Showbiz Name And Member Database Sold To TIX

The trademarks and member database of wound-up premium ticket company Showbiz have been sold to ticket marketing platform TIX.

Today TIX co-founder and Chairman Jack Singleton confirmed to theMusic.com.au that they have acquired the company's member database, the Showbiz trademarks and IP and the Halftix brand for a deal believed to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but not millions.

TIX had originally turned down an offer to purchase the company after Showbiz entered administration in early April but won the assets with the highest bid. They expect that Showbiz database will add 500,000 active users – although the definition of 'active users' differs between companies – to their membership base, which they claim to currently be 700,000 strong.

TIX own the Firsttix, Fasttix, Lasttix and Movietix brands and offer a marketing platform for promoters and events rather than providing a ticketing service themselves. Unlike Showbiz, they will not receive set allocations for events but offer first access or special deals to their email base – with transactions taking place through the venue, promoter or ticketing company.

“Our Lasttix business is only small,” Singleton said, we've only been around a few years and this will give us a much bigger database and bolster our offering to promoters.”

Showbiz staff were made redundant after the company entered administration and a meeting of Showbiz creditors last week decided to wind up the company voluntarily. After emails were sent to partners and staff yesterday, Singleton said they had been contacted by former staff and they are willing to meet them.

While the Showbiz brand and member database will be implemented into the TIX network as soon as possible, Singleton said the group has not yet decided how they will implement the Halftix – a service offering last-minute, half-price ticket to fans through a pop-up store in Sydney's Martin Place – model.

People with further questions regarding Showbiz are advised to contact administrators PFK Lawler on showbiz@pkflawler.com.au or at (02) 8346 6000.