Postcard Distribution Network

Theatre Bay Area's Postcard Distribution Network: How It Works

The Theatre Bay Area Postcard Distribution Network ("PDN" for short) is a network of designated locations around the Bay Area at which theatre companies (or really, just anyone producing a show) can have their postcards displayed. Most of these locations are other theatres, but we also have bookstores, coffee shops and BART stations thrown into the mix.

The PDN offers 3 monthly postcard distribution routes (San Francisco, East Bay and South Bay) and 1 special distribution location (TIX Union Square). This is a great and cheap way to get your postcards out to over 50 established central locations throughout the Bay Area, and from there into the hands of eager theatregoers all over!

Current rates, discounts, drop-off locations, display locations and deadlines are described below.
For a list of FAQs about the Postcard Distribution Network, click HERE.
For more information, please contact Kendra Oberhauser at (415) 430-1140 x18 or kendra@theatrebayarea.org.


New PDN Special Distribution Location Added (as of August 1, 2012): TIX UNION SQUARE
We are creating a new special distribution location: the TIX Booth in Union Square. To place cards at this location, member companies pay $10/month ($20/month non-members) and provide 2 bundles of 25 cards each, which will be displayed in an outdoor rack in the heart of Union Square. 

The TIX Union Square booth is currently undergoing a major rebranding, including the incorporation of full tourist services like information, maps, restaurant reservations, full-price and discounted sales to many arts and culture events in the Bay Area, and more!  Union Square, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, has hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, many of whom are tourists seeking out something fun to do this weekend or tonight. Take advantage of our TIX Union Square location starting in August and every month after that!

New PDN Rates (as of August 1, 2012):
There are 3 distribution routes: San Francisco, East Bay and South Bay.
The rate for any 1 route is $45/month for member companies, or $65/month for non-members.
After purchasing 1 route, additional routes are $35/month for members, or $65/month for non-members (i.e., there is no discount on additional routes for non-member companies).
There is 1 special distribution location: TIX Union Square. The rate for this location is $10/month for member companies, $20/month for non-members.

NOTE: "Member" rates are for company/organizational members only.
Individual members may either upgrade to an organizational membership or pay the non-member rate.

Discounts for 2-route and 3-route combos!
Member companies can choose to distribute to San Francisco for $45 and add on second and third route for $35 each. That means that doing two routes would be a combined cost of $80, a savings of $10 for the combo, or a $50 savings compared to non-members, and doing three routes would be a combined cost of $115, a $20 savings on the combo and an $80 savings compared to non-members. To take part, companies must provide postcard batches for all routes at the Theatre Bay Area office in San Francisco on the first Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of the month. At this time, only companies taking part in two or three routes may drop off postcards for areas other than San Francisco at the Theatre Bay Area offices. This offer is only available to company and organizational members; it is not available for individual members.

Discounts for Pre-Paid Orders of 4 Months or More!
Do you plan to use our Postcard Distribution Network 4 or more times this fiscal year?
We now offer a 15% discount on prepaid 4-month packages!
Email Kendra Oberhauser at kendra@theatrebayarea.org to sign up or for more information.
(Note: pre-paid months are non-refundable, but can be exchanged between months in the same fiscal year.)

NEW! Discount Pricing for Companies Serving as Display Locations!
Companies that serve as display locations for the Postcard Distribution Network (i.e. our postcards are on display in their lobby) may now take advantage of the PDN services at a 25% discount! 
Interested in being a display location? Please contact kendra@theatrebayarea.org for more information. (Please note: the 25% discount cannot be combined with the 4-month pre-paid discount above; display locations will get a maximum of 25% off.)

Discounts on Custom Multi-Platform Advertising Packages!
Discounted custom advertising packages are available! If you are interested in creating a campaign using two or more of our marketing opportunities (PDN, The Update, dedicated e-mail blasts, and/or print ads in Theatre Bay Area magazine), please call or email Alan Kline at (415) 430-1140 x15 or alan@theatrebayarea.org.

PDN DISTRIBUTION ROUTES: Display Locations and Postcard Drop-off Information

San Francisco Distribution Route

Companies may drop off 18 bundles of 25 postcards each for San Francisco distribution on the first Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of each month at the Theatre Bay Area offices, 1663 Mission Street, Suite 525 in San Francisco. Postcards are distributed to San Francisco locations listed below starting the first Thursday of each month. The fee for this route is $45 for members, $65 for non-members.

