Geoff Jones has returned to the helm of Australian ticketing giant Ticketek less than a year after splitting for a director’s position with a sports management group.
Jones’ homecoming to Ticketek’s parent company Nine Entertainment Co. sees the executive take an expanded role as managing director events, which includes responsibility for managing the ticketing business, building Nine Events Co. and developing various, unannounced new digital initiatives.
In addition to Ticketek, the Nine Entertainment Co’s media and entertainment empire includes Nine Network Australia, ACP Magazines, Acer Arena and ninemsn.
Jones served as CEO of Ticketek from June 2007 until he left in March 2010 for a role with Sports and Entertainment Ltd. Ticketek and Ticketmaster are recognized as the dominant two ticketing companies Down Under, with each controlling 35-40% of the market, according to live industry sources.
Media giant News Corp. threw down the gauntlet to the big two when it launched Foxtix last October with a pledge to lower booking fees and boost marketing opportunities for the acts it sells.
Australia’s ticketing market is a vibrant one, generating more than $1.08 billion Australian ($1.08 billion) in 2009, according to trade association Live Performance Australia.