In the corporate T&E spend category, entertainment assets, also known as "tickets," are difficult to control and monitor without the right systems in place. Most people complain about ticket scalpers yet when the demand is high for a sporting event or concert, many of those people buy from the secondary ticket market. Some of the secondary ticket sellers are considered scalpers.
Now, according to TicketMaster, Miley Cyrus will try their new ticket scalper-less purchasing system. Instead of receiving tickets ahead of the event, it will be a validated "paperless" system. The credit card used to make the purchase will serve as the customer's ticket. To attend the show, the customer just presents the credit card used to purchase the ticket(s) and a valid, government issued ID (such as a driver's license, state ID or passport). The gate attendant will swipe the credit card and since all the seats are assigned to a single credit card, your entire party must enter the venue at the same time.
More information is here--- http://www.ticketmaster.com/mileycyrus/faq.html?ac_link=miley09_custom_splash_faq
Can this paperless system be used for SuperBowl tickets? The Stanley Cup? The Kentucky Derby? The Indianapolis 500? If the system works, how would the corporate buyers obtain their tickets? By standing in line? Interesting thoughts…
There are always interesting pros and cons and many who like to share their thoughts….what is your opinion of this new system?
Debi Scholar, CMM, CMP, CTE, CTT Thank you for visiting the T&E Plus Blog on expense management, travel management, business meetings, events, incentives, strategic meetings management, entertainment, virtual meetings, tickets, hotels, airlines, ground transportation, T&E policy, plus more... Follow me on Twitter ...http://www.twitter.com/debischolar and on LinkedIN at http://www.linkedin.com/in/dscholar
It looks like a first step to a artist controlled marketplace for their tickets. For this specific system, it is going to be a logistical headache for buyers and the venues and will elicit a lot of complaints from parents. As far as corporate buyers, they will purchase the "VIP" packages for this tour. See them here - http://www.iloveallaccess.com.
If a system like this becomes more prevalent, companies will be forced to create deals direct with Live Nation or Ticketmaster for a set number of tickets as well as deals with venues for specific VIP seats for all events. If a company tracks the ROI or effectiveness of buying tickets for business purposes, they can easily determine the maximum price they are willing to pay - this will usually be higher than what an individual will pay.
For a short debate on this, check out the president of StubHub and ticketmaster on CNBC - http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1146036901&play=1.
Posted by: Joe Greiner | June 10, 2009 at 09:18 PM