Untethered Access to Live Entertainment Brings Fans and Artists
Closer Together
New Mobile Access Will Allow Ticket Purchases Anytime, Anywhere
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. and WATERLOO, Ontario, Sept. 11, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
* Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq:RIMM) (TSX:RIM) and Ticketmaster (Nasdaq:TKTM) today announced an agreement to more closely connect fans to live entertainment. * RIM's popular suite of BlackBerry(r) smartphones was exclusively designated as the "Official Smartphone of Ticketmaster." * With this agreement, Ticketmaster moves beyond the physical ticket to providing wireless, fan-friendly convenience with BlackBerry. * BlackBerry users will be able to browse, search, and purchase tickets to live entertainment while on the go. * Ticketmaster and RIM are developing an exclusive software application that allows BlackBerry users untethered access to browse and purchase tickets to the hottest shows, games and exhibits available on Ticketmaster.com, TicketsNow.com, and GetmeIn.com. * Additionally, this agreement highlights the digital-to-real life media experience as BlackBerry users can browse music, then sample cuts, and finally, purchase tickets to that live entertainment event. * BlackBerry users will receive anytime, anywhere email alerts with news and information about upcoming music, family and sporting events. * BlackBerry(r) Wallet users will also enjoy seamless access to their credit card and reward card information when purchasing through Ticketmaster on their BlackBerry smartphone. * This agreement with RIM signals an important strategic direction for Ticketmaster toward non-ticketing revenue in areas of exclusive sponsorship arrangements. * This agreement marks the first end-to-end mobile e-commerce solution for smartphone-based ticket purchasing in North America. * The RIM-Ticketmaster agreement is exclusive to the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. * No other terms or conditions of this RIM - Ticketmaster agreement were disclosed. * Life on BlackBerry just got cooler with Ticketmaster.
"The BlackBerry platform is the ideal platform for mobile e-commerce. With its inherent flexibility, stability and security, the BlackBerry platform allows application providers to offer e-commerce solutions that people will feel confident using," said Jim Balsillie, co-CEO at Research In Motion. "We are very excited to be working with Ticketmaster to provide this exclusive value-added service to our customers."
"Our new agreement with RIM ushers in the next generation of lifestyle innovation designed to conveniently connect fans to live entertainment," said Sean Moriarty, Ticketmaster's chief executive officer. "BlackBerry users will now have access to browse, search, and make purchases from Ticketmaster.com whenever and wherever they want. The excitement of the live entertainment experience just went mobile."
"This is a prime example of Ticketmaster teaming with another leading brand to exclusively reach the more than 58 million registered Ticketmaster.com users with news and information about their favorite bands, teams, events, and exhibits," said Greg Consiglio, senior vice president, Business Development at Ticketmaster. "The BlackBerry is the ideal smartphone platform for live entertainment fans to stay connected everywhere."
About Research In Motion (RIM)
Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity to data. RIM's portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry(r) wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld(tm) product line, software development tools, radio-modems and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com
About Ticketmaster
As the world's leading live entertainment ticketing and marketing company, Ticketmaster connects the world to live entertainment. Ticketmaster operates in 20 global markets, providing ticket sales, ticket resale services, marketing and distribution through www.ticketmaster.com, one of the largest e-commerce sites on the Internet; approximately 6,700 retail outlets; and 21 worldwide call centers. Established in 1976, Ticketmaster serves more than 10,000 clients worldwide across multiple event categories, providing exclusive ticketing services for leading arenas, stadiums, professional sports franchises and leagues, college sports teams, performing arts venues, museums, and theaters. In 2007, the company sold more than 141 million tickets valued at over $8.3 billion on behalf of its clients. Ticketmaster is headquartered in West Hollywood, California (Nasdaq:TKTM).
Research In Motion Forward Looking Statement
Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM's products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights, and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM's periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. RIM has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and are used by T-Mobile under license. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. Neither RIM nor T-Mobile assume any obligations or liability and make no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services
Ticketmaster Forward-Looking Statement
This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to Ticketmaster anticipated financial performance, business prospects, new developments and similar matters, and/or statements that use words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including, among others: Ticketmaster's ability to operate effectively as a public company following its spin-off from IAC; changes in economic conditions generally or in the live entertainment industry; the ability of Ticketmaster to retain existing and obtain new clients; Ticketmaster's ability to maintain Ticketmaster's brand recognition and attract and retain customers in a cost-effective manner; integration of historical and future acquisitions; the ability of Ticketmaster to expand successfully in international markets; changing customer requirements and industry standards; and regulatory changes. Certain of these and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in Ticketmaster filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in its Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 20, 2008. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have a material adverse effect on Ticketmaster's business, financial condition and results of operations. In light of these risks and uncertainties, these forward-looking statements may not occur. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only reflect the views of Ticketmaster management as of the date of this news release. Ticketmaster does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.