Tyrannosaurs-Meet the Family Case Study

Australian Museum
Sydney, NSW, AUS

“Jay and Flying Fish have helped to commercialize an expanded revenue stream, resulting in international touring being a key strategic initiative for the Australian Museum. The Australian Museum has increased revenue in the first year of operations by over $1 million, a significant increase in revenue which afforded the museum greater financial sustainability. I would highly recommend working with Jay and Flying Fish. Please contact me through LinkedIn if you would like to discuss further.”

Steven Alderton
Former Director of Programs, Exhibitions & Cultural Collections
Australian Museum

Project Type:

Exhibition Conversion
Touring Exhibition

Services:

Development & Design

Interactive Development

Production & Fabrication

Exhibition Conversion & Fabrication, Custom Crate Design & Production, Multimedia Production, A/V Design & Integration, Artifact Acquisition & Management, Construction Drawings, and Tour Documentation

Consultation & Licensing

Partnership Development, Sales & Marketing, Client Management & Venue Booking, Financial Modeling & Budget Forecasting, Merchandise & Sponsorships, IP & Brand Management, Contract Negotiation

Tour Management & Operations

Tour Prep & Venue Coordination, Project Management, Freight & Logistics, Installation & Deinstallation Management, Host Kits, Floor Planning, Staff Training & Tech Support

Overview:

In 2013, the Australian Museum launched Tyrannosaurs—Meet the Family, quickly becoming the most popular exhibition in its 190-year history. Recognizing the opportunity to reach a global audience, the museum partnered with Flying Fish to adapt the permanent installation into a world-class touring exhibition. This ambitious project launched the museum’s touring program, establishing a new passive revenue stream and expanding its reach internationally.

Scope:

Development & Design

Flying Fish reimagined the original permanent installation to enhance its appeal and adaptability for international touring. This process included adapting the exhibition layout, developing interactive elements, and ensuring the overall experience could seamlessly transition between host venues. The goal was to maintain the high standards of the original exhibition while making it dynamic, universally engaging, and easy to tour.

Production & Fabrication

Flying Fish transformed the exhibition’s physical components into a durable and adaptable format for international touring. We managed the acquisition of key artifacts, including significant fossils from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, ensuring their integrity throughout the tour. Custom-designed crates provided secure transport for delicate objects and artifacts during global transit.

Advanced multimedia and audiovisual elements were carefully integrated and tailored to enhance the immersive experience at each host venue. Detailed construction drawings and comprehensive documentation ensured compliance with venue requirements and supported efficient installation across all locations, delivering a consistently exceptional exhibition experience.

Consultation & Licensing

Flying Fish provided strategic consulting to successfully launch the exhibition’s global tour. We developed comprehensive licensing agreements and delivered financial modeling and budget forecasting to ensure the touring program aligned with the museum’s economic goals and generated additional revenue.

Our team also supported sales, marketing, and venue booking efforts, securing partnerships with leading museums and science centers worldwide to maximize the exhibition’s reach and impact.

Tour Management & Operations

Flying Fish ensured seamless international touring with expert logistics and operational support. We coordinated freight and transportation to move the exhibition efficiently and securely between venues, managed installation and deinstallation with precision, and provided comprehensive host kits and floor planning to optimize layouts.

Our team trained on-site staff and provided technical support to ensure a consistent, exceptional visitor experience. Through meticulous day-to-day project management, we upheld the highest standards across every aspect of the tour.

Impact:

Flying Fish’s involvement in Tyrannosaurs - Meet the Family marked a significant milestone for the Australian Museum, transforming it into a global touring sensation.

Launch of Touring Program

This initiative laid the groundwork for the Australian Museum’s thriving touring program, generating a profitable passive income by licensing the exhibition to overseas locations.

Increased Engagement

The exhibition attracted over 500,000 visitors to major museums and science centers in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, significantly expanding the museum's audience.

Global Recognition

Flying Fish helped establish the Australian Museum as a producer of internationally acclaimed exhibitions, elevating its reputation globally.

Immersive Experience

The exhibition featured life-sized casts, real fossils, engaging interactives, and multimedia elements tailored for each host venue, delivering an educational and immersive visitor experience.

Flying Fish’s expertise in exhibition design, artifact management, and international touring logistics transformed Tyrannosaurs - Meet the Family into a global phenomenon. This project exemplifies Flying Fish’s ability to elevate local exhibitions into international blockbusters, showcasing the power of strategic exhibition conversion and world-class touring solutions.

Gallery: