Atlanta Magician Joe M. Turner Installed as International President of International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM)
Atlanta Magician Joe M. Turner Installed as International President of International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) Atlanta magician, mentalist, and speaker Joe M. Turner has been installed as the new International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM). The IBM, with 10,000 members in 88 countries, is the largest association in the magic and illusion industry, with members ranging from casual hobbyists to special effects consultants, performing art historians, and professional performers. (www.magician.org) The installation occurred today, July 16, 2015, at the organization’s annual business meeting held in conjunction with their annual convention. This year’s convention, the 87th annual conference, is being held in Jacksonville, Florida. Turner appeared on local radio and television stations earlier this week promoting the convention, the public shows being held at the Florida Theatre, and the art of magic in general. Turner, a former management consultant, is a full-time speaker and corporate entertainer based in Atlanta. He is also a member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the Hollywood Magic Castle, the Magic Circle in London, the Society of American Magicians, and the Fellowship of Christian Magicians. He has written for Genii Magazine, the industry’s oldest journal, for the past fifteen years. He has performed at the Hollywood Magic Castle, Monday Night Magic in New York, the London Palladium, and at hundreds of corporate meetings and events in North America and Europe. Joe and his wife Rosemary have two children (Hayley and Preston) and live in the northwestern suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. You can find out more about Joe and his work at www.turnermagic.com
Turner Performs in All-Star Atlanta Magicians Show at Tucker Rec Center
Turner Performs in All-Star Atlanta Magicians Show at Tucker Rec Center Last week, I joined four other Atlanta magicians onstage (plus another half-dozen in crew and backstage support) in a community relations effort on behalf of the Georgia Magic Club, Ring 9 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. On Wednesday, June 3, members of IBM Ring 9 – The Georgia Magic Club produced an all-star magic show for the students attending DeKalb County’s “Camp Superstars” at the Tucker Recreational Center in Tucker, Georgia. The performers included Paul Sponaugle, Merritt Ambrose, Debbie Leifer, and myself, with current Ring 9 president Dale Adamson serving as master of ceremonies. I was honored to be asked to be the closer on a show in which all the performers and the MC had been voted “Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year” at least once, and in some cases multiple times. Ring 9 members West Evans, Mike Dunagan, Martin Baratz, Gene Hendrix, Dan Garrett, and Jim Mangham served as the technical and stage crew for the show, and current Ring 9 Vice President Mark Hatfield was the producer. Every performer brought something special and unique to the show. Paul Sponaugle has an engaging wit and impeccable comic timing, and he interacted perfectly with his chosen volunteer in a magical torn and restored paper routine. Merritt Ambrose performed a classic broken and restored balloon string trick, and finished by making his table float in the air. Debbie Leifer delivered a strong presentation which climaxed with the continuous production of coins from the air, during which she was assisted by a youngster whose reactions were as magical as the trick itself. During my own segment, I got some terrific screams by causing the audience to see my head shrinking and growing in a strange optical illusion. After some comedy balloon sculptures, I caused a young boy’s signed playing card to vanish while he was holding the deck of cards, only to appear in a previously inflated and tied balloon. I then closed the show with a classical stage illusion in which a young girl is suspended in the air between two chairs. The program, which entertained somewhere on the order of 250 kids aged 5-15 (plus at least a dozen adults), was not just a great way to engage and support activities in the greater Atlanta community, but also a way for Ring 9 to progress toward award status within the International Brotherhood of Magicians. “Honor Rings” are designated by the international organization for chapters, or Rings, which attain specific membership and programming criteria. I am thrilled to be part of Ring 9, the Georgia Magic Club. I served as Ring president in 2000 and 2001 – just a few years after joining the club in 1998 – and I have been an active board member for most of the years since. I can easily assert that I would not have the career I have now, nor would I have pursued leadership roles at the international level, without the support and encouragement of so many of the members of IBM Ring 9. While performances for children’s groups are not my primary market, I considered it a privilege (as well as a lot of fun!) to participate in this project. I thank Ring 9 vice president Mark Hatfield for inviting me to be part of the show, and congratulations to the cast and crew on a job well done!
