Remember when there was something wholesome and organic about camping out to buy concert tickets?
With the death of the CD, the Fayetteville, Arkansas company has decided to deliver what the public truly wants, tickets.
Aware of their failed online music strategy, said tickets will only be available in stores, delivering what Wal-Mart truly wants, foot traffic.
Shows will be offered on an act by act basis, everything will not be available. Rather, Wal-Mart will pick and choose which performers it wants to work with. And in exchange for making this deal, the Arkansas company will deliver tons of promotion, and cash.
First act to sign on the dotted line?
Bon Jovi.
Fair enough. Having apparently not learned that making anxious customers line up to get things on a first-come, first-serve basis might be a stupid idea after an employee was trampled to death on Black Friday, Wal-Mart will encourage this behavior by selling camping supplies and hot dogs (no beer!) to music fans hungry for a top lighter-swinging spot for "I'll Be There For You."
It's not all bad. This apparently may help actual fans get tickets that would ordinarily end up in the hands of scalpers, due to a host of regulations for concertgoers, like requiring that they show their Wal-Mart receipt to get into the concert.
The next band after Bon Jovi to go Wal-Mart exclusive? KISS. Totally not corporate at all, those guys...
