Theaters partner with Ticketmaster

“This partners us with an $11 billion-a-year company,” said Ann Stafford, the League of Branson’s marketing and public relations chair. “We don’t have the money to do this (individually). … It’s a very strong alliance.”

According to Ticketmaster’s parent company, New York-based InterActiveCorp, Ticketmaster sold more than 128 million tickets valued at more than $7 billion on behalf of its clients worldwide in 2006. Ticketmaster venues hold sports, theater and performance events.

Stafford said the League of Branson, made up of 41 theater shows, began looking a year ago for “a universal ticketing system to formulate a national marketing partnership.” Theater owners also wanted to capture a better share of the Internet market.

“For seven days a month, Branson will be the feature location on the home page for Ticketmaster,” said Stafford, who also co-owns Branson’s Jim Stafford Theatre, one of nine theaters on board with the program.

Ticketmaster will provide the participating theaters with online ticket-selling services as well as ticket sales through its 3,000 ticket outlets in the United States. The company also provides the hardware, software and training for theaters, said Ticketmaster spokeswoman Bonnie Poindexter.

Ticketmaster in April began selling tickets for the Branson theaters, Poindexter said. Nine theaters and shows including Baldknobbers, RFD-TV, The Mansion and New Shanghai already are working with Ticketmaster, with more expected to join the program.

“A lot of them had systems in place and couldn’t change them this year,” Stafford said.

Branson office

Ticketmaster also is establishing a Branson office, expected to open by the end of May, said Connie Lee, general manager of the St. Louis Ticketmaster office that will oversee Branson operations. Branson staff members, three of whom have been hired, will offer technical support, and marketing and client services.

Sarah O’Connor, client services representative, brings nine years of experience at Missouri State University, most recently as assistant box office manager for Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Jason Dolan, marketing associate, comes from the city of Springfield’s public information department. Mike Munday, information technology representative, was a computer support specialist for the Springfield-Greene County Library.

Lee said Ticketmaster plans to hire another client services representative and information technology representative.

Ticketmaster also is providing the League with its own Web site under development by Cottonblend, a media design company in L.A., Lee said.

The Web site will link to Ticketmaster but will be operated by the League.

How it works

Ticketmaster makes money on each ticket sold, the amount of which varies by venue.

“Every agreement is different,” Poindexter said. “Fees will vary depending on the event and the method of delivery and the method of purchase.”

For instance, in addition to being charged the price of the ticket, the customer buying a ticket on www.ticket

master.com, could pay a $3.50 convenience charge and another $3.50 e-ticket download charge for printing or a postal charge for mailing tickets. However, Branson customers have the “will call” option that allows buyers with appropriate identification to pick up tickets at a theater box office.

Stafford said the convenience of Ticketmaster is what will be attractive to many Branson visitors.

“You can get them anytime, day or night,” she said. “It keeps you from driving around from place to place in the Branson traffic.”

Customers can still purchase tickets directly from theater box offices or discount ticket outlets in Branson, Stafford said.

Taking Action

These are the shows to sign on with Ticketmaster so far. More are expected to join.

• Baldknobbers Jamboree Show

• Circle B Chuckwagon Theatre

• Jim Stafford Theatre

• RFD-TV The Theatre

• The Mansion Theatre

• The New Shanghai Theatre

• The Roy Rogers Dale Evans Happy Trails Theater & Attraction

• Hughes Brothers Celebrity Theatre

• White House Theatre

Source: League of Branson Theatre Owners and Show Producers[[In-content Ad]]