2012 drop-off dates for San Francisco:
Dec 3, 4, 5

2013 drop-off dates for San Francisco:
Jan 7, 8, 9
Feb 4, 5, 6
Mar 5, 6, 7
Apr 1, 2, 3
May 6, 7, 8
Jun 3, 4, 5
Jul 1, 2, 3
Aug 5, 6, 7
Sep 3, 4, 5 (Office is closed Sep 2 for Labor Day holiday)
Oct 7, 8, 9
Nov 4, 5, 6
Dec 2, 3, 4

Postcards are distributed to the following locations:
American Conservatory Theater
BATS Improv
Boxcar Playhouse
Cowell Theater/ Fort Mason Center
Embarcadero BART Station
Exit Theatre
Ferry Building Kiosk
Magic Theatre
The Marsh
The Mojo Theatre
The New Conservatory Theatre Center
Tri/Next Stage
ODC Dance
Phoenix Arts Association Theatre
San Francisco State University
Theatre Bay Area Offices
Theatre of Yugen
University of San Francisco


East Bay Distribution Route

Companies may drop off 17 bundles of 25 postcards each for East Bay distribution on the second Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of each month at Cal Shakes main offices, 701 Heinz Ave in Berkeley. NOTE: this is a new location. Do NOT drop your cards off at Berkeley Rep. If taking advantage of our 2- or 3-route combo offer, postcards must instead be dropped at the Theatre Bay Area offices when you drop your San Francisco bundles in the first week of the month. Either way, postcards are distributed in the East Bay starting the second Thursday of each month. The fee is $45 for members ($80 for the 2-route combo, $115 for the 3-route combo), $65 each route for non-members.

2012 drop-off dates for the East Bay:
Dec 10, 11, 12

2013 drop-off dates for the East Bay:
Jan 14, 15, 16
Feb 11, 12, 13
Mar 11, 12, 13
Apr 8, 9, 10
May 13, 14, 15
Jun 10, 11, 12
Jul 8, 9, 10
Aug 12, 13, 14
Sep 9, 10, 11
Oct 15, 16, 17 (Oct 14 is the Columbus Day holiday)
Nov 12, 13, 14 (Nov 11 is the Veterans' Day holiday)
Dec 9, 10, 11

Postcards are distributed to the following locations:
Alameda Civic Light Opera, Alameda
Altarena Playhouse, Alameda
Aurora Theatre Company, Berkeley
Berkeley Public Library, Berkeley
Berkeley Espresso, Berkeley
Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Berkeley
California State University, East Bay, Hayward
Diablo Theatre Company, Pleasant Hill
Douglas Morrisson Theatre, Hayward
Impact Theatre/La Val's Subterranean, Berkeley
Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, Berkeley
Masquers Playhouse, Point Richmond
PlayGround PlaySpace, Berkeley
San Ramon Front Row Theatre, City of San Ramon
Shotgun Players/Ashby Stage, Berkeley
Town Hall Theatre Company, Lafayette
Urban Blend, Oakland

South Bay Distribution Route

Companies may drop off 16 bundles of 25 postcards each for South Bay distribution on the third Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of each month at the TheatreWorks Office, Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, 350 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 127, Redwood City, CA 94065.
If taking advantage of our 2- or 3-route combo offer, postcards must instead be dropped at the Theatre Bay Area offices in SF when you drop your San Francisco bundles in the first week of the month.
Either way, postcards are distributed in the South Bay starting the third Thursday of each month. The fee is $45 for members ($80 for the 2-route combo, $115 for the 3-route combo), $65 each route for non-members.

2012 drop-off dates for the South Bay:
Dec 17, 18, 19

2013 drop-off dates for the South Bay:
Jan 22, 23, 24 (Office is closed Jan 21 for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday)
Feb 19, 20, 21 (Office is closed Feb 18 for the Presidents' Day holiday)
Mar 18, 19, 20
Apr 15, 16, 17
May 20, 21, 22
Jun 17, 18, 19
Jul 15, 16, 17
Aug 19, 20, 21
Sep 16, 17, 18
Oct 21, 22, 23
Nov 18, 19, 20
Dec 16, 17, 18

Postcards are distributed to the following locations:
Bus Barn Stage Company, Los Altos
City Lights Theatre Company, San Jose
Coastal Repertory Theater, Half Moon Bay
Dragon Productions Theatre Company, Palo Alto
Foothill College, Los Altos
Hillbarn Theatre, Foster City
Northside Theatre Company, San Jose
Pear Avenue Theatre, Mountain View
Peninsula Ballet Theatre, San Mateo
The Retro Dome, Campbell
San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau, San Jose
San Jose Repertory Theatre, San Jose
San Jose Stage Company, San Jose
Sunnyvale Community Center
Tabard Theatre/Theatre on San Pedro Square, San Jose
TheatreWorks, Menlo Park

 

 

For a list of FAQs about the Postcard Distribution Network, click HERE.
For more information, please contact Kendra Oberhauser at (415) 430-1140 x18 or kendra@theatrebayarea.org.