Cirque Du Soleil: Cultivating Creativity and Designing to Delight

By Jennifer Aaker, Sarah Joyce
2013 | Case No. M353 | Length 5 pgs.
Circle Du Soleil was one of the most successful entertainment companies in the world, a cross between a vibrant acrobatic show and a compelling narrative musical framework that captivated audiences since 1984. However, building one of the world’s greatest entertainment companies was a competitive task. This case explores how President and CEO Daniel Lamarre responded to the challenge by leading the organization with four focal values in mind: creativity at the center of everything the company does, developing people and their talents, financial responsibility, and social responsibility. Although it had grown spectacularly over the decades, Cirque du Soleil still sought to operate with the agility and creativity of a young, small organization. Its focus remained putting on shows that stimulated audiences by capturing their imaginations.

Learning Objective

This case is designed to showcase the importance of having high-level core values within an organization that can guide it through different situations throughout the company’s lifetime: from its upstart, growth, and staying competitive even as an industry leader. This case also shows how mission-oriented values can drive the development of a company’s product, whether it is experiential or tangible.
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