A major act could potentially be pulled out of all venues in New Zealand’s capital city if Ticketmaster becomes Wellington’s main ticket sales platform.
The chief executive of promoter Capital C, Phil Sprey, has already suspended the appearances of the undisclosed major act and has threatened to cancel it if the ticketing provider is not changed.
Concerns about Ticketmaster’s links with resale sites, and its links with promotion through owner Live Nation, is at the heart of Capital C’s stand.
Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (Wreda) recently signed a six-year contract with Ticketmaster to replace Ticketek as official ticket vendor at the city’s major arenas from June 1. Wreda manages Venues Wellington, which includes TSB Bank Arena & Auditorium (pictured), the Michael Fowler Centre, the St. James Theatre and the Opera House.
Although Sprey refused to disclose the identity of the performer, he has previously brought in big names such as Elton John, Kiss and Bon Jovi.
Sprey said: “Sure there are issues with both major agencies in the fact the venue tells you who you have to use, so that’s an inherited problem. But Ticketmaster has a particular extra problem and that is that they are a global promoter.
“If I’m a promoter why would I give all the information on who I’m going to bring, when I’m going to bring and the venues I want bring to, to the company that could be behind my back bidding against me?”
He also added that pulling the act could result in a NZ$12m (£6.4m/€7.4m/$8.3m) loss to Wellington. However, according to Stuff, a Wreda spokesperson said Sprey had no bookings with the venues.
According to Stuff website, the contract has left promoters in Wellington, who were not consulted on the deal, with no control over ticket sales and conditions.
Tricia Macpherson, co-owner of the Stetson Group, which has been promoting events in Wellington for 48 years, said the change was another example of how Wreda has lost touch with local promoters.
“They did absolutely not include promoters [in the tender process], and yet we are the ones in the main that use the system. We got wind they were planning to change, and emailed Wreda to tell them we thought it should stay like it is, with Ticketek,” Macpherson told Stuff.
She added that promoters are now choosing Auckland venues instead, with more Wellington theatres closing down.
David Perks, Wreda venues marketing and destination development general manager said: “We’re trying to get the results we want in terms of significant goals to have more variety of performances … we want a great ticket-buying experience for Wellington punters, and we want to make sure the costs that are paid by Wellington customers are standard.”
“We don’t want people to be ripped off in the process. We believe you need to have a proactive view to be able to change.”
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