Pandora Buys Ticketfly for $450 Million

The combination of two seemingly unrelated businesses fits into Pandora's Artist Marketing Platform and efforts to use its platform to connect listeners with their favorite artists. Pandora is already allowing some artists to send audio messages to targeted fans. These messages can include a call to action such as a link to buy tickets to an upcoming concert in their area.

The purchase of Ticketfly will allow Pandora to own the transaction from artist message to ticket purchase. The deal will also give Pandora additional data that can improve the music and concerts recommended to listeners.

"With Ticketfly, we will thrill music lovers and lift ticket sales for artists as the most effective marketplace for connecting music makers and fans," said McAndrews.

Ticketfly has raised $87 million since forming in 2008, including $50 million in July of this year. It generated more than $500 million in gross ticket value in 2014. Its clients include the Pitchfork Music Festival and 9:30 Club in Washington D.C.