Atlanta Magician Turner Headlines at Florida’s Wizardz Magic Theater
Atlanta Magician Turner Headlines at Florida’s Wizardz Magic Theater This week brought a return to sunny Florida and the lovely Wizardz Magic Theatre in Kissimmee, Florida. Wizardz Magic Theater at Seralago Hotel & Suites has been presenting weekly magic from a parade of outstanding performers since August 2009. This marks the third time I’ve performed here and the first time I’ve headlined. There’s more to Wizardz than just the shows, though. Erick and Kim Olson have built this enterprise into a community that attracts both a flow of tourists and a steady cadre of magicians and local magic enthusiasts. At any given show you’ll find an audience filled with people who have never experienced live magic along with plenty of experienced magicians who are eager to see and support live magic performances in the Orlando area. Part of the fun of performing is the fellowship and camaraderie with this community. It’s always a pleasure, for example, to spend some time talking with Mary Naylor Kodell, the widow of the great stage magician Jack Kodell but also a performer in her own right. Mary was an actress in London’s West End (from the age of 12!) as well as in film and television prior to 1962, when she and Jack retired in Orlando. (You can find out more about Mary in this 2-minute video, hosted by none other than David Copperfield.) At this particular performance, the opening act of the evening was another young lady with stellar performance skills and a magical legacy. Lydia Coomes, age ten, started the evening off with a fantastic close-up act including magic with cards, coins, and even a dice-stacking demonstration! The granddaughter of magical innovator Bob Swadling certainly has a bright future in magic should she choose to pursue this branch of the performing arts. Wizardz Magic Theater was also the site of the IBM JAM in January of this year. The JAM is a members-only day of magic and learning for members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. I admire the Olsons for their commitment to elevate both the performance and the perception of the art of magic in their community, as well as for the benefit of the IBM. They were willing to stretch past their normal processes in order to help their association be more successful. You can expect elevating performance and perception to be key themes for me as I assume the presidency of the International Brotherhood of Magicians next month. In the meantime – are you looking for ways that you can stretch and benefit your own field and your own associations? It usually takes going beyond what you’re used to doing to get different and better results!
Whether in Magic or Branding, the Tools Are Not the Art
Whether in Magic or Branding, the Tools Are Not the Art What do arcane arguments over magic tricks or other performing arts have to do with your brand and your branding? Read on! In the field of sleight-of-hand magic, seemingly innocuous conversations can sometimes bubble over into a rage over the most unlikely topics. Inexperienced performers will flock to social media wondering what trick they should try to learn, and then become irate when a hundred answers are given. Intermediate performers and even some experienced pros will rant about “the best” move to use to accomplish a given task, sometimes becoming adamant that no other version is even worth knowing. I once actually received a phone call asking why I reviewed a product for magicians in a magazine and thought slightly better of it than another reviewer with another set of criteria in another magazine. (How could it be that two people have non-identical points of view on a product? He was legitimately mystified that reviewers could have a range of opinion.) There seems to be something about magicians that presupposes the existence of an ultimate answer to a question of “What’s the best?” What is the trick to replace all tricks? What is the move to replace all moves? What is the prop to replace all props? Basically, what is the one ring to rule them all… and make me a star in the process? Similar arguments rage elsewhere. What’s the best monologue, or audition etude, or ballet slipper? It’s difficult to imagine, but yes, there are even arguments over “the best” song to sing. Some songs, monologues, slippers, or sleight-of-hand moves may be more appropriate, more efficient, more realistic, or better constructed, but the answer of what’s “the best” is usually a distraction from harder questions: Who is in my audience? What do I want them to think about this experience? How do I want them to feel? What action do I want them to take as a result? How will I use this song, monologue, ballet slipper, or magic trick to have the greatest possible impact on my audience given my current skills? But What About Branding? Many entrepreneurs and small businesses get caught up in the same kinds of details. How many Twitter followers do I have? How many people like my Facebook page? What is “the best” subject line for an email? What is “the best” time to post on social media? What is “the best” format for a direct mail piece? It can be tempting to focus on these kinds of questions because these variables can be measured, changed, argued about, and give one a sense that “I’m doing something.” But one thing I’ve learned as I’ve bounced up, down, and sideways through the mistakes I’ve made in my own business is that no amount of “doing something” is a substitute for doing what needs to be done. Looking for “the best” solution is only meaningful once you understand who you are, who your audience is, and what you want to accomplish in your relationship with them. The questions artists must ask apply to you, too! Who is in my audience? What do I want them to think about this experience? How do I want them to feel? What action do I want them to take as a result? How will I use this [web site, social media account, mail campaign, advertisement, marketing event] to have the greatest possible impact on my audience given my current skills? Once you have those questions in mind, you can evaluate what is “best” in advancing toward that goal in the same way that great performers choose their repertoire: they know what fits them, their character, and their message.
