Opera participants' perceptions of brand resonance

Brand resonance is a marketing concept under‐explored in the performing arts context. This paper responds by analysing focus group findings from a large Opera group, "Big Opera[¹]” (For research integrity and anonymity requirements of focus group research, the company pseudonym is Big Opera) on how decision‐makers can enhance brand resonance. Opera patronage was dwindling before the COVID‐19 pandemic, which was further crystallized during the pandemic. As the performing arts sector tries to revive, it is useful to understand how brand resonance concepts can be used to reinvigorate patronage at the opera. A qualitative study of four opera focus groups, which included 24 participants with varying levels of attendance was conducted to examine brand resonance. The study reveals that when customers have brand attachment and love, developed through intense experiences at the opera, facilitated by engagement with the brand, and community, then brand loyalty develops for the opera by intention to re‐purchase. The paper contributes to the literature by making recommendations on how to enhance brand resonance thereby increasing attendance. Intense experiences at the opera and engagement can be enhanced by offering packaged deals, such as accommodation and dinner, or drinks and canapés packages, backstage access, the development of a social club, social media brand community and loyalty programs to increase brand loyalty.

Emergency department presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Queensland (to June 2021): interrupted time series analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess emergency department (ED) presentation numbers in Queensland during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to mid-2021, a period of relatively low COVID-19 case numbers. DESIGN: Interrupted time series analysis. SETTING: All 105 Queensland public hospital EDs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Numbers of ED presentations during the COVID-19 lockdown period (11 March 2020 - 30 June 2020) and the period of easing restrictions (1 July 2020 - 30 June 2021), compared with pre-pandemic period (1 January 2018 - 10 March 2020), overall (daily numbers) and by Australasian Triage Scale (ATS; daily numbers) and selected diagnostic categories (cardiac, respiratory, mental health, injury-related conditions) and conditions (stroke, sepsis) (weekly numbers). RESULTS: During the lockdown period, the mean number of ED presentations was 19.4% lower (95% confidence interval, -20.9% to -17.9%) than during the pre-pandemic period (predicted mean number: 5935; actual number: 4786 presentations). The magnitudes of the decline and the time to return to predicted levels varied by ATS category and diagnostic group; changes in presentation numbers were least marked for ATS 1 and 2 (most urgent) presentations, and for presentations with cardiac conditions or stroke. Numbers remained below predicted levels during the 12-month post-lockdown period for ATS 5 (least urgent) presentations and presentations with mental health problems, respiratory conditions, or sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic and related public restrictions were associated with profound changes in health care use. Pandemic plans should include advice about continuing to seek care for serious health conditions and health emergencies, and support alternative sources of care for less urgent health care needs.

Climate Beacons: Creative Collaboration and Public Engagement

Global climate change is accelerating, and its impacts are already widely felt, particularly by the most vulnerable. How can we urgently engage with communities to promote understanding and connection so that we can confront the climate crisis together? Climate Beacons for COP26 connects the arts, heritage, and culture sectors with environmental and climate change organizations to inspire deep-rooted public engagement with climate change in Scotland. The Conference of the Parties, or COP, is the world's most significant annual summit on climate change. The 26th edition was hosted in November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. The Climate Beacons project uses creative, arts-based methods embedded within a local context to promote awareness, passion, and action on climate change before, during, and after the COP26 summit.