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- HOLIDAY ON ICE, EVERYONE HAS HEARD OF IT AND … IT'S NOT FINISHED!
- LEGENDARY HISTORY
During Christmas vacation on December 25, 1943 in the city of Toledo, Ohio, Carl Snyder and Donn Arden presented an ice show for the very first time. That is how it got the name "HOLIDAY" ... Bought two years later by the Gilbert brothers with the help of Morris Schalfen, the system for a skating rink that could be taken down and put up again made Holiday on Ice the first traveling ice show.
It was a big success.
The show traveled to Mexico in 1947, to Europe in 1950, and to Japan in 1953. The Russians even acclaimed the American show in the midst of the Cold War. In 1960, the show went to the African continent.
Morris Chalfen passed the torch to Skee Godart, a former skater, in 1973. The company moved headquarters to Amersterdam in 1980.
In 1996, the leader for European television production, ENDEMOL, took control of HOLIDAY ON ICE.
VALUE AND POTENTIAL
ENDEMOL was created in 1994 by Holland's Joop van den Ende, founder of reality TV. Two years later, when he decided to buy HOLIDAY ON ICE, he acted as a professional in show business and in entertaining television production.
At that time, skating benefited from remarkable numbers of audience following the two Olympic seasons, Albertville 92 and Lillehammer 94. Skaters became public idols, such as Philippe Candéloro, bronze medal in 94, who repeated his feat in 98 in Nagano.
Unending efforts of HOLIDAY ON ICE were also rewarded. In 1988, the Guiness Book of Records crowned the show as the most seen show in the world. In 1994, more than one thousand professional skaters around the world celebrated HOLIDAY ON ICE'S 50th anniversary. They formed the longest "kick line" that as ever done in the world; making another record that was immediately entered into the Guiness Book.
In 1999, Joop van den Ende created the STAGE HOLDING ENTERTAINMENT Company to better manage the show. The company also has managed other famous successes, such as "Cats" or "Les Misérables". The same company also acquired the famous Parisian theater, the Mogador.
HOLIDAY ON ICE is now managed by Ruud Steehuisen.
These figures speak for themselves in describing HOLIDAY ON ICE'S phenomenal ascent:
More than 75,000 shows produced since 1943
11 million sparkles, 300,000 costumes
620 cities visited in 80 countries
4.5 million spectators every year
200 skaters in 4 troops in the world
An investment of 4 million Euros per production
In 2003, HOLIDAY ON ICE celebrated its 300 millionth spectators.
In France, HOLIDAY ON ICE represents 125 million Euros of turnover. In 2004 and 2005, audiences reached 480,000 spectators; the objective is to reach 600,000.
A NEW PROFILE
The company remains faithful to the way in which it creates its shows. Every show is created and performed in a country before it is sent to other troops.
Since six years, production has developed a new form combined song. In France, Patris, Lorie and Lio were in the show. Each country adapts to the formula. Ruud Steenhuisen even had the idea to ask Paul McCartney to write music.
Costumes have also been updated: there is less glitter, fantasy and reality cross paths. Sports have been developed with the addition of in-line skaters and current acrobatics.
The public is more and more loyal. Currently, 50% of the public has already seen the show at least once. 30 year olds and over make up 80% of the audience. In order to attract teen-agers, HOLIDAY ON ICE has started a contest in Germany, France and England. Glamour is the theme; with the election of " Romeo" on ice. Theme: "Juliette is looking for Romeo". In July 2005, 210 candidates were selected.
Children represent 12% of the current audience. The company created a targeted show just for them: PETER PAN ON ICE.
NEW COMMUNICATION PLAN
The company has an ambitious communication plan with an overall budget of 6 million Euros, divided up as follows: Television 34% / Signs 22% / Press 19% / Radio 17% / Media Relations 8%. The marketing plan has also been reworked. Note that the amount received at the Opening Performance is given to charity …
There is no doubt that today, HOLIDAY ON ICE has evolved in a way that is adapted to its product. Its managers have effectively taken into account the "70's revival" movement for its image. In harmony with television's evolution, Holiday looks to the future for its ice shows. - Read more