Poppens Named VP of Marketing and Sales
New Head of Marketing Department and Ticket Office Brings Years of Nonprofit Arts Marketing Experience
Longtime performing arts center marketer Lex Poppens has joined the executive team at Overture Center for the Arts as Vice President of Marketing and Sales, the downtown Madison arts center announced today.
Poppens’ career in arts marketing management began in 1984 at Florida State University’s Artist Series at Ruby Diamond Auditorium. In 1996, Poppens became the Director of Marketing and Communications at Ruth Eckerd Hall/PACT in Clearwater, Florida, where he generated more than $82 million in revenue between 1996 and 2007 and was ranked consistently in Pollstar’s top 10 facilities for sales.
He has also worked as Interim Director of Marketing for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Vice President of Marketing for The Omaha Symphony; Director of Marketing at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, California; and Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“I am very excited to be joining the staff of Overture Center,” said Poppens. “It is one of the most beautiful facilities with which I’ve ever been affiliated. The broad mix of touring and resident programming provide an enormous array of arts experiences for all ages. All of these elements combined really make it one of Wisconsin’s crown jewels.”
“Lex’s skills and experience are exactly what Overture Center needs,” said Overture Center CEO Ted DeDee. “Marketing of the arts, and nonprofit arts in particular, is a very specific and specialized skill. Lex has been in the trenches, and has produced real results. I’ve been in the performing arts business for my whole life, and I know a great arts marketer when I see one. I couldn’t be more excited for Lex to join the executive team.”
Poppens’ tenure at Overture Center began November 2, 2015.
