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Learn about the essential strategies for maximizing ticket sales and secondary revenue streams, including season tickets, group packages, and advanced sales. Discover the importance of ticket sales, trends, and effective marketing approaches.
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Ticketing and Secondary Sales Georgia CTAE Resource Network Written by Krystin Glover and Caleb Allred
Importance • Ticket sales provide financial backbone for any organization within the industry • In 2006, consumers spent $15 billion on sporting events, $11 billion for amusement parks, $9 billion for movies, and $790 million for Broadway plays • Typically generate 50-66% of a major league soccer franchise’s annual revenue
Ripple Effect • Sponsorships increase in value with increase in ticket sales • Sold out events maximize exposure for sponsoring companies
Trends • Like all industries, business trends play important role in marketing • A current trend is “flex” ticket packages • “Orlando Flex” ticket package offers buyers access to several theme parks in the Orlando area
Ticket Sales Strategies • Season Tickets • Ticket Packages and Mini-Plans • Season Ticket Equivalents • Group Tickets • Theme Night Packages • Advanced Sales • Premium Seat Packages • Walk-Ups and Promotionals
Season Tickets • Provides consumers with a ticket to every home event for one package price • Playoff (or post-season) are not typically included • Inclusion of playoff tickets can be powerful incentive • Typically provide core revenue stream for most professional sports teams, colleges, and universities
Season Tickets continued… • Most organizations include additional benefits for season ticket holders • Houston Astros offer priority on purchasing post-season games if team advances • Miami Dolphins provide 10% discount at gift store, complimentary newsletter, exclusive e-mails, and opportunities to win special prizes
Ticket Packages and Mini-Plans • Groups together select number of events, often at discount price • Offer special rate and/or additional benefit for committing to more events • Offer flexibility by requiring smaller financial and time commitments
Package and Mini-Plan Examples • Orlando Magic half season package includes customer benefits and free subscription to e-mail newsletter • Calgary Flames offer weekend packages that feature only weekend games
Season Ticket Equivalents • Sum of all various ticket packages sold • Sometimes referred to as FSEs (Full Season Equivalent) • Kansas City Royals sold 400 quarter season, 800 half season, and 2,000 full season packages, they have sold 2,500 FSEs
Group Tickets • Reserved block of tickets for a specific event • Usually require a minimum of ten or more for group rates • Examples • Most Broadway plays and musicals • Professional sports teams • Many theme parks
Theme Night Packages • Designed exclusively for particular group • Intended to attract large groups by customizing the experience • Charlotte Bobcats host teacher appreciation night—special discount for teachers • Houston Comets promote Girl Scout night with special prices for girl scouts, meeting players, group photo with mascot, and games on the court
Advanced Sales • Promotes sale of individual event tickets prior to start of season or event • Encourages fans to purchase in advance to eliminate risk of people changing their minds on the day of the event • University of Wisconsin athletics policy states ALL reserved single game tickets MUST be purchased in advance. • Only general admission is sold on day-of-game • Cleveland Cavaliers utilize wristband lottery priority system for fans planning to purchase tickets
Premium Seat Packages • Feature additional benefits or values • Include suites, courtside seats, other preferential or “VIP” treatment • Luxury suites • Club seats may include VIP parking, private autograph sessions, locker room tours, private practice viewing, etc. • Discounts on refreshments, merchandise, etc.
Walk-Ups and Promotionals • Purchased upon arrival at event • Sometimes called day-of-game sales • Creative promotions increase walk-up sales • Portland Trail Blazers “Elvis Night” encouraging fans to dress like Elvis with costume contest and Elvis themed entertainment
Ticket Processing Mechanics of Ticketing
Processing • Distribution • Database Marketing • Service • Drawbacks • Strategies for Attracting Secondary Sales
Distribution Technology streamlined distribution of tickets • Internet offers many access points • TicketMaster.com • Fandango.com • Individual team, league or event websites • Online ticket brokers • 75 million MLB tickets sold annually • One third purchased online
Distribution continued… • StubHub.com reportedly sells 300,000 tickets per month • Many offer buyers option to print off own tickets • Many venues utilize barcode system for scanning tickets • Helps avoid common problems such as: • Lost or stolen tickets (can be deactivated or replaced) • Erroneous selling same seat more than once
Database Marketing • Marketing efforts through database containing information about existing and prospective customers • Steadily growing trend • More effective—stores information directly relating to fan base • Portland Trail Blazers e-mail campaign offered complimentary tickets to pre-season game for registering with online database
Database Marketing continued… • Allows organization to effectively • Generate new business • Boost renewal and retention rates • Increase fan loyalty • Strengthen relationship with customers • Better understanding of fan demographics • Improve communication with fans
Service • Many organizations offer online account manager programs for season ticket holders • Memphis Grizzlies season ticket holders may • Forward tickets electronically—allowing customers to email tickets to other people, even last minute • Manage ticket usage and guest list • Edit personal profiles to keep account info updated • Make payments, view statements, and renew ticket packages • Technology makes communication easier and more effective
Drawbacks • Unauthorized third party selling “scalpers” • Drives ticket prices up • Ticket scalpers purchase tickets at face value and resell them for much more than the original price • Illegal, but difficult to monitor and track
Strategies for Attracting Secondary Sales • Challenged to adapt to rapid growth of secondary ticket market • Many organizations partner with secondary ticket sellers to share profits • StubHub partners with St. John’s and Georgetown Athletics, in addition to others • RazorGator lists major league partners as New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks