This study empirically examines how news media intervenes and influences performing arts publicity and marketing strategies amid a rapidly changing media environment shaped by digital transformation and technological innovation. Focusing on the percep...
This study empirically examines how news media intervenes and influences performing arts publicity and marketing strategies amid a rapidly changing media environment shaped by digital transformation and technological innovation. Focusing on the perceptions of artists active in the performing arts field and journalists at news agencies, this research analyzes differences in their understanding of publicity structures and patterns of interaction, aiming to explore how perceptual alignments and gaps are formed between the two groups.
While the performing arts field continues to operate on the basis of artistic creation and communal value, traditional media-centric publicity strategies are increasingly losing effectiveness in audience engagement. The proliferation of digital platforms and the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are bringing about structural changes in the overall landscape of performing arts publicity, prompting a fundamental reconsideration of existing strategies.
This study, grounded in such critical awareness, seeks to capture the realities of publicity practices in the field, compare and analyze perceptions between performing artists and journalists, and ultimately suggest strategic directions for future performing arts marketing. To that end, a mixed-method approach was adopted, combining quantitative surveys to identify structural trends and qualitative in-depth interviews to analyze the publicity environment and practitioners’ experiences in a more nuanced way.
Theoretical frameworks applied include agenda-setting theory, media framing theory, and audience-centered theory, enabling a multifaceted interpretation of how media coverage shapes the public perception of the performing arts.
The findings show that while both groups agree on the influence of news media in performing arts publicity, notable differences exist in their understanding of newsworthiness, accessibility to media coverage, and digital media competence. These differences are not merely perceptual mismatches but stem from structural factors such as differing professional environments and modes of media usage and production. Particularly, disparities in practical experience within digital publicity and media consumption styles were found to directly affect how publicity strategies are developed and implemented.
Based on this empirical analysis, the study proposes several actionable publicity strategies. First, rather than treating traditional media and digital platforms as opposites, a dual-track strategy that leverages both in parallel is suggested. Second, it emphasizes designing content tailored to each phase of a performance's lifecycle—from planning to post-performance—based on a comprehensive lifecycle approach. Third, it highlights the potential of hybrid strategies that incorporate generative AI tools into publicity practices to enhance both efficiency and scalability.
Furthermore, the study calls for the establishment of collaborative structures in which artists and journalists co-construct the narrative and value of performances, moving beyond a one-way model of information supply and media reporting. While AI may improve efficiency, it must also be carefully managed to avoid distorting the cultural and contextual significance of a performance.
Ultimately, this dissertation redefines performing arts publicity not merely as a tool for information dissemination but as a cultural communication strategy that constructs the identity of a performance and mediates the connection between artistic value and audiences. This perspective not only contributes to strengthening the overall publicity capabilities of the performing arts field but also provides a practical foundation for artists, journalists, and audiences to co-create and expand the meaning of performances through mutual interaction.