Bringing Derek Jarman to Aotearoa
Auckland’s Gus Fisher Gallery appointed Common Ground PR to support its landmark exhibition Derek Jarman: Delphinium Days - the first of its kind in Aotearoa dedicated to the influential British artist, filmmaker and activist.
The primary goal of the campaign was to drive public awareness and attendance for the exhibition, while positioning Gus Fisher Gallery as a leading voice in New Zealand’s contemporary art scene.
We aimed to secure compelling media coverage that not only alerted audiences ahead of opening weekend but also maintained momentum throughout the exhibition’s run. Key to our strategy was highlighting the exhibition’s significance - including Jarman’s enduring global impact and the show’s groundbreaking nature - and spotlighting the inspired vision of the show’s curators and Gus Fisher Gallery.
Results: Building National Visibility
We led a strategic press office with the goal of delivering strong national coverage across mainstream, arts and lifestyle media.
High-visibility features coincided with opening weekend and opening night was buzzing, with Gus Fisher Gallery hosting its biggest-ever turnout. The results in numbers:
34+ earned media pieces across print, digital and broadcast outlets
$354,000+ in earned media value & 1.57M+ opportunity-to-see (OTS) across all coverage
Coverage highlights included in-depth spreads and reviews in NZ Herald’s Canvas Magazine, The Listener, Metro, RNZ, Ensemble, Sunday, BFM, Ocula and Art Monthly Australasia.
With this campaign, Common Ground PR not only exceeded expectations for reach and engagement but also helped to reinforce Gus Fisher Gallery’s reputation for curatorial ambition and cultural leadership in Aotearoa.
