Feld really has some clowns working for him
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's business has been growing as struggling consumers look for affordable entertainment options
Kenneth Feld was a sophomore at Boston University when his father, entertainment guru Irvin Feld, purchased Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in 1967. After earning a degree in business management in 1970, Feld joined the circus. The 59-year-old now serves as chief executive of Feld Entertainment Inc., an entertainment giant with over 2,000 employees (not counting the elephants) that produces other high-power performances, including 'Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour Disney on Ice.' Feld recently spoke with Globe reporter Jenn Abelson.
What did you think when you received the call from your dad that he planned to buy the circus?
I got a call from my father who told me we were buying the circus and we were going to Rome for the weekend to sign the deal at the Colosseum. I went 'wow.' This is like the coolest thing ever. It was obviously a turning point of my life - it cemented the fact that I would run away and join the circus.
Before your dad bought the circus, what other careers were you considering?
I had always wanted to be in business with my father. He was a rock 'n' roll promoter. I figured I would promote rock 'n' roll. I had been promoting while I was at BU. The biggest coup ever was when I booked The Who about a week or two weeks before the 'Tommy' album came out. By the time they came to BU, they were probably the hottest act in the world.
Your two daughters work with you now. What lessons did you learn from working with your father?
I never had a job. I graduated from BU in 1970 and right away the next day went to work for Ringling Brothers. I thought it was important that my daughters had the opportunity to work elsewhere. It was a rule that they could not even come into the family business unless they worked elsewhere for two years first. I wanted to alleviate much of that pressure of being the boss's kids. When they came to the company, they were able to bring something to the table.
So what do they bring to the table? I always thought I would be cool and hip and would know what was happening today and top 10 songs. And I have to tell you I don't. Having them - they bring a contemporary sensibility to what we do which is really important in understanding the customer today.
Why are you here in Boston? I come to Boston whenever there is a BU Board of Trustees meeting, which I sit on, and then when 'The Greatest Show on Earth' comes to TD Banknorth [Garden].
How has the downturn in the economy affected ticket sales?
We've been quite fortunate and our business has been growing at a very rapid pace this year. Part of it is that in tough economic times, people spend money on entertainment if they know they can count on it. They know they can count on Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. People are forgoing more expensive vacations and we're the beneficiary of a lot of that. We are affordable - our tickets cost $15 up to $75 for VIP.
What's the fastest-growing part of the business?
Disney on Ice's international business. Three years ago, we had one tour in Europe. This year we have five. The economic times are much better. We're now playing in Indonesia, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina.
What's the biggest perk of having a circus?
Something that's most near and dear to my heart is the commitment to the survival of the Asian elephant. We started an elephant conservation that is strictly for research, reproduction, and survival. It's the only sustainable herd of Asian elephants. We have 21 elephants on the circus tour, and 35 elephants at the conservation on over 200 acres.
When you're at the circus, what's your favorite part about the event?
Watching the audience watch the circus. 