NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Secondary ticket provider StubHub! was once the ire of most concert promoters and ticketing companies, as fairly priced ducats would be snapped up for major tours within minutes, only to appear on the site within minutes for outrageous prices. But it seems that the tide is turning.
StubHub! has been announced as the premium ticketing agency for several upcoming tours, with many promoters and organizers taking advantage of the unique features of the site, including auctions and VIP availability, to revolutionize their fans’ experiences.
Superfly Productions recently announced that StubHub! will host several auctions for the New Orleans Jazz Fest, offering VIP Fan Experience packages and autographed memorabilia, with all proceeds benefiting New Orleans charities.
The packages, which include sold-out concerts by legendary acts such as the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dr. John and the North Mississippi All-Stars, include tickets, meet and greets with the bands, access to VIP viewing areas, albums by the artists, signed band paraphernalia, drink tickets and other concert swag.
StubHub! was also recently tapped by the “Rowdy Frynds Tour,” featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special and Hank Williams Jr., to serve as the “Official Premium Ticket Provider” for the cross-country trek.
Through StubHub!, fans will be able to bid on auctions for seats in the first 10 rows of seats for all 20 venues on the tour, and possibly win up to 100 seats per fan. Auctions for the seats have an opening bid of $100 per ticket.
“We are thrilled to provide fans of southern rock exclusive access to one of the hottest touring shows this spring,” said Chuck La Vallee, Head of Music Business Development for StubHub!, about the arrangement. “The ability to provide all Hank Williams Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd fans equal opportunity to get front row seats to their shows is what makes StubHub's brand resonate so loudly with music fans. The progressive thinking of WMA and Ross Schilling from Vector signals a shift in the music community's willingness to explore new opportunities and generate additional revenue by giving the fans something they want.”
StubHub! seems to be nearly invincible in the concert market in 2007, following a $310 million acquisition by internet auction giant eBay in January, and a “buy” rating by several financial analysts in February, as well as the recent settlements of several lawsuits accusing the company of encouraging scalping among fans. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
