Extending a test promotion started with 2006 releases by Bob Dylan and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, TicketMaster today announced that – starting in Summer 2007 – it will offer pre-orderers of certain iTunes Store album releases priority ordering rights for the artists’ live concert tickets. iTunes Store album buyers will find the artists’ tickets for sale on Ticketmaster.com before they are offered to the general public.
The company also announced that it will give away one free iTunes Song download of the buyer’s choice with each concert ticket purchased from its TicketMaster.com web site, as well as offering a digital sampler with music from touring artists.
“By providing direct links to iTunes, the world’s most popular online music and video store, we’re giving iTunes and Ticketmaster customers the opportunity to buy concert tickets, and explore and purchase great music,” said Sean Moriarty, president and CEO of Ticketmaster.
“We’re thrilled to be working with iTunes to offer concert-goers even more ways to connect with their favorite artists.”
Apple and TicketMaster also announced that a joint TicketMaster + iTunes Gift Card pack with concert and download credits, apparently in various denominations, will be sold “later this year” through their respective web sites. Target stores will also sell a $50 gift card pack.