For Immediate Release
Ticketmaster, Irvine Partners with 46 of the 64 Bowl Game Colleges
Bowl games offer schools an opportunity to build stronger relationships with their most valued fans
Irvine, CA (January 12, 2007) - Ticketmaster, Irvine, the leading provider of ticketing, marketing and development solutions for college athletics organizations across the nation, announced today that 46 of the 64 colleges that played in bowl games used Ticketmaster, Irvine to sell their bowl tickets. Ticketmaster, Irvine worked closely with many of these colleges to successfully market and sell ticket inventory to their bowl games enabling them to provide optimal levels of service to their most valued fans – donors and season ticket holders.
Based on the anticipated demand of bowl game ticket sales, Ticketmaster, Irvine partnered with bowl-bound universities to determine the most effective bowl strategy and execute the marketing tactics needed to maximize the sale of bowl game ticket inventory. While some colleges opted to post online applications for ticket sales ahead of their scheduled bowl game announcement, others deferred posting online ticket applications until after the school accepted the invitation to play in the bowl game. In either case, schools were given the opportunity to provide their donors and season ticket holders with the option to purchase tickets before inventory was made available to the general public.
“Prior to being invited to play in the Outback Bowl we sent bowl game offers via email to our donors and season ticket holders enabling them to select all potential bowl games they were interested in attending,” said Joe Arnone, Assistant Athletic Director of Ticketing at the University of Tennessee. “Once the announcement was made, this triggered the automated purchase of bowl game tickets for our most valued fans. This not only saved us valuable resources but also enabled us to provide enhanced services to donors and season ticket holders.”
“We not only posted bowl game ticket applications online”, said Stephen Naughton, Director of the Ticket Office at Auburn, “but we also offered a $10 discount for online ticket purchase to encourage online bowl requests and streamline the bowl ticket purchase process. This enabled us to sell nearly three-quarters of all bowl game inventory online.”
“In addition to posting online ticket applications ahead of “Selection Sunday”, said Travis Furbee, Assistant AD of Ticket Operations at Clemson, “we opted to maximize our fans’ experience by promoting scheduled bowl-game activities and local attractions via email. This allowed us to show our fans that we appreciate their support of Clemson Athletics. In doing so, we engender ongoing fan loyalty.”
“We’re proud to have partnered with 46 of the 64 bowl game clients during their exciting and busy bowl season,” said Dave Butler, CEO of Ticketmaster, Irvine. “Not only did we assist our clients in promoting their bowl game tickets, but many also turned the bowl game process into an opportunity to build closer relationships with their most valued fans – donors and season ticket holders.”
About Ticketmaster, Irvine
Founded in 1980, Ticketmaster, Irvine is a leading ticketing enabler, providing ticketing, fundraising and marketing technology solutions for top venues across North America. Ticketmaster, Irvine provides a wholly integrated infrastructure that puts venues in direct control of their customer relationships, brands and revenue potential. Primary markets include college athletics, professional sports, performing arts, arenas and museums. Collectively, Ticketmaster, Irvine clients sell over 100 million tickets annually representing approximately 25% of all live event tickets sold in the US. Ticketmaster, Irvine is a privately held corporation based in Irvine, California.
Representative customers include: Thomas & Mack Center, Louisiana State University, University of Oklahoma, University of Nebraska, The Resch Center, University of Michigan, Florida State University, University of Maryland, University of Southern California, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Charlotte Arena, New Era Tickets, the Toronto Symphony, American Museum of Natural History, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, National Aquarium in Baltimore, Dover Downs Entertainment, Inc. and many other leading venues across North America.
Visit www.Ticketmaster, Irvine.com for additional company information.
Ticketmaster, Irvine Contact
Shaw Taylor
949.823.1767
Marketing Director
staylor@Ticketmaster, Irvine.com
University of Tennessee Contact
Joe Arnone
865.974.0117
Assistant Athletic Director of Ticketing
jarnone@utk.edu
University of Auburn Contact
Steve Naughton
334.844.9695
Director of Ticket Operations
naughas@auburn.edu
Clemson Contact
Travis Furbee
864.656.2961
Director of Ticket Operations
tfurbee@clemson.edu
