COHN DUTCHER ASSOCIATES

Our Team

Overview

Our Team

Internships with CDA

Lois Cohn | Dan Dutcher | Whitney Holden | Brittnee Walker | Lon Bouldin | David Mayhew

Lois Cohn and Dan Dutcher formed Cohn Dutcher Associates, a public relations company, in May 2005 (formerly Cohn Davis which opened in 2000). The firm has represented clients including the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Metropolitan Opera Guild, Live from Lincoln Center, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the National Symphony Orchestra, the renovation and re-opening of the Kaufman Center (Merkin Hall) in New York, The American Music Center, the Frank Gehry-designed Richard B. Fisher Performing Arts Center at Bard College, and JaffeHolden acousticians for the renovation and reopening of Alice Tully Hall.

She is currently working with the Ravinia Festival (celebrating the Lincoln Bi-Centennial and culminating in a full evening music-theater-dance piece by Bill T. Jones for his company), The Caramoor International Music Festival, composer Eric Salzman, JaffeHolden, among others.

Ms. Cohn served as Director of Marketing and Public Relations of the New York Philharmonic from 1991 until 2000. During her tenure, she was responsible for formulating and implementing strategic plans to position Kurt Masur as he entered his first season as Music Director. She also worked on publicizing the re-design of the stage of Avery Fisher Hall, Russell Johnson, acoustician.

For the orchestra's 150th Anniversary season, Ms. Cohn supervised special events and promotions throughout the city, including collaborations with stores such as Tiffany's and Chanel; exhibits at the Museum of Television and Radio; among others, and the 150th Anniversary Gala concert led by Pierre Boulez, Zubin Mehta and Kurt Masur. While at the Philharmonic, Ms. Cohn was responsible for the promotion of the orchestra on national and international tours, as well as the promotion of a series of special events and festivals, including: "Remembering Lenny" a week-long celebration of the works of Leonard Bernstein; "Completely Copland": a three-week showcase of Aaron Copland's work, honoring the 100th Anniversary of his birth; a two-week residency to celebrate Duke Ellington's 100th birthday with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and a celebration of Stephen Sondheim's 70th Birthday with a landmark concert production of Sweeney Todd.

Ms. Cohn served as Director of Public Affairs for Carnegie Hall from 1984 until 1991, during which time she created and supervised extensive promotions connected to the renovation and re-opening of the Hall in l986, as well as the opening of Weill Recital Hall. She planned and implemented all special events, marketing and public relations campaigns for the Centennial Celebration during the 1990-1991 season.

From 1980 until 1984, Ms. Cohn was Director of Public Relations and Marketing of the 92nd Street Y, where she was responsible for the marketing and public relations for all the Y's activities.

Dan Dutcher opened Cohn Dutcher Associates with Lois Cohn in 2005. He previously worked at Cohn Davis Associates with such clients as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Susan Graham, Metropolitan Opera Guild, Caramoor Festival, New York Festival of Song, Eos Orchestra, Neil Shicoff, in La Juive at the Metropolitan Opera, Collegiate Chorale, Merce Cunningham Dance Foundation, Classical Action, You're Sensational, Cole Porter (Historical Recording Set), Endpapers (Off Broadway), "Live From Lincoln Center," Mummenschanz, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and The York Theater Company and their production of The Musical of Musicals, The Musical.

He is currently working with The Collegiate Chorale, The New York Pops, The Caramoor Festival, The Opera Orchestra of New York, Director John Pascoe, soprano Emma Kirkby, Camp Broadway among others.

Formerly, Mr. Dutcher was the assistant to the Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Events of Macy's, where he was responsible for assisting in the coordination of seasonal events such as Pet-a-cular, Macy's Flower Show, Fireworks, Tap-O-Mania and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He also worked as an Assistant Coordinator for the The Annual Boston Common Tree lighting, telecasts of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks and Christmas Holiday shows. He also served as a coordinator for The League of American Theaters and Producers and worked on projects such as "Stars in the Alley" and "Broadway on Broadway."

