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Case | HBS Case Collection | January 2018 (Revised July 2019)

Big Apple Circus: Time to Fold the Tent?

by David G. Fubini and Matthew Wiger

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Abstract

By 2016, the Big Apple Circus has weathered many storms in its 38 seasons as one of the most well-known New York City nonprofits. Will Weiss, the executive director, has witnessed his share of chaos during four years at Big Apple. After a slight resurgence following the precipitous drop in ticket sales during the financial crisis, the operating health and finances of the Circus are growing more tenuous each year. Big Apple Circus is on the brink and Will Weiss must determine if there is a way forward.

Keywords: turnarounds; bankruptcy; "live entertainment; art; Crisis Management; Financial Crisis; Organizational Culture; Entertainment; Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Decision Choices and Conditions;

Language: English Format: Print 14 pages EducatorsPurchase

Citation:

Fubini, David G., and Matthew Wiger. "Big Apple Circus: Time to Fold the Tent?" Harvard Business School Case 418-050, January 2018. (Revised July 2019.)

Related Work

  1. Case | HBS Case Collection | January 2018 (Revised July 2019)

    Big Apple Circus: Time to Fold the Tent?

    David G. Fubini and Matthew Wiger

    By 2016, the Big Apple Circus has weathered many storms in its 38 seasons as one of the most well-known New York City nonprofits. Will Weiss, the executive director, has witnessed his share of chaos during four years at Big Apple. After a slight resurgence following the precipitous drop in ticket sales during the financial crisis, the operating health and finances of the Circus are growing more tenuous each year. Big Apple Circus is on the brink and Will Weiss must determine if there is a way forward.

    Keywords: turnarounds; bankruptcy; "live entertainment; art; Crisis Management; Financial Crisis; Organizational Culture; Entertainment; Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Decision Choices and Conditions;

    Citation:

    Fubini, David G., and Matthew Wiger. "Big Apple Circus: Time to Fold the Tent?" Harvard Business School Case 418-050, January 2018. (Revised July 2019.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase Related

About the Author

Photo
David G. Fubini
Senior Lecturer of Business Administration
Organizational Behavior

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  • Case | HBS Case Collection | November 2019

    Malcolm Turner at Vanderbilt

    David G. Fubini and James Barnett

    Malcolm Turner becomes the new athletic director at Vanderbilt University, tasked with increasing athletics-related revenue and improving on-field performance, while maintaining Vanderbilt’s academic rigor for student-athletes.

    Keywords: Managerial Roles; Sports; Revenue; Performance Improvement; Performance Expectations;

    Citation:

    Fubini, David G., and James Barnett. "Malcolm Turner at Vanderbilt." Harvard Business School Case 420-024, November 2019.  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase Related
  • Module Note | July 2019

    Post-Merger Integration Action Planning

    David G. Fubini

    Citation:

    Fubini, David G. "Post-Merger Integration Action Planning." Harvard Business School Module Note 420-011, July 2019.  View Details
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  • Case | HBS Case Collection | July 2019

    Backstage at Boston Ballet

    David G. Fubini, Begum Agca Okutgen and Julia Kelley

    At the beginning of her second year with Boston Ballet, Executive Director Meredith "Max" Hodges got some bad news—a developer had purchased one of Boston Ballet's school locations and was planning to terminate Boston Ballet's lease. Hodges had already overseen a number of improvements during her first year with Boston Ballet and had several major projects planned for her second year, including a major website overhaul and a revamped performance schedule. However, without a new school location, Boston Ballet's revenue would take a hit. Given Boston Ballet's limited resources and the urgency of the terminated school lease, how should Hodges reprioritize her plans for the upcoming year?

    Keywords: Arts; Buildings and Facilities; Decision Making; Theater Entertainment; Leadership; Business or Company Management; Mission and Purpose; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Strategic Planning; Problems and Challenges; Nonprofit Organizations; Strategy; Marketing; Price; Fine Arts Industry; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Education Industry; United States; North America; Massachusetts; Boston; New England; Northeastern United States;

    Citation:

    Fubini, David G., Begum Agca Okutgen, and Julia Kelley. "Backstage at Boston Ballet." Harvard Business School Case 420-005, July 2019.  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducators Related
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