Branding, Engagement, and the Limits of Applause
Branding, Engagement, and the Limits of Applause There is nothing quite like the sound of applause, but strong brands and strong leaders remember that applause is temporary. To build a lasting relationship and have a lasting impact requires more than the fleeting expression of momentary approval. Those more significant outcomes require brand engagement. “What is it that we’re living for? Applause, applause!” Applause (1970) by Lee Adams & Charles Strouse “There must be more to life than this.” Freddie Mercury, 1982 Brand Engagement Brand engagement is the ongoing process of building a connection between a person and a brand. In theatrical terms, it is the unfolding of a story that involves both characters – both listen, both take action, both respond to what happens, and both are involved in the scenes. Engagement can be built in different ways. It can start with that applause, or approval, when the awareness of your brand creates an initial positive response. It can grow when a conversation takes place between the brand leader and the consumer, or the artist and the audience. It can deepen when you provide multiple opportunities for your audience to participate in branded experiences, relating to your brand and talking about it with others. All of these elements must be consistent with the overall story that your brand is telling, and the promise that your brand is making to everyone who encounters it. Pursuing brand engagement can feel like a neverending quest for Twitter followers, Facebook likes, or blog comments. All of these can be useful metrics in certain circumstances, but as Robert Passikoff explained in Forbes, it’s important to realize that engagement with your communication tools or methods is not quite the same thing as engaging with your brand. After all, some people love to go to the theatre even when they don’t care for the play. Interacting with the Brand It is easy for a brand to become a permanent monologue. We have hundreds or thousands of things we want our audiences to understand about our product, whether it’s a retail product or something else, like our art, or our leadership vision, or any other idea we wish to share. And sometimes a monologue can be a strong dramatic experience, so it has a place in the overall texture of the play. But don’t leave the other characters out of the scene too long – they may find another theatre where they can get some stage time, too! Most of my brand’s interaction happens on the Facebook and Twitter pages, and in person at events. I can tell that my brand has engaged with a large part of my audience because they think of my brand when they encounter other providers in my sector. When people in my audience watch television, go to a movie, or see something floating around online – if it involves magic, I will frequently get dozens of emails or shares asking me if I’ve seen it. Those interactions come via Facebook, Twitter, or email, but in all cases they indicate that I have ownership of the “magic” brand for them. What are you experiencing in your own business that lets you know that your brand has traction and engagement? What are you going to do now to increase that engagement?
