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Recommended Reading: He bought StubHub right before the pandemic
Noah Kirsch, Forbes In November, Eric Baker’s online ticket marketplace Viagogo purchased rival StubHub for $4 billion.
eBay is selling StubHub to Viagogo for $4.05 billion
StubHub will soon have a new owner if all goes to plan. Viagogo, another ticket resaler, has agreed to buy it from eBay for $4.05 billion. The sale should close by the end of March, pending regulators' approval and customary closing conditions.
StubHub's ticket loyalty program offers VIP access
Do you spend a fortune on StubHub tickets? To the point where you could buy a decent used car instead? StubHub is ready to spoil you. The ticket exchange has launched a Beyond loyalty program that gives its biggest customers some equally large perks. For one, you get VIP access to special events and early promotions, such as a private tour of Yankee Stadium on June 27th. You'll also have access to a "premier" support tier with fast turnaround times and veteran agents. There's even a once-per-year option for a no-questions-asked refund -- if a flight delay prevents you from seeing a can't-miss football game, you'll get your money back no matter what.
Plan group trips in Skype with help from TripAdvisor and StubHub
Bringing TripAdvisor into a group chat is pretty easy -- just tap the Add to Chat button and select TripAdvisor from the list of available plug-ins. You can choose a destination, then search for restaurants, hotels and activities in the area. Sharing interesting things from your search is as easy as tapping the Send button, and your TripAdvisor post will show up in the group chat. StubHub works similarly; you open the add-in and search for an event, location or date and then select the tickets you want. Once that's done, you can send the StubHub link to the entire group, and then everyone can click through to see the listings on the service, purchasing the seats they want.
StubHub and Viagogo raided in UK ticket touting probe
Scalpers aren't unique to the UK, but the government has made stamping out ticket touts one of its top priorities. Ministers have already set out legislation as part of the Digital Economy Act that will make the use of ticket-buying bots illegal, but regulators are also putting the squeeze on secondary ticket sellers. The Guardian reports that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) raided the offices of secondary ticket marketplaces StubHub and Viagogo as part of a probe into "suspected breaches of consumer law."
New York criminalizes the use of ticket-buying bots
If you failed to get tickets for your favorite band, even though your finger was poised on the "buy" link the instant they went on sale, don't worry -- you never stood a chance. They were probably snapped up by bots that, in one case, bought 1,012 Madison Square Garden U2 tickets in less than a minute. The state of New York has declared that scalpers who use them could get fines and even jail time. "New Yorkers have been dealing with this frustrating ticket buying experience for too long," says state assembly member Marcos Crespie.
StubHub app uses VR to show how good (or bad) your seats are
You're about to buy tickets for an upcoming baseball game, but before you check out, you have to choose your seats. Should you cough up $100 more for club level or should you go for the bleachers and cross your fingers your view isn't totally horrible? It's a decision that many a sports fan have faced. But thankfully, StubHub is about to make the process a lot easier. Starting today, the online ticketing service is venturing forth into VR, letting customers get a 360-degree view from available seats before purchase.
Amazon Echo gets StubHub event info, further automates your home
Since its introduction, Amazon has continued to add new features to its voice-controlled speaker. Most recently, the online retailer tacked on StubHub integration for keeping tabs on local events. Once you set your city, you can ask the gadget's virtual assistant Alexa to tell you what's going on this weekend, for example. Adding to its home automation toolbox, Echo also plays nice with Cree connected light bulbs and gear from both Leviton and Lightify through the Wink hub. If those don't excite you too much you can rest assured that more of the so-called Skills are certainly on the way for the speaker and its built-in helper.
StubHub lets eventgoers call an Uber from its app
People love it when companies make things easier for them, and that's exactly what StubHub is doing today. If you use the service to buy tickets to events, like a live concert or sports game, you'll now be able to book an Uber directly from its iOS and Android apps. The best part about this is that, once you've purchased a ticket, the StubHub application sends a notification to your device (two hours prior to the event) asking if you'd like to request an Uber. And, similar to Live Nation's partnership with the ridesharing firm, there's no need to type in the address to the venue -- StubHub lets drivers know where the drop-off point is.
StubHub launches Spotify app for direct access to concert listings and tickets
Just in time for the summer concert season, Spotify's launching a StubHub app to give fans of sweaty, cramped music venues (indoor and out) quick ticket access. Starting today, Spotify users in the US and UK will be able to access the free app using App Finder to search upcoming concert schedules by location and purchase tickets through provided StubHub links. It's pretty basic stuff, but if you're the impulsive type, this mini-app could be the best thing for your social life and the worst for your wallet.
Facebook launches Timeline Apps platform, socialites rejoice
Facebook, along with its launch partners, has finally let loose its Timeline Apps platform, setting Open Graph apps free to roam the web. Announced at the company's f8 conference in September, Timeline Apps allow third-parties to build Facebook applications that facilitate information sharing amongst users and their social network. While FB initially focused on the music and movie genre, Zuckerberg & Co. seem to have keyed-in on a variety of markets for today's launch, from travel (TripAdvisor) to cuisine (Foodspotting), and even ticketing companies like ScoreBig, Eventbrite, StubHub, TicketFly and Ticketmaster. So now everyone will know immediately when you scored those backstage passes to Ricky Martin because you're living la vida loca with Timeline. Get the full story from Facebook at the source and PR from ScoreBig awaits after the break.
