Porto to leave post as Gammage marketing and communications director


ASU Gammage announces that Michael Porto will leave his post as director of marketing and communications to become executive vice president of Type A Marketing in New York City. Victor Hamburger, director of marketing for Wharton Center for the Performing Arts at Michigan State University will assume the role in November, previously held by Porto.

Porto will work closely with Anne Rippey, President of Type A on the marketing of its slate of Broadway and National Touring productions.

Porto’s work over the past six years has been a factor in ASU Gammage becoming one of the top Broadway touring markets in North America. ASU Gammage’s mission of “Connecting Communities” informs the innovative promotional, interactive and grassroots marketing strategies that have yielded record sales and media exposure for the ten Broadway productions annually.

Hamburger comes to ASU Gammage with more than 11 years experience at Wharton Center, rising from student graphic designer to director of marketing. He currently manages marketing, subscriptions, advertising and interactive media for Wharton which presents more than 180 productions annually, including Touring Broadway.

“Michael has been a tremendous asset to ASU Gammage and we know he will excel at Type A and continue to be a leader in the Broadway industry,” stated Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, ASU Gammage Executive Director. “We are delighted to bring Victor on board to replace Michael in this key marketing role. He is a known player in the industry and his consistent marketing leadership will help us remain one of the Road’s top-producing touring markets,” she added.

Porto and Hamburger are both active in The Broadway League and serve as Co-Chairs of the Road Marketing Committee.

“Michael has been instrumental in shaping the marketing of Broadway on a national level, with his strategic, innovative and sophisticated campaigns.  That success has made him a bona fide industry leader.  It is a privilege to have him on board.  He will be an asset not only for Type A Marketing, but for the entire Broadway community,” says Anne Rippey, President of Type A.

Located on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University, ASU Gammage is among the largest university-based presenters of performing arts in the world.  ASU Gammage is the home theater of the PROGRESSIVE® Broadway Across America – Arizona and Beyond series.  Its mission is connecting communities by providing artistic excellence and educational outreach to the public.  ASU Gammage is an historic hall designed by internationally-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Type A Marketing is an independent entertainment marketing company that specializes in Broadway and National Touring productions. Marketing Direction services include strategic partnerships, inventory management, group sales management, media and non-media trade, grassroots campaigns and oversight of advertising and publicity campaigns. Current and upcoming Broadway productions include American Idiot, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, La Bête, Million Dollar Quartet, Promises, Promises, The Addams Family, The Phantom of the Opera and Yank. Current and upcoming National Tours include A Chorus Line, Dreamgirls, The Phantom Of The Opera and The Addams Family.