A showstopping bus ad for the Harriman-Jewell Series on KCATA

Presenting the arts since 1965

The Harriman-Jewell Series, located in Liberty, Missouri, was established in 1965 to bring the performing arts to Kansas City. It describes itself as Kansas City’s premier performing arts presenter. In 2023 it is in its 59th season, and the year before it celebrated its 1,000th performance.

A milestone like that reflects decades of community support. Keeping that support strong takes consistent visibility.

Since 2004, the series has offered free Discovery Concerts, made possible by generous donors. More than 55,000 people have attended to date, and Ingle says the concerts draw many young children and young families.

These concerts show how the series works as part of the community and not only as a presenter of evening performances. Advertising that reaches families and neighbors supports that mission.

The 40-foot full wrap is the third bus the series has created with KCATA and Adsposure. Coming back to a format is a clear signal that it fits the organization’s goals.

Repetition also builds recognition. A brand that appears on the road across several campaigns becomes part of the city’s familiar scenery.

A design led by the series

Tracy Ingle, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, mocks up each design in house. Adsposure’s design team then adds the final touches, adjusting the artwork for the shape of the bus, the windows and the technical needs of production.

The Harriman-Jewell logo appears on every side, with images of the season’s artists surrounded by bright colors, and each season’s theme is incorporated into the design. An advertiser knows its brand best, and Adsposure knows what works on a bus.

Why a full wrap for the arts

A full wrap covers the whole vehicle, including the windows, which use perforated vinyl so riders can see out while the ad is visible from the street. For a performing arts organization, it works like a moving poster.

The format is also visually rich. Imagery, color and typography can carry the feel of a performance, which suits an organization that sells an experience.

Ingle says that when she saw the bus drive by The Folly during a performance, the crowd got excited. For an organization built around live performance, seeing its brand pass a theater full of people is a fitting moment.

Moments like these show how transit ties a brand to the places where people gather.

Ingle says that when she first learned the whole bus could be wrapped, she was excited, because the main goal was name recognition. That is a sound objective for a performing arts presenter, where the decision to buy tickets often depends on whether people recognize and trust the name.

Transit advertising does this work through repetition. The more often people see a name on the street, the more familiar it feels.

Ingle says the bus is one of her favorite projects. It has prompted people to attend performances, and people send her photos of it.

A bus that people photograph and share is one they recognize as part of their own city.

KCATA and Adsposure in Kansas City

KCATA is the transit authority serving the Kansas City region, and Adsposure is its transit advertising partner.

Part of the advertising dollars spent with Adsposure goes back to the transit authority and the community. Ingle says she was unaware of this, and she finds it meaningful.

Arts, education and community organizations often need to reach a broad audience with a clear message. Transit advertising reaches the whole city at once and suits a message meant for everyone.

It is also a visible expression of community involvement, which fits the mission of a nonprofit.

Formats that fit the arts

Besides full wraps, Adsposure offers King, Queen and Kong side panels, Supertail rear ads and shelters near venues and neighborhoods. Inside the bus, Interior Cards and ceiling placements reach riders with details on the season, ticket information or a website.

Availability varies by market and by what is currently open, and Adsposure confirms the options before planning.

Performing arts organizations have a natural calendar: season announcements, ticket sales and special events. Each season at Harriman-Jewell has its own theme, and the bus carries it. Transit campaigns work best when they are timed to those moments.

Adsposure plans format, timing and city, and buses are assigned daily so routes change. We develop the best campaign plan before the creative begins.

Adsposure, The Transit Advertising People

Adsposure is The Transit Advertising People. Our focus is transit and only transit, so we bring specialist knowledge of KCATA and of the formats that work for arts and community organizations, and a personalized team for every market we serve.

“Our main goal with using the bus is to get name recognition.”

Tracy Ingle, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Harriman-Jewell Series

Want your organization on the road in Kansas City? Talk to Adsposure, The Transit Advertising People, about advertising on KCATA.