Your Brand and the Amazing 1975 Lunchroom Cinnamon Roll
Your Brand and the Amazing 1975 Lunchroom Cinnamon Roll What does your brand have in common with a lunchroom cinnamon roll? I have vivid memories of first grade, some of which center around the bewildering world of the school cafeteria. At Green Elementary School in Jackson, Mississippi, I would stroll into what I recall as an aircraft-hangar-sized lunchroom with the rest of Mrs. Bass’s and Mrs. Thompson’s classes, go down the line with my tray, and happily present my card-stock lunch ticket at the end. The cashier would smile and click her hole-punch on the day of the week, and I’d sit down with another plate of delicious industrial nourishment. The lunches weren’t really as bad as the cultural references always joked, but that didn’t mean they were great. Except that sometimes… they were. There were certain days, in fact, where the lunch experience was transformed into something completely unforgettable. You see, as you finished the normal serving process and approached the cashier, you passed a small area with colored plates. These were the additional desserts, usually small pieces of cake or other pastries. But the most important one of all was the lunchroom cinnamon roll. And on some days, Mom would give me a nickel and a dime to go along with my lunch ticket. Fifteen cents was the price of one of those lunchroom cinnamon rolls, which was my admission to the glorious land of the elementary school sugar high. Buying a fifteen-cent cinnamon roll was probably my first solo experience as a consumer. Those little transactions made me feel like a grown-up, making a purchasing decision and completing an independent transaction as an individual with a vision for his future and the cash to make it happen. And of course, they had to be delicious because they tasted like sugar, cinnamon, and power. Amazing. As I thought about the experience, I identified a few factors that I think played into the impact of experiences like my amazing 1975 lunchroom cinnamon roll. You can apply these ideas to the way you take your own products and services into the marketplace. • The excitement and impact of getting something extra Big or small, there is something irresistible about a bonus. Whether it’s a freebie or an opportunity to make an impulse buy, even a tiny extra feels special. What can you add to the experience of working with you that feels like an extra? It doesn’t have to be big, flashy, or expensive, as long as it’s awesome. • Perceived status There is an undeniable sweetness to knowing your peers envy you. It’s human nature to savor the moments when we get to be the leader in line, or king of the hill, or the cool kid. When your clients interact or do business with you, does the experience leave them with something to brag about? • Transformed memory of an assembly line experience Four decades later, I still remember the price, the presentation, and the general experience of buying a cinnamon roll in my lunchroom. I remember where they were in the line. I remember the kinds of plates they were served on. I can even vaguely remember the cashier’s face. Meanwhile, I cannot tell you for certain any other item I ever ate in that lunchroom. I have no specific memory of any other part of the experience. A year from now, what will the client remember about their experience with your brand? What if a special extra is the key to creating a lasting memory of your brand?
12 Amazing Audience Engagement Ideas I Learned on a Cruise – Part 3
12 Amazing Audience Engagement Ideas I Learned on a Cruise – Part 3 We’ve reached the conclusion of this short series – better late than never! Though the cruise itself is long past, the memories and lessons learned in each port remain. Out of curiosity – are you paying attention to the experiences you have to see what branding and audience engagement lessons can be learned? If so – let me know of a tip or technique you gleaned from an experience in your own life! Amazing tip #9: Put something awesome out of sight to reward the devoted. Holyhead, Wales – What do you know about Holyhead, Wales? That’s about what I knew, too, as we went ashore for our first visit to Wales. The town is centered around St. Cybi’s Church, which is actually built in what was an old Roman fort. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore, but the real treasure here isn’t in town. You have to take a cab or a tour to get to South Stack Lighthouse, but even when you are able to see it, you can’t experience it without hiking down 400 steps and walking across an aluminum footbridge. Then you get to climb the 400 steps on your way back. But the reward is a tremendous view of coastline cliffs and the lighthouse itself… an experience you won’t ever forget. Put some not-so-obvious rewards in place for those willing to seriously engage with your brand! Amazing tip #10: Make sure your brand has attentive, observant ambassadors. Liverpool, England – Rosemary and I arrived in Liverpool on a relatively gray day. Cloudy morning, scattered showers, and a blustery wind. We decided to brave the elements and so we made a trek to Liverpool Cathedral. This impressive building – the largest Anglican cathedral in the UK – was full of interesting and beautiful art. It was reverent and inspiring. But it became an unforgettable experience when I was approached by Brian Jackson. A smiling gentleman with a long robe quietly asked how I was enjoying my visit. We began talking about our experiences in