ETM/Warehouse deal challenge to Ticketek

WELLINGTON - Los Angeles-based ETM Entertainment Network has invested nearly $6 million in a ticketing network in New Zealand as its joins with The Warehouse to challenge Ticketek.

ETM has also secured a five-year deal to sell some tickets for the new WestpacTrust Stadium in Wellington.

A major plank in its strategy is 45 electronic ticketing machines stationed in Warehouse stores. Tickets are also sold through a web site and a call centre based in Wellington.

Laurence Greig, chief executive of ETM NZ, said he would be going head-to-head with Ticketek, the country's biggest ticket seller.

ETM hopes to break down Ticketek's stranglehold by convincing venues and event promoters to either swap to ETM or use more than one ticketing agent.

ETM was recently chosen as sole ticketing agent for the new Wellington stadium, except for rugby and cricket in 2000. Mr Greig was confident of eventually securing these rights after 2000.

He said ETM planned to expand into bill payment and other electronic merchandising, such as prepaid phones. He estimated the market for tickets and other services to be about 40 million to 50 million transactions each year.

- NZPA