By Preston Manning, President and CEO, Manning Centre for Building Democracy
The North American circus market once looked much like the political marketplace in Canada today. It featured two dominant players, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey (they later merged), plus some smaller regional circuses, all engaged in cutthroat competition. Each offered declining numbers of customers variations on traditional circus features – slapstick humour (clowns), danger and thrills (animals and acrobats), a few star performers, and “circus” food – all offered in the traditional venue of three rings in a tent at a low price relative to other entertainment options.