church and found common ground instantly. He took me and Rosemary on a private tour, unlocked a walkway across the expanse of the interior, and told us numerous little stories (including a great one about the chairs where the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh sit). This visit was unforgettable because an ambassador perceived my interest and probed effectively, then delivered an exceptional experience. Does your brand have attentive, observant ambassadors on site? On the phone? Online? Amazing tip #11: A fresh approach can make old things new again. Inveraray, Scotland – Inveraray Castle in Scotland looks like a fairy tale with its conical spires on towers. Since the 1200s the site has been the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll – yes, the same family from which we derive argyle sweaters and socks! While the castle is centuries old, it recently enjoyed a renewed interest when it was used as a location for the 2012 Christmas episode of Downton Abbey. The popularity of a current hit translated into additional visibility and tourism for a site that was relatively unknown to many outside Scotland. By the time Rosemary and I arrived, we were primed to be receptive to much more of the real history of the location based on our interest in a fictional story! Can you connect your brand to something in the news, or some phenomenon in the popular culture? If so, you have a golden opportunity to boost sagging interest in your message. Amazing tip #12: Craft a presentation worthy of your content. Dublin, Ireland – Dublin is home to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Ha’Penny Bridge, and a thousand pubs. It is also home to one of the best universities in the world, Trinity College Dublin. Here, at the alma mater of Swift, Burke, Beckett, Stoker, Wilde, you can view the Book of Kells and marvel at a unique object with artistic, philosophical, and historical significance. But while the pages of that book inspire reflection and introspection, when you walk into the Long Room you will find yourself awestruck. This vast, expansive space houses only 200,000 of the library’s roughly six million volumes. Even so, the presentation of this subset creates a feeling of near infinite knowledge. The levels, the arches, and the sheer visual impact create an experience that inspires respect for the work of masters whose thoughts are recorded in these pages. Presentation doesn’t replace the knowledge in those volumes, but it certainly inspires a high level of respect for whatever you might find in there. Just as the theatre in St. Petersburg primed us to appreciate beauty, this room primed us to respect intellect. When your brand is unveiled for a new audience, what feelings does it inspire? You can read the other entries in this series via the following links: 12 Amazing Audience Engagement Ideas I Learned on a Cruise – Part 1 12 Amazing Audience Engagement Ideas I Learned on a Cruise – Part 2
12 Amazing Audience Engagement Ideas I Learned on a Cruise – Part 2
12 Amazing Audience Engagement Ideas I Learned on a Cruise – Part 2 This follow-up is long overdue, but worth the wait! Here’s part 2. Amazing tip #6: Encourage your audience to walk through your experience on occasion, instead of always streamlining everything. Dover, England – With London only a short drive away, people often skip Dover as they are embarking or disembarking. But Dover Castle has a charm of its own and it’s worth the trip to the top of the hill to see the view. It was worth it to walk up rather than take trolleys or cabs – we climbed a beautiful staircase in the woods. While walking through the city toward the castle, we found a number of shops and a great place to eat when we came back down. Once in a while, it may be worthwhile to buck the trend of hyper-streamlining an experience and encourage your audience to walk and take the stairs. It was strenuous and we had to catch our breath, but the experience was richer and more memorable than a taxi to the front door. Amazing tip #7: Make it worthwhile to look past the surface. St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands – Castle Cornet on the island of Guernsey is, for some travelers, just “ABC” – that is, “another bloomin’ castle.” But taking the time to explore yielded multiple intriguing stories ranging across centuries. There’s nearly always more to “ABC” than you might think, which means it can be rewarding to explore unknown brands. At the same time, it’s incumbent upon the owner of the lesser-known brand to take whatever it is that they’ve got, frame it effectively, and communicate it to the audience in a way that makes them curious enough to dig one level deeper. Amazing tip #8: Effective branding overcomes a change of context. Waterford, Ireland – When you think of Waterford, Ireland, you probably think first of Waterford Crytal. In addition to their worldwide fame for making crystal dining ware, they are also well-known for their creation of art objects and trophies such as the crystal football BCS trophy. The city is also home to Reginald’s Tower, a relic from the town’s Viking history. In the midst of all the things that Waterford is best known for, though, I have another unforgettable memory of Waterford, Ireland that has nothing to do with its history. As I crossed a busy street, I recognized the logo of my alma mater on the jacket of a gentleman crossing in the other direction. I greeted him with “Hail State!” and we have stayed in touch since then. That recognizable brand did its job, allowing fellow fans to establish a connection even in an entirely unrelated context. There was no reason for me to be looking for that logo or thinking about my alma mater, but the sight of the school colors and the logo instantly transcended the context of the environment. Not every brand has a goal of facilitating interpersonal relationships among alumni, but every brand can aspire to the powerful goal of being instantly recognizable even in an unrelated context. You can read the other entries in this series via the following links: 12 Amazing Audience Engagement Ideas I Learned on a Cruise – Part 1 12 Amazing Audience Engagement Ideas I Learned on a Cruise – Part 3
