Behind the Scenes at Hyde Park Picture House

Insight into the Role of Digital Marketing Coordinator

Martha Boyd, Digital Marketing Coordinator at Hyde Park Picture House (HPPH), shared details about her daily responsibilities and experiences working at the historic Leeds cinema. Her role involves managing the cinema’s digital presence, including website maintenance, social media, email newsletters, and promoting events and screenings.

Boyd begins her day by ensuring the website is functioning correctly and checking social media for any urgent messages. She spends much of her time creating content that highlights the cinema’s Grade II listed building, its staff and volunteers, and the diverse programme of films and events. Collaboration is also a key part of her work, as she engages with guest speakers, partners, suppliers, and artists to contribute to the cinema’s digital platforms.

Community Engagement and Promotion

Boyd emphasises the community aspect of HPPH, striving to include a variety of voices in the cinema’s journal and social media. She encourages staff and volunteers to participate in content creation, such as writing about film recommendations during themed events like Bleak Week: Cinema of Despair.

Additionally, Boyd monitors audience feedback and analytics, including ticket sales and social media engagement, to tailor the cinema’s offerings and promotions. Regular meetings with colleagues help coordinate marketing efforts for upcoming films and seasons.

Highlights and Personal Connections

Reflecting on her time at Leeds Heritage Theatres, Boyd highlighted a poetry competition held for National Poetry Day and the cinema’s 110th birthday. The competition invited submissions inspired by HPPH, with winning poems read aloud and screened before films. This initiative was particularly meaningful, showcasing the cinema’s impact on the community.

Boyd also shared a favourite story about Dot and Colin Talbot, a couple who met in the queue at HPPH, married in 1949, and have a plaque commemorating their story on one of the cinema seats.

Favourite Films and Activities

• Boyd’s top films include The Shop Around the Corner, My Neighbour Totoro, Harvey, and Sorry, Baby.
• She recommends the documentary The Babushkas of Chernobyl, which tells the story of elderly women returning to their radioactive homes after the Chernobyl disaster.
• Her ideal film strand at HPPH would celebrate older women or feature food-themed films paired with local cuisine.

Local and Independent Cinema Support

Boyd expressed her appreciation for other independent cinemas, including Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast, Chapter in Cardiff, Cinema City in Norwich, and Cottage Road Cinema in Headingley, Leeds.

Personal Interests

Outside of work, Boyd enjoys day trips to nearby towns such as Hebden Bridge and Saltaire, attending writing workshops, reading in her garden, and discovering new music. She has recently taken up crocheting through local workshops.

For more information, visit the original article on the Leeds Heritage Theatres website.