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Ticketmaster, which recently merged with Live Nation, dominates the multibillion-dollar ticketing industry. But these companies are looking to steal the show

After achieving two important milestones, what's next for Eventbrite? The last time Fast Company caught up with the folks at Eventbrite , the online ticketing service was celebrating the opening of its first international office in London. Now, it has two more benchmarks to be proud of: It issued its 50 millionth ticket, and CEO and cofounder Kevin Hartz tells

On the heels of Live Nation's acquisition of BigChampagne, the consumer data analytics firm, the ticket seller is set to make yet another high-profile pickup: Ethan Kaplan, Warner Music Group's former SVP of emerging technology, will soon join the company. Together with BigChampagne founder Eric Garland, the two will help redefine Live Nation and Ticketmaster's business through big data

On the heels of Live Nation's acquisition of BigChampagne, the consumer data analytics firm, the ticket seller is set to make yet another high-profile pickup: Ethan Kaplan, Warner Music Group's former SVP of emerging technology, will soon join the company. Together with BigChampagne founder Eric Garland, the two will help redefine Live Nation and Ticketmaster's business through big data

Haters gonna hate. But in recent history, no brand's been on the receiving end of consumer vitriol like Ticketmaster

Haters gonna hate. But in recent history, no brand's been on the receiving end of consumer vitriol like Ticketmaster. Its CEO Nathan Hubbard has witnessed firsthand just how intense the loathing can get

If you've had it up to here with Ticketmaster's insane fees, or you're looking to buy or sell tickets to your school's bake sale, your band's concert, or a local cooking class, Eventbrite is for you. Ticketmaster, dubbed the " most hated brand in America " by Fast Company, has historically left much to be desired from a user standpoint, with its eye-popping service fees and market stranglehold on large events that makes them damned near impossible to avoid. Meanwhile, a massive part of the ticketing market has been virtually untapped--Ticketmaster will get you into the U2 and Sting megatours, but if you're looking to sell or buy tickets for a knitting class, an obscure music festival, or a neighborhood nonprofit fundraiser, forget it.

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"Really, it doesn't make the most sense for us to go right after Ticketmaster now, when we have such a large opportunity in all these other markets," says Eventbrite CEO Kevin Hartz. Popular ticketing startup Eventbrite is known more for selling tix for local indie acts than Madison Square Garden headliners

After spending an estimated $350 million to sign top music acts Madonna, Jay-Z, and U2, no one could've guessed Live Nation would be interested in giving discounts to customers. But that's exactly the focus of a new joint venture with Groupon. After spending an estimated $350 million to sign top music acts Madonna, Jay-Z, and U2, no one could've guessed Live Nation would be interested in giving discounts to customers.