Foxtix Takes On Oz

Australian publisher News Ltd. chairman and chief executive John Hartigan announced Oct. 18 the launch of new ticketing service Foxtix to take on the Ticketek/Ticketmaster duopoly in major event ticketing in the country.

“This new venture will provide ticket buyers, venues and event promoters with a more powerful option than they are getting now and will open up new marketing opportunities for major events across News Ltd.’s network of newspapers and websites,” Hartigan said.

Promoters and venue managers will get increased coverage of events through News Ltd.’s newspapers, websites and apps, more control of their event’s ticketing and more buyer data – which the company says it will offer at a lower cost.

News Ltd. subscribers can buy tickets before they go on general sale and get exclusive access to events and discounts. Marketing arrangements with MySpace will capitalise on the sharing of entertainment on social networking sites.

Foxtix will be led by Adam McArthur, currently general manager of e-ticketer Moshtix. He will run both companies, reporting to Michael Solomon, executive director of News Digital Media’s emerging businesses division.

According to McArthur, Australia’s live sector has been “telling us for a long time” of a need for a third player.

“When you compare the Australian ticket market to other global markets, we are a long way behind when it comes to technology and service.”

Promised for consumers are new technology to minimize scalping, new ticketing delivery methods, ability purchase tickets on mobile devices and resell tickets. Customers can also choose their own seat at venues.

Foxtix also released Oct. 18 its “State of Event Ticketing Industry Report,” conducted by CoreData.

It claims that 78.1 percent want government involvement in regulating the ticketing industry, 38 percent want a lay-by (payment plan) ticketing option, and only 9.5 percent of respondents feel they get good value when buying tickets.