Branding, Integrity, and Handling Mistakes
Branding, Integrity, and Handling Mistakes Integrity is not just a smart and moral way to navigate your personal life. It’s also part of your professional branding, and it will inevitably affect your business success. This past weekend I performed for a new client. They had previously booked another performer, but he phoned them to cancel his appearance just a day and a half before the event. They were not convinced that his “double booked” story was true, and he did not make an effort to replace himself but simply left them to pick up the pieces. I got the call, charged them a higher price (I simply could not match his low-ball fee), and got uniformly great feedback afterward. As a bonus, I expect significant additional work from this client. The truth is that the other performer may have indeed honestly and accidentally double-booked himself. Mistakes happen to everyone. But there is no excuse not to have gone to the client with a solution in hand, already having made arrangements to replace himself. There are literally dozens of performers in this area – at a range of skill and price points – and he should have at least reached out to a couple of them so that he would have options on the table when contacting the client about his error. The best possibility is that other performer made an honest mistake. On the other hand, he also may simply have ditched them for a “better” or more lucrative gig. I prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt, and I did so even when this client expressed their suspicion. But by leaving the client stressed, without easy options, and convinced that they had been ditched for a higher-paying opportunity, he spoiled any chance of working for them in the future. He also eliminated any possibility that he might get future “overflow” work from me because of the way he chose to handle the situation: leaving a client hanging rather than taking the initiative to attempt to replace himself. You and I will make mistakes, too. But how we handle those mistakes will be a good indicator of our integrity, our commitment to our clients, and to our own professional reputations. “Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of — for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again. The way to a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.” ― Socrates
Atlanta Magician Turner to Perform on 2015 K-LOVE Cruise
Atlanta Magician Turner to Perform on 2015 K-LOVE Cruise Happy New Year, everyone! 2015 is already shaping up to be an amazing adventure – let me give you a quick rundown of a few things coming up soon. It’s cold in Atlanta, but this morning I’m sitting at the airport headed south for a few days. First, I’ll be in Jacksonville to attend convention planning meetings and the mid-year board meeting for the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM). I’m currently serving as the International President-Elect, and I’ll become International President at the convention this July. Hundreds of magicians from around the world will come to learn, interact, and compete. If you’re a magician or a lover of the art, consider joining us in Jacksonville this summer! I’d be thrilled to have your support as I step into the top leadership role for what is sure to be an exciting year. Next up, I’ll head to Orlando for a couple of days to perform and lecture at the first IBM JAM to be held in the United States. These are one-day FREE events for members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The idea – a brainchild of my friend and current International President Shawn Farquhar – is to provide a day of magic entertainment and education as an added benefit of membership. Yes, these events are for members only – but it’s worth the year’s membership to attend the one-day event, much less get all the great benefits throughout the year. I’ll be performing and lecturing along with Shawn Farquhar and Oscar Munoz. After that, I’ll head to Miami to get on the beautiful MSC Divina to perform for the 2015 K-LOVE Cruise. This year’s cruise will feature music from contemporary Christian recording artists Mandisa, Casting Crowns, Colton Dixon, Building 429, Newsboys, and more. I’ll be providing piano/vocal music in the lounge and performing sleight-of-hand magic at various events throughout the cruise. We’ll be heading to Freeport, Nassau, Great Stirrup Cay, and then back to Miami. I’m really excited for this opportunity to share a somewhat different mix of my talents than I usually do! The rest of the year is going to be equally fun. I’ve got a public show coming up at the Dallas (GA) Theatre in February, followed by a mission trip to Hungary. Stay tuned for more updates along the way! As always, thank you for your constant support and encouragement!
