Ticketmaster still just doesn't get it

According to a post earlier today on Ticketmaster's blog (http://bit.ly/bmUIkC) --

"All of our conversations with fans like you tell us that the way we present these fees in the check out process is a huge frustration for you and hurts ticket sales. You just want to know UP FRONT in the buying process how much of your hard earned money you are being asked to pay for a given seat . . . The problem is that historically we haven't told you how much you have to pay for a given seat until very late in the buying process. And our data tells us this angers many of you to the point that you abandon your purchase once you see the total cost, and that you don't come back."

ARE YOU KIDDING TICKETMASTER? At least for this fan of live music (and the rest of us here at Wikkit), what people really care about are HOW MUCH we're being asked to pay in fees, not WHEN we're told about how much we're getting ripped off!!!

The Wikkit Story

The Dream - True Ticketing Democracy

The idea for Wikkit started years ago when Adam Hunt, the founder and president of Wikkit got outraged by paying almost $10 in Ticketmaster's ridiculous "convenience fees" for a $20 concert ticket. After acquiring the Wikkit.com website in 2006, he became determined to figure out a way to send tickets over the internet so that anyone could afford to go to a show and offer ticketing fees that really are "convenient" (like fees that are next to nothing for fans).

With the help of co-founders Alexis Hunt and Wajohn Yao (and many many others including friends, family and lots of cool people on Craigslist), Wikkit now offers everyone true ticketing democracy. This is how it works:

If you're a band and want to sell your own tickets to a show (or if even if you're just in charge of planning the next school dance), then you can just create wikkit tickets at Wikkit.com and your fans will get a wikkit texted to their phone and/or sent to their email account when they sign up.

Then you just need the FREE Wikkit iPhone or Droid app to scan wikkits at the door. Without the costs of having to have a bricks and mortar storefront or delivery fees, Wikkit charges almost nothing for this service -- we just want you to really have a convenience way to get your tickets quickly, securely and without having to pay an arm and a leg.

MORE THAN TICKETS

While event tickets will always be a focus at Wikkit, the team realized that wikkits are far really more than tickets, they're a passport to an entire wireless world. All you need to do is wikk (aka scan) a wikkit and see where it takes you!

Wikkit is Social Networking: At Wikkit we aren't big fans of "friends" that you've never met before. That's why with Wikkit Slate, you actually have to interact with people in person--basically we're putting the "social" back into social networking....all using wikkits that people stick on their clothes, bags and books. If you're sick and tired of Myspace and Facebook and unning out of things to Tweet then it's time to get wikkit!!!

Wikkit is Promotions: We want all businesses to be able to let customers know about their great deals and products and we want to help everyone get more cool free stuff--whether it's a free appetizer at a local restaurant or a free shot at a local bar.

Wikkit is Advertising: We now offer "Wikkitizing" for when you need to spice up your traditional print campaign by integrating wikkits and getting to know your customers better.

Wikkit is Loyalty Programs: How many club cards, rewards cards and punch cards do you have lying around? How'd you like to simplify your life and have just one? With a single unique wikkit stored on your cell phone (we call it "myWikkit"), you can toss out all those cards have one card that keep track of it all for you.

So what's the bottom line? At Wikkit we want to make your life easier and a little more fun--what are you waiting for? Get Wikkit!

WIKKIT'S CORE PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

• Low Fees: We're as sick as everyone else is of ridiculous "convenience" charges that cost almost as much as the ticket itself.

• We're all in it together: We want to have fun doing this and we'll have more fun if our fans are having fun and spreading the word about wikkit. If we can make a little money, and you can save a little money, then everybody wins (except maybe for dictators of the current ticketing regime).

• Keep it Simple: We help people quickly and easily create events and buy, sell and transfer wikkits. The faster and easier that is for you, the happier we are. Check out your favorite bands, artists or YouTube for cool videos and the latest music. Come here to get a wikkit and see it in person.

• Community Matters: We think that your high school graduation, school play or community play is as important as a stadium rock concert. Wikkit isn't just for businesses--all sorts of community groups can take advantage of using wikkits at your next event.

• Creativity is Cool: We think bands can use wikkits to handle ticket sales for bars and venues that can't or won't. We think that using wikkits for free giveaways (like an open bar or autograph session with your favorite athlete or author) would be pretty cool too. We've also pretty sure that you're more creative than us and will come up with ideas we haven't even thought of. When you do, shoot an email to us: ideas@wikkit.com and we'll feature your event or idea so everyone else in the Wikkit community can learn a little something.

• Competition is Good: You shouldn't be forced to use one company to buy tickets for an event that you want to go to. Safe Buying and Selling: You should be able to safely transfer your wikkit to a friend, a buyer on Craigslist or whoever the hell you want and it shouldn't cost you much to do it.

• Information Sharing: We don't think that sharing information is always a bad thing--especially if it helps us keep ticket costs down. At the same time we don't think that getting a great deal means having to give up all of your personal info.

Shooting on location in NYC (at the Double Down Saloon)

Here's a pic from our video shoot on location in NYC last week for the "Can I Wikkit?" video. We'll have more behind the scene shots and footage in the first edition of the Wikkit Weekly posted to Wikkit.com

Can't wait to see the finished product!!!

@WikkitWikkit
http://www.wikkit.com

Ticketing Democracy

From introducing "wikking" and "getting wikked" to the world, Wikkit is all about bringing the online world into the real world so you can easily interact with the people and places around you.

One of the first ways that we're doing that is by letting anyone create an event and sell or giveaway "wireless" tickets to the concert, play, performance or bar promotion using Wikkit.com -- it's true "ticketing democracy" so you aren't forced to use Ticketmaster, Stubhub or the other guys out there -- all you need to take tickets at the door is a smartphone and a Wikkit app!

Our big launch is coming up so make sure to stayed tuned for more information about everything Wikkit!!!

The Wikkit Team
@WikkitWikkit
http://www.wikkit.com

Hot female bartender GETTING WIKKED

Wikkit (soft) Launch . . .

is set for TOMORROW night (August 11th) in Chicago - make sure to check back here (and @WikkitWikkit) for updates and pics!

http://wwww.getwikkit.com

The new Wikkit YouTube video is up and running--let us know what you think!

In the second Wikkit YouTube video, we head to the streets to see who knows that wikkits are wireless tickets...

Based on these responses it looks like we have our work cut out for us (did she really say what I think she said???)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=youqy_RrplA

Also don't forget to check out http://www.wikkit.com or on Twitter @WikkitWikkit

First Wikkit Video Goes Live!!!

Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/wikkitvideos#p/a/u/0/JvXOnLsAuDI and definitely let us know what you think...say what's a wikkit anyways???