This was a great conversation with Paul Williamson from Two Circles.  Paul mentioned to me recently that every project he works on has the feel of a startup and we explore that idea.  Along the way, Paul teaches us how to think through complex projects. He talks about market research, using pricing to create opportunities, and how to balance attendance and revenue.  Check out my newsletter at http://talkingtickets.substack.com  Look at the work being done by Booking Protect. Refund protection has become a more important part of the customer journey since lockdowns from the pandemic have eased or been removed. We've seen people take up refund protection at up to twice the rate they were taking it up at before the pandemic.  www.bookingprotect.com Visit my website and find out everything I'm up to on the 2022 world tour: www.davewakeman.com 

Paul Williamson teaches us what tickets and startups have in common.

When you work in entertainment, you are in the business of fun. This podcast will focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with helping your customers create memories and special moments. We will talk about sports, theatre, performing arts, and other forms of entertainment, highlighting the best ideas in marketing live experiences, creating long-term customers, and growing revenues.

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Lauren Teague returns!  Lauren is the CEO of FanWgn. She has created an idea that is called "Second Fan Fashion" and it is very cool.  FanWgn ties together a few of Lauren's favorite things:  Sports Fashion Tech Sustainability  In this episode, we talk about Lauren's career path and how she went from an employee to a sole business to a founder.  We hit on the importance of strategy. Se talk about fandom, entrepreneurial spirit, and the environmental challenges of fashion.  Lauren is working with Brian Berger on the Sports PR Summit that is happening in Chicago this year on June 17th. You get a full day of learning and you get to see the Cubs!  That's a winning day!  I'm mapping out the new, improved 'Fans For Life' for NYC on September 4th. I want to know what you want and need to know so let me know by responding in the poll that is going out in today's 'Talking Tickets' or by sending me an email at Dave@DaveWakeman.com You will find me in London from 27 June to 7 July. I've got a few things going on, but mark your calendar for 2 July because I'm going to try and figure out a place to have some drinks and meet up with folks.  A 'Talking Tickets' meetup!  Check out my  Live Nation antitrust case roundup in 'Talking Tickets'. Visit my website at www.DaveWakeman.com   

Lauren Teague talks about 'second fan fashion'

My guest today is Chris Pantani.  Chris is the GM of the NY Mavericks of the Professional Bull Riders.  We talk about bull riding and why there is now a professional bull riding team representing New York City.  I find out that there is a long history of professional bull riding in NYC.  We also talk about the makeup of bullriding, the history of the sport, and the ambition going forward.  Chris shares how his experience at Goodyear has helped him be in a good position to lead a team in PBR.  We talk about sponsorships and activations. We hit on rooting for a sport that has a history of being individually driven...and a lot more.  Make sure you join me in NYC on September 4th for 'Fans For Life: Creating and Keeping Today's Fans!' Re-invented for 2024.  We will talk about things like:  Lifetime Fan Value Brand Codes Strategy Before Tactics Discounts are for Dummies Feeding the Content Funnel   And, more.  Get my newsletters, find my store, and read my blogs at my website: www.DaveWakeman.com  Make sure you rate and review the podcast on your favorite platform. And, share this episode with someone that will benefit!  Thank you for spending time with me and don't hesitate to send me a note to say hello at Dave@DaveWakeman.com     

Chris Pantani teaches us that brand activations still matter

Today is the 200th episode of 'The Business of Fun' podcast! You didn't think I would not have something special prepared, did you?  I will share some lessons learned and some things I'm thinking about and paying attention to.  You can come work with me in  NYC on September 4th, 2024...I've recreated 'Fans For Life' for the current world we live in. Find out what I'm up to by visiting my website at www.DaveWakeman.com Please, share the podcast and review it. These things help.  Talking Tickets: https://talkingtickets.substack.com  The Business of Value: https://businessofvalue.substack.com     

Let's celebrate the 200th episode of 'The Business of Fun'

My guest today is Solene Jimenez. She is Head of International Development for arenametrix. www.arenametrix.com This is Solene's first podcast appearance and we had a good time.  Of course, she didn't tell me it was her first podcast until we'd finished recording. I like to make the first podcast appearance fun and easy for folks.  We talked about culture especially from Solene's unique experience of being from France living abroad, working for a French company, returning to France, and now focusing a lot on North America.  She offers up some unique takes on how you have to understand different cultures to build relationships, develop a sales pipeline, and grow a business.  All of them are relevant as my business is more global and you might have a similar situation.  We discuss how Solene approaches bringing a personal touch to a tech business and a lot more.  Visit my website where I am going to be posting some upcoming workshops, happy hours, and events in:  London on 2 July NYC in September Melbourne and Sydney in November  If you are this far and you haven't signed up for 'Talking Tickets' what's going on with that? You can get that newsletter here: https://talkingtickets.substack.com Yesterday, I had a guest post from Bryan Ralston on group sales and I want to know what else you would find valuable.  You can let me know by sending me an email at dave@davewakeman.com   

Solene Jimenez teaches us about the culture of sales in the arts...

I have a good conversation for you today with Alasdair Crawley from FanBase.  We had a great time talking about sports business including:  Why sports business is at a crossroads. The challenge of getting the basics right.  Data v. research Balancing the short term and long term in fanbase building.  The power of experience...  And, much more.  I'm going to be on tour this year... On sales will be available on my website in a few days, but you are a listener of the podcast so I want to let you know first.  I've rebuilt 'Fans for Life' for 2024 and it is better than ever.  I'll be hosting two sessions:  Wednesday, September 4, 2024 in NYC.  Tuesday, 19 November 2024 in Melbourne.   Obviously, these sessions coincide with the 2024 Pearl Jam world tour...but if they didn't, what would I even be doing?  I'll get the full details up in the next few days, but we are going to cover things like:  Developing insights and understanding of the market using free and publicly available data.  How to balance pricing, brand, and sales to achieve the maximum impact of your fan building efforts.  Establishing your brand so that your fans have an identity to latch onto.  The fan lifecycle and how to understand that so you can maintain a relationship with your fans, even in down times.   And, more... Send me a note with the city you are interested in and I'll do a pre-sale for 'The Business of Fun' listeners... Dave@DaveWakeman.com  I'll also be in London from 28 June to 8 July... A mix of business and pleasure with the Pearl Jam concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, The National at Crystal Palace Park, and, hopefully, Wimbledon.  But I also want to set up a time for us to get together and have a pint or a drink. Let's tentatively schedule it for 2 July, Tuesday.  Thank you for being here and listening.  I want your voice to be a bigger part of the podcast going forward. So send me your questions, ideas, guest suggestions, and other feedback...on social media,  in the Slack Channel, or via email.  Get 'Talking Tickets' if you don't already at: http://TalkingTickets.Substack.com    

Paul Williamson teaches us what tickets and startups have in common.

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