WINNIPEG, Manitoba and WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ticketmaster, a Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc., (Nasdaq:TKTM) operating business, today announced that they will launch their Paperless Ticket(tm) technology with Metallica's October 12th concert at MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba beginning Saturday, April 4th, when tickets go on sale for the band's October 12th concert at the venue. MTS Centre will be the first venue in Canada equipped to seamlessly validate Ticketmaster's non-transferable, paperless tickets. The technology creates an electronic ticket on the buyer's credit card, up until their time of entry to the venue, and will be a delivery choice for 20% percent of fans who purchase tickets to Metallica's October 12th concert. These fans will present their credit card at MTS Centre's entry gates, along with a valid photo ID, to receive immediate access and a receipt to the event.
"Ticketmaster's Paperless Ticket(tm) initiative is a great way to ensure that tickets get into fans' hands directly and securely," said Tom Worrall, Ticketmaster Canada's Chief Operating Officer. "This technology provides fans with better access to and the live entertainment industry with more control over their tickets. I salute MTS Centre for leading the way and for taking this bold step for Manitoba concert fans."
Ticketmaster's Paperless Ticket(tm) technology was originally developed and launched last summer in response to fan and client requests for a non-transferable ticketing option that provides enhanced convenience and security in one simple transaction. Paperless Ticket(tm) was first employed for Tom Waits' 2008 "Glitter and Doom" tour; then, in September 2008, more than 18,000 fans attending Metallica's concert at the 02 Arena in London were scanned in using Paperless Ticket(tm). AC/DC's late-2008 tour also used Paperless Ticket(tm) for up to 3,000 seats each night, helping to ensure fan club members and fans purchasing designated seats were able to secure their tickets at face value.
"True North Sports & Entertainment Limited has long been concerned about the issue surrounding the unauthorized re-sale marketplace," said Kevin Donnelly, Senior Vice-President & General Manager, MTS Centre. "We are very pleased to be working with Ticketmaster to provide a permanent solution to controlling our own seating inventory at MTS Centre and the Paperless Ticket is the best option available to reaching those goals."
About MTS Centre
Since opening in November, 2004, MTS Centre has proven to be one of the top entertainment facilities in the entire world. It has twice received the Ticketmaster Platinum Ticket Award for more than 500,000 tickets sold (2006 & 2007) and is currently ranked 19th in the world and third in Canada according to Pollstar Magazine in terms of overall tickets sold. It also received the Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Award for the "Air Canada Centre" Major Facility of the Year for 2009. Since 2004, MTS Centre has welcomed over 5 million visitors to more than 600 events. Also home to the American Hockey League's Manitoba Moose, MTS Centre was built on the site of the historic Eaton's Building in downtown Winnipeg, and is also seen as a cornerstone for downtown revitalization for the city.
About Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc.
Ticketmaster Entertainment consists of Ticketmaster and Front Line Management Group. 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 7,100 retail outlets; and 17 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 2008, the Company sold more than 141 million tickets valued at over $8.9 billion on behalf of its clients. Ticketmaster Entertainment acquired a controlling interest in Front Line Management Group in October 2008. Founded by Irving Azoff and Howard Kaufman in 2004, Front Line Management Group is the world's leading artist management company. Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. is headquartered in West Hollywood, California (Nasdaq:TKTM).