Mercy Killers Background On Mercy Killers Michael is

Mercy Killers

Background On Mercy Killers �Michael is the performer of Joe in his one man show. �Joe is a die hard American whose view on the country and its insurance and medical system changes when his wife gets cancer. �It has been performed all over the U. S. at theatres and universities �It’s been advertised using posters and talked about on the radio as well as put on universities websites and social media

Josh’s Background Q: Why did you reach out to Mercy Killers? A: I reached out to Poetry in Motion (Mercy Killers org. ) after reading an article about them. Afterwards they sent me additional information on the play including a link to a recording which inspired me to bring them to WCU. Q: Do you have any personal connection to Mercy Killers? A: No, but i do believe we all have connections with the ideas conveyed in Mercy Killers. We all have experiences with healthcare bills or know someone in debt from surgeries or some other medical procedure. Q: How did you get into nursing? A: Nursing is my second undergraduate degree after originally having a degree in politics. I was accepted into the Peace Corps and spent time doing community work overseas. After several emotional moments in the Peace Corps, the nurses were the ones who helped me through it and inspired me to pursue nursing.

Josh’s Background Q: Are there any goals you wanted to reach by having Mercy Killers perform here? A: To raise awareness about the issues presented in Mercy Killers and to inspire others to advocate for people who face similar situations. Q: What’s your future goals after you finish your degree? A: I would like to work in the Emergency Department in order to broaden my skills and knowledge. Q: What’s next after Mercy Killers? A: Graduate and try to do my part to lessen or eliminate situations like we see in Mercy Killers.

Objectives AWARENESS -To bring attention to the issues and themes presented in Mercy Killers *specifically to increase their understanding of the origins and story behind Mercy Killers. ACCEPTANCE - To have an effect on the acceptance of audiences in Western North Carolina, specifically to increase their understanding of the issues and themes presented in Mercy Killers and how it can affect them personally ACTION - To increase attendance of Mercy Killers

SWOT Analysis Strengths • Good press and solid reputation. Weaknesses • Have limited resources. • The message that the author wants to deliver is easy to understand. • Small staff, everything depends on the reliability of 1 -2 people. • They have good experience with 20 years of performance. • Does not use social media except for a Facebook. • A website which contains a lot information that is easily accessible. • Well-known among several universities in the United States.

SWOT Analysis Opportunities • Free to students. • Given the proper incentive (extra credit opportunities), students will attend campus events. • To increase the popularity of theatre among students. • WCU’s Friends of the Arts Program • Encourage people to think about health care. • To find a new audience. • No other events on campus at the same time. Threats • Not all students will be interested in attending the play. • Some people might not understand the play’s message. • Many students do not have classes on Friday, so they could choose to go home on Thursday.

Target Audiences (WCU Community) Target Audience #1 - Students in Theatre, Health Sciences Target Audience #2 - Professors for Stage & Screen, Health-related Professions, Nursing's, Communication Target Audience #3 - Health-related professionals in Western North Carolina Target Audience #4 - Students, upperclassmen thinking about graduation, entering the workforce Target Audience #5 - Friends of the Arts Target Audience #6 - Citizens/residents of WNC

Target Audiences (W. North Carolina Community ) �HCC, UNCA, SCC, AB TECH. Nursing, and Theatre students �High Schools (Smokey Mountain, Tuscola, Asheville High, etc. ) �Hospital and Health Care Facilities �Music/Performance Halls and Venues, Local Theatres, and Coffee Shops �Downtown Asheville

Strategy �Better utilize the Facebook account. �Take advantage of other social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, etc. ). �Use Josh and his passion for wanting this here as a way to generate media interest in the play. �Promote among the WCU faculty and staff. �Utilize the actor from the play for possible outside promotional opportunities.

Tactics Media Relations �Write human interest story and press release about Josh, pitch to local media (Insert names of media outlets here) �PSAs on WWCU - FM Power 90. 5 �Live Interview with Josh on Power 90. 5 (afternoon drive time show) �LIve Interview with the actor �Video news release with Josh (Target WLOS) WCU Faculty/Staff �Request extra credit opportunities for students �Proposal email to professors �In-person contact with selected professors

Tactics Western North Carolina Community �Appearances by the actor �Promote to local high schools �Permission from school �Flyers posted �Table Tents at local hospitals �Posters/flyers at local hospitals Campus Community �Flyers/posters around campus �Table tents �Catran Promotions (flyers on the bus, etc. ) �Chalk on sidewalks �Target WCU Facebook groups �Tweeting to WCU �WCU Website (Monday Message, story on website, Western Carolina Journalist)

Timeline Sept. 17 - Deck Presentation/Meeting with Josh P. and Francis Sept. 25 - Finalize programming for all STRATEGIES and TACTICS Oct. 6 - Social media Programing Begins Oct. 20 - Physical programming Begins (i. e. flyers, posters, table tents, ) Campus outreach (pitch incentive agreement to faculty/staff) Oct. 23 - Media relations initiatives (Drafted/Pitched/Produced) Nov. 6 - Media relations initiatives (Released) Nov. 12 - Showtime!!!