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“If something is worth doing, it’s worth overdoing” – Toller CranstonHis best international finish was bronze at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics, yet Toller Cranston, with his extreme body shapes and theatrical presentation, singlehandedly transformed men’s figure skating from an athletic competition to an art form. He went on to skate professionally, starring in television specials in Canada and the United States, as well as in Broadway shows and at Radio City Music Hall. He made videos with Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell and was fired from the CBC for being too honest as a figure skating commentator.
In middle age, he decamped to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where he produced most of his 20,000 paintings that have been shown in more than 300 exhibitions in galleries and museums around the world. On his death in 2015, he was celebrated for his many accomplishments as a skater, and an artist, and an icon in the LGBTQ community.
Toller Cranston: Ice, Paint, Passion by Phillippa Cranston Baran, is a one-of-a-kind book that uses biography, interviews, letters, photos, and original artwork to bring to life the accomplishments and influences of one of the most compelling and inspirational people Canada has ever produced.
About the author
Phillippa Cranston Baran is an award-winning producer, writer, former film professor and dairy goat farmer. She is the older sister of Toller Cranston and has a faded gash on her left thigh from when he once kicked her with his skates for refusing to twirl him.
Summary
“If something is worth doing, it’s worth overdoing” – Toller Cranston
His best international finish was bronze at the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics, yet Toller Cranston, with his extreme body shapes and theatrical presentation, singlehandedly transformed men’s figure skating from an athletic competition to an art form. He went on to skate professionally, starring in television specials in Canada and the United States, as well as in Broadway shows and at Radio City Music Hall. He made videos with Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell and was fired from the CBC for being too honest as a figure skating commentator.
In middle age, he decamped to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where he produced most of his 20,000 paintings that have been shown in more than 300 exhibitions in galleries and museums around the world. On his death in 2015, he was celebrated for his many accomplishments as a skater, and an artist, and an icon in the LGBTQ community.
Toller Cranston: Ice, Paint, Passion by Phillippa Cranston Baran, is a one-of-a-kind book that uses biography, interviews, letters, photos, and original artwork to bring to life the accomplishments and influences of one of the most compelling and inspirational people Canada has ever produced.
Foreword
Multichannel Social Media Campaign:
Developing engaging content highlighting Toller Cranston's artistic work and skating journey on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Utilizing quotes and excerpts from the book to create anticipation.
Featured in:
Queerty & Travel to Wellness
Influencer Partnerships:
Collaborating with influencers in the figure skating, art, and LGBTQ communities to promote the book and leverage their audiences to reach a wider demographic and generate buzz.
Book Launch Event:
Organizing a book launch event featuring author Phillippa Baran, with guest appearances by key figures from the figure skating and art worlds connected to Toller Cranston. Event set for Feb 23, 2024 at Donna Child Fine Art Gallery.
Incorporate live discussions, readings, and Q&A sessions to engage the audience.
Author Interviews and Podcast Appearances:
Scheduling interviews for author on popular podcasts, radio shows, and various media to discuss the book.
Email Marketing Campaign:
Planning to send targeted campaigns to potential readers, emphasizing the book's uniqueness and its appeal to fans of figure skating, art, and LGBTQ history.
Video Series:
Creating a series of short videos exploring key aspects of Toller Cranston's life, featuring interviews, archival footage, and insights from the author.
Releasing these videos strategically on social media.
Targeted Advertising:
Running targeted online ads on platforms like Google Ads and social media channels, focusing on the unique selling points of the book.
Reviews and Testimonials:
Distributing ARCs to influencers, book review desks, and trade publications for reviews.
