NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)- Once upon a time in New Orleans, whenever there was a big concert coming to town our telephone poles and building sides were covered with posters announcing and advertising the iconic shows.
The city of outlawed that practice years ago but House of Blues is keeping the tradition of the concert poster alive.
Mark Roberts, longtime Director of Marketing for House of Blues says, ,”Our brand speaks to history and to appreciation of the roots of popular music and we really feel like this is a tradition that’s been through all of the Elvis, and the blues, and James Brown. And all along the way you have these quintessential images that people never forget”
Of the over 2,000 concert posters that have been produced for shows in our city, blues legend Etta James has the most custom pieces with 6.
And while HOB employs an in-house artist, help in making the posters come for near and far. “We have poster artists from around the world who contribute. Cultivating a group of artists who you know are right for particular genres or artists, or can capture the essence for events. Generally when I see a confirmation of a concert, I immediately start think okay, who’s the right artist for this show,” says Roberts.
After 16 years, Mark Roberts is leaving House of Blues and moving on within the parent company, Live Nation.
