Queensland Symphony Orchestra names new Director of Sales and Marketing

In the midst of a standout season, and while still celebrating its recent naming as a ‘Queensland Great’ recently, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra has announced that Matthew Hodge will take up the position of Director of Sales and Marketing.

Passionate about guiding classical music and the arts into the future and growing audiences, Hodge joins the state orchestra from Sydney Symphony Orchestra where he was Marketing Manager - CRM and Database, specialising in customer relationship management (CRM) and the science of audience curation.

Prior to that, he was CRM Manager at Music Viva Australia.

In both roles Hodge enjoyed quantifiable success across subscription and single ticket sales, audience growth, research interpretation and strategy implementation and corporate sponsorship development.

He is also recognised as a national leader in the use of the leading arts ticketing and CRM system, Tessitura.

Hodge spent his formative years in Queensland, completing school and university in the State and experienced his first live classical music events in Brisbane.

Announcing the appointment, Queensland Symphony Orchestra Chief Executive David Pratt said the appointment was an important one in delivering on the future of the Orchestra.

Pratt explained “Queensland Symphony Orchestra is transforming into an orchestra for the 21st century – an orchestra that’s relevant, that connects with all people, across all geographies, cultures, backgrounds and ages, and an orchestra that the world wants to listen to.

“The position of Director of Sales and Marketing is pivotal to realising this vision.

“The way people access and digest information, make decisions, spend their time and are influenced has changed dramatically over the past 10 years, in fact it changes every moment. We need to work within this paradigm, we need to be an integral part of it so we can continue to connect with people - and this means people from the Concert Hall to the Queen Street Mall, from Kingaroy to Cairns and well beyond.”

“The appointment of Matthew as Director of Sales and Marketing is a strategic one. He brings considerable experience and expertise in true audience development, and importantly, he is passionate about orchestral music, regardless of genre. Breaking down stereotypes and building new market share is a key priority for us, and one he is extremely well versed in.”

Hodge said it was a huge privilege for him to return to a city and Orchestra that he remembers so fondly, adding “I’m very excited by the big vision for the future that is shared by the QSO, their Music Director Alondra de la Parra, and Chief Executive David Pratt, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“When I was a teenager, I fondly remember attending my first live classical music concerts at QPAC. Friends remember me often trying to round them up and bring them along to new musical experiences. But even I never suspected at the time that I would return to do that on a larger scale, as part of growing audiences for Queensland Symphony Orchestra.”

With internationally acclaimed Music Director Alondra de la Parra y holding the artistic baton, and Pratt wooed back from the United States to lead Queensland Symphony Orchestra into its next exciting era, the final piece is in place for Queensland Symphony Orchestra to truly be heard.

Hodge takes up his new role from Monday 10th July.

Image of Matthew Hodge courtesy of Sharpen | Creative Industries Consulting.

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