Mr. Dutcher began his career as a performer: first in opera and later in musical theater where he appeared in a number of leading roles, including A Chorus Line 5000 at the Shubert Theater in New York.

Whitney Holden joined Cohn Dutcher in May 2008. In addition to studying international marketing in Europe and serving as a committee member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Ms. Holden worked in restaurant publicity before joining the CDA team.

At Cohn Dutcher, Ms. Holden has worked with many diverse clients on a variety of campaigns, including: the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra; The Collegiate Chorale; the world premiere of Tony-winning choreographer Bill T. Jones' Fondly Do We HopeŠFervently Do We Pray; JaffeHolden's acoustic renovation and reopening of Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center; and famed soprano Dame Emma Kirkby's U.S. concert tour; among many others.

As a senior publicist at the firm, she currently handles publicity for The New York Pops, Ravinia Festival, New York Choral Society, the Opera Orchestra of New York, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Eastman School of Music, conductor Anne Manson, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Center for Contemporary Opera.  Ms. Holden also serves as a specialist in publicity for all client galas and benefits.

As a musician, Whitney Holden has a special interest in piano and choral music due to an extensive background in both areas.  A graduate of Miami University (OH), she holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Strategic Communications with a minor in Marketing.

Brittnee Walker joined the Cohn Dutcher team in January 2010. A recent graduate of the University of Maryland, where she earned a degree in Social and Behavioral Science, Ms. Walker is enthusiastic about the notion of applying her studies to Public Relations practice. Previous work experience includes web editorial and gala planning for nonprofit charitable organizations.

At Cohn Dutcher, Ms. Walker works on media campaigns for Dixon Place, Center for Contemporary Opera and Caramoor International Music Festival, in addition to assisting with gala publicity for The New York Pops and New York Choral Society.

Lon Bouldin has more than a decade of experience in public relations, event publicity, promotions, public affairs, special events, and branding with leading profit and not-for-profit organizations.  Mr. Bouldin has a proven track record of securing coverage in national and local media outlets including print, television, radio and the Internet. Clients have included New York and national performing arts and cultural institutions, orchestras, conductors, television production companies, visual artists, travel enthusiasts, theater productions, and academic institutions, among others.

He began his career working in press and constituent relations in politics and government. He previously served as the Public Relations Manager at The Nashville Symphony executing numerous promotional campaigns resulting in a higher national profile for the Orchestra. At Cohn Davis Associates Mr. Bouldin worked on clients ranging from Live From Lincoln Center to The Eos Orchestra's tours and recordings to The Makor Cultural Center.

David Mayhew is an arts marketing and public relations professional with more than 25 years of experience in both the not-for-profit and commercial sectors. His areas of expertise include planning, development and execution of marketing campaigns, results analysis, advertising and direct mail, marketing to diverse audiences, and publicity strategies.

Mr. Mayhew joined Long Wharf Theatre, one of the country's most prestigious regional theaters, in 1986 as Director of Communications. Prior to establishing his arts consulting practice in 2000, Mr. Mayhew also served as Director of Marketing for Paper Mill Playhouse/The State Theatre of New Jersey and Deputy Director of The Newark Museum, a new position established to develop the acclaimed art museum's first pro-active marketing initiatives.

As a consultant, Mr. Mayhew has worked extensively with major arts and arts-related organizations on audience development, staff development and management, redefining marketing approaches, and development of collateral materials. Clients have included The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College (SUNY-Purchase), The Community Theatre in Morristown, NJ, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; the biennial Dodge Poetry Festival, Westport Country Playhouse, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas in New Haven, CT; TheatreworksUSA and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Before joining the not-for-profit arts community, He represented Broadway and off-Broadway shows, nightclubs, and restaurants. He was press agent for the long-running plays Torch Song Trilogy and The Foreigner, and the national tour of Sugar Babies with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller.