are very different beasts because of the scholastic components. 

[wolfgang]

35 minutes ago, mcjordansc said:

This is what I think needs to be done. 

1. Shift only the top corps into a shorter national tour window (mid-July to championships), while others finish their seasons at regional championships.

My issue with the idea above is having 17-18 corps at Championships eliminates Open Class, and also the need for a Thursday show. Quarters and Semis are my two favorite days of Championship week, though it's reasonable others prefer the Finals night atmosphere.

Imo, I want more corps to experience Championshios, not fewer. One question is:  Could a corps do local shows earlier in the year, rehearse at home for a few weeks, do a trip to Indy for OC or WC (ie WGI model) and get a fair judging?

[cixelsyd]

2 hours ago, Algernon said:

Hmmm, when you sent an email to DCI and asked what the marketing plan was, what was the response?

The response was an actual, detailed plan for growth.  Unfortunately, it was dated 2009.