>
This came in the mail last week (its already expired), but it shows the pressure the Music / Touring business is in.
BTW, why is “Half Off on Pairs of Tickets” better from a marketing perspective than 2 for 1 ?
Please use the comments to demonstrate your own ignorance, unfamiliarity with empirical data, ability to repeat discredited memes, and lack of respect for scientific knowledge. Also, be sure to create straw men and argue against things I have neither said nor even implied. Any irrelevancies you can mention will also be appreciated. Lastly, kindly forgo all civility in your discourse . . . you are, after all, anonymous.
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Putting aside its incredible product line and pipeline of more, its still attractive valuation relative to earnings, and its $100 per share of cash that may be used for a dividend soon, Apple's stock has gone parabolic. And, parabolic moves always end one way, back to the place where the parabolic move began. Now, AAPL can of course power higher to who knows where in this move but the largest market cap stock in the world has now entered a tenuous phase, strictly technically speaking. But I digress. German investor confidence, the ZEW, in the next 6 months rose back...
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July 28th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I work for LiveNation, and I can tell you that their shed/arena business is in trouble, and has been for several years. There are several reasons for this. First, there aren’t as many big bands around that can fill those arenas and sheds, which LVN has invested heavily in (a poor business decision).
Also, LVN fleeces customers at the venues with ridiculous parking fees (charged by the person, not by the car), fleeces at the (virtual) box office with ticketing fees of up to $13/ticket, not to mention the concessions.
In general, live music is a decent business, but not one for a publicly traded corporation whose finances are scrutinized. The only way to profitably operate music venues is the “greasy paper bag” way, which, if you don’t know what that means, you shouldn’t waste your time in the business.
I think LVN would love to be bought up by a private equity firm, or swallowed by another entity (i.e. AEG Live), but that won’t happen ‘cuz LVN has A LOT of debt.
July 28th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Depends on whether you can buy only one ticket for half price. Otherwise no difference. Think groceries.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
@alfred
It says “ON PAIRS OF TICKETS” (but there is an asterisk)…
There is also print that says “Get 2 for the price of 1: Save 50%”…
So – IMO, it covers all marketing aspects because if nothing else, it leaves you thinking WTF? and obliges you to call for clarification WITHIN 24 HOURS!
So hurry up or you’ll miss out on Chickenfoot forever…
…as a footnote…what makes them think “Beyonce” fans can actually read?
July 28th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Must be something to do with service charges and/or taxes, though I can’t figure it out either.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
@cvienne: Or do basic math?
July 28th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
From a marketing perspective? Does it have something to do with counting more sales since they are bought in pairs?
July 28th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Too bad offers like this will disappear now that the recession is over :(
July 28th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Interesting.
I wonder if you are still charged a “processing fee ” for each ticket.
Say that you have two tickets that would normally cost $50 each. Now you can get two for $50!
The problem is that they usually charge some sort of fee just to print out your tickets, say around $7/ticket.
Is your total bill for two tickets $57 or is it $64? And further on that note, who gets these fees? Probably not the artist.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
cause BOGO is a sure sign of panic
July 28th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
All these bands should just pull a Janet Jackson if their concerts can’t sell tickets…
Come down with some strange throat illness & bail…Have your PR guy handle the rest and sulk back to your medicine cabinet…
July 28th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Right now on NPR: LA County Coroner’s Office is reporting a 80% YoY increase in family requests to cremate bodies at state expense.
Private funeral homes might need to go BOGO soon!
July 28th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
I heard cvienne’s boy Jamie Fox had a hard time selling tickets here in the Twin Cities.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
TZ-
funeral homes are quite the racket- you even have to buy a box if you’re cremated-
to cut expenses- every funderal home should provide a complimetary Hills Brothers Coffee can- much cheaper than the most moderately priced vessel- to hold the ashes
July 28th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
“BTW, why is “Half Off pairs on Pairs of Tickets” better from a marketing perspective than 2 for 1 ?”
It likely reflects a view that “Half Price” markets better than does “2 for 1″, but “2 for 1″ is better from a revenue perspective than is 50% off.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
BTW, why is “Half Off pairs on Pairs of Tickets” better from a marketing perspective than 2 for 1 ?
_________________________________________
Because psychologically “Half Off” sounds better than the “1″ or full price. That is even though they equate to the same thing…..
July 28th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
OK…in 13 reader comments we’ve slammed Beyonce, Janet Jackson and Jamie Foxx.
Is that enough for a trend? Or at least a scatter-line?
How about we mix it up a bit and slam Bono, Dylan and Beck, Im sure they’ve missed/canceled a concert or two before.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
@Avl: Sure, them too if they had problems selling tix and/or cancelled their concerts. I think demand for U2 tix are still pretty high if I’m not mistaken. I was just stating a fact. Apparently Foxx had a comedian open for him and it did not go well.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
@Avl: Here you go. Just the facts, Sir….
So why did a meager crowd of just 3,000 show up to see the guy in the flesh? For all his multimedia success, Foxx’s dalliances in music may come across to the ticket-buying public as just that — dalliances. Yeah, he played all his big radio hits Thursday night, including his most recent single, “Digital Girl.” But he has yet to establish himself as a must-see live performer, especially at $65 a ticket in a recession.
Foxx could’ve made it easier on himself. Obviously, booking such a large venue was a mistake, and it was all the more perplexing given that he’s playing more intimate halls and theaters in other markets. And it wouldn’t have hurt to hire an opening act with some drawing power. Instead, Foxx hired his friend, a stand-up comic named Speedy.
http://www.twincities.com/entertainment/ci_12904059
July 28th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Avl-
I do not see how mannwich’s post was a slam- just an observation
July 28th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Transor
Wow, I guess that puts to lie the idea that funeral homes are the ultimate recession proof business as everyone’s gotta die. Ouch.
And just think of the inventory of fancy, overpriced coffins that is building up. I think the govt needs to come up with some kind of incentive program like cash for clunkers to stimulate the biz. Hmm. Any good ideas?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
When you’re always on the look out to be offended, you’re sure to find ways and places to be so.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Bono ?
Never !
July 28th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
the south park episode on Bono was hysterical- I have’t been to PF Chang’s since- also-
why are the celebrities always running to Africa- aren’t their people to help right here? Or in Bono’s case- Ireland?
July 28th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I encourage you all to support your local music scene as much as possible. Major acts are cool too….but they aren’t sleeping on floors and in their van and scrounging for gas money.
2 for 1 fills more seats….more merch and concession sales….more profit…
July 28th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
When is WalMart going to enter the funeral home biz?
July 28th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
My wife surprised me with tickets to U2 at the TD Banknorth Garden a few years ago.
Best. Concert. Ever.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
man too bad this didn’t apply to the pearl jam tickets I just bought through Live Nation.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
“When is WalMart going to enter the funeral home biz?”
Uh, Costco is ahead (by five years) of this curve….
costco.com/Common/CategoryMain.aspx?cat=20595
Now for all you deprived folks (opposite the Left Coast), IF you ever have the
opportunity to take in a JJ Cale performance …..do so as he is truly The American Troubadour.
Period. Dylan may claim it, but that crown belongs to Cale.
And if you have to ask (alright for those than 30) then
http://www.jjcale.com/
Your mileage may vary…but not on this one!
July 28th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Virgin Fest resorted to GIVING away tickets. Well, there was a $5 ticketmaster “convenience” charge. Decent lineup: Weezer, the bravery, jet, public enemy, blink 182:
http://www.virginmobilefestival.com/#/whyfree/
July 28th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
@ ben22
Funny enough, the guys from Pearl Jam were actually the ones fighting to reduce the prices.
Took on Ticketmaster and lost…They might win eventually, but we’ll be too damn poor by then.
