Creating a Cluster Around a Clown: The Montreal Circus Cluster - Teaching Note

Case A of this series examines the situation of Cirque du Soleil in its early years. Despite initial success, Guy Laliberté, founder and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, is facing a number of challenges, including aspects such as increasing competition, access to the pool of talent, location and growth. All of these elements are in Laliberté's mind just before meeting with Jean Doré, the mayor of Montreal. Laliberté thinks that it will be a great opportunity to ask for support, but he doesn't know exactly what to ask for. At the same time, Doré is preparing the city's strategic plan and is wondering whether Montreal could benefit from Cirque du Soleil's image and success. He does, however, have some lingering concerns. Case B addresses the incipient steps that the government of Quebec is taking toward supporting a circus cluster in the region. Unlike other cluster cases in which the focus is on the cost-benefit analysis of relocating existing companies in a given geographical area, this case takes a different approach, looking at the creation of a cluster "from scratch." This case delves into the "growing pains" of cluster formation. Finally, case C presents the current situation of the circus cluster in Montreal.