WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA. and NASHVILLE (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Ticketmaster is acquiring a significant stake in echomusic, — the online fan club and brand management company, whose unique blend of philosophy, methodology and technology builds trusted one to one relationships with consumers for clients such as Kelly Clarkson, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley and Keith Urban.
Ticketmaster and echomusic will leverage their diverse resources to build brand awareness, increase fan memberships and drive ticket sales for their respective clients. The companies will integrate select technologies and resources to provide a closer connection for the consumer with their favorite entertainers, athletes and brands. Jointly the companies will look to enhance their relationship with iLike and IAC properties, such as Ask.com and Citysearch to create new channels for music discovery and distribution.
"By integrating echo's innovative technology with Ticketmaster's distribution network we present an extremely compelling marketing and sales platform for the music industry as well as all of live entertainment," said Sean Moriarty, Ticketmaster's president and CEO. "We are excited to join forces with echomusic, which is the most comprehensive platform we have found to enable relevant and deep relationships between fans and their favorite artists, athletes, teams and venues."
"Leveraging the ticketing system and strong industry network of Ticketmaster with the innovative platform and consumer insights of echo will help us define the next marketing and branding model for the entertainment industry," said Mark Montgomery, CEO of echomusic. "Ticketmaster's investment, as well as 30-plus years of live entertainment expertise and the access to IAC brands create almost limitless opportunities for our clients and echo."
"Mark is a talented entrepreneur with real passion and vision and we are thrilled to have him lead the echo team and welcome him to the Ticketmaster and IAC family," added Moriarty. "Echomusic has been building their operation to serve fans and artists for the past seven years on the entertainment industry's 'third coast' in Nashville, Tennessee."
–Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