I always stick with Joe Jackson, it’s 50 bucks and it’s actual music.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
It’s not hard to slam Janet Jackson or Beyonce (or have REASON to)…
My most recent pet peeve was recent (with regards to Beyonce)…
Remember back in January when they were having that pre-Inaugural festival at the Lincoln Memorial with all the celebrities?
My friend was on the organization committee for that and almost 100% of the performers generously offered their services free of charge (many singers, even Tiger Woods was there even though he’s not an official Obama supporter – most were doing it due to the significance of the event)…
Anyway, my friend tells me that they could not get Beyonce to come because she wanted an $800,000 appearance fee…
What a low life!
July 28th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
BTW
Here is the text of the speech by Tiger Woods at that ceremony (if anyone is interested)…
Jan. 19, 2009
By Tiger Woods
“I grew up in a military family — and my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lt. Colonel Earl Woods.
My dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit our home. They represented every branch of service, and every rank. In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw first hand the dedication and commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life. From every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home.
Each day — and particularly on this historic day — we honor the men and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom. They travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember that for every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them to come home safely.
I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my personal life, but of my professional life as well. The golf tournament we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung heroes. I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country, family and the military, and I am a better person for it.
In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the man whose memorial we stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio Regiment and said:
“I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country.”
Just as they have stood tall for our country — we must always stand by and support the men and women in uniform and their families.
Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the U.S. Naval Glee Club.”
July 28th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
cvienne,
re: Tiger Woods, another facet http://clusty.com/search?input-form=clusty-simple&v%3Asources=webplus&query=the+first+tee
July 28th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
@MEH
I did a little volunteer work for “the First Tee” 1 & 2 summers ago…
July 28th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
@beaufou,
funny, that’s exactly what I said to my wife after she showed me what we paid for them.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
@ben22
Ben…To get you into full FF mode…
Have you checked out this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exOxUAntx8I
July 28th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
>> why are the celebrities always running to Africa- aren’t their people to help right here?
Do you have to ask? The problems in the two locales (US/Ireland vs Africa) are dramatically different — think several orders of magnitude of “bad”.
(Although there’s nothing to say that a giant mean-reversion lies ahead for many…)
I think people lose sight of this sometimes, especially if they want to bash a “limousine liberal”. Why? Because the implied myopia or different level of concern (e.g., “more concerned with [others abroad] than [us here at home]“) helps take that celebrity’s “strength” (caring for people) and turn it into a “weakness” (e.g., “hates America”).
Not that you were thinking all that. But, I think some do. And it’s definitely a “lyric” in right-wing circles, whether they each know what they’re signing or not.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
…meant “singing or not”…
July 28th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Local music- yes.
I used to go to a place called Rosa’s on the west side of Chicago (3200 block of Armitage if you must know-Mama Rosa gave us free Lasagna on Wed?) in the early 90s. I saw Pinetop Perkins, Homesick James- yes, Homesick James about 82 or 83, and slew of other guys and gals that made it happen- not least of whom was a player named Carlos Johnson. All it cost me was a lot of wet kisses from Vera, 3 too many pitchers of Stroh’s Dark a night and too many memories. It was like going to church and getting saved-every time-right then and there. Didn’t even mind when Lurie Bell would snatch my cigarettes.
July 28th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
@ben22
They deserve credit for trying.
By the way, I didn’t mean Pearl Jam wasn’t music, great band and Vedder surprised me with “into the wild”.
Enjoy at full price.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Subway has some sort of LiveNation promo: Get a ticket for $5 when you buy a footlong sub. I’m sure it’s lawn, but still…
July 29th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Ahem.
The trouble Live Nation is in. They and Ticketmaster are monopolizing the remaining profit centers for musicians: live shows. They are working diligently to be the gatekeepers between stages musicians and the fans.
Trouble for the music ‘industry’ is something we should celebrate. Bring on creative destruction!!
For the record, buying through Ticketmaster-Live Nation is not supporting local artists
July 29th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
“local music” doesn’t typically involve any “ticket”….
You usually just give your $5 to the large menacing man at the door and walk right in.