On November 29, Gary Gonya began work as the first director of brand strategy for the Toledo Museum of Art. He will report to the museum’s director.
TMA’s strategic plan aims to make the museum the model art museum in the United States for its commitment to quality and its culture of belonging.
An integrated brand experience requires seeing the world from the view of a diverse community of visitors–anticipating their needs and delivering an encounter that makes people feel invited, fulfilled and inspired to visit again. To accomplish this, the new brand strategy department will integrate internal and external communications, retail, visitor services and design.
“Gary brings a wealth of strategic leadership experience to this new role,” said Adam Levine, the museum’s Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey director and CEO. “He has successfully led a number of engagements that redefined and redesigned the organizational purpose, vision and values for major companies. We are eager and excited to have him share his expertise with us as we expand our mission to become the model art museum.”
Mr. Gonya will oversee marketing and public relations, special events, café, retail and visitor experience departments. He also will help engage local and national audiences, elevate the museum’s visibility and raise public awareness of the organization’s mission, values, strategy and programming.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to integrate my personal history with TMA, my academic interests in art and architecture and my professional experience–all in service of making the power of art more accessible to our community,” said Mr. Gonya. “I believe the Toledo Museum of Art is the pride of Toledo; it’s our heart and soul. We will develop an inclusive brand voice and experience that inspires all people and awakens their connection to the deep human story we all share.”
