IAC/InterActiveCorp's (IACI) Ticketmaster, has expanded its global ticketing operations into China and will serve as the ticketing services exclusive supplier of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in China.
"Ticketing services is one of the most focused issues in Beijing Olympic preparations," said Yuan Bin, Marketing Director of BOCOG. "The ticketing service exclusive supplier integrates advanced ticketing service both in China and abroad. The Beijing Olympic Games requires that the exclusive supplier has not only advanced technology, but also flexible and broad operational ability and professional staff."
Gehua Ticketmaster is a joint venture formed by Ticketmaster and the partnership of Beijing CSI Ticketing Development Co., Ltd.'s China Sports Industry Group, Co., Ltd. and Beijing Gehua Cultural Development Group, to provide ticketing services in Beijing.
As the Beijing 2008 Ticketing Services Exclusive Supplier, Gehua Ticketmaster will provide all ticketing services including the technology platform, order processing, sales channel functionalities, customer service, and on-site Box Office staffing in China.
The venture will also provide the management and software to facilitate Olympic ticketing telephone sales, information and customer service supporting the Beijing 2008 Call Center ticketing operations and infrastructure. Gehua Ticketmaster will also facilitate all aspects of Olympic online ticket sales through the Official Beijing 2008 ticketing Web site as well as provide and integrate with the Olympic ticketing distribution technology platform to enable retail sales of Olympics tickets to consumers through Bank of China branch locations.
Gehua Ticketmaster's ticketing operations in Beijing will be fully integrated to offer event-goers a variety of sales channels including a dedicated Internet site for the sale of tickets online along with a network of telephone contact centers. The venture is also exploring retail outlet opportunities throughout China where consumers may purchase tickets and access event information at existing retail locations. Clients will have access to Ticketmaster's comprehensive infrastructure for event and patron data management, tracking and reporting, as well as marketing and distribution services that will help them connect directly with their current and potential patrons.