Andrew Parsons: The Ticketmaster Boss Making Big Moves
Andrew Parsons is a prominent figure in the live entertainment industry, currently serving as RVP, UK & Ireland & Managing Director, UK which can be found at Ticketmaster UK.
Parsons has has a 20 + year career in Ticketmaster where he started out as account management into business development, latterly heading up the UK sales team.
Who is the CEO of Ticketmaster?
As of April 2025, the global CEO of Ticketmaster is Michael Rapino, who also serves as the President and CEO of Live Nation Entertainment, Ticketmaster's parent company.
Andrew Parsons' Career at Ticketmaster
Andrew Parsons has been an integral part of Ticketmaster for over two decades. His journey began in customer service during his college years. After completing his Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Communications at Goldsmiths College, University of London, in 1998, he transitioned to a full-time role within the company. Parsons advanced through various positions, including account management and business development, eventually leading the UK sales team. Prior to his appointment as Managing Director, he served as Vice President of Music & Comedy, overseeing clients' ticketing strategies.
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Leadership and Responsibilities
In his current role, Parsons oversees the strategic direction and daily operations of Ticketmaster in both the UK and Ireland. He manages a team of over 500 employees across offices in London, Manchester, and Glasgow. His extensive experience within the company has provided him with unparalleled insight into the ticketing industry, positioning him to effectively lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving market.
How Much Money Does Ticketmaster Make?
Ticketmaster, as part of the broader Live Nation Entertainment, generates significant revenue from its global ticketing services. According to City AM, Ticketmaster reached a £274.9m to £286.4m turnover which came ahead of the predicted Oasis boost. The company serves a wide range of events, including concerts, sports, theater, and other live events, making it one of the most dominant players in the ticketing industry.
The company's revenue model is largely based on charging service fees to both consumers and event organizers, with a share of ticket sales going to the company as a commission. The sheer volume of ticket sales and the scope of its global reach help Ticketmaster maintain its strong financial position, despite occasional controversies regarding its pricing practices and market dominance.
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Who is Ticketmaster Owned By?
Ticketmaster is owned by Live Nation Entertainment, a global leader in live entertainment. Live Nation, which was formed through the merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster in 2010, has since grown into a juggernaut in the industry, overseeing not only ticketing but also live event promotion, venue management, and artist services.
Live Nation Entertainment operates some of the world's largest concert promoters and venues, including iconic names like the Hollywood Bowl and Madison Square Garden. Ticketmaster, as part of this larger entity, plays a pivotal role in supporting Live Nation’s ecosystem, facilitating ticket sales for millions of events around the world. The company's market dominance, particularly in the U.S., has sparked discussions about its monopoly over the ticketing industry, but its scale and integration within the live entertainment business make it a key player globally.
Live Nation is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol LYV, making it one of the largest entertainment companies in the world by market capitalization.
Ticketmaster's Oasis Ticket Fiasco: Fans Left Wondering "Where's My Ticket?
In a recent high-profile blunder, Ticketmaster found itself in hot water after a fiasco involving tickets for an anticipated Oasis reunion tour. Fans eagerly awaited the announcement of ticket sales for the band's first reunion shows in years, only to be met with chaos when the system failed to properly manage the overwhelming demand.
Many fans were left frustrated as they encountered issues ranging from website crashes to mysteriously unavailable tickets. Some even reported being placed in a queue for hours, only to be told that tickets were sold out by the time they reached the front. As if the technical issues weren't enough, multiple reports surfaced of fans being charged higher-than-advertised prices due to hidden fees.
Ticketmaster issued a public apology for the mishap, citing unexpected demand as the primary cause, but the damage was done. The incident reignited long-standing criticisms of Ticketmaster’s pricing and ticket distribution practices. While the company has taken steps to improve its systems, this blunder served as yet another reminder of the challenges Ticketmaster faces in managing large-scale events in the digital age. Fans and industry critics alike have called for more transparency and better technological solutions to avoid similar issues in the future.
Despite the setback, Ticketmaster remains a major force in the ticketing industry, but the Oasis incident has certainly added fuel to the ongoing debate about the company's practices and customer service.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster has undeniably solidified itself as the go-to platform for concert and event tickets, becoming an essential part of the live entertainment ecosystem. Its success is built on years of industry dominance, making it the trusted source for securing seats to sold-out shows and once-in-a-lifetime events. The company’s vast reach and partnerships with major venues and promoters have given it an unparalleled position in the ticketing world.
While the recent Oasis ticket debacle may have overwhelmed the company and frustrated countless fans, it’s unlikely to significantly deter customers